Homebase is often seen as a go-to scheduling tool for small businesses that rely on hourly staff. It combines time tracking, payroll, and team messaging in one app.

Still, many businesses find that as they grow, Homebase no longer feels like the best tool for their needs. That’s why searches for Homebase alternatives rise.

In this article, you’ll learn the four options that may be the right solution for your business.

Try StaffedUp for $1 and see why restaurants trust us to hire better staff!

Why Businesses Look for Homebase Alternatives

Image Source: joinhomebase.com

Homebase is a simple scheduling platform to create schedules, check staff availability, and run a basic time clock. Employees also like that the mobile app lets them request time off, swap shifts, and send PTO requests.

On paper, it looks like it covers everything. But if you’ve been using it for a while, you’ve probably felt some of these issues yourself:

• Costs rise fast with every per-location upgrade.
• The free plan feels limited, and the best functions sit behind paid plans.
• Lag makes attendance tracking inconsistent.
• The interface feels clunky compared to newer apps.
• Extra charges for advanced scheduling and the ability to assign tasks.
• Payroll doesn’t work well outside the US.

The 4 Best Homebase Alternatives in 2025

From simple apps with a free plan to full platforms that go beyond basic scheduling, the following are the best Homebase alternatives.

1. StaffedUp: Best Alternative for Hiring and Staff

Hiring in restaurants or retail moves fast, and you can’t afford to wait around for resumes that don’t fit. That’s where StaffedUp makes a real difference.

It attracts more candidates and cuts down the time it takes to bring them on board. From job postings that spread across dozens of boards to digital onboarding, StaffedUp makes things quicker without losing quality.

Homebase does have hiring tools, but they’re not as strong as what you’d find in a dedicated applicant tracking system. It doesn’t connect with LinkedIn job ads, and its candidate screening is limited.

For someone who needs a steady flow of qualified applicants, that means extra steps or even extra software. That’s why so many businesses prefer StaffedUp.

Key Features

• Automated job posting – Pushes your open roles to over 200 job boards with a single click.
• Custom hiring pages – Let you show off your brand so applicants know who they’re applying to.
• Applicant tracking dashboard – Brings every candidate into one view so you don’t miss a single message.
• Scan-to-apply QR codes – Turns walk-ins or flyers into instant applications.
• Automated screening – Filters out unqualified candidates so you only focus on the right fits.
• Bulk interview scheduling – Sends one invite to hundreds of applicants, who then pick their own time slot.
• Automated engagement – Keeps applicants in the loop with messages and reminders so they don’t ghost.
• Digital onboarding – Handles the paperwork online before day one, saving you hours of admin work.
• Optional WOTC screening – Flags hires who qualify for federal tax credits.

Pricing

StaffedUp offers a Starter plan for $1 for the first week and $20 per month after that. The Smarter plan is $49 per month and adds unlimited job posts, automation, analytics, and dedicated support.

For $99 per month, the Pro plan includes digital onboarding, multi-user access, hiring document storage, and manager controls. Discounts are available for businesses with multiple locations.

You can save 20% if you opt for annual billing.

Sign up with StaffedUp now and see how easy hiring can be for only $1!

2. Connecteam: Best Alternative for Workforce Management and Employee Scheduling

Image Source: connecteam.com

Connecteam handles training, forms, chat, and even staff recognition. That’s why many retail, hospitality, and field service teams choose it.

The mobile app makes it easy for staff to clock in, check shifts, or send requests without calling you in the middle of a busy day. For managers, it means you get control over scheduling and other daily tasks in a single system.

So why would you need it? Connecteam gives you advanced scheduling features to cover open shifts in just a few clicks. Staff can send PTO or time-off requests, and you can approve time directly from the app.

Besides that, you’ll get time tracking tools, digital forms, and the ability to assign tasks.

Key Features

• Advanced scheduling features – Fill gaps and handle open shifts quickly while saving time with templates.
• Time tracking tools – Track hours, breaks, and overtime for clear payroll reports.
• Assign tasks – Add one-time or recurring tasks with attachments and due dates.
• Scheduling and time hub – Handle shift changes, requests, and the time clock in one place.
• Employee management – Store documents, train staff, and send recognition without paper.
• Mobile app – Staff use it to view shifts, send PTO requests, and complete tasks from their phone.

Pros

• One hub for scheduling, HR, and team communication.
• The mobile app is easy for staff to use daily.
• Combines scheduling and time without extra apps.

Cons

• Costs rise fast with paid plans.
• Some users see slowdowns during heavy use.
• Fewer integrations than other tools.

Pricing

Connecteam starts with a free plan for up to ten users, which allows you to schedule, track time, and communicate with the team. Bigger teams need paid plans that are divided into three hubs: Operations, Communications, and HR & Skills.

Each hub includes Basic, Advanced, and Expert tiers. Pricing ranges from $35 per month to $119 per month, depending on the features and the number of users. For very large companies, there’s also custom enterprise pricing.

3. Coast: Best Alternative for User-Friendly Scheduling

Image Source: coastapp.com

Owners who feel that Homebase tries to do too much often prefer Coast because it focuses on scheduling, tasks, and team messaging.

The setup is quick, and the layout is easy for anyone to pick up. For small businesses, that makes a big difference when you don’t have time to train every new hire on complicated software.

You can communicate with your team member directly, set up shifts, and rely on automatic alerts or reminders to keep everyone on track. While it doesn’t include heavy HR or every payroll tool, it does cover scheduling, communication, and tasks in a way that feels clear and approachable.

Some companies also use it alongside other payroll features when they want a simple way to handle daily coordination.

Key Features

• Team messaging – Organize chats by person, group, or company announcements.
• Employee scheduling – Build and share schedules, handle shift swaps, and send reminders.
• Time clock – Track work hours and attendance with real-time updates.
• Automatic alerts – Notify staff about upcoming shifts, tasks, or updates.
• Assign tasks – Create one-time or repeating tasks with checklists to track progress.
• Mobile app – Staff view shifts, send requests, and finish tasks from their phone.

Pros

• Easy setup and simple design for small businesses.
• A mobile app for staff on the go.
• Generous free plan with unlimited users.

Cons

• History is limited on the free plan.
• Lacks deep integrations compared to larger tools.
• Some reports of minor glitches or lag.

Pricing

Coast starts with a free plan that includes unlimited users, work orders, and real-time chat. The Starter plan costs $22 per user per month and unlocks unlimited history, cost tracking, and workflow automations.

Meanwhile, the Pro plan is $54 per user per month and adds full workflow customization, reporting, and dashboards.

For bigger teams with specific needs, Coast also offers an Enterprise plan with custom pricing and advanced options like single sign-on and multi-site management.

4. Clockify: Best Alternative for Time Tracking 

Image Source: clockify.me

Clockify, a cloud-based platform, focuses on tracking hours and projects. Many teams use it as a lighter option to Homebase since it makes it easy to track hours across your projects.

Small teams use it to create schedules, monitor progress, and track time without worrying about hidden costs. For managers who need more control, it further comes with automatic reminders for late submissions, approvals, and deadlines.

While it doesn’t include every HR or payroll tool, it does cover project-based workflows very well. And even if you use other systems for payroll features, you can still pair them with Clockify.

Key Features

• Timer and manual entry – Start a timer or log hours after finishing work.
• Auto tracker – Record app and website use, then convert into entries.
• Create schedules – Assign work by project or task and monitor deadlines.
• Track time – Log hours, overtime, and breaks with accuracy.
• Kiosk mode – Use a shared device as a time clock for staff.
• Team communication add-ons – Limited but useful for basic updates.
• Automatic reminders – Get alerts for missing entries or late timesheets.

Pros

• Accurate track time tools with multiple methods.
• Reporting for billing and analysis.
• Works across web, desktop, and mobile.

Cons

• Limited HR and payroll features.
• Team communication is minimal.
• Some users report mobile app glitches.

Pricing

Clockify starts with a free-forever plan, which includes unlimited users, projects, and time tracking. The Basic plan is $4.99 per seat each month and adds templates, bulk edits, and kiosk PINs.

On the other hand, the Standard plan at $6.99 adds invoicing, approvals, and overtime tracking. The Pro plan costs $9.99 per seat monthly and unlocks scheduling, expenses, budgets, and advanced reporting.For large teams that need more control, the Enterprise plan is $14.99 per seat and adds single sign-on, audit logs, and custom domains.

Stop Settling for Basic Scheduling Today With StaffedUp

StaffedUp is restaurant hiring software created by people in the industry who understand those problems and have built a platform to fix them.

Unlike Homebase, which focuses on scheduling and payroll, StaffedUp is dedicated to hiring so that you always have strong candidates when you need them.

Posting jobs takes one click, and listings go live on sites like Indeed and Google Jobs. That brings in up to eight times more applicants and helps you cover open shifts before they cause problems.

Managers also benefit from faster communication. You can text job applicants, set interviews, and send automatic reminders without switching tools. New hires complete all paperwork online before their first day, which creates a smoother onboarding process and shorter time-to-hire.

That’s why businesses using it report fewer no-shows, a stronger staff fit, and less turnover.

Post your first job for $1 on StaffedUp and connect with qualified candidates today!

FAQs About Homebase Alternatives

What’s the difference between StaffedUp and Homebase?

The honest answer is that StaffedUp is for hiring, while Homebase focuses on scheduling, payroll, and HR.

How does Homebase pricing compare to the best alternatives listed?

Homebase pricing is charged per location, which gets costly as you grow. Alternatives like StaffedUp offer flat, low-cost plans that help managers save time and money.

How hard is it to switch from Homebase to another platform?

Switching is simple since most platforms let you import staff data and schedules.

Which Homebase alternative offers more features?

Connecteam provides all the features across scheduling, HR, and communication, while StaffedUp delivers the strongest hiring results for businesses that need qualified staff fast.