Comparison
TrackBadges vs Homebase
Choose TrackBadges if your crews move between job sites, a supervisor should clock them in, and you want auto clock-out and unlimited locations on every plan. Choose Homebase if you run one location with a steady team and want scheduling, hiring and payroll in one place — for a big team at one site, its per-location price is hard to beat.
The short answer
TrackBadges is a QR badge time clock: a supervisor scans each employee's printed badge with any phone, so the crew needs no app or smartphone. Homebase is a scheduling, time clock and payroll app for hourly teams, priced per location; employees clock in with a PIN on a shared time clock tablet, a computer, a POS, or their own phone.
TrackBadges vs Homebase at a glance
| TrackBadges | Homebase | |
|---|---|---|
| How employees clock in | A supervisor (or a shared tablet) scans each employee's printed QR badge. Scan once to clock in, again to clock out. | With a PIN on the Homebase time clock app on a shared tablet, computer or POS device, or on the employee's own phone (location-based clock-in starts on Essentials). |
| Does each employee need a smartphone? | No. Employees carry a printed badge. | No — the shared tablet takes PINs. Phone clock-in is optional. |
| QR codes | Every employee gets a printed QR badge. | Not found; Homebase uses PINs, photos and phone clock-in. |
| One supervisor clocks in a crew | Yes — it's how it works. One phone clocks in the whole crew. | Not found in Homebase's plans or help pages. |
| Hardware | None. Any phone or tablet; badges print on paper. | None required. A tablet, computer or compatible POS works as the clock. |
| Free plan | Free for up to 3 people, with every feature. | Free (Basic) for 1 location and up to 10 employees; timesheets are kept for 90 days. |
| Pricing | Free for up to 3 people. Pro is $9 a month for your first 3 people, plus $1.50 a month for each person after that. | Priced per location: Basic is free for 1 location and up to 10 employees. Essentials is $30 a month per location billed monthly ($24 annually); Plus $70; All-in-One $120, the tier with automatic clock-out and overtime alerts. |
| Monthly cost, 10 people | $19.50/mo | Free |
| Monthly cost, 25 people | $42/mo | $30/mo |
| Monthly cost, 50 people | $79.50/mo | $30/mo |
Homebase costs use Basic (free) up to 10 employees, then Essentials at $30 per location a month billed monthly — one location; each extra location adds the same. TrackBadges is billed monthly. Prices were checked in October 2026 and change, so check Homebase's site before you buy.
What it costs a month
10 people / month
25 people / month
50 people / month
Per location vs per person
Homebase charges per location: free for one location with up to 10 employees, then $30 a month per location on Essentials (billed monthly). TrackBadges charges per person and never per location: free for 3 people, then $9 a month plus $1.50 per person, with unlimited locations and scanners.
So a 25-person team at one store pays less with Homebase ($30) than with TrackBadges ($42). A 10-person crew working five job sites a week is a different story — Homebase is built around fixed locations, and TrackBadges treats every site the same.
Shifts at a store vs crews in the field
Homebase grew up in restaurants and retail: a tablet by the back door, employees punch in with a PIN, managers build the schedule. TrackBadges grew up on job sites: the crew lead scans everyone's badge at the gate or the truck, and every punch is stamped with the scanner, its location and (optionally) GPS.
| TrackBadges | Homebase | |
|---|---|---|
| Priced by | Person | Location |
| Clock-in | Supervisor scans a QR badge | PIN on a shared tablet, or the employee's phone |
| Auto clock-out | Every plan | All-in-One tier |
| Scheduling and hiring | No | Yes |
| Timesheet history on the free plan | Kept | 90 days |
Homebase: what it does well, and where it falls short
Strengths
- Free for one location and up to 10 employees.
- Per-location pricing is cheap for a big team at one site.
- Scheduling, hiring, team chat and an optional payroll add-on.
Drawbacks
- Per-location pricing adds up for crews spread across many job sites.
- Automatic clock-out and overtime alerts are on the top All-in-One tier.
- Built for shifts at a fixed location rather than crews on the move.
- PINs on a shared tablet can be shared.
Choose TrackBadges if…
Choose TrackBadges if your crews move between job sites, a supervisor should clock them in, and you want auto clock-out and unlimited locations on every plan.
Choose Homebase if…
Choose Homebase if you run one location with a steady team and want scheduling, hiring and payroll in one place — for a big team at one site, its per-location price is hard to beat.
Frequently asked questions
How much do TrackBadges and Homebase cost?
For 10 people, TrackBadges costs $19.50/mo and Homebase costs Free; for 25 people it's $42/mo against $30/mo. Homebase's figures use Basic (free) up to 10 employees, then Essentials at $30 per location a month billed monthly — one location; each extra location adds the same, checked in October 2026. TrackBadges is free for up to 3 people; Pro is $9 a month plus $1.50 per person after 3.
Do employees need a smartphone for Homebase?
No — the shared tablet takes PINs. Phone clock-in is optional.
What's the main difference between TrackBadges and Homebase?
Homebase is a scheduling, time clock and payroll app for hourly teams, priced per location; employees clock in with a PIN on a shared time clock tablet, a computer, a POS, or their own phone. TrackBadges is a QR badge time clock: employees carry a printed badge and a supervisor's phone scans the whole crew in and out, so nobody on the crew needs an app, login or phone.
Is Homebase free?
Homebase's Basic plan is free for one location and up to 10 employees, with a time clock and scheduling; timesheet history on Basic is limited to 90 days. Paid plans are priced per location, from $30 a month billed monthly.
More comparisons
- Homebase alternativesLooking for a Homebase alternative? 6 time clocks compared on price, how employees clock in and whether they need a smartphone. Prices checked October 2026.
- vs JibbleTrackBadges vs Jibble: how employees clock in, whether they need a phone, and what 10, 25 or 50 people cost a month. Prices checked October 2026.
- vs TimeDockTrackBadges vs TimeDock: how employees clock in, whether they need a phone, and what 10, 25 or 50 people cost a month. Prices checked October 2026.
- vs ConnecteamTrackBadges vs Connecteam: how employees clock in, whether they need a phone, and what 10, 25 or 50 people cost a month. Prices checked October 2026.
- The best QR code time clock apps in 2026The best QR code time clock apps of 2026: who scans the badge, whether workers need a phone, and what 10, 25 and 50 people cost a month.
Switching from Homebase? Your crew could be scanning in today.
Print a QR badge for everyone and scan them in and out with any phone or tablet. Free for up to 3 people — try it with your real crew before you sign up.