Choose Homebase if...
You run a single location with lots of staff and want per-location pricing plus a free tier to start. Its flat per-site fee gets cheaper the more people you schedule at that one address.
Scheduling software compared
Homebase vs When I Work
Two popular ways to schedule shift workers - priced very differently. Homebase charges per location; When I Work charges per user. Here's how they compare, and a third option worth a look.
Side by Side
Homebase and When I Work, with Weqly for reference.
| Homebase | When I Work | Weqly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Per location | Per user | Per user |
| Entry price | ~$24.95 / location | ~$2.50 / user | $1 / user |
| Free plan | ✓ Single location | Trial only | ✓ Up to 5 users |
| Time tracking | Included | Paid add-on | ✓ Included, free plan too |
| Shift trades & drops | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Best for | Single busy location | Per-user teams wanting comms | Small teams wanting simple & cheap |
Competitor pricing and features are based on publicly available information and may change.
Which Should You Pick?
Choose When I Work if...
You want per-user pricing with strong team messaging and are comfortable adding time tracking as a paid extra. It scales cleanly with headcount across locations.
Choose Weqly if...
You want the per-user simplicity of When I Work at a fraction of the price, clock-in included free, and a real free plan for up to 5 users - no per-location math, no add-ons.
The third option
Weqly - $1 per user, free to start
Per-user pricing without the per-user price tag. Scheduling, shift trades, time off, and clock-in in one plan. Free for up to 5 users, then $1 per user per month.
FAQ
Common Questions
Is Homebase or When I Work cheaper?
It depends on your shape. Homebase bills per location (a free single-location tier, then from about $24.95 per location per month), so it can be cheap for one busy site and expensive across many. When I Work bills per user (from about $2.50 per user per month, with time tracking as a paid add-on), which scales with headcount. For very small teams, Homebase free or a low per-user tool is usually cheapest.
Which has a free plan?
Homebase offers a free plan for a single location with basic scheduling and time tracking. When I Work does not have a permanent free plan - it offers a 14-day trial. Weqly offers a permanent free plan for up to 5 users with all core features.
What is a good alternative to both?
Weqly. It bills per user like When I Work but at $1 per user per month, includes clock-in on every plan, and offers a genuinely free plan for up to 5 users - no per-location fees and no add-ons.
Skip the trade-off.
Per-user pricing, free to start, clock-in included.
Try Weqly FreeFree for up to 5 users. $1/user/month when you grow.