This comparison comes down to one pricing choice. Homebase charges per location, so a big single site is cheap. EZTime charges per employee, so several small sites are cheap.
| Question | EZTime | Homebase |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing unit | Per employee | Per location |
| Free option | 14-day trial only | Basic: 1 location, up to 10 employees |
| Entry paid plan | $2 per employee, $20 minimum | $30 per location (Essentials) |
| History kept | Up to 7 years | 90 days on Basic; 4+ years on paid |
| Clock-in methods | GPS app, web, kiosk, NFC tag | Tablets, computers, POS, mobile |
| Tip pooling | EzTip | Tip Manager, $25 per location |
| Payroll | Payroll-ready exports | Add-on: $49 base + $6 per paid employee |
Homebase facts from joinhomebase.com/pricing.
Homebase is hard to beat for one small shop: Basic is free for a single location with up to 10 employees, and it clocks in on tablets, computers, POS devices and phones, with a kiosk and offline mode. Restaurants also get practical add-ons, such as Tip Manager and payroll, from the same vendor.
EZTime is built for a headcount spread thin. Because it charges per employee, five crews of six cost the same as one crew of thirty, and approved clock-in locations and NFC tags prove each person was on the right site. History stays available for up to 7 years, and employees sign their monthly attendance report digitally.
| Where | Homebase | EZTime |
|---|---|---|
| Phone app | iOS and Android | Mobile app with a GPS stamp |
| Browser | A browser can act as the clock | Web clock-in and manager screens |
| Shared clock | Kiosk and offline modes; POS devices | Tablet kiosk, plus NFC tags |
| App languages | Not checked | English, Spanish, French, Russian, Arabic |
| Integrations listed | Square, Clover, Toast, Gusto, ADP and others | Payroll-ready exports; advanced API on Premium |
On entry paid plans, EZTime Essential ($2 per employee) and Homebase Essentials ($30 per location) cost the same at 15 employees per location. Above 15 per site, Homebase is cheaper; below, EZTime is. With the $20 EZTime minimum, very small single sites still pay $20.
| Plan | Homebase list price | EZTime nearest plan |
|---|---|---|
| Homebase Basic | $0, 1 location, 10 employees | No free plan; 14-day trial |
| Homebase Essentials | $30 per location | EZTime Essential, $2 per employee |
| Homebase All-in-One | $120 per location | EZTime Premium, $6 per employee |
Five client sites, 6 cleaners at each, 30 staff in total. Each site needs a clock and proof of location.
| Line | EZTime | Homebase |
|---|---|---|
| Entry paid plan | 30 × $2 = $60 | 5 × $30 = $150 |
| Location proof | Advanced: 3 approved locations; Premium unlimited | Location-based mobile clock-in |
| Records for payroll audit | Up to 7 years | 4+ years on paid plans |
| Tips | Not needed | Not needed |
Flip it to one 40-person restaurant and Homebase Essentials costs $30 against EZTime’s $80, before tips and payroll add-ons.
Entry paid tiers at monthly list prices: EZTime Essential at $2 per employee ($20 minimum), Homebase Essentials at $30 per location, or Basic where it is allowed.
| Setup | EZTime Essential | Homebase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 site, 5 staff | $20 (minimum) | $0 on Basic |
| 1 site, 15 staff | $30 | $30 on Essentials |
| 1 site, 40 staff | $80 | $30 on Essentials |
| 4 sites, 8 staff each | $64 | $120 on Essentials |
The rule of thumb holds: under 15 people per site, EZTime’s per-employee price wins; over 15, Homebase’s per-location price does.
Probably not Homebase if
Probably not EZTime if
It depends on staff per site. At entry paid plans they cost the same at 15 employees per location; Homebase is cheaper above that, EZTime below.
No. EZTime has a 14-day trial with no credit card.
EZTime keeps data history up to 7 years. Homebase Basic keeps timesheets 90 days; paid plans 4 years or more.
Yes. EZTime has EzTip; Homebase has Tip Manager at $25 per location.
No. Basic covers one location with up to 10 employees; more locations need a paid plan.
At entry paid tiers, $30 a month on Homebase Essentials and $80 on EZTime Essential.
Homebase lists an offline mode on its time clock page. EZTime’s verified features do not include an offline mode, so ask before relying on it.
Usually EZTime, because staff are spread across client sites with a few people each, and per-employee pricing with approved clock-in locations fits that shape better than a fee per location.
Run EZTime on one pay period next to Homebase: 14 days free, no credit card.