Most cloud time and attendance systems cost about $2.50 to $13 per employee per month, based on published US pricing checked in November 2026. Some vendors add a monthly base fee or minimum. Hardware is optional: phone apps and kiosks on a tablet you own cost nothing extra, while biometric clocks run from about $160 for a basic fingerprint unit to roughly $900 or more for facial recognition. EZTime costs $2 to $6 per employee per month, with a $20 monthly minimum.
To record clock-ins, breaks and overtime automatically, see EZTime time and attendance software.
| Vendor | Published price (checked Nov 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EZTime | $2 / $4 / $6 per employee per month | 20% less yearly; $20 monthly minimum; 14-day trial |
| When I Work | $2.50 per user per month (single schedule); $5 (multiple) | Per user |
| Deputy | $5 Lite, $6.50 Core, $9 Pro per user per month | $30 minimum per invoice on monthly plans |
| Buddy Punch | $4.99 to $12.99 per user per month | Plus a $19 monthly base fee |
| Homebase | Free basic plan; paid plans per location from $30/month | Priced per location, not per user |
Prices change often; always confirm on each vendor’s pricing page and ask for the total for your headcount.
| Hardware | Typical cost | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
| Employees’ own phones (GPS app) | $0 | Field teams, multi-site, hybrid |
| Tablet for a kiosk | The cost of a tablet you buy or already own | One shared entrance or break room |
| NFC tags | EZTime provides the tags | Fixed sites where you want proof of presence |
| Basic fingerprint clock | About $160 to $200 per unit at US retailers | Identity checks at one door |
| Facial-recognition terminal | Roughly $900 to $1,300 per unit | High-traffic doors, touchless |
Biometric devices also bring compliance work in some states. See biometric time clock cost.
Software only, using EZTime monthly prices (yearly billing is 20% less):
| Team | Essential ($2) | Advanced ($4) | Premium ($6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 employees | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 25 employees | $50 | $100 | $150 |
| 60 employees | $120 | $240 | $360 |
For 10 employees on the Essential plan, the $20 monthly minimum applies. Compare that with the cost of errors: if each of 25 hourly employees is overpaid by just 10 minutes a day at $20 per hour, that is about $1,833 a month over 22 workdays.
Some vendors offer free plans for very small teams with limited features. Check the employee limit, the features left out and what happens when you grow.
It depends on the vendor. Ask whether billing is based on active employees in the period or on every profile in the account.
Usually yes once you are sure the system fits. EZTime yearly billing is 20% less than monthly, for example $1.60 instead of $2 per employee.
Most businesses don’t. GPS geofences, NFC tags or a kiosk with photo capture cover most needs without biometric privacy obligations.
Cloud systems are usually self-serve with no setup fee. On-premise systems and hardware installations can add one-time costs.
Monthly totals for teams of 5 to 50 employees.
Hardware prices, subscriptions and compliance costs.
Which clock-in method fits each type of business.
Plans from $2 per employee per month with a 14-day trial.
Quick answers to the questions employers ask most.
Vendor prices are from public pricing pages checked in November 2026 and hardware prices from US retailer listings; both change often. The savings example is an illustration, not a guarantee.