When a free hours calculator is enough—and when you need real software

Last checked against official sources: (joinhomebase.com; connecteam.com; jibble.io; quickbooks.intuit.com; gusto.com)

HourPunch helps you add up punches, print timesheets, and check state overtime math in your browser. It does not run schedules, GPS clock-ins, or payroll—and this page says so plainly.

Use the comparison table and product cards below to pick paid time tracking or payroll when your team outgrows spreadsheets. Outbound links go to official vendor homepages, except the labelled Sponsored Homebase link, which uses our affiliate tracking URL.

Disclaimer: Results are estimates for planning only. They are not payroll, tax, or legal advice.

HourPunch is a personal side project: free calculators and printable timesheets that run in your browser. It is not scheduling software, not a GPS time clock, and not payroll. That honesty is the point of this page.

Stay on HourPunch when you only need to add up hours, check overtime math, or print a sheet for yourself or a tiny team. Graduate to paid software when managers need live attendance, multiple locations, approvals, or tax filing.

Free tiers compared (as of 10 November 2026)

Figures below come from vendor pricing pages and HourPunch's competitor research as of 10 November 2026. Confirm current limits on each vendor's site before you buy.

ProductFree tier (summary)Paid from (USD)
Clockify (CAKE)Up to ~5 users on free; CSV/Excel export, kiosk, and billable rates on paid plansBasic from $3.99/seat/mo (annual; $4.99 monthly), needed for export, kiosk and billable rates
JibbleFree forever, unlimited users (basic time clock, GPS, face recognition, basic timesheets)See jibble.io/pricing for paid tiers
Homebase1 location, up to 10 employees on BasicEssentials from $30/location/mo
ConnecteamAll hub features free up to 10 usersOps Hub Basic from $29/mo (first 30 users, annual)
Toggl TrackUp to 3 usersStarter from $9/user/mo
Harvest1 seat, 2 projectsTeams from $9/seat/mo (annual)
QuickBooks TimeFree trial only (no permanent free tier)Premium from $20/mo base + $10/user

Stay with HourPunch if…

Graduate to software if…

Homebase

Best for: Hourly teams at one café, shop, or salon that need scheduling plus time clocks

Free tier: 1 location, up to 10 employees on Basic (as of 10 November 2026)

Why people leave free tools: You want published shifts, clock-in from phones, and eventually payroll in one place instead of emailing PDF timesheets.

Connecteam

Best for: Deskless crews that want chat, forms, and a time clock in one mobile app

Free tier: All features free up to 10 users (as of 10 November 2026)

Why people leave free tools: Free spreadsheets stop scaling when foremen need GPS check-ins, task lists, and manager approvals on site.

Jibble

Best for: Growing teams that want a generous free clock with GPS and unlimited headcount

Free tier: Unlimited users on the free-forever plan (basic features)

Why people leave free tools: You outgrew manual totals and need face recognition, geofences, or manager reports without hitting a five-user cap.

Clockify

Best for: Agencies and freelancers tracking billable time across many projects

Free tier: Up to ~5 users on free; CSV/Excel export and kiosk require paid plans (free plan exports PDF only)

Why people leave free tools: You need shared client reports, billable rates, or kiosk mode—features HourPunch does not provide.

Gusto

Best for: Running payroll and benefits after hours are finalized (not punching the clock)

Free tier: No free payroll tier; complements any time tracker

Why people leave free tools: You are ready to pay employees, file taxes, and sync hours into payroll instead of only calculating them.

QuickBooks Time

Best for: Businesses already on QuickBooks that want TSheets-style approvals and GPS

Free tier: Free trial only (as of 10 November 2026)

Why people leave free tools: Your accountant expects QuickBooks Time entries, job costing, or mobile GPS tied to QBO.

Publisher note

Outbound buttons go to each vendor's official homepage except the labelled Homebase link above, which uses our affiliate tracking URL. Other vendor links are not affiliate links.

We may earn a commission if you sign up through this link, at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Is HourPunch time tracking software?
No. HourPunch is a collection of free browser calculators and printable templates. There are no employee accounts, no manager dashboards, and no payroll filing. When you need those features, use a dedicated time-tracking or payroll product.
Which free time tracker has the most users on its free plan?
As of 10 November 2026, Jibble advertises unlimited users on its free-forever plan (basic features). Homebase and Connecteam allow up to about ten employees or users free. Clockify caps free workspaces at about five users; CSV/Excel export and kiosk require paid plans (free plan exports PDF only).
Why would I leave HourPunch if it is free?
You would not leave for price—you would leave because calculators cannot schedule shifts, enforce geofenced clock-ins, approve timesheets across locations, or run payroll and taxes. HourPunch is for math and printouts; software is for operations.
Does HourPunch earn money from the links on this page?
HourPunch may earn a commission if you sign up through the labelled Sponsored Homebase link, which uses our affiliate tracking URL (see the publisher note above). Other vendor Visit buttons link to each company’s official homepage without affiliate tracking; HourPunch does not earn commissions or referral fees from those outbound links.
Is this page legal or payroll advice?
No. Free-tier limits and prices change. Confirm details on each vendor’s site and with qualified professionals before making employment or tax decisions.

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