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Connecteam vs. Homebase: Comparison Table

Feature Connecteam
Homebase
Feature/Aspect Homebase When I Work
Founded 2015 2010
Target Audience Small Businesses Businesses of All Sizes
Hiring Tools Yes No
Payroll Integration Yes Yes (More advanced options)
Team Communication Yes Yes
Mobile App Yes Yes
Customisation Limited Extensive
Pricing Free and Paid (starting at £20/month) Paid (starting at £1.50 per user/month)

Shifton — Shift Schedule Maker

Shifton will lighten your and your employees’ load with our advanced work schedule maker. No matter how complex your request is, Shifton’s schedule maker work tool will help you with it, saving you time.

Shifton’s work schedule creator has all the necessary features for managing shifts. With our automatic schedule maker, you can set up a suitable schedule using templates, with a clear interface. The shift maker will help you create it in just a few minutes, which is why it is also called the work shift schedule generator — for its ability to generate a structured framework into which you only need to input your data. You can count on our automatic employee schedule generator.

The schedule shift maker is perfect for those who need a reliable tool for automating schedule creation. Our online shift schedule maker is accessible from all popular devices.

Shifton offers tools like the shift creator and shift builder, making it the ideal job schedule maker for both a small cafe and a large corporation. With Shifton, you get a work shift maker that will be your reliable assistant in what every manager dreams of — increased productivity, employee satisfaction, and saving their own time.

Shifton — Shift Schedule Maker
What is Homebase?

What is Homebase?

Founded in 2015, Homebase offers essential HR features without the complexity or cost of enterprise-level solutions. It’s especially popular in industries like retail, restaurants, and services, where businesses need a streamlined way to manage employee shifts and communication.

Homebase helps business owners and managers reduce administrative overhead with features such as scheduling, time clocks, payroll integration, and even hiring tools.

What is When I Work?

When I Work was founded in 2010, so the platform is not new, but its creators follow the trends and stay “on the wave”. The main target audience is small and medium-sized businesses: restaurant, call centre, beauty salon, etc. The creators of When I Work emphasise firstly how easy it is to get started with it – in a few minutes, using ready-made templates. They promise to reduce chaos, help with communication and time tracking for shifts.

In 2023, the service took home several CROWD service awards and also shortlisted in 2024 for Capterra, a huge platform for user feedback on software.

What is When I Work?

Homebase vs. When I Work: Key Features

Key Features of Homebase:

  • Employee Scheduling: Creating timetables has never been easier. Drag-and-drop shifts, set availability, and send instant notifications—all from one place. This feature is a lifesaver for businesses like retail, where shifts can change in an instant.
  • Time Tracking & Timesheets: With the time clock feature, employees can clock in and out using mobile or tablet devices, and the system automatically generates timesheets.
  • Hiring Tools: Homebase offers integrated tools for posting job openings, accepting applications, and tracking candidates, which is especially valuable for businesses with high turnover (such as restaurants or retail stores). This helps businesses hire and onboard employees faster.
  • Payroll Integration: Homebase integrates with popular payroll systems, making payroll processing simpler by automatically importing work hours and generating accurate pay cheques.

Key features of When I Work:

  • Timekeeping: When I Work has cool and robust timekeeping tools. Employees can log in and out using their smartphones, reducing manual errors and simplifying the timekeeping process.
  • Shift Management: Managers can create shifts, assign employees, and swap out shifts, and employees can request changes or pick up available shifts. This is especially useful for businesses such as retail and healthcare, where timetables can change instantly.
  • Team Communication: Built-in and simple messaging allows managers to quickly communicate shift changes, reminders and announcements to the team.
  • Payroll Integration: Like Homebase, When I Work integrates with major payroll providers, making it easy for managers to accurately process payroll.

Homebase vs. When I Work: Similarities

Both platforms are cloud-based, so a manager or employee can log in from anywhere to view schedules, track their hours, and communicate. This is particularly effective for organisations with multi-site locations or companies with remote team members.

  1. Employee Scheduling: Both platforms offer user-friendly scheduling tools that let managers assign shifts, manage availability, and make adjustments on the fly.
  2. Team Communication: Both facilitate quick communication through integrated messaging features, enabling timely updates about schedules or emergencies.
  3. Mobile Application Supported: Both Homebase and When I Work offer mobile apps that allow team members to view their timetables, request time off, or check for updates. In industries like hospitality, this is one of the most useful features, as employees can easily access their timetables even when on the move.

Homebase vs. When I Work: Differences

Target Audience: Comparing Homebase vs. When I Work, the first is really well suited for small businesses with simple scheduling and time-tracking needs. Small restaurants and boutiques, call centres and local cab services are its customers. On the other hand, When I Work is more suited for larger and more complex teams, especially those that need a payroll and productivity planning tool.

Hiring and Enrolment: Homebase includes tools for posting jobs, managing applications, and tracking applicants. When I Work does not include a specialised hiring module.

Pricing Models: Homebase has a free plan that covers basic scheduling and time tracking, making it a great choice for startups. Paid plans start at $20/month per location for extra features. When I Work’s paid plans start at $1.50 per user per month, but they do offer more advanced features, such as payroll integration and reporting.

Customisation: When I Work offers more customisation, which is ideal for larger businesses or those with complex scheduling needs, like healthcare providers. Homebase is simpler and more streamlined, which works better for smaller businesses.

Homebase vs. When I Work: Pros and Cons

Homebase Pros:

  • Free plan with essential features—great for small businesses just starting out.
  • Includes hiring tools, making it convenient for businesses with high turnover.
  • Easy integration with payroll providers like QuickBooks and Gusto.

Homebase Cons:

  • Lacks advanced customisation features, which may be a limitation for larger businesses.
  • Limited reporting features compared to When I Work.

When I Work Pros:

  • Extensive payroll integration options, including advanced payroll reporting.
  • Highly customisable scheduling features.
  • Scalable for businesses of all sizes, from small teams to large enterprises.

When I Work Cons:

  • Paid plans start at $1.50 per user per month, which can be expensive for small businesses.
  • Some features may require additional training to use effectively.

 

Homebase vs. When I Work: Pricing

Homebase offers four plans, including a free plan with the most basic tools. The other three plans range from £25 to £100 per month per location (unlike most similar services which charge by the number of employees).

When I Work has a plan starting at £1.50 per user per month, rising to £5 in the most expensive plan. Both services can be trialed for free on either tariff.

5 Recommendations for Choosing Between Homebase vs. When I Work

  • Business Size & Growth: For a small business, Homebase is a more affordable, straightforward option. Comparing Homebase vs When I Work, the latter is better suited for larger businesses with more complex needs.
  • Hiring Needs: If rapid hiring is necessary, Homebase’s integrated hiring tools offer a significant advantage.
  • Budget: Homebase’s free version is ideal for small businesses, while When I Work, although starting higher, offers more advanced features.
  • Payroll Integration: Both platforms provide payroll integration, but When I Work offers broader options for more complex requirements.
  • Customization & Scalability: For businesses requiring deep customization or those with a large team, When I Work offers greater flexibility.

Ten Questions You Must Ask When Choosing Between Homebase vs. When I Work

  1. Is my business small with basic scheduling needs or do I need more complex features?
  2. How often do I hire new employees, and do I require a system to assist with recruiting?
  3. How vital is payroll integration for my business?
  4. What is my budget for workforce management software?
  5. Do I require advanced reporting features?
  6. Will my business benefit from extensive customization?
  7. What is the scalability of my business, and will this software grow with me?
  8. How much time am I willing to invest in setting up and customizing the software?
  9. Is my business facing rapid growth or changing needs that need flexible scheduling?
  10. Do I need a free plan to start without upfront costs?

Homebase vs. When I Work: Use Cases

Homebase Use Cases:

Consider a small retail shop or a local café. These businesses thrive on flexibility — last-minute schedule changes, managing hourly shifts, and swiftly hiring seasonal workers. They don’t require anything overly complicated, just a straightforward way to track hours, create schedules, and keep employees informed. Many retail stores, particularly those with just a few employees, appreciate how easy it is to set up schedules, adjust shifts, and communicate swiftly with their team, all without a steep learning curve.

When I Work Use Cases:

Healthcare providers, for instance, often deal with intricate shift patterns — such as doctors, nurses, and support staff who require precise scheduling to ensure smooth operations. The platform’s ability to integrate with payroll systems is crucial here, as accurate timekeeping and payroll are essential in the medical field. Large companies in various sectors, from retail chains to large manufacturing firms, also turn to When I Work when more customisation options are needed.

Final Thoughts on Homebase vs. When I Work: Which Is Best For Business

There is no clear winner in the comparison between When I Work and Homebase. It largely depends on your needs and those of your employees. Homebase is more affordable and easier to implement quickly, whereas When I Work is more costly but offers more features.