The highest 8 Once I Work options of 2023

You’ll have come throughout Once I Work if you happen to’ve been searching for worker administration software program. It’s a well-liked alternative for managers who need to make their enterprise extra environment friendly by streamlining their scheduling and time monitoring duties.

However Once I Work has some drawbacks. In comparison with different choices available on the market, it has a restricted vary of options and integrations — so it may not do every little thing you want it to. Plus, it prices per worker, which implies rising companies will discover their prices improve as they rent extra employees. 

Our take? You may want the same platform with additional options and extra reasonably priced pricing. We have a look at one of the best Once I Work options, together with prices, options, and finest use instances, that can assist you take advantage of knowledgeable choice.

The perfect 8 Once I Work options

  1. Homebase: Greatest all-in-one answer for small companies
  2. Deputy: Greatest for customizable scheduling
  3. Sling: Greatest for time zone variations
  4. QuickBooks Time: Greatest for cell workforces
  5. Paychex: Greatest for customized service
  6. ClockShark: Greatest for venture administration
  7. Paylocity: Greatest for firm tradition
  8. Buddy Punch: Greatest for monitoring distant staff

1. Homebase: Greatest all-in-one answer for small companies

Screenshot of a schedule on Homebase with a note.
Homebase helps you to entry a variety of options — even with our free plan.

In case your concern is each Once I Work’s restricted options and its pricing, Homebase is your reply.  With our strong free plan, you get entry to primary scheduling, time monitoring, and worker administration instruments. And that’s for as much as 20 workforce members at one enterprise location.

Homebase additionally gives payroll, onboarding, and HR instruments in its paid plans. Which means you may get every little thing you want in a single place and gained’t should juggle a number of completely different purposes. And since we provide a alternative of three paid plans and solely cost by location, we are able to match the finances of most small companies. 

Scheduling

Screenshot of an autopopulated schedule on Homebase.
Create instantaneous schedules that work for everybody with Homebase’s auto-population software.

Accumulating worker availability and writing timetables might be time-consuming. That’s why Homebase and Once I Work supply a spread of scheduling instruments to hurry up the method. You may:

  • Have workers enter the hours they will’t work
  • Auto-populate shifts based mostly on position, division, and availability
  • Create and save templates for fast use
  • Publish open shifts for workforce members to assert
  • Let workers swap and canopy shifts

Homebase’s scheduling software additionally requires fewer steps to arrange than Once I Work’s. Which may not appear to be an necessary distinction, however it may possibly prevent very important time once you’re rushed off your ft and must make last-minute modifications.

Time monitoring

Screenshot of a no-show alert on Homebase.
Homebase’s time clock software checks employees’s arrival instances and places, so that you’ll at all times pay them precisely.

Small companies with tight revenue margins want to avoid wasting each penny. Which means utilizing time monitoring software program like Homebase and Once I Work to appropriately report hours and ensure you solely pay workers for hours they really labored. Each programs use GPS time clocks that robotically confirm your workforce’s location once they clock in and report their arrival instances. 

However Homebase has a critical benefit over Once I Work as a result of it may possibly prevent time and cash. As our platform has a built-in payroll function, you’ll be able to robotically sync your scheduling and timesheet knowledge as an alternative of getting to change between apps.

Payroll

Screenshot of payroll reports on Homebase.
Homebase gives built-in payroll, so you’ll be able to simply sync knowledge between schedules and timesheets.

Getting payroll proper is vital to creating a wonderful worker expertise and avoiding compliance points. Homebase gives a built-in accounting system that syncs with timesheets, robotically calculates wages, and distributes paychecks. Our platform can calculate taxes and file them with all of the related authorities, too.

Homebase additionally integrates with eleven of the preferred payroll apps available on the market, together with QuickBooks, Gusto, and Paychex. Which means if you have already got an accounting system in place, you’ll be able to in all probability discover it on our record and sync it with the remainder of your Homebase instruments.

Integrations

Screenshot of the job posting integration options on Homebase.
Homebase gives twice as many integrations as Once I Work, so the platform provides you extra flexibility.

What makes Homebase an amazing Once I Work various is our bigger vary of integrations. We’ve 32 within the following classes:

  • Level of sale (POS)
  • Payroll
  • Enterprise instruments
  • Job boards

This implies you should use Homebase with out giving up the platforms you already know and love. For example, if you happen to run a restaurant, you is perhaps concerned about our integration with industry-specific software program like Restaurant365 to reap the benefits of options like asset monitoring and tip cost.

Pricing

Not like Once I Work, Homebase gives a free plan with all the essential scheduling, time monitoring, and worker administration instruments. We even have three paid plans:

  • Necessities for $24.95 month-to-month, for extra superior scheduling and time monitoring instruments.
  • Plus for $59.95 month-to-month, for options like time without work and clock in controls and late alerts.
  • All-in-one for $99.95 month-to-month, for the complete vary of enterprise insights, labor value controls, and HR and compliance instruments, together with stay entry to certified human assets professionals.

Homebase payroll is on the market on a separate plan for $39 monthly plus $6 per worker. Bonus: Customers can save 20% on their general value once they join an annual plan.

2. Deputy: Greatest for customizable scheduling

Screenshot of Deputy's schedule builder.
Use Deputy to create customized timetables that fit your particular {industry} wants. Source

Based mostly in Australia, Deputy is an worker administration platform that helps companies streamline scheduling, time monitoring, and communication. Its complicated instruments make it a well-liked alternative for tech and engineering corporations that always work on completely different initiatives with various timelines. With Deputy, customers can create customized schedules that take their deadlines, employees availability, and talent units under consideration. Nonetheless, small companies with easy operations like retailers and eating places could discover the difficult options to be a flip off. 

Options

  • Scheduling: Create timetables to fit your enterprise sort. Mechanically fill shifts based mostly on availability, coaching, and labor prices. 
  • Time monitoring: Ask employees to make use of geofencing or facial recognition to clock into shifts. Then, approve timesheets individually or in batches.
  • Compliance instruments: Obtain alerts when workforce members strategy extra time or must take breaks. Additionally, get workers to verify they’ve arrived late or completed early and hold a report to scale back disputes about inaccurate time entries.

Pricing

Deputy has a free 31-day trial and three paid plans. Scheduling and Time & Attendance are the identical worth as a result of they provide the identical assist, only for completely different options.

    • Scheduling for $3.50 per consumer monthly to entry auto-scheduling, templates, and break administration.
    • Time & attendance for $3.50 per consumer monthly for timesheets, the time clock, and efficiency administration.
    • Enterprise with customized pricing for firms with over 250 workers.

You may mix the Scheduling and Time & Attendance plans for $4.90 per consumer monthly.

3. Sling: Greatest for time zone variations

Screenshot of a schedule on Sling showing different time zones.
Sling’s most noteworthy function is its world clock, which helps you to view and edit schedules in workers’ native time zones. Source

Sling is a cloud-based worker administration platform that permits you to create schedules, observe hours, and talk with workforce members. What makes it a worthy Once I Work various is its World Clock function. This allows you to handle schedules throughout completely different time zones, making it an amazing possibility for worldwide companies. For example, if you happen to’re within the US, your worker is within the UK, and your consumer is in Japan, it’s straightforward to discover a assembly time that fits everybody. You’ll additionally keep away from getting confused and by chance penciling in employees or purchasers for calls at delinquent hours.

Options

  • Scheduling: Resolve whether or not to view and schedule shifts based mostly on workers’ native time or your individual time, so it’s simpler to see who’s accessible for work.
  • Time monitoring: Enable employees to clock out and in of labor utilizing their cell phones or flip a desktop machine right into a kiosk. 
  • Group communication: Use filters to message people, customized teams, or the whole workforce.
  • Job administration: Write to-do lists for workers and obtain a notification once they’ve checked off each merchandise.

Pricing

Sling has a free plan with primary scheduling and communication instruments. Other than that, it has two plans:

  • Premium at $2 per consumer monthly for time monitoring, geofencing, and clock in controls. 
  • Enterprise at $4 per consumer monthly for reporting options and go away administration.

4. QuickBooks Time: Greatest for cell workforces

Screenshot of a schedule for six employees on QuickBooks Time's dashboard.
QuickBooks Time lets managers monitor workforce members’ working hours and places whereas they’re on the go. Source

QuickBooks is primarily an accounting software program that helps companies observe their bills and make transactions. Its vary of bookkeeping instruments has made it standard within the IT and monetary companies industries, which regularly contain complicated transactions and reporting. 

Nonetheless, one in every of QuickBooks’ distinctive promoting factors is the placement monitoring system in its worker administration software program. This software makes it an excellent match for cell workforces like supply crews or building groups who may declare mileage or receives a commission for time touring. And since you’ll be able to verify what routes employees are taking or whether or not they’ve gone offsite, you’ll be able to confirm they’re working effectively.

Options

  • Scheduling: Assign hours and particular jobs to every workforce member.
  • Time monitoring: Let groups clock in offsite. Additionally, obtain updates on individuals’s places by way of GPS monitoring to confirm journey time and mileage.
  • Payroll: Auto-calculate funds, switch wages on the identical day, and file taxes. Use QuickBooks’ 24/7 knowledgeable assist for steering.
  • Fee processing: Settle for funds with a wide range of completely different playing cards and strategies.

Pricing

QuickBooks has 4 paid plans for its bookkeeping, cost processing, and HR options:

  • Easy Begin for $30 monthly for primary accounting instruments
  • Necessities for $55 monthly to entry invoice administration
  • Plus for $85 monthly, which incorporates stock administration
  • Superior for $200 monthly to get additional invoicing instruments, coaching, and employees bills

Worker administration options are additionally accessible as separate plans:

  • Payroll costs vary from $45 to $125 monthly
  • QuickBooks Time has two plans for scheduling and time monitoring instruments, that are $20 monthly plus $8 per worker or $40 monthly plus $10 per worker

5. Paychex: Greatest for customized service

A screenshot of the Paychex dashboard.
Paychex helps clear up payroll and compliance points which are particular to your online business context. Source

Typically, rising companies plateau when their wants grow to be extra complicated, however they don’t have the finances for inside HR personnel and accountants. If that sounds such as you, take into account an answer like Paychex. This platform can create customized plans in your particular context and gives knowledgeable recommendation on HR, compliance, and bookkeeping. 

Moreover, Paychex’s advantages and insurance coverage administration options are good for low-turnover industries like construction and administration, the place workers profit most from long-term schemes. 

Options

  • Payroll: Automate taxes and payroll whereas consultants monitor compliance to make sure you don’t break federal, state, and {industry} legal guidelines.
  • Time monitoring: Let employees clock into their shifts with biometric knowledge like iris scanners and facial recognition to remove buddy punching.
  • Advantages: Select from numerous advantages packages, together with medical health insurance and retirement funds. Have workers self-enroll throughout the onboarding course of to scale back administrative work.
  • HR and compliance: Get knowledgeable recommendation on particular {industry} challenges.

Pricing

Paychex’s month-to-month paid plan begins at $39 plus $5 per worker.

6. ClockShark: Greatest for venture administration

Overlapping screenshots of time tracking tools on ClockShark.
ClockShark’s job administration and monitoring options can assist house owners handle jobs from afar. Source

Building and upkeep companies could recognize the cloud-based time monitoring system, ClockShark. Its job administration and job pricing instruments are well-suited to the distinctive challenges of their industries. For example, ClockShark helps you to observe labor prices by job, which implies you’ll be able to have a number of initiatives underway however nonetheless know precisely how a lot to cost every consumer. This might prevent from annoying disputes over payments and detrimental suggestions.

Options

  • Scheduling: Drag and drop the shifts and duties you need to assign workers. Then, ClockShark will robotically notify them by way of its app. 
  • Time monitoring: Let employees clock out and in from work wherever they’re. Additionally, arrange inquiries to ask them once they end a shift to verify they’ve accomplished all their duties.

Pricing

ClockShark gives two paid plans:

  • Commonplace for $16 plus $7 per worker monthly for primary time monitoring instruments.
  • Professional for $30 plus $9 per worker monthly so as to add clock out questions and departmental administration.

7. Paylocity: Greatest for firm tradition

Screenshot of Paychex's interfaces on mobile and desktop.
Paylocity targets the worker expertise and helps you handle your workforce. Source

Paylocity combines employees administration and expertise instruments to assist your online business run extra effectively and enhance work tradition. This has made it standard with well being care and non-profit companies, which might be extra bodily and mentally demanding than different industries. For example, burnout is common amongst healthcare staff, and tough instances could contribute to nonprofit staff’ low morale and depression. Paylocity’s worker expertise instruments assist you uncover your workforce’s particular challenges and promote a piece tradition that helps psychological well-being.

Options

  • Scheduling: Create or edit shifts and your workforce will obtain updates as you go.
  • Time monitoring: Select from a spread of timekeeping strategies, together with picture seize, thermal scanning, and badge readers.
  • Worker expertise instruments: Conduct surveys to find what workforce members must take pleasure in their work. Additionally, encourage coworkers to reward one another for a job nicely executed.
  • Payroll: Automate paying wages and submitting taxes. Handle payroll in over 100 completely different nations worldwide. 
  • Studying administration: Import ready-made coaching programs or construct your individual. Then, assign them to workers and observe their progress.

Pricing

Paylocity pricing isn’t available.

8. Buddy Punch: Greatest for monitoring distant staff

Graphic of the Buddy Punch tool on a landscape screen, with a pop out of a profile picture.
Buddy Punch has time monitoring instruments for on and off-site staff of various trades. Source

Buddy Punch is a time monitoring software program that’s designed for companies of all sizes. It’s particularly helpful for firms with desk-based clerical staff. The Buddy Punch time clock can measure the length of shifts for salaried staff and verify their IP tackle to confirm they’re at their workstation — not out and about. Which means you’ll be able to monitor the progress of freelancers and distant groups extra simply.

Options

  • Scheduling: Assign shifts and immediately publish them to the Buddy Punch app.
  • Time monitoring: Select from completely different clock in strategies, like QR codes, facial recognition, or passwords. 
  • Payroll: Sync your timesheet knowledge with payroll and auto-calculate wages and tax funds.

Pricing

Buddy Punch gives three paid plans:

  • Commonplace for $19 monthly plus $3.49 per worker to entry stories and break administration.
  • Professional for $19 monthly plus $4.49 per worker for scheduling, templates, and further reporting instruments.
  • Enterprise with customized pricing.

Payroll is a separate add-on that prices $39 monthly plus $6 per worker.

Why Homebase is one of the best all-around Once I Work various

Though Once I Work is among the main worker administration options on the market, it’s not one of the best match for each small enterprise. You could discover the shortage of important options and integrations prevents you from doing every little thing it’s essential. And the cost per worker could make its prices too excessive or unpredictable.

If that is true for you, Homebase might be your finest various. We provide all of the important worker administration includes a small enterprise may need:

Plus, we’ve partnered with a spread of integrations, so that you’re much more more likely to discover the setup that fits your online business one of the best.

Better of all, now we have versatile pricing, so you’ll be able to choose the choice that works finest in your finances. For those who’re simply beginning out or have already got an accounting system arrange, there’s our strong free plan. But when your online business is well-established, now we have a alternative of three paid plans at aggressive charges that cost per location — so your prices gained’t rise as you rent extra employees. Which means you’ll be able to stick with your finances it doesn’t matter what, however nonetheless run your online business effectively.

**The knowledge above relies on our analysis on Once I Work options. All consumer suggestions referenced within the textual content has been sourced from impartial software program assessment platforms, akin to G2 and Capterra, in March 2023.