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Patriot Payroll vs When I Work vs Homebase Comparison

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Patriot Payroll

4.9(2,950 reviews)

Starting at $14 /Month

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

The Patriot's secure payroll solution is designed to lower the total cost of payroll administration, while helping you reduce your staffs' workload. With its fully integrated interface with Patriot's fund accounting and…

When I Work

4.5(343 reviews)

Starting at $2 /User

  • Individuals
  • Large Enterprises

When I Work is an easy-to-use time and labor management solution that helps small businesses turn time tracking into a productive, value-added activity for their business by giving them the information they need to reduc…

Homebase

4.4(118 reviews)

Starting at $0 / location / month

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Homebase is a comprehensive time-tracking software developed by experienced people managers to enhance team collaboration and efficiency. It simplifies employee time tracking, scheduling, and payroll management, reducing…

Patriot Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 4.9-star rating across 2,950 reviews.

Patriot Payroll vs When I Work vs Homebase — at a glance

FeaturePatriot PayrollWhen I WorkHomebase
Rating4.9 / 54.5 / 54.4 / 5
Reviews2,950343118
Starting price$14 /Month$2 /User$0 / location / month
Free trial Yes No Yes
Free version No No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessIndividuals, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryPayroll SoftwareTime Tracking SoftwareEmployee Scheduling Software
Integrations11+ apps11+ apps
PlatformsSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOSSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Browser Based (Cloud)
APIAvailableAvailableAvailable
Support modesBusiness Hours, OnlineBusiness Hours, Online24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online
CertificationsSOC 2, GDPRSOC 2
Data residencyUSUSUnited States, Canada

Key differences between Patriot Payroll and When I Work

  • Pricing: Patriot Payroll starts at $14 /Month, while When I Work starts at $2 /User.
  • Free trial: Patriot Payroll offers a free trial; When I Work does not.
  • Target audience: Patriot Payroll is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while When I Work targets Individuals and Large Enterprises.
  • User satisfaction: Patriot Payroll scores higher with a 4.9-star average.
  • Deployment: Patriot Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; When I Work supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.

Compare Patriot Payroll vs When I Work vs Homebase — and walk away knowing which one fits.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Payroll Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Patriot Payroll

Best payroll software for small businesses needing simple, affordable solutions.

Choose if
  • You run a small to medium business with up to 100 employees.
  • You want a user-friendly, streamlined payroll system with strong US-based support.
  • You need integration with fund accounting and compliance tools for payroll automation.
Consider alternatives if
  • You require advanced, highly customizable payroll features for complex business needs.
  • You are a large enterprise scaling beyond small to medium business capabilities.

When I Work

Best for small to medium businesses needing simple, mobile-friendly shift scheduling.

Choose if
  • You manage teams in hospitality, retail, or healthcare with 10-500 employees.
  • You want an intuitive, easy-to-use interface that saves time over spreadsheets.
  • You need robust mobile app features for shift swaps and real-time notifications.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your organization requires complex multi-department scheduling with advanced configurations.
  • You need immediate, live customer support rather than ticket-based assistance.

Homebase

Best for simple, streamlined scheduling and payroll in small to mid-sized teams.

Choose if
  • You manage retail, hospitality, or food service teams with up to 500 employees.
  • You need an easy-to-use platform for shift scheduling, time tracking, and payroll integration.
  • You want built-in team communication tools like chat boards to improve collaboration.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your organization requires highly advanced schedule customization beyond basic features.
  • You have complex scheduling needs that demand a more intuitive and flexible interface.

Patriot Payroll: Best payroll software for small businesses needing simple, affordable solutions. When I Work: Best for small to medium businesses needing simple, mobile-friendly shift scheduling.

Description

The Patriot's secure payroll solution is designed to lower the total cost of payroll administration, while helping you reduce your staffs' workload. With its fully integrated interface with ... Read More about Patriot Payroll

When I Work is an easy-to-use time and labor management solution that helps small businesses turn time tracking into a productive, value-added activity for their business by giving them the ... Read More about When I Work

Homebase is a comprehensive time-tracking software developed by experienced people managers to enhance team collaboration and efficiency. It simplifies employee time tracking, scheduling, ... Read More about Homebase

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $14
  • Starts from $2
  • Starts from $0 , monthly

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

8.8/10

9.4/10

9.7/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.87

(2950)

4.48

(343)

4.41

(118)

Best Company Size

1-100 employeesSmall to medium businesses
10-500 employeesSmall to Medium Businesses
1-50 employees51-500 employees
Get pricing help

Where each option fits best

See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.

Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.

Strengths

Key strengths

Patriot Payroll

  • Flexible Payroll Options: Choose between basic and full-service payroll, depending on whether you want to handle tax filing yourself or let Patriot do it.
  • Easy-to-Use Interface: Designed with small business owners in mind, the platform simplifies payroll processing with intuitive navigation and clear workflows.
  • Affordable Pricing & U.S. Support: Offers competitive rates with no hidden fees and access to expert, U.S.-based customer support when needed.

When I Work

  • Streamlined Scheduling: With When I Work, you can easily create and manage employee schedules in real-time. This means fewer scheduling conflicts and a more organized workforce, letting you focus on what matters most—growing your business.
  • Clear Communication: Our platform builds clear communication between managers and staff. Instant notifications and updates keep everyone on the same page, reducing misunderstandings and improving team cohesion.
  • Employee Control: When I Work places control in the hands of your employees. They can easily swap shifts, request time off, and view their schedules anytime, anywhere—letting them take charge of their work-life balance.

Homebase

  • Streamlined Communication: Homebase allows smooth communication among team members, letting managers send updates and receive feedback in real-time. Keeping everyone on the same page is easier.
  • Efficient Scheduling: With Homebase, scheduling shifts is easy. The intuitive interface lets you create schedules quickly, reducing the headache of manual planning. Your team will appreciate the clarity and predictability in their work hours.
  • Time Tracking Made Simple: Say goodbye to manual time sheets! Homebase offers reliable time tracking features that help you monitor employee hours accurately, maintain compliance, and simplify payroll processing.
Best fit

Best fit

Patriot Payroll

  • 1–100 employees
  • Retail, construction, professional services, healthcare, nonprofit, and manufacturing
  • Small Business Owners, Accountants, Payroll Managers, Office Managers, and HR Coordinators

When I Work

  • 10 to 500 employees
  • Hospitality, Retail, Healthcare, and Food Service
  • Shift Managers, Store Managers, HR Coordinators, and Operations Managers

Homebase

  • 1 to 500 employees
  • Retail, Hospitality, Food Service, Healthcare, and Construction
  • Managers, Shift Leaders, HR Personnel, and Business Owners
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

Patriot Payroll

  • Small businesses looking for simple payroll solutions with affordable, transparent pricing and U.S.-based support.
  • Companies needing basic or full-service payroll options with the flexibility to manage taxes internally or outsource.
  • Businesses prioritizing user-friendly software without the complexity of enterprise-level platforms.

When I Work

  • Users may seek alternatives to When I Work due to its pricing structure, as some businesses find it less budget-friendly compared to other scheduling tools that offer similar features at a lower cost.
  • Organizations requiring advanced reporting and analytics might consider alternatives, as When I Work’s reporting features may not meet the needs of those seeking in-depth insights into workforce performance and trends.
  • Teams with specific integration needs may look for alternatives if they find that When I Work does not seamlessly connect with their existing software solutions, leading to inefficiencies in workflow management.

Homebase

  • Users may seek alternatives to Homebase if they require more advanced scheduling features or integrations with other software, as some businesses have unique operational needs that Homebase may not fully address.
  • Companies with larger teams or more complex workforce management requirements might find that Homebase lacks scalability, prompting them to explore solutions that better accommodate growth and diverse employee roles.
  • Businesses prioritizing robust reporting and analytics tools may look for alternatives, as Homebase’s reporting capabilities might not meet the depth of insight required for informed decision-making.

Software Demo

Demo

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How do Patriot Payroll, When I Work and Homebase Compare on Features?

Total Features

10 Features

10 Features

32 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

No unique features

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Compare Patriot Payroll, When I Work and Homebase on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

        Starting From

        • $14
        • $2
        • $0 , monthly

        Pricing Plans

        • Not Available
        • Not Available
        • Basic

          $0

          / location / month

          • Basic scheduling

          • Basic time tracking

          • Point-of-sale integration

          Show more +

        • Essentials

          $25

          /location/month

          • Everything in Basic and:

          • Advanced Scheduling

          • Advanced Time Tracking

          Show more +

        • Plus

          $60

          / location / month

          • Everything in Essentials and

          • Hiring

          • PTO & time-off controls

          Show more +

        • Browse all pricing plans

        Pricing Page

        Patriot Payroll pricing
        When I Work pricing
        Homebase pricing

        Other Details

        Organization Types supported

        • Large Enterprises
        • Medium Business
        • Small Business
        • Freelancers
        • Individuals
        • Large Enterprises
        • Medium Business
        • Small Business
        • Freelancers
        • Individuals
        • Large Enterprises
        • Medium Business
        • Small Business
        • Freelancers
        • Individuals

        Platforms Supported

        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Mobile - Android
        • Mobile - iOS
        • Installed - Windows
        • Installed - Mac
        • Mobile - Windows
        • Mobile - BlackBerry
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Mobile - Android
        • Mobile - iOS
        • Installed - Windows
        • Installed - Mac
        • Mobile - Windows
        • Mobile - BlackBerry
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Mobile - Android
        • Mobile - iOS
        • Installed - Windows
        • Installed - Mac
        • Mobile - Windows
        • Mobile - BlackBerry
        • Browser Based (Cloud)

        Modes of support

        • 24/7 (Live rep)
        • Business Hours
        • Online
        • 24/7 (Live rep)
        • Business Hours
        • Online
        • 24/7 (Live rep)
        • Business Hours
        • Online

        API Support

        • Available
        • Available
        • Available
        Get help choosing

        Security & Compliance

        Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

        SOC 2

        ✓ Yes

        HIPAA

        ✗ No
        ✗ No

        GDPR

        ✓ Yes

        ISO 27001

        ✗ No

        Single Sign-On (SSO)

        ✓ Yes

        Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

        ✓ Yes

        Data Encryption

        ✓ Yes

        Audit Logs

        ✓ Yes

        Data Residency

        🇺🇸 US
        🇺🇸 US

        Patriot Payroll vs When I Work User Reviews & Rating Comparison

        User Ratings

        Rating Distribution

        2925

        164

        24

        15

        22

        255

        72

        26

        4

        3

        85

        35

        5

        3

        3

        Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

        Buyer sentiment

        Overall, users praise Patriot Payroll for its ease of use, affordability, and strong customer support, with minor setup challenges noted.

        What buyers like

        • Ease of use
        • Customer support
        • Affordability

        Common complaints

        • Initial learning curve
        • Limited advanced features

        Buyer sentiment

        Users generally praise When I Work for its ease of use, mobile app capabilities, and time-saving scheduling features, though some express concerns about limited app functionality and customer support.

        What buyers like

        • Ease of use
        • Mobile app functionality
        • Time savings in scheduling

        Common complaints

        • Limited advanced features on mobile
        • Customer support responsiveness

        Buyer sentiment

        Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of scheduling, communication features, and payroll integration, tempered by some interface usability concerns.

        What buyers like

        • Ease of use
        • Streamlined scheduling
        • Effective team communication

        Common complaints

        • Limited free version features
        • Confusing interface for complex scheduling

        Pros and Cons

        • User-friendly interface that simplifies payroll tasks

        • Excellent and responsive U.S.-based customer support

        • Affordable pricing with no hidden fees

        • Learning curve for newcomers during initial setup

        • Limited advanced features for larger or complex businesses

        • Highly user-friendly and intuitive interface for easy scheduling and navigation

        • Excellent mobile app functionality for managing schedules and shift swaps on the go

        • Significant time savings over traditional scheduling methods like spreadsheets

        • Mobile app lacks some advanced functionalities compared to desktop version

        • Limited live customer support, primarily ticket-based

        • Streamlines scheduling processes with easy shift management

        • Centralized platform for time tracking, shift swapping, and covers

        • Facilitates team communication via chat boards and messaging

        • Limited customization options in the free version

        • App interface can be confusing for new users or complex schedules

        Positive Reviews

        No reviews available for the product

        No reviews available for the product

        No reviews available for the product

        Used Patriot Payroll, When I Work, or Homebase? Tell buyers what actually differs.

        Integrations

        Integration with other apps

        No Integration information available.

        List of Customers

        Customers

        No Customers information available.

        No Customers information available.

        Antique Taco

        Antique Taco

        Woodhouse

        Woodhouse

        Souvla

        Souvla

        Media and Screenshots

        Screenshots

        Patriot payroll

        4 Screenshots

        Scheduler Homepage

        1 Screenshots

        Videos

        video-0

        3 Videos

        video-0

        2 Videos

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        Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

        Frequently asked questions

        Which is better, Patriot Payroll or When I Work?
        Patriot Payroll edges out the other on user ratings (4.9 vs 4.5). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
        Do Patriot Payroll and When I Work offer a free trial?
        Patriot Payroll offers a free trial. When I Work does not.
        What is the starting price of Patriot Payroll vs When I Work?
        Patriot Payroll starts at $14 /Month. When I Work starts at $2 /User.
        What are the top alternatives to Patriot Payroll?
        Top alternatives to Patriot Payroll include Paychex Flex, Paycor, Freshbooks, Rippling, SurePayroll.
        What are the top alternatives to When I Work?
        Top alternatives to When I Work include Homebase, StaffTimerApp, WhenToWork, Sling, Schedule it.