Patriot Payroll vs When I Work vs Homebase Comparison
Patriot Payroll
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
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
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
| Feature | Patriot Payroll | When I Work | Homebase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.9 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Reviews | 2,950 | 343 | 118 |
| Starting price | $14 /Month | $2 /User | $0 / location / month |
| Free trial | Yes | No | Yes |
| Free version | No | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Individuals, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Time Tracking Software | Employee Scheduling Software |
| Integrations | 11+ apps | — | 11+ apps |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Browser Based (Cloud) |
| API | Available | Available | Available |
| Support modes | Business Hours, Online | Business Hours, Online | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | — | SOC 2, GDPR | SOC 2 |
| Data residency | US | US | United 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.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
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.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
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Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best payroll software for small businesses needing simple, affordable solutions.
- 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.
- You require advanced, highly customizable payroll features for complex business needs.
- You are a large enterprise scaling beyond small to medium business capabilities.
Best for small to medium businesses needing simple, mobile-friendly shift scheduling.
- 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.
- Your organization requires complex multi-department scheduling with advanced configurations.
- You need immediate, live customer support rather than ticket-based assistance.
Best for simple, streamlined scheduling and payroll in small to mid-sized teams.
- 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.
- 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 |
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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | |||
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.
Key strengths
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 1–100 employees
- Retail, construction, professional services, healthcare, nonprofit, and manufacturing
- Small Business Owners, Accountants, Payroll Managers, Office Managers, and HR Coordinators
- 10 to 500 employees
- Hospitality, Retail, Healthcare, and Food Service
- Shift Managers, Store Managers, HR Coordinators, and Operations Managers
- 1 to 500 employees
- Retail, Hospitality, Food Service, Healthcare, and Construction
- Managers, Shift Leaders, HR Personnel, and Business Owners
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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How do Patriot Payroll, When I Work and Homebase Compare on Features?
Total Features | 10 Features | 10 Features | 32 Features |
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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.
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Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | — | ✓ Yes |
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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 | |||
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Rating Distribution | |||
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
Common complaints
| 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
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of scheduling, communication features, and payroll integration, tempered by some interface usability concerns. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Integrations
Integration with other apps | No Integration information available. |
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List of Customers
Customers | No Customers information available. | No Customers information available. | ![]() Antique Taco ![]() Woodhouse ![]() Souvla |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots | ![]() 4 Screenshots | ![]() 1 Screenshots |
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Videos | ![]() 3 Videos | ![]() 2 Videos |
Alternatives
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Related Blogs and Articles for Time Tracking Software
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.


























