NEWJoin 2M+ software buyers|Get Weekly Insights, Trends & Expert PicksSubscribe free →

Zoho People vs Homebase Comparison

Last updated:

Zoho People

4.7(171 reviews)

Starting at $1.25 /User/Month

  • Free Trial
  • Freelancers / Consultants
  • Large Enterprises

Zoho People is an HR management platform for small to mid-sized companies that need to manage attendance, leave, timesheets, and performance reviews without a standalone enterprise HCM. It automates routine HR workflows…

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…

Zoho People leads on user satisfaction with a 4.7-star rating across 171 reviews.

Zoho People vs Homebase — at a glance

FeatureZoho PeopleHomebase
Rating4.7 / 54.4 / 5
Reviews171118
Starting price$1.25 /User/Month$0 / location / month
Free trial Yes Yes
Free version No No
Best forFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryHR SoftwareEmployee Scheduling Software
Integrations11+ apps
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOSSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Browser Based (Cloud)
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modesBusiness Hours, Online24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online
CertificationsSOC 2, GDPR, ISO 27001SOC 2
Data residencyGlobalUnited States, Canada

Key differences between Zoho People and Homebase

  • Pricing: Zoho People starts at $1.25 /User/Month, while Homebase starts at $0 / location / month.
  • Target audience: Zoho People is built for Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises, while Homebase targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
  • User satisfaction: Zoho People scores higher with a 4.7-star average.
  • Deployment: Zoho People supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Homebase supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Browser Based (Cloud).

Zoho People vs Homebase — find the better fit before you commit.

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 HR 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.

Zoho People - HR Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert

*sponsored

Free PDF comparison

Download this Zoho People vs Homebase comparison

Get the full side-by-side as a PDF — these picks plus the top HR Software tools, with verified ratings, pricing and features.

  • Side-by-side on pricing, features & ratings
  • Plus the category top 10, scored & ranked
  • Emailed to you — no on-screen download

No file downloads on screen — we email it to you. One-click unsubscribe anytime.

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Zoho People

Best for SMBs needing comprehensive, customizable HR management software.

Choose if
  • You require an all-in-one HR solution covering payroll, attendance, and performance.
  • Your organization values flexible workflows and customizable dashboards tailored to needs.
  • You have HR managers or payroll admins seeking an intuitive, user-friendly interface.
Consider alternatives if
  • You need rapid onboarding due to a slower learning curve with complex setups.
  • Your company depends heavily on a highly reliable, bug-free mobile app experience.

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.

Zoho People: Best for SMBs needing comprehensive, customizable HR management software. Homebase: Best for simple, streamlined scheduling and payroll in small to mid-sized teams.

Description

Zoho People is an HR management platform for small to mid-sized companies that need to manage attendance, leave, timesheets, and performance reviews without a standalone enterprise HCM. It ... Read More about Zoho People

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 $1.25 , Billed Yearly
  • Starts from $0 , monthly

Free Trial Availability

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

9.6/10

9.7/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.67

(171)

4.41

(118)

Best Company Size

50-1,000 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

Zoho People

  • Streamlined HR Processes: With Zoho People, you’ll find that automating tasks such as leave management, performance reviews, and onboarding not only saves time but also reduces errors. Imagine spending less time on paperwork and more on strategic initiatives.
  • Employee Data Management: Access and manage all employee information in one centralized platform. This improves decision-making and keeps your records current and accessible.
  • Customizable Workflows: Zoho People lets you design workflows built for your organization's specific needs. Whether you're a small startup or a large enterprise, this flexibility helps teams work more efficiently in a way that suits them best.

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

Zoho People

  • 50 to 1,000 employees
  • HR Tech, SaaS, Consulting, Education, and Non-Profit
  • HR Managers, Recruitment Specialists, Employee Relations Coordinators, and Payroll Administrators

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

Zoho People

  • UI customization is limited — teams needing extensive dashboard modifications often switch to Workday or SuccessFactors
  • Compliance reporting for specific industries (healthcare, financial services) requires manual setup — buyers typically add specialized tools like Workiva or ADP for regulatory workflows
  • Pricing scales with headcount; companies growing past 500 employees often find per-seat costs exceed alternatives like BambooHR or Rippling at similar scale

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

Need a second opinion?

Get shortlist help from a software advisor

Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.

Spotsaas advisor
Get shortlist help from a software advisor
  • Independent advice — matched to your business
  • Understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors
  • Free 15-min call with a software advisor.

Step 1 of 4

How big is your team?

We tailor recommendations to companies your size.

Trusted by teams at

How do Zoho People and Homebase Compare on Features?

Total Features

14 Features

32 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote

Compare Zoho People 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

      • $1.25 , Billed Yearly
      • $0 , monthly

      Pricing Plans

      • Free Plan

        • Employee Database

        • Time off Management

      • Essential HR

        • Employee Onboarding

        • Employee Database Management

        • HR Files management

        Show more +

      • Professional

        • Includes features of Essential HR plan, plus

        • Attendance marking via the web, mobile, and facial recognition

        • People Kiosk

        Show more +

      • Browse all pricing plans
      • 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

      Zoho People pricing
      Homebase pricing

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

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

      Modes of support

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

      API Support

      • Available
      • Available
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

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

      SOC 2

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      HIPAA

      ✗ No
      ✗ No

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes
      ✗ No

      ISO 27001

      ✓ Yes
      ✗ No

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🌐 Global
      🇺🇸 United States🇨🇦 Canada

      Zoho People User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      175

      21

      6

      1

      1

      85

      35

      5

      3

      3

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Overall positive sentiment highlights Zoho People’s comprehensive features and ease of use, tempered by concerns over mobile app stability and support responsiveness.

      What buyers like

      • Ease of use
      • Feature completeness
      • Customizability

      Common complaints

      • Mobile app bugs
      • Customer support delays

      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

      • Intuitive and user-friendly interface for both technical and non-technical users

      • Comprehensive HR management features including attendance, leave, payroll, and performance tracking

      • Customizable dashboards and workflows tailored to organizational needs

      • Slower learning curve especially for complex workflow configurations

      • Mobile app issues including bugs, geolocation problems, and login difficulties

      • 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

      Used Zoho People or Homebase? Tell buyers what actually differs.

      Integrations

      Integration with other apps

      No Integration information available.

      List of Customers

      Customers

      Zoho People_customers_5

      Zoho People_customers_5

      SpiceJet

      SpiceJet

      Zoho People_customers_0

      Zoho People_customers_0

      Antique Taco

      Antique Taco

      Woodhouse

      Woodhouse

      Souvla

      Souvla

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      Schedule screenshot

      6 Screenshots

      Monthly Schedule

      4 Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      2 Videos

      video-0

      4 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Zoho People and Homebase in 2026

      Expand your shortlist

      Add another option to compare side by side

      Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.

      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, Zoho People or Homebase?
      Zoho People edges out the other on user ratings (4.7 vs 4.4). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Zoho People and Homebase offer a free trial?
      Yes, both Zoho People and Homebase offer a free trial.
      What is the starting price of Zoho People vs Homebase?
      Zoho People starts at $1.25 /User/Month. Homebase starts at $0 / location / month.
      What are the top alternatives to Zoho People?
      Top alternatives to Zoho People include Hibob HRIS, Oyster, Paychex Flex, Paycor, EmployWise.
      What are the top alternatives to Homebase?
      Top alternatives to Homebase include OpenTimeClock, Time Clock Wizard, Sling, TrackSmart Scheduling, Shiftworkz.