When I Work vs Buddy Punch

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Our analysts compared When I Work vs Buddy Punch based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Time and Attendance Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Product Basics

When I Work is a cloud-based platform that helps design, communicate and track work schedules for hourly workers. It replaces the hassle of spreadsheets and paper schedules with a user-friendly interface for creating and publishing schedules in minutes. You get features like drag-and-drop tools, schedule and timesheet templates, customizable automation, and reporting.

It offers built-in time tracking, communication tools and payroll integrations. Employees can clock in and out directly through the native app. They can also swap shifts and submit time-off requests from their profiles. It lets you access timesheets, identify labor cost trends and control overtime expenses.

Team messaging helps you coordinate staff members and avoid over or understaffing during peak seasons. While pricing varies based on company size and required features, the platform offers a free trial and multiple subscription tiers. This allows you to choose a plan that fits your budget and specific needs.

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Buddy Punch is an online solution that monitors employee time and attendance efficiently. It offers capabilities like GPS tracking, overtime calculating, PTO accrual, job costing and time card approval. Employees can clock-in from different locations using respective job codes. Organizations can enable webcam functions to obtain visual information of employee punch-in/out locations.

Edit and view employee information and approve leave requests and time cards. It rounds up employee logins and calculates overtime. Employees can clock-in and out using web browsers or mobile apps. Track employee location using GPS and limit sites where they can punch. Its data can be exported to Excel while it integrates with third-party modules like ADP, SurePayroll and QuickBooks.
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$2.50/User, Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
$3.99/User, Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
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Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Top-Ranked Scheduling Solution: When I Work stands out as a leader in employee scheduling, with an analyst rating of 85 in our research. This puts it alongside industry heavyweights like Deputy (87) and 7Shifts (86). It offers a comprehensive set of features, including scheduling, time tracking and team communications, all of which are ready to use immediately, reducing setup time.
  • Effortless Shift Management: Our research shows that When I Work offers 96% of tools for creating and managing employee shifts out-of-the-box. These include everything from creating recurring shift templates and customizing layouts to features like open shift bidding and automatic vacant shift assignment. You can also add feedback, task notes, swap shifts and receive automated reminders.
  • Powerful Mobile App: The mobile app keeps everything you need for streamlined scheduling at your fingertips. It offers mobile scheduling, time tracking, geofencing, customizable push notifications and built-in chat for easy team communication.
  • Seamless Integrations: When I Work scored 92 for integrations in our analysis, effortlessly connecting with a wide range of business tools. These include accounting solutions like QuickBooks Online, Google and Apple Calendars, HR and payroll software like Rippling and Gusto, Square POS systems, and integration platforms as a service (iPaaS) such as Zapier and Tray.io.
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  • Ease-of-Use: Let employees punch-in and out using mobiles or any web browser. Assign employees usernames, passwords or QR codes to scan using webcams or smartphones. 
  • Mobile App: Employees can clock-in and out from anywhere using mobile apps for Android and iOS devices. Use mobile app GPS tracking capabilities to monitor employee log-in and out locations. Activate GPS tracking for remote teams. 
  • Manage PTOs: Manage leaves, PTOs and track accruals. Let employees request time off using the built-in calendar and get approvals. 
  • Integrations: Integrate with multiple third-party modules like QuickBooks, Gusto, Zapier, ADP, Paychex, WorkDay, SurePayroll, Paylocity, PayPlus and more to simplify payroll. 
  • Employee Portal: Grant employees access to the employee portal to correct time card errors and leaves pending approvals. Employees can submit time cards from an easy-to-navigate interface. 
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  • Employee Scheduling: Create work schedules in one click based on employee availability and eligibility. View team availability, manage time off and track shift trades from one place. Allow employees to pick up and trade shifts while boosting workplace efficiency and productivity. Schedule multiple teams across job sites while preventing unnecessary overtime.
  • Time and Attendance: Track attendance, time off and breaks while turning any internet-connected device into an online time clock. Integrate schedules to control costs while applying pay rules. Implement an online time clock with a GPS facility for uniform clock-ins and outs across devices. Let remote employees log in and out using any device while receiving attendance data in real time.
  • Timesheets: Record weekly attendance changes into timesheets while setting differential pay rates for multiple positions. Monitor labor costs while auditing time records with labor distribution reports. Audit and approve timesheets from mobile or desktop while preventing overtime before it happens. Configure paid and unpaid breaks on schedule and time clock.
  • Shift Planning: Plan, swap and approve shifts using a mobile or desktop while empowering teams to collaborate on schedules. Ensure cost-effective shift coverage while creating schedules that work for the entire team.
  • Scalability: Start with a single team or location and scale to multiple teams across geographical locations as per business growth. Schedule multiple teams across various job sites.
  • Push Notifications: Send important messages to the entire staff in one go. Employees get email and text alerts for missed logins or outs. Notify all employees when you update or create new schedules.
  • Geo Check-In: Use GPS tracking and live map views to ensure that employees log in from their designated job sites. Monitor field staff’s real-time location, eliminating the need for employees to update their locations constantly in the office.
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  • Time Tracking: Get real-time insights into employee working hours. Monitor overtime while adjusting weekly and monthly schedules accordingly. Enable webcam and device lock features to ensure employees clock-in and out for themselves. Use a GPS tracker to monitor employee locations and limit punch sites. 
  • Employee Scheduling: Create employee schedules within minutes using drag-and-drop functionality. Copy previous schedules, add or remove shifts and notify teams of modifications. Send notifications to the entire staff or specific teams while ensuring everyone receives updates schedules. 
  • Payroll: Verify, review and enter timesheets within minutes. Forget manual entry and automate timesheet calculations. Compute payroll by entering hourly rates or unpaid time accruals, including sick leaves, vacation and PTOs. Simplify payroll by integrating with popular third-party modules. 
  • Reporting: Generate reports within seconds to get the big picture of individual employees, teams or departments. Get detailed insights, print or export reports, when required. Monitor employee work hours, locations, departments and overtime. Get a summary of employees present on a day, hours worked and accrued paid or unpaid time off. 
  • Accountability: Use image and GPS tracking to track employee work locations. Send push notifications for updated work schedules and forgotten punch-ins or outs. Monitor remote employee work locations while ensuring they work when required by specific IP addresses to each one. 
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Product Ranking

#12

among all
Time and Attendance Software

#67

among all
Time and Attendance Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

79
77
83
50
78
87
98
75
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Employee Scheduling
Mobile Capabilities
Time Tracking
Leave & Absence Management
Dashboards & Reporting

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

When I Work
Buddy Punch
+ Add Product + Add Product
Compliance Dashboards & Reporting Employee Scheduling Leave & Absence Management Mobile Capabilities Platform Capabilities Project Tracking Time Clocks Time Tracking 83 78 98 80 89 84 81 41 75 50 87 75 90 72 55 81 68 100 0 25 50 75 100
83%
0%
17%
33%
0%
67%
78%
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22%
89%
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11%
100%
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78%
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22%
80%
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90%
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10%
86%
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14%
71%
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29%
86%
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14%
57%
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43%
83%
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17%
83%
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40%
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60%
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75%
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Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

63%
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37%
50%
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50%

User Sentiment Summary

Excellent User Sentiment 1454 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 1339 reviews
90%
of users recommend this product

When I Work has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 90% when considering 1454 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

95%
of users recommend this product

Buddy Punch has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 95% when considering 1339 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

5.0 (11)
n/a
4.4 (286)
4.8 (278)
4.5 (1093)
4.8 (1017)
4.4 (64)
4.0 (44)

Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated When I Work and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Compliance. When I Work stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award
Compliance Award

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Buddy Punch and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Leave & Absence Management and Time Tracking. Buddy Punch stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award
Leave & Absence Management Award
Time Tracking Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Intuitive and Efficient: Users appreciate the user-friendly interface and comprehensive features that centralize managing all scheduling needs from a single app.
Prompt Customer Support: Users report getting timely and helpful assistance from the vendor’s support team through live chat and email.
Enhanced Employee Experience: The app boosts staff productivity by offering them flexible tools to control their work schedules.
Improved Integration and Accessibility: Most users have had a positive experience connecting the platform with other necessary third-party tools.
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Facial Recognition: Buddy Punch offers facial recognition as a method for employees to clock in and out, which can help to prevent time theft and buddy punching.
Geofencing: Buddy Punch's geofencing feature ensures employees can only clock in or out when they are within a designated area, promoting accountability and preventing inaccurate timekeeping.
Integrations: Buddy Punch integrates with various payroll and HR software, streamlining processes and reducing manual data entry.
PTO Management: The platform simplifies paid time off (PTO) management, allowing employees to request time off and managers to approve or deny requests efficiently.
Overtime Calculations: Buddy Punch automatically calculates overtime based on company policies, ensuring accurate pay for employees and compliance with labor regulations.
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Pricing and Transparency Issues: Users have complained about the vendor’s pricing practices, which include hidden costs and a lack of clear information before signing up.
App Glitches: Users reported issues with iPhone and Android apps, particularly with tasks like staff punch-ins and location tracking using the phone’s GPS.
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Limited Customization: Buddy Punch may not be suitable for businesses with complex scheduling or payroll needs due to its limitations in customization options.
Mobile App Issues: Some users report experiencing occasional glitches or syncing problems with the Buddy Punch mobile app, which could impact the accuracy of time tracking data.
Customer Support: While Buddy Punch offers customer support, response times can vary, and some users have expressed a desire for more prompt and comprehensive assistance.
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According to the reviews, users praise When I Work’s user-friendly design and all-in-one features for scheduling and time tracking. The customer support team is another win — responsive and helpful via chat and email. However, the pricing structure is a point of contention for some users, with complaints about hidden fees and a lack of transparency before signing up.What truly set it apart was its affordability for small and medium businesses. The starter plan, costing just $1.50 per location per month, offers unlimited employee scheduling and auto-scheduling — features usually reserved for top-tier plans in competitors like 7Shift and Homebase.However, communication features are restricted. During testing, I could send individual and group messages, but there's no bulletin board or newsfeed functionality, and message read receipts are absent.Security is another concern. The platform lacks biometric clock-in options, opening the door to potential time theft through buddy punching. Additionally, it doesn’t support geofencing or GPS tracking. I couldn’t remotely track staff shifts to ensure they were following established procedures.Overall, When I Work offers a compelling solution for small and medium businesses with a user-friendly interface, robust features and a budget-friendly starter plan. However, be mindful of the pricing concerns and other limitations, which can be a problem for growing teams and businesses.

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Buddy Punch appears to be a popular choice among businesses seeking a reliable time and attendance solution. Users frequently highlight its user-friendly interface, making it simple for employees to clock in and out, and for managers to track hours and generate reports. The software's geofencing capabilities have also received praise, allowing businesses to monitor remote employees and ensure they are working from designated locations. This feature is particularly valuable for businesses with a distributed workforce or those concerned about time theft. While Buddy Punch receives generally positive feedback, some users note that the mobile app can occasionally be glitchy. Additionally, a few users mention that the reporting features could be more robust, particularly for larger organizations with complex reporting needs. Despite these minor drawbacks, Buddy Punch seems to be a good fit for small to medium-sized businesses across various industries, including construction, healthcare, education, and professional services. Its ease of use, affordability, and comprehensive features make it a valuable tool for managing employee time and attendance, ensuring compliance with labor laws, and streamlining payroll processes.

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Screenshots

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