Buddy Punch vs Hubstaff
Time Tracking pricing comparison · 2026 · Updated March 2026
Buddy Punch pricing ranges from $4.49–$11.99/user/month, while Hubstaff ranges from $0–$10/user/month. Buddy Punch is typically 14% more affordable, though your actual cost depends on tier and team size.
Buddy Punch and Hubstaff both target businesses that need employee time tracking beyond basic punch-in/out — think construction crews, distributed teams, and hourly workforces. Both offer GPS tracking, shift scheduling, and payroll integrations, but they differ meaningfully in monitoring depth and pricing ceiling.
Buddy Punch starts at $5/user/month with solid GPS, schedule management, and a straightforward punch-in interface. Hubstaff goes deeper on productivity monitoring: optional screenshots, activity levels, URL and app tracking, and its own payroll add-on. Hubstaff's plans run $5–$25/user/month depending on features, making it more expensive for teams that need the full suite.
Plan-by-Plan Pricing
| Plan | Buddy Punch | Hubstaff |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $5.49 /user/month | Free /month |
| Pro | $6.99 /user/month | $4 /seat/month |
| Enterprise | $11.99 /user/month | $7 /seat/month |
| Team | — | $10 /seat/month |
| Enterprise | — | Custom |
Cost at Scale
Total cost of ownership — licenses, implementation, and hidden costs included.
Buddy Punch
3 scenariosHubstaff
5 scenariosMarket Intelligence
Buddy Punch
- Average negotiated discount
- 18%
Hubstaff
- Median annual cost
- $64,000
- Based on
- 14 deals
Our Verdict
Choose Buddy Punch if: you run a field-based workforce (construction, cleaning, healthcare) that needs reliable GPS clock-in/out without surveillance features. The interface is approachable for non-technical employees, and the pricing ($5–$8/user/month) stays reasonable as your team scales.
Choose Hubstaff if: you manage remote knowledge workers and want optional productivity monitoring alongside time tracking. Screenshot capture, activity rates, and detailed app usage data help managers understand remote work patterns. The $25/user/month Enterprise tier adds expense tracking, invoicing, and unlimited integrations.
Bottom line: Buddy Punch is simpler and cheaper for location-based teams. Hubstaff is the right choice for remote-first companies that want productivity visibility alongside hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
01 Does Buddy Punch have GPS tracking?
Yes. Buddy Punch includes GPS tracking on all paid plans ($5+/user/month), allowing employees to clock in/out with location verification and managers to see real-time locations on a map.
02 Can Hubstaff take screenshots of employees?
Yes, Hubstaff can capture optional screenshots at set intervals as part of its employee monitoring features. This is available on Team and Enterprise plans. Screenshots must be disclosed to employees and are configurable by managers.
03 Which integrates better with payroll?
Both integrate with Gusto, QuickBooks, and ADP. Hubstaff has a built-in payroll feature on higher-tier plans. Buddy Punch's payroll integrations are clean but require a third-party payroll tool for processing.
04 How does Buddy Punch prevent time theft?
Buddy Punch uses GPS location verification, facial recognition punch-in (optional), and IP address restrictions to prevent buddy punching and location spoofing.
05 What's the total cost difference for a 50-person team?
For a 50-person team: Buddy Punch runs $250–$400/month depending on plan. Hubstaff ranges from $250/month (Starter) to $1,250/month (Enterprise). If you need screenshots and productivity data, Hubstaff's premium plans add significant cost.