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Homebase started as a scheduling and time-tracking tool for hourly, shift-based teams, and payroll was added later as an add-on. That history shows. Payroll is billed per location, benefits administration isn’t offered, and HR and compliance tools only unlock on higher tiers.
If you’re managing more than one location or need benefits administration alongside payroll, here are five real alternatives, including a platform built as full HCM from the ground up.
Best Homebase Payroll Alternatives for HR & Payroll
- Netchex — Best for mid-market, multi-location businesses with hourly workforces that need full HCM plus white-glove US-based service.
- Gusto — Best for very small, single-location businesses wanting simple self-service payroll. Multi-state payroll and deeper reporting require higher tiers.
- OnPay — Best for small businesses wanting flat, all-in pricing without per-location fees. No native time tracking module.
- QuickBooks Payroll — Best for existing QuickBooks accounting users. Payroll and time tracking are billed and stacked separately.
- SurePayroll — Best for very small businesses and household payroll. Reviewers report service quality declined after its acquisition by Paychex.
How We Evaluated These Platforms
We compared each platform on pricing structure, especially per-location fees, breadth of HR and benefits functionality, native time and attendance capability, and service model, with extra weight on how well each fits businesses with hourly or shift-based staff across multiple locations.
Independent reviewer data was sourced from G2 and Capterra. Competitor claims were last verified in July 2026.
1. Netchex: Built for Growing, Deskless Workforces
Netchex was founded 20 years ago in Louisiana for the businesses that keep America running, restaurants, hotels, clinics, and manufacturers, where employees are on the floor, not behind a desk. Unlike scheduling tools with payroll bolted on, Netchex was built as full HCM from day one, with native time and attendance, in-house benefits administration, and a dedicated Account Manager.
Netchex has been a game changer for our payroll and HR processes. Their customer service team is always available and quick to resolve any issues we run into.
— Verified Reviewer, HR Manager, G2
| Strengths | Considerations |
| ✓ No per-location pricing penalty for multi-location businesses | ✗ Best fit for 50 to 5,000 employees, not micro-businesses |
| ✓ Dedicated Account Manager for every customer | ✗ Requires a short implementation period vs instant DIY signup |
| ✓ Native time & attendance built into the platform | |
| ✓ In-house benefits administration with licensed support | |
| ✓ Free, project-managed implementation in about 6 weeks | |
| ✓ 90% of calls answered in under 1 minute, 90% first-call resolution | |
| ✓ 98% customer service satisfaction score, #1 on G2 for service | |
| ✓ Recruiting, onboarding, and performance management in one login | |
| ✓ Average customer tenure of 10+ years |
2. Gusto: Simple Self-Service Payroll for Small Teams
Gusto starts at $49 per month plus $6 per employee, without per-location fees, and handles payroll, basic benefits, and onboarding.
Support felt automated and slow to escalate when something actually went wrong / Reporting is limited once you need anything beyond the basics
— Trustpilot / Capterra reviewers, 2025
| Strengths | Considerations |
| ✓ No per-location pricing | ✗ Multi-state payroll requires a higher tier |
| ✓ Transparent published pricing | ✗ No dedicated account manager, chat-first support |
Sources: Gusto on G2 | Gusto on Capterra
3. OnPay: Flat Pricing, No Native Time Tracking
OnPay charges a flat $49 per month plus $6 per employee, with no per-location fees, covering full-service payroll and basic benefits administration in one price. The tradeoff is no native time tracking, the exact function Homebase specializes in.
Lack of a time-tracking feature was a real gap for us / Onboarding new staff was challenging to figure out at first
— Capterra reviewers, 2026
| Strengths | Considerations |
| ✓ Flat, transparent all-in pricing | ✗ No native time & attendance module |
| ✓ Full-service tax filing included | ✗ No dedicated account manager, shared support queue |
Sources: OnPay on G2 | OnPay on Capterra
4. QuickBooks Payroll: Convenient If You’re Already on QuickBooks
QuickBooks Payroll runs $50 to $130 per month plus $6 to $11 per employee, billed on top of a separate QuickBooks accounting subscription.
Customer support can be slow to respond, which can be frustrating when issues arise / Payroll, time tracking, and accounting all come as separate add-ons
— Capterra reviewers, 2026
| Strengths | Considerations |
| ✓ Convenient for existing QuickBooks accounting users | ✗ Payroll billed separately from accounting subscription |
| ✓ Familiar interface for QuickBooks customers | ✗ Reviewers report slow support response times |
Sources: QuickBooks Payroll on G2 | QuickBooks Payroll on Capterra
5. SurePayroll: Budget Pricing, Service Concerns Post-Acquisition
SurePayroll, owned by Paychex, starts at $29 per month plus $7 per employee full-service. Multiple reviewers report support quality declined after the Paychex acquisition.
Since Paychex took over, the support has gone down / Add-ons for time tracking and accounting sync cost extra
— Capterra reviewers, 2024-2026
| Strengths | Considerations |
| ✓ Budget-friendly entry pricing | ✗ Reviewers report declining service post-Paychex acquisition |
| ✓ Good fit for household/nanny payroll | ✗ Year-end forms and add-ons billed separately |
Sources: SurePayroll on G2 | SurePayroll on Capterra
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Homebase’s scheduling and time-tracking tiers are priced per location, and payroll is an add-on module on top, which adds up quickly for multi-location businesses.
Netchex is purpose-built for hourly, deskless, and multi-location workforces, with native time and attendance, in-house benefits administration, and no per-location pricing penalty.
No. Homebase does not offer a native benefits administration product, which means businesses need a separate provider for health insurance and other benefits.
Look at whether pricing scales per location, whether benefits administration is included, and whether you get a dedicated point of contact or a shared support queue.
Ready to See How Netchex Handles Multi-Location Payroll Without Per-Location Fees?
See how Netchex handles payroll, HR, benefits, and time tracking in one place, with a real person answering the phone.
This guide reflects publicly available product information and independent reviewer data (G2, Capterra, Trustpilot, Yelp, Better Business Bureau, Reddit, Software Advice, GetApp) as of 2026. Feature availability and pricing may vary by plan. Contact each provider for current details.
Disclaimer: Any product roadmap or future plans provided herein are for informational purposes only. They do not represent a commitment to deliver any material, code, feature, or functionality. Plans may change without notification. The development, release and timing of any features or functionality described remain at the sole discretion of Netchex, its affiliates, and partners. Netchex does not give legal, tax, or accounting advice. You are responsible for ensuring your use of Netchex product meets your individual business and compliance requirements.
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