Buddy Punch vs Time Doctor
Choose Buddy Punch if you need a punch clock for shifts and worksites; choose Time Doctor if you need to track time alongside computer activity for a desk-based team. Both offer timesheets, scheduling and payroll-related tools, but they answer different questions: Buddy Punch emphasizes who clocked in and where, while Time Doctor emphasizes how tracked computer time was spent.
Last updated October 26, 2026.
At a glance
| Dimension | Buddy Punch | Time Doctor |
|---|---|---|
| Computer activity | Not published | Screenshots on Basic; web and app reports on Standard |
| Worksite location | GPS on punches on Starter; geofencing on Pro | Not published |
| Clock-in options | Web and mobile punches; PIN kiosk on Pro | Desktop tracking; mobile task timer |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android and ChromeOS | Windows, macOS, Ubuntu, iOS, Android and Chrome Browser App |
| Starting price | Starter: $5.99/user/month plus $19 base; $4.99/user/month annually plus base | Basic: $8/user/month; $6.67/user/month annually |
| Admin seats | Unlimited free administrators | Admins and managers count as seats |
| Scheduling | Pro includes scheduling; Starter add-on | Schedules on Standard and above |
| Payroll | Payroll integrations on Starter; built-in payroll add-on | Payroll features on Standard and above |
| Integrations | Payroll and accounting integrations; Zapier on Starter | 60+ integrations on Standard and above |
| Deployment | Web and mobile apps | Desktop agent or Chrome Browser App; private cloud on Enterprise |
| Support | Chat and email; dedicated support on Advanced | Knowledge base on Basic; upgraded support on Standard |
| Free trial | 14 days; no credit card required | 14 days of Premium; no credit card required |
Scroll the table sideways to compare each row.
Which should you choose?
Choose Buddy Punch if
- Teams clocking in at physical worksites
- Businesses that need GPS-verified punches or geofencing
- Employers using a shared time clock kiosk
- Managers scheduling shifts and approving timecards
Choose Time Doctor if
- Desk-based teams tracking time on projects and tasks
- Managers who need web and app usage reports
- Organizations that want screenshots or video screen recording
- Teams comparing productivity across remote and office work
The verdict
The deciding factor is what you need to verify. Pick Buddy Punch for GPS-verified punches, a shared kiosk and shift scheduling. Pick Time Doctor for screenshots, web and app usage reports, and productivity analytics. Compare the plan that includes your required features, not just the starting per-user price: Buddy Punch charges a monthly base fee, while several Time Doctor reporting features begin on Standard.
Buddy Punch vs Time Doctor: common questions
- Which is better for employees who work at different sites?
- Buddy Punch is the better fit when worksite attendance is the priority. Its Starter plan records GPS coordinates with punches, while Pro adds geofencing to restrict punches to approved locations.
- Which tracks what employees do on their computers?
- Time Doctor includes screenshots on Basic and adds web and app usage reporting on Standard. Buddy Punch does not publish comparable computer-activity reporting as a product feature.
- Do Buddy Punch and Time Doctor both offer mobile apps?
- Yes. Buddy Punch offers iOS and Android apps for clocking in and out. Time Doctor offers iOS and Android apps for manual project or task timers; its mobile apps do not capture phone screenshots or app and web activity.
- Which offers a shared time clock kiosk?
- Buddy Punch includes PIN-based shared kiosk punches on Pro. Time Doctor publishes desktop, browser and mobile time-tracking options rather than a shared punch-clock kiosk.
- How does the starting price compare?
- Buddy Punch Starter costs $5.99 per user per month plus a $19 monthly base fee, or $4.99 per user per month plus the base fee with annual billing. Time Doctor Basic costs $8 per user per month, or $6.67 per user per month with annual billing.
- Can either product handle schedules and payroll?
- Both publish scheduling and payroll-related features. Buddy Punch includes scheduling on Pro, offers it as a Starter add-on and sells built-in payroll separately. Time Doctor includes schedules and payroll features on Standard and higher plans.
- Are administrators included in the per-user price?
- Buddy Punch publishes unlimited free administrator users but charges a $19 monthly base fee. Time Doctor says every user with a login, including administrators and managers, counts as a seat.
- Can I try both before paying?
- Yes. Buddy Punch offers a 14-day free trial without a credit card. Time Doctor offers a 14-day trial of its Premium features without a credit card.