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Most buyers should pick Buddy Punch.
Buddy Punch is the clearer fit for hourly teams that need time tracking, schedules, PTO and GPS punches, with published per-user rates. Its annual plans start at $4.99 per user monthly, but every plan adds a $19 monthly base fee and some features cost extra. Paycom is the better fit for organizations seeking HR and payroll in one system, with automated payroll and employee self-service. Its price is quote-only, so compare proposals before deciding.
01Side by side
| Buddy Punch | Paycom | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $4.99/user/month annually; $5.99 monthly + $19 base | Custom quote; price not published |
| Free plan | No free plan; 14-day trial | No free plan; trial not published |
| Best for | Hourly teams tracking time across locations | Organizations wanting unified HR and payroll |
| Core strength | Time, scheduling, PTO, GPS and geofencing | Automated payroll, HR records and self-service |
| Learning curve | Not published | Not published |
| Integrations/data | Payroll reports and payroll integrations | Single HR/payroll database; integration list not published |
| Team/seat costs | Per-user rates plus $19 monthly base fee | Custom pricing; per-seat rate not published |
| Support | Support details not published here | Dedicated implementation, payroll and ongoing support team |
Buddy Punch Choose Buddy Punch if
- Choose Buddy Punch if you need hourly time tracking, schedules and PTO.
- Choose Buddy Punch if upfront per-user pricing matters.
- Choose Buddy Punch if GPS punches and payroll reports fit your workflow.
Paycom Choose Paycom if
- Choose Paycom if you want HR and payroll in one database.
- Choose Paycom if automated payroll and employee error correction matter.
- Choose Paycom if you need dedicated implementation and ongoing support.
02Pricing compared
Buddy Punch publishes three per-user plans: Starter is $5.99 per month, or $4.99 with annual billing; Pro is $7.99 monthly, or $6.99 annually; Advanced is $13.99 monthly, or $12.99 annually. The pricing details also list a $19 monthly base fee for every plan, so the per-user rate is not the whole bill. Scheduling costs $1 per user monthly unless you choose Pro or Advanced; other paid extras include Real-Time GPS, Advanced Reporting and payroll. Buddy Punch payroll is listed at $8 per user monthly plus a $49 monthly base fee. Paycom does not publish rates: pricing is customized by workforce size and selected modules, and you need a quote to compare total costs. If a public starting price matters, Buddy Punch is easier to budget; compare the full fee and add-ons, not just its per-user rate.
03Features and depth
Buddy Punch focuses on time and attendance for hourly and salaried teams. Its feature list covers clock-ins from computers, phones or a kiosk; GPS punches and geofencing; shift scheduling; PTO balances and requests; overtime and break rules; and payroll reports, integrations or its built-in payroll service. Plan details matter: GPS on punches and time-off tracking are in Starter, while scheduling is included with Pro and Advanced. Advanced includes Real-Time GPS and Advanced Reporting. Some features cost extra on lower plans.
Paycom covers a broader HR and payroll set in one employee database. Its listed tools include automated payroll with Beti, which lets employees find and fix errors before payroll runs; GONE for automated time-off decisions; employee self-service; and IWant AI for questions about employee profiles, applicant data, policies and dashboards. Paycom also lists modules for areas such as Talent Acquisition and Time and Labor Management, but the exact setup and module pricing are not published. Choose Buddy Punch for a focused time-clock workflow; consider Paycom when you want HR and payroll tools together.
04Ease of use and learning curve
The published reviews give both products an ease-of-use score of 7, so there is no clear winner on that measure. Buddy Punch has a more transparent buying structure: its published plans show which time, PTO and scheduling features are included, though base fees and add-ons complicate the total. Paycom's breadth may mean more decisions about modules, and its customized pricing makes the cost harder to assess before a sales conversation.
Paycom lists a dedicated team for implementation, payroll processing and ongoing support. That is useful to know, but the published information does not specify setup time or how much training is required. Buddy Punch's review gives support a score of 5, compared with Paycom's 6; those scores are directional, not a guarantee of your experience.
Questions people ask
Who are Paycom's main competitors?
The published product information does not name Paycom's competitors, so we can't give a sourced competitor list. It does show where Buddy Punch overlaps: time and attendance. Paycom's listed scope is broader, covering HR and payroll in one database, with employee self-service and automated payroll.
How much does Buddy Punch cost per month?
The pricing details list Starter at $5.99 per user monthly, Pro at $7.99 and Advanced at $13.99. Annual billing lowers those rates to $4.99, $6.99 and $12.99 per user monthly. Each plan also has a $19 monthly base fee; add-ons can raise the bill.
Is Paycom an HRIS system?
The published information describes Paycom as HR and payroll software with employee data in one database, plus employee self-service and HR-related modules. That supports describing it as an HR and payroll platform, but the material does not use the specific label “HRIS.” Its exact configuration depends on selected modules.
Is Paycom a legit company?
The published material describes Paycom's HR and payroll product, but it does not provide independent verification of the company's status, customer outcomes or business credentials. We can't establish legitimacy from this information alone. Before buying, review the contract, implementation terms, support commitments and references relevant to your organization.