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It's a split decision.
Choose OpenTimeClock if your priority is attendance tracking for an unlimited-user team and you can pay $39 monthly or $399 annually for PDF/Excel downloads and full features. Choose Sling if scheduling is the main job: its free plan covers up to 30 users, while time tracking starts on Premium and reports and PTO are on Business. Sling has lower listed entry pricing, but charges per user; OpenTimeClock charges per company.
01Side by side
| OpenTimeClock | Sling | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $39 monthly; $33.25 monthly, billed annually | $2/user monthly; $1.70 with annual billing |
| Free plan | Unlimited users; no PDF/Excel downloads | Up to 30 users; basic scheduling |
| Best for | Time clock and attendance tracking | Employee scheduling and workforce management |
| Core strength | Clock-in controls and payroll reports | Shift scheduling and labor cost control |
| Learning curve | Not published | Not published |
| Integrations/data | Paid PDF/Excel exports; integrations not specified | Calendar sync listed; other integrations not specified |
| Team/seat costs | Per company; unlimited users | Per user on paid plans |
| Support | Not published | Not published |
OpenTimeClock Choose OpenTimeClock if
- Choose OpenTimeClock if you need attendance tracking for unlimited users.
- Choose OpenTimeClock if you want company-based pricing rather than per-user billing.
- Choose OpenTimeClock if downloadable PDF/Excel payroll reports matter.
Sling Choose Sling if
- Choose Sling if shift scheduling is your main need.
- Choose Sling if you want a free plan capped at 30 users.
- Choose Sling if you need labor costs, time tracking, and team messaging.
02Pricing compared
OpenTimeClock charges by company: its paid plan is $39 monthly or $399 annually, which works out to $33.25 per month. The free plan has unlimited users, but PDF and Excel report downloads are excluded. Eligible organizations can apply for the free NPO Plan, and a free Sponsor Link Plan requires a link on the organization’s homepage. The pricing page also lists a 30-day trial.
Sling charges per user. Its free plan supports up to 30 users. Premium is $2 per user monthly or $1.70 with annual billing; Business is $4 monthly or $3.40 annually. Sling lists a 15-day trial. Its lower entry prices can add up as headcount grows, while OpenTimeClock’s paid price is company-wide.
03Features and depth
OpenTimeClock is centered on time and attendance. Employees can clock in through a browser or apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, using options such as PINs, facial recognition, QR codes, or group clock-ins. Managers can record GPS locations and restrict punches by approved location, IP address, or device ID. The service also tracks hours by customer, project, job, task, or department, and supports scheduling, time-off requests, automatic PTO accruals, and attendance alerts. Its paid plan includes downloads of more than 80 ready-made PDF and Excel reports; custom reports are also available.
Sling puts scheduling and workforce coordination first. It supports shift planning, availability, shift trades, time-off requests, team messages, announcements, and task assignments. Mobile time tracking, labor-cost management, and overtime tracking are listed with Premium. Kiosk tracking, reports, no-show and sick-call tracking, and PTO management are listed with Business. Choose based on the work you need included in the plan, not just the headline price.
04Ease of use and learning curve
The available product details do not establish which interface is easier to learn, so we would not call either one simpler based on features alone. OpenTimeClock offers several clock-in methods and controls, from PINs and QR codes to location and device restrictions. That gives managers options, but teams may need to decide which rules to configure.
Sling’s listed workflow centers on shifts, availability, time off, communication, and tasks. That may be a closer fit if scheduling is the daily priority. Its plan gates matter: the free tier is limited to 30 users, while time tracking and reports are on paid tiers. Check which functions your staff need before choosing.
Questions people ask
What is the best time tracking app for employees?
It depends on the job. OpenTimeClock offers unlimited users on its free plan, with PDF and Excel downloads excluded. Sling’s free plan supports up to 30 users; mobile time tracking is listed with Premium. Compare headcount, clock-in controls, and the reports you need before switching.
How do you clock in on Sling?
Sling supports time tracking from its mobile apps or a designated time clock, with optional GPS geofencing. The published product information does not give step-by-step clock-in instructions, so check Sling’s current help materials for setup details and the exact employee workflow.
How do I clock in on When I Work?
When I Work is not covered in this comparison, and the published information does not describe its clock-in steps or plans. For Sling, time tracking is listed on Premium and kiosk time tracking on Business. Check When I Work’s current documentation for its app and clock-in instructions.
What is Sling scheduling?
Sling’s scheduling features let teams create shifts, manage employee availability and time-off requests, and handle shift trades. The free plan lists shift scheduling, available shifts, and time-off requests, with a limit of 30 users. Sling also offers paid tiers with additional time and labor tools.