Homebase vs Sling
Scheduling & Staffing · Features checked on the official websites, Oct 2026.
Verdict
Pick Sling if you mainly need free scheduling and team chat for a team of up to 30, or cheap per-user time tracking. Pick Homebase if you run one location and want scheduling, time clock, payroll and tip pooling in one app. Its per-location price stays flat as you hire.
Who it's for
Homebase
Single-location restaurants that want an all-in-one hourly team app.
Sling
Teams of up to 30 that want free scheduling, or lean per-user pricing.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Homebase | Sling |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model (checked Oct 2026) | Per location: Basic $0, Essentials $30, Plus $70, All-in-One $120 /location/mo | Per user: Free, Premium $2.00, Business $4.00 /user/mo ($1.70 / $3.40 billed annually) |
| Free plan | Y (1 location, up to 10 employees) | Y (scheduling for up to 30 users) |
| Free trial | 14-day All-in-One trial | 15-day trial |
| Shift scheduling | Yes | Yes |
| Team messaging | Y (Essentials and up) | Yes |
| Time tracking | Yes | Y (Premium and up) |
| Payroll | Add-on: $49/mo + $6 per employee paid | Not highlighted |
| Tip pooling | Tip Manager add-on $25/location/mo | Not highlighted |
| PTO requests | Y (Plus) | Y (Business) |
✓ Yes = advertised on the vendor's official website (checked Oct 2026). "Not highlighted" means we didn't see it on the main product page. It may exist, so confirm with the vendor. Prices shown were read on each vendor's official pricing page (checked Oct 2026) and change often, so confirm current pricing with the vendor before you buy.
FAQ
Is Homebase or Sling better?
Pick Sling if you mainly need free scheduling and team chat for a team of up to 30, or cheap per-user time tracking. Pick Homebase if you run one location and want scheduling, time clock, payroll and tip pooling in one app. Its per-location price stays flat as you hire.
Who should choose Homebase?
Single-location restaurants that want an all-in-one hourly team app.
Who should choose Sling?
Teams of up to 30 that want free scheduling, or lean per-user pricing.
How much do Homebase and Sling cost?
The pricing rows in the table above were read on the official Homebase and Sling pricing pages (checked Oct 2026). Prices change often and some plans are quote-based, so confirm on each vendor's official pricing page before you buy.