ClockBadge vs Clockify: the short answer
The short answer to ClockBadge vs Clockify: they solve different problems that overlap at the time clock. Clockify is a full time tracking suite. It covers timers, timesheets, projects, invoicing, time off and scheduling, and it adds a kiosk on paid plans. ClockBadge does one job. It turns a tablet into a punch clock for people who work shifts at one place.
Clockify is generally available and widely used. The ClockBadge Time Clock is in early access, with a waitlist open now. Keep that in mind when you compare features on paper.
Prices and features checked on 3 October 2026. Clockify shows prices by region; the figures below are the US dollar prices shown on clockify.me/pricing. Check the vendor's site before you buy, because plans change.
Clockify kiosk pricing vs ClockBadge pricing
Clockify kiosk pricing starts on the Basic plan. The Clockify free plan is for up to 5 users and includes the timer, timesheet, calendar, mobile and desktop apps and reports, but the kiosk is not part of it. Clockify's help page says that a workspace downgraded to Free has its kiosk disabled.
Clockify bills per seat. Every active or invited user on the Team page takes a seat, including the owner and admins. For people who only clock in at a kiosk, Clockify sells cheaper limited seats.
| Clockify plan | Per seat, billed annually | Per seat, billed monthly | Kiosk-only limited seat (annual / monthly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free (up to 5 users) | $0 | $0 | No kiosk |
| Basic | $3.99 | $4.99 | $0.79 / $0.99 |
| Standard | $5.49 | $6.99 | $1.19 / $1.49 |
| Pro | $7.99 | $9.99 | $1.59 / $1.99 |
| Enterprise | $11.99 | $14.99 | $2.39 / $2.99 |
ClockBadge pricing is simpler because it only does the time clock: free for up to 3 employees, then €3 per employee per month. There are no tiers that unlock clock-in methods; QR badges, RFID cards and PINs are all part of it.
- Admin seat 1 x $3.99 = $3.99
- Limited seats 9 x $0.79 = $7.11
- Total per month = $11.10
- PIN clock-in only; QR needs Standard
That example is plain arithmetic on the published prices, before any tax. Your checkout may differ, so treat it as a rough guide.
How workers clock in: Clockify PIN, QR code, or badges and cards
The Clockify kiosk lets people clock in with a 4-digit or 6-digit PIN or a personal QR code. Clockify PIN authentication is available on Basic and higher. The Clockify QR code login needs Standard or higher. When you enable or change the method, Clockify gives you a CSV file with the new PINs or QR codes.
ClockBadge offers three ways to punch in, all on one plan:
- A printed QR badge, scanned by the tablet's camera.
- An RFID card or key fob, read by a cheap USB reader that types the card number like a keyboard. This works on Android tablets and iPads.
- Picking a name and typing a 4-digit PIN.
The kiosk time clock pages on clockify.me list PIN, QR code and photo capture. They do not list RFID cards. If your team already carries access cards or key fobs, that is a real difference. A time clock with RFID cards is quick for gloves-on work, and nobody has to remember a number.
Does the kiosk work offline?
An offline time clock matters if your Wi-Fi drops in a warehouse corner or on a building site. Clockify says its mobile and desktop apps track time even when you are offline. Its kiosk runs from a link in the device's browser, and the kiosk help page we checked does not describe offline punching. If this matters to you, ask Clockify support before you roll it out.
ClockBadge is built to keep working offline. Punches are stored on the tablet and synced later with their original time, so a 7:02 AM punch stays 7:02 AM even if the upload happens at noon.
Stopping buddy punching: photo capture and audit trails
Buddy punching means one worker clocks in for another. Both tools fight it the same basic way: a personal credential plus a photo. Clockify offers kiosk photo capture on the Pro plan and higher, and it asks kiosk users for explicit permission before their first photo. Clockify's audit log, which records all user actions, is on Enterprise.
ClockBadge has an optional photo at punch, and every edit to a punch is kept in an audit trail, on the same price for everyone.
Where Clockify is the better choice
Be honest about your needs. Clockify is stronger if you want more than a time clock:
- Project and task tracking, billable rates and client invoices.
- Timesheet approval, time off policies and an attendance and overtime report on Standard.
- Scheduling, GPS tracking and activity monitoring on Pro.
- Single sign-on, SCIM and an audit log on Enterprise.
- Mobile and desktop apps so office staff can track time from their own devices.
- A long track record. ClockBadge Time Clock is still opening up through early access.
A Clockify alternative only makes sense if you do not need those extras. Many small shops, cafes and crews simply want to know who is in, how many hours they worked and what goes to payroll.
Where ClockBadge fits
ClockBadge suits a team that clocks in at one door, on one tablet. Admins see who is in right now, daily, weekly and monthly totals with overtime and breaks, and hours per job or site. Exports go to Excel, CSV or PDF. The kiosk screen shows each worker's own language, which helps mixed crews. It runs in the browser, so there is no app store install.
If you have 3 people or fewer, it is a free time clock for small business use. Until the time clock opens, the free calculators work today.
Side-by-side summary
| Feature | Clockify | ClockBadge |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Generally available | Early access, waitlist open |
| Kiosk on free plan | No (Basic and up) | Yes, up to 3 employees |
| PIN clock-in | Basic and up | Included |
| QR code clock-in | Standard and up | Included (printed badge) |
| RFID card or fob | Not listed on kiosk pages | Included (USB reader) |
| Photo at clock-in | Pro and up | Optional, included |
| Offline kiosk punches | Not described in kiosk help | Yes, synced with original time |
| Projects, invoices, scheduling | Yes | No; hours per job or site only |
| Runs in browser | Yes, kiosk link | Yes |
Questions
Is the Clockify kiosk free?
No. The Clockify free plan covers up to 5 users but does not include the kiosk. The kiosk starts on the Basic plan, and kiosk-only workers can use cheaper limited seats, from $0.79 per month billed annually on Basic, as shown on clockify.me/pricing.
Does Clockify have a QR code clock-in?
Yes, on the Standard plan and higher. Workers sign in to the kiosk with a personal QR code. On Basic, the kiosk uses a 4-digit or 6-digit PIN instead. ClockBadge includes QR badges, PINs and RFID cards on one plan.
Can Clockify use RFID cards or key fobs?
The Clockify kiosk pages we checked list PIN, QR code and photo capture, not RFID cards. ClockBadge supports RFID cards and key fobs through a low-cost USB reader that acts like a keyboard on Android tablets and iPads.
What is a good Clockify alternative for a simple time clock?
If you only need clock-in and clock-out for shift workers, a dedicated tablet time clock like ClockBadge is simpler. It is free for up to 3 employees, then €3 per employee per month. It is in early access, so join the waitlist to try it.
Does ClockBadge work without internet?
Yes. Punches are stored on the tablet while the connection is down and synced later with their original time. That makes it a practical offline time clock for sites with patchy Wi-Fi.
Can I use Clockify and ClockBadge together?
Yes, if you want. Some teams track project time in Clockify and use a kiosk time clock at the door for attendance. ClockBadge exports to Excel, CSV and PDF, so hours can go to payroll or another system.