Connecteam is a workforce super-app: time tracking, scheduling, chat, forms, training, and HR in one login. ClockOut is a focused time clock with scheduling and payroll exports. Pick Connecteam if you have 30+ frontline workers and want the whole bundle; pick ClockOut for simple flat pricing ($19/month covers up to 5 people) and just the time clock. Here’s the full comparison.
At a glance
| ClockOut | Connecteam | |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Focused time-clock + payroll for SMBs | All-in-one super-app for deskless workforces |
| Free plan cap | 2 people, including you | 10 users |
| Paid pricing model | $19 / mo for up to 5, then $3 per person | Flat per-hub (~$29/mo for 30 users) |
| Scaling above 30 users | Linear: $3 per extra person | Tiered hubs / Advanced / Expert |
| GPS clock-in & geofence | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kiosk mode | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built-in team chat | Basic (Starter and up) | ✓ |
| Forms / checklists | ✗ | ✓ |
| Training courses | ✗ | ✓ |
| Compliance engine (CA daily OT) | Pro plan | Included |
| Per-employee billing sync | ✓ | Hub-based |
What is the fundamental difference?
Connecteam is a workforce super-app. Time tracking is one of ~6 modules, alongside chat, forms, training, knowledge base, and HR. The appeal: one login for everything frontline.
ClockOut is a focused time clock. We do clock-in, scheduling, breaks, overtime, and payroll exports, and we do them well. Starter and Pro also include simple team chat: a company channel, a channel per location, and direct messages. We don’t want to be your LMS or your HR suite. If you don’t need forms or a training platform, the super-app value evaporates.
How much does Connecteam cost vs ClockOut?
As of August 2026, ClockOut Starter is $19 per month for up to 5 people, then $3 per extra person; Connecteam’s Operations Basic hub is $29/month flat for up to 30 users. That makes ClockOut cheaper up to about 8 users and Connecteam cheaper from there to the 30-user bucket ceiling.
10-person team
- ClockOut Starter: $19 + 5 × $3 = $34 / month
- Connecteam Operations Basic: $29 / month (flat, includes up to 30 users, Time Clock hub only)
- Connecteam Operations Advanced: $49 / month (flat, up to 30 users)
Connecteam edges it at 10 users on the entry hub, and the flat fee per 30-user bucket gets more efficient the closer you are to the ceiling. ClockOut wins under about 8 users, or when you don’t need the other hubs.
25-person team
- ClockOut Starter: $19 + 20 × $3 = $79 / month
- Connecteam Operations Basic: $29 / month (still under the 30-user cap)
Around 20-30 users on a single hub, Connecteam’s flat per-30 pricing is the cheapest. Past 30 users you jump to the next bucket. ClockOut is linear past five people: $94/month at 30, $154/month at 50.
50-person team
- ClockOut Starter: $19 + 45 × $3 = $154 / month
- Connecteam Operations Basic: 50 users requires the 50-user tier, typically $59 / month for one hub
Pure time clock at 50 users: Connecteam wins on raw price. But add multi-hub usage (Operations + Communications + HR) and the totals flip, you’re paying for all the modules.
Where the products differ
Team chat, forms, training
Connecteam includes these out of the box (on the right hubs). If you’re actively replacing Slack, paper forms, and an LMS, this consolidates real tools. If your team uses WhatsApp groups and Google Forms and is fine with it, you’re paying for unused features.
ClockOut covers only the chat part, and keeps it simple: a company-wide channel, a channel for each location, and direct messages, with @mentions, in the web app and the mobile app. There are no forms, checklists, or training courses, and no Slack integration.
Time clock features
Both have GPS, geofencing, kiosk mode, breaks, and overtime. ClockOut has a cleaner exception inbox UX and per-employee billing sync. Connecteam has more built-in compliance configuration on entry-tier plans.
Scheduling
Connecteam’s scheduler is mature: drag-drop, recurring templates, open shifts, swaps. ClockOut covers the same surface area with a simpler UI. Both are good; ClockOut is faster to learn, Connecteam has more settings depth.
Payroll integration
Both support moving approved hours into payroll. ClockOut Pro creates CSV files formatted for ADP, Gusto, and QuickBooks, plus a generic CSV; it does not continuously sync hours through a payroll API. Connecteam offers a broader integration catalog, so verify the exact workflow for the payroll provider and plan you use.
Who each is for
Pick Connecteam if
- You have 25+ deskless workers and want one app for time, chat, training, forms, and HR
- You want to replace WhatsApp groups with a fuller communications hub (chat, company updates, surveys) than a time clock’s built-in chat
- You actively need training courses and forms inside the time tracking tool
- You want stronger compliance configuration on the entry-tier price
Pick ClockOut if
- You want a focused time clock with simple team chat and don’t need a forms / training super-app
- You have a small team (up to about 8 people) and want one simple flat price
- You want a permanent free tier (Connecteam Free caps at 10 users with limits)
- You prefer simpler UI and faster onboarding (~60 seconds)
FAQ
Does ClockOut have built-in team chat?
Yes, on Starter and Pro. Every company gets a company-wide channel, a channel for each location, and direct messages between coworkers, with @mentions, in the web app and the mobile app. It is deliberately simple: no forms, surveys, or training courses, and no Slack integration. If you want those alongside chat, Connecteam bundles them.
Is Connecteam free actually free?
Yes, but capped at 10 users and limited features. Past 10 users you’re on a paid hub. ClockOut Free is also capped (at 2 people, including you) and covers the core time clock: GPS punches, basic scheduling, and CSV export.
Which is better for California compliance?
Connecteam Operations Advanced has stronger built-in California rules. ClockOut handles the same on the Pro plan ($39/month for up to 5 people, then $6 per extra person). For a 25-person CA team: Connecteam Advanced is $49/mo flat; ClockOut Pro is $159/mo. Connecteam is cheaper at that size in CA.
Connecteam vs When I Work: which is better?
They solve different problems. Connecteam is a super-app: time tracking plus chat, forms, training, and HR. When I Work is scheduling-first with a time clock attached. If you mainly need chat and training alongside time tracking, pick Connecteam; if the weekly schedule is the core job, When I Work fits better. If you just need a GPS time clock with scheduling and payroll export, ClockOut does that for $19/month for up to 5 people, then $3 per extra person.
Can I migrate from Connecteam to ClockOut?
Yes. Export your employee list and schedule from Connecteam, import to ClockOut. Old time data stays in Connecteam as an archive.
Does ClockOut have an open shifts marketplace like Connecteam?
Yes. Post open shifts, employees claim them, optional approval workflow. Conflict and PTO detection built in.