# ClockShark vs Buddy Punch

The clearest difference is rating: Buddy Punch at 4.9 against ClockShark's 2.9. Buddy Punch also leads on review sentiment (60% vs 43%). ClockShark's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Buddy Punch holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 269 and 719 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 43% of ClockShark's written reviews are positive against 60% of Buddy Punch's.

ClockShark ships an update fortnightly, Buddy Punch monthly. Both last shipped on September 22, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | ClockShark | Buddy Punch |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.9 (269 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clockshark/id898306642/reviews) | **[4.9 (719 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/buddy-punch/id1100685927/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 269 | **719** |
| Positive reviews | 43.0% of reviews | **60.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 105 MB | 106 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ClockShark, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/898306645) | [Buddy Punch LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1100685926) |

## What reviewers say

### ClockShark

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clockshark/id898306642)

This app helps field service companies manage their mobile teams' time, schedules, and job progress. It offers features like GPS tracking, digital timesheets, and job costing to streamline operations and improve payroll accuracy.

**Highlights:** Digital time tracking and timesheets, GPS location tracking and geofencing, Mobile team scheduling and shift management, Job costing and payroll integration, Photo and document attachments for jobs, Time off request management

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface
- 🚀 Efficient time tracking across multiple job sites
- 📍 GPS location verification for job site accuracy
- 🔄 Seamless QuickBooks integration
- 📊 Helpful timesheet summaries and reporting

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Invasive location tracking requiring 'Always' permission
- 🔋 Significant battery drain during work shifts
- 📡 Excessive GPS pinging consuming data
- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and sync failures
- ❌ Incorrect location readings causing employee reprimands

**Reported bugs**

- Login error messages with no resolution
- App crashes immediately after opening
- Hours not saving or disappearing after entry
- Automatic clock-outs during normal app usage
- Location pinging continuing after clock-out

**Requested features**

- Customizable notification reminder times
- Ability to edit break times easily
- Automatic daily clock-in at same time
- Sick days and vacation day tracking
- Quick clock in/out via app shortcuts


### Buddy Punch

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/buddy-punch/id1100685927)

This employee time tracking app allows staff to clock in and out from any internet-connected device. It offers features like GPS tracking, geofencing, and photo punch-ins to ensure accountability. The app automatically calculates hours, overtime, and PTO, and integrates with popular payroll services.

**Highlights:** GPS time clock, Geofencing, Photo punch-ins, Automatic time calculations, Employee scheduling, PTO tracking, Payroll integrations

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 User-friendly and easy to use
- 🚀 Quick and convenient punch in/out process
- 📍 QR code punch system works well
- 🔔 Reliable notifications and updates
- 💼 Good for field-based businesses

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App frequently fails to punch in/out despite confirmation
- ⏱️ Slow app loading times causing tardiness
- 🔐 Facial recognition issues with darker skin tones
- 📱 Portrait-only orientation (no landscape mode)
- 🔄 Inconsistency between app and website

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes and shows blank white screen requiring reinstall
- Keyboard overlay cuts off top half of screen during manual time entry
- Punch confirmation shows success but punch never registers
- App fails to punch in/out for lunch breaks
- Network error messages after successful submission

**Requested features**

- Landscape/horizontal orientation support for iPad
- Live real-time GPS tracking
- View PTO balance in app
- Geofencing for punch in/out
- Status change without punching in/out


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ClockShark free?

ClockShark is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Buddy Punch free?

Buddy Punch is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, ClockShark or Buddy Punch?

Buddy Punch is rated higher. ClockShark averages 2.9 out of 5 from 269 ratings, while Buddy Punch averages 4.9 from 719 ratings.

### Do ClockShark or Buddy Punch have ads?

Neither ClockShark nor Buddy Punch shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ClockShark or Buddy Punch?

ClockShark ships an update fortnightly, and Buddy Punch monthly. Most recently, ClockShark was updated on September 22, 2026 and Buddy Punch on September 22, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*