FreshBooks vs QuickBooks Online: the Canadian view
Both are good. They're built for different businesses. Here's how to tell which one is yours, with Canadian prices checked Nov 2, 2026.
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The short answer
- 7shifts (Saskatoon) is restaurant-specific: labour targets against sales, tip management, a manager log book. It suits full-service restaurants, bars and lounges that schedule against sales forecasts.
- Homebase is a general hourly-team tool with a generous free plan. It suits single-location cafés, takeout counters, convenience and liquor stores, and small crews that mainly need a schedule and a time clock.
We haven't used either hands-on. The prices below are from each vendor's page on Nov 2, 2026. Neither page stated a currency, so confirm before you subscribe.
Prices per location per month
| 7shifts | Homebase | |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Comp: 1 location, up to 15 employees | Basic: 1 location, up to 10 employees |
| Entry paid | Essentials $44.99 ($39.99 billed annually), up to 30 employees | Essentials $30 ($24 annually), unlimited employees |
| Mid | Pro $89.99 ($79.99 annually), unlimited employees | Plus $70 ($56 annually) |
| Top | Premium $149.99 ($134.99 annually), includes tip and task management | All-in-One $120 ($96 annually) |
| Tip management | Included in Premium | Check the current plan page |
What to weigh
Tips. If your servers and bartenders pool tips, 7shifts' tip management (Premium) automates the tip-out math. Have your bookkeeper confirm how tips flow to payroll and to your POS reports before you switch it on.
Labour cost vs sales. 7shifts markets labour-cost tools for restaurants; Homebase is more general. Check which plan includes the labour report you actually want before you upgrade.
Payroll stays Canadian. Both companies advertise payroll features or integrations aimed at US employers. For Canadian staff, keep payroll in a Canadian payroll provider (see best payroll software in Canada), and use the scheduling app's timesheet export.
Count your locations. Both charge per physical location. A restaurant and a separate lounge at two addresses pay twice.
7shifts
- Comp: free (1 location, up to 15 employees)
- Essentials: $44.99/month per location, or $39.99/month billed annually (up to 30 employees)
- Pro: $89.99/month per location, or $79.99 annually
- Premium: $149.99/month per location, or $134.99 annually (includes tip and task management)
Currency not stated on the plans page we checked ('new customer pricing'). 14-day trial of Pro, no card.
Homebase
- Basic: free (1 location, up to 10 employees)
- Essentials: $30/month per location ($24 billed annually)
- Plus: $70/month per location ($56 annually)
- All-in-One: $120/month per location ($96 annually)
Currency not stated on the page we checked (US company). Payroll is an add-on; we did not confirm Canadian payroll availability.
Sources (checked Nov 2, 2026)
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