CharlieHR vs When I Work Pricing (2026)

Price is one row. To weigh the features too, use our feature comparison template →

Which one is cheaper?

When I Work is the cheaper option, starting at $2/mo vs $21/mo for CharlieHR.

Can I use either one for free?

Neither has a free plan. But CharlieHR and When I Work offer a free trial.

How do they charge?

Both use a per-seat model, so the comparison is straightforward — it comes down to features and limits at each price point.

Which one is a better deal?

Depends on what you need. CharlieHR: At the 1-4 person bracket, $21/mo is aggressively cheap for HR software — clearly a land-grab price to hook very early-stage startups who wouldn't otherwise pay for HR tools at all. The 75%-off first-6-months offer reinforces that this is a low-friction entry play, not a premium positioning; they're competing with 'do nothing' or spreadsheets, not enterprise HRIS players. When I Work: At $2.50-$5.00 per seat, When I Work sits solidly in the budget-to-mid range of workforce scheduling tools, undercutting heavier platforms like Deputy or When I Work's own enterprise competitors. They're clearly chasing small multi-location businesses — restaurants, retail chains, gyms — that need scheduling but don't want to pay for a full HR suite.

Still deciding? See the best CharlieHR alternatives or the best When I Work alternatives, ranked with verified pricing.