A Homebase messaging alternative that reaches every phone
Homebase is a solid scheduling, time clock, and payroll tool, and we’d never suggest replacing it with Airhorn — Airhorn doesn’t do any of that. This page is about one piece: getting urgent messages to every employee.
Where Homebase genuinely wins
Scheduling, time clocks, timesheets, payroll, hiring, and onboarding, in one place, with a free plan for small teams. If you need any of that, Homebase is doing work Airhorn simply doesn’t.
Where its messaging falls short
It depends on the app. Team messaging happens inside Homebase. Employees see it if they installed the app, stayed logged in, and left notifications on. On an hourly team with turnover, that’s rarely everyone — and the gaps are usually the newest hires.
It’s tied to the paid tiers. Homebase’s free Basic plan doesn’t list team communication; messaging appears from the Essentials plan, around $30 per location per month.
Side by side
| Airhorn | Homebase | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Texting an employee roster | Scheduling, time clock, payroll |
| How messages arrive | SMS, every phone | In the Homebase app |
| Employee needs | Just a phone | The app, logged in, notifications on |
| Scheduling and time clock | No | Yes |
| Starting price | $5/mo + $0.75/employee | Free (no team messaging); Essentials ~$30/location/mo |
Homebase figures reflect their published pricing as of October 2026 and may have changed — check their site for current rates before deciding.
Using both
Most teams that use Airhorn alongside a scheduling app split it simply: the schedule and timesheets live in the scheduling app; closures, same-day coverage, and anything urgent go by text. More on texting vs scheduling apps.
Keep Homebase. Add a text.
For the messages that can't wait for someone to open an app. $5/mo plus $0.75 per employee.
Free for 7 days and 60 messages — no credit card. Your trial starts when you send your first broadcast, not when you sign up.