Alternative to HoursTracker
Your hours should not expire after 21 days.
HoursTracker by Cribasoft is a capable, long-running app with about 56,000 ratings. Its free tier keeps three weeks of entries and shows ads, the Pro plans run $4.99 to $6.99 a month or $29.99 to $47.99 a year, and the one-time purchase reviewers loved was removed. PunchStamp keeps unlimited history on the free tier and sells lifetime for $29.99.
Prices, free-tier limits and ratings as shown on the US App Store and inside each app on 2026-10-22. They change often; check before you buy.
What its reviews complain about
History locked after 21 days
Free users keep 21 days of entries. Older shifts stay in the app but behind the paywall, which reviewers describe as being held hostage.
Lifetime taken away
Long-time users who bought the one-time Pro version report being moved to a subscription. Price rises are the most common one-star theme.
Ads and three jobs
The free tier shows ads and caps you at three jobs. Overtime rules are per app, not per job.
Feature by feature
| Feature | PunchStamp | HoursTracker (Cribasoft) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free tier, $14.99/year or $29.99 lifetime | $4.99–6.99/month, $29.99–47.99/year, no lifetime |
| Free tier | Unlimited history, 2 jobs, one export per pay period | 3 jobs, 21 days of entries, ads |
| Clock in and out | One tap from the lock screen, Live Activity, Shortcuts | Clock in/out with location reminders |
| Overtime math | Daily, weekly, double time, 7th day, differentials, per job | Daily and weekly overtime, one rule set |
| Overnight shifts | One entry, counted on the day it started | Supported |
| Breaks | Paid or unpaid, worked-through-lunch flag | Break time, limited paid/unpaid handling |
| Multiple jobs | Unlimited, each with its own rate and rules | 3 free, unlimited on Pro |
| Export | PDF time card and CSV, no watermark, share sheet | CSV by email on Pro |
| Backup and new phone | iCloud backup, restores on a new iPhone | Cloud sync on Pro |
| Account required | None. Data stays on your phone | None required |
| Nag popups | No rating or upgrade popups | Ads and upgrade prompts on the free plan |
| Your own record | Time-stamped punches, edit log, paycheck check | No edit log or paycheck check |
Facts checked 2026-10-22 from the App Store listing and the app's own pricing screen.
Why HoursTracker users switch to PunchStamp
- 1
Pay once, keep it forever
Lifetime is the hero price, shown next to annual on the one paywall screen. No weekly billing, no trial that flips to a subscription, no features taken away later.
- 2
Overtime that matches your pay stub
Each job carries its own rule set: weekly 40, daily 8, double time after 12, seventh day, night and weekend differentials. Actual and rounded minutes are shown side by side so you can see what the 7-minute rule costs you.
- 3
A record you can hand to someone
Every punch is time-stamped on your device. Edits keep the original. The PDF export has your name, employer, totals, notes and the edit log, with no watermark, on the free tier.
- 4
Your hours survive your next iPhone
iCloud backup with no account. Restore on a new phone and every shift is still there.
Frequently asked questions
What does HoursTracker Pro cost?
As of October 2026 the App Store lists monthly plans at $4.99 and $6.99 and annual plans at $29.99 and $47.99 depending on tier. The former one-time purchase is no longer offered.
What happens to my entries after 21 days on the free plan?
They are kept but you cannot view or export them without Pro. If you are leaving, export while you still have access, or re-enter the weeks you need with the free time card calculator on this site.
Does PunchStamp have a free tier with unlimited history?
Yes. The free tier keeps every shift you log, supports two jobs and includes one export per pay period. Pro adds unlimited jobs and exports.
Can I bring my old hours into PunchStamp?
Yes. Export a CSV from your current app if it allows it, or use the free time card calculator on this site to rebuild past weeks, then import the CSV into PunchStamp. If your old app locks export behind a paywall, screenshots of each week are enough to re-enter the hours.