Absenca vs Leave Dates
Absenca vs Leave Dates
Leave Dates and Absenca both keep team leave simple — a shared calendar, allowances and quick approvals — with a free plan for small teams. The difference shows up as you grow: Absenca's free tier covers up to 15 people, and there's more under the hood when you need it (Microsoft Teams, accruals, TOIL, Bradford Factor analytics). Here's the head-to-head.
In short
Choose Absenca if you want Leave Dates-style simplicity today but a larger free tier and room to grow into richer leave policies and integrations without changing tools later — all at a flat $0.75/user.
Which is the better fit?
Choose Absenca
Teams that want Leave Dates' simplicity now but room to grow into richer policies, Microsoft Teams and analytics without switching tools later.
Choose Leave Dates
Very small teams that want the simplest possible leave calendar and don't anticipate needing advanced policies.
Absenca vs Leave Dates at a glance
| Absenca | Leave Dates | |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Up to 15 users | Small teams |
| Leave calendar & wallchart | Yes | Yes |
| Public holidays (190+ countries) | Yes | Yes |
| Chat bots (Slack / Teams / Google Chat) | Slack + Teams + Google Chat | Limited |
| TOIL (time off in lieu) | Full TOIL tracking | No |
| Accruals & seniority entitlements | Advanced | Basic |
| Bradford Factor analytics | Yes | No |
| Leave attachments | Yes | No |
| Reports (CSV / PDF / scheduled) | Full + scheduled | Basic |
Leave Dates (as of 2026): free for small teams, then billed per user per month. Absenca: free for up to 15 users, then $0.75/user/mo.
Thinking of switching from Leave Dates?
Absenca's built-in import wizard brings your people and leave balances across, so moving is painless. Read the full breakdown on our Leave Dates alternative page, or just try it free for up to 15 people — no credit card.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Absenca and Leave Dates?
Both are simple leave trackers with a shared calendar and approvals, and both have a free plan for small teams. Absenca's free tier is larger (up to 15 users) and adds a Microsoft Teams bot, accruals, carry-over, TOIL and Bradford Factor absence analytics for teams that need more than a basic calendar.
Is Absenca cheaper than Leave Dates?
Both are free for small teams; beyond the free tier Leave Dates bills per user per month, while Absenca is free up to 15 users then a flat $0.75/user — typically the lower cost as you scale.
Can I switch from Leave Dates to Absenca?
Yes — Absenca's import wizard brings your people and balances across, so you can move in minutes.
Other comparisons
Comparison based on publicly available information about Leave Dates as of 2026. Features and pricing change — please check Leave Dates's website for the latest details.