Branch vs Fuego by Fourth
Branch is a US workforce payments platform that lets employers pay workers quickly through a free digital bank account and debit card, direct payouts to existing bank accounts, and earned wage access. Fuego is an earned wage access app from Fourth, the company behind HotSchedules. Both are listed under Earned Wage Access. Where the profiles show a difference, it is in audience, platforms and integrations.
Key differences
audience
Not every audience is shared. Entries that only one product lists: Branch: Restaurants and bars paying out tips; Fuego by Fourth: HotSchedules restaurant and hospitality employers.
platforms
Listed platforms: Branch: Web; Fuego by Fourth: iOS, Android.
integrations
Branch names 26 integrations and Fuego by Fourth names 3 integrations. No partner appears in every list.
Side by side
| Field | Branch | Fuego by Fourth |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Branch is a US workforce payments platform that lets employers pay workers quickly through a free digital bank account and debit card, direct payouts to existing bank accounts, and earned wage access. | Fuego is an earned wage access app from Fourth, the company behind HotSchedules. |
| Best for | Restaurants and bars paying out tips; Employers with hourly staff who want on-demand pay | HotSchedules restaurant and hospitality employers; Employers trying to improve staff retention |
| Pricing model | Free for employers | Free for employers; per-draw fees for employees |
| Starting price | Not published | Not published |
| Free plan | Yes | Not published |
| Free trial | Not published | Not published |
| Contract | Not published | None for employees; the vendor says there is no long-term contract |
| Platforms | Web | iOS, Android |
| Countries | United States | United States |
| Languages | Not published | English, Spanish |
| Number of integrations | 26 | 3 |
| Certifications | Not published | Not published |
| Security practices | Banking services provided by FDIC-member sponsor banks (Evolve Bank & Trust, Lead Bank); Branch itself is not a bank | Card issued by Central Bank of Kansas City, Member FDIC |
| Founded | Not published | Not published |
| Headquarters | Not published | Not published |
| Owner | Not published | Fourth (Fourth Enterprises, LLC) |
| Last reviewed | 29 September 2026 | 29 September 2026 |
Integrations
No partner appears in every list.
Named only by Branch
- 7Shifts
- ADP
- AtlasRMS
- BambooHR
- FoodTech
- Gratuity Solutions
- Greenshades
- Horizon Payroll
- Aloha
- PAR
- Paychex
- Paycom
and 14 moreshow fewer
- Paycor
- Paylocity
- PDQ
- Quickbooks Online
- R365
- Revel
- Rippling
- SpotOn
- Square Payroll
- Stripe
- Tippy
- Toast
- UKG
- Workday
Named only by Fuego by Fourth
- Apple Wallet
- Google Pay
- HotSchedules
Which to choose
Branch
Choose Branch if you fit its listed audience: Restaurants and bars paying out tips; Employers with hourly staff who want on-demand pay.
Fuego by Fourth
Choose Fuego by Fourth if you are in one of these groups: HotSchedules restaurant and hospitality employers; Employers trying to improve staff retention.
Our profile lists a weaker fit: Employers that do not use HotSchedules; the vendor describes the business offer as being for HotSchedules customers and says employer participation is required.
What we could not confirm
Branch
- Any fee for employers beyond the statement that Branch is free
- Headquarters, founding year, funding and team size
- Fees charged to workers, see fee schedules
- Which integrations need extra setup
- Countries other than the United States
- Security certifications
Fuego by Fourth
- Headquarters and founding year
- Team size
- Named customers
- Payroll systems supported
Go further
Sources
Facts on this page come from the pages below. Prices and features change, so confirm with each vendor before you buy.
Branch, reviewed 29 September 2026
- Homepagehttps://branchapp.com
- Hospitality solutionhttps://branchapp.com/industry/hospitality
- Card and apphttps://branchapp.com/solutions/branch-app-and-card
- Branch Directhttps://branchapp.com/solutions/branch-direct
- TipCalchttps://branchapp.com/solutions/tipcalc
- EWAhttps://branchapp.com/use-cases/earned-wage-access
- Integrationshttps://branchapp.com/integrations
- About and founderhttps://branchapp.com/about
- Restaurant case studyhttps://branchapp.com/case-studies/hop-city
- Legal and sponsor bankshttps://branchapp.com/legal/start
- Newshttps://branchapp.com/news
Fuego by Fourth, reviewed 29 September 2026
- Home pagehttps://getfuego.com/
- Employer offer and FAQhttps://getfuego.com/businesses/
- Employee featureshttps://getfuego.com/employees/
- Company backgroundhttps://getfuego.com/about/
- Fees and FAQhttps://getfuego.com/help/
- Legal entities and supporthttps://getfuego.com/legal/