TL;DR: Novagems vs TEAM Software
Novagems is the better fit for most small and mid-size security companies. TEAM Software (by WorkWave) is a capable enterprise platform, its own materials target firms with 100+ employees, and it unites field operations with integrated payroll, billing, and financials in one end-to-end system. That power comes with enterprise pricing (custom quote, not published) and a heavier implementation.
Novagems covers the core a growing guard company runs on, scheduling, GPS tracking, guard tours, incident reporting, and client reporting, with transparent per-active-user pricing and setup in 1 to 2 days. The decision is really about scale: if you need unified payroll and financials at enterprise scale, look at TEAM; if you want to be live fast with clear costs and no enterprise sales cycle, Novagems wins.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Feature | Novagems | TEAM Software (WorkWave) |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | SMB & mid-size (10-500 guards) | Enterprise (100+ employees) |
| Drag-and-drop scheduling | ✓ | ✓ |
| GPS tracking & geofencing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Guard tours / checkpoints | ✓ (NFC + QR) | ✓ |
| Incident reporting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Client reporting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated payroll & billing | ✗ (exports to your payroll) | ✓ |
| Per-active-user pricing | ✓ | ✗ (custom quote) |
| Published pricing | ✓ | ✗ |
| Setup time | 1-2 days | Enterprise onboarding |
| US + Canada | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✓ 14 days | ✗ (demo/quote) |
Detailed Comparison
Company Size and Fit (the core difference)
TEAM Software: Positioned for the enterprise end of security and facilities management, with materials aimed at companies with 100+ employees. It is a full end-to-end suite: field operations plus payroll, billing, job costing, and financial management in one system. For a large firm that wants everything unified, that is the appeal.
Novagems: Built for small and mid-size security companies (roughly 10 to 500 guards) that want to run operations well without an enterprise platform. It focuses on the daily jobs, scheduling, tracking, tours, incidents, and client-ready reporting, and gets out of your way.
Bottom line: This is the whole decision. TEAM suits large enterprises; Novagems suits the SMB and mid-size firms that make up most of the market.
Pricing and Transparency
Novagems: Per active user only, so you do not pay for guards on leave or off-season. Pricing is published, all features are in one plan, and there is a 14-day free trial.
TEAM Software: Enterprise, quote-based pricing that is not published. Evaluating cost means a demo and a custom quote.
Bottom line: Novagems wins clearly on transparency and predictability. You can see what you will pay and only pay for active guards.
Payroll and Billing
This is where TEAM has a genuine edge for large operators.
TEAM Software: Integrated payroll and billing inside the platform, plus job costing and financial tools. For a big firm that wants to retire a separate payroll system, that is real value.
Novagems: Produces payroll-ready timesheets that export to your existing provider (QuickBooks, ADP, and others). It does not run payroll itself.
Bottom line: If unifying payroll and financials is your priority and you are at enterprise scale, TEAM is built for it. If you already have payroll and need strong security operations at a lower cost, Novagems delivers everything else.
Core Security Operations
Novagems: Scheduling with conflict and overtime alerts, GPS tracking and geofencing, checkpoint tours with NFC and QR, incident reporting with photos and GPS, and automated client reports, all in one platform.
TEAM Software: Covers scheduling with post requirements and qualification matching, time and attendance with mobile and telephony clock-in, guard touring, and incident reporting, as part of its larger enterprise suite.
Bottom line: Both handle core security operations well. Novagems delivers them in a lighter, faster-to-adopt package; TEAM wraps them inside a heavier enterprise system.
Setup and Onboarding
Novagems: Most companies are live within 1 to 2 business days, with about 1 to 2 hours of guard orientation and 24/7 support on every plan.
TEAM Software: As an enterprise platform spanning payroll and financials, implementation is a larger project with a longer timeline.
Bottom line: Novagems is dramatically faster to get running, which matters most to smaller and growing firms.
Who Should Choose Novagems
- You run a small or mid-size security company (10-500 guards)
- You want transparent, per-active-user pricing without a custom quote
- You need to be live in days, not months
- You already have payroll and want a strong operations platform
- You want to try it free before committing
Who Should Choose TEAM Software
- You are a large enterprise (well over 100 employees)
- You want integrated payroll, billing, and financials unified with field ops
- You have the budget and timeline for enterprise onboarding
- A single end-to-end financial-plus-operations system is your priority
Migration: Switching to Novagems
- Export your guard and site data from your current system (CSV is standard)
- Import to Novagems, with help bulk-importing profiles, sites, and schedule templates
- Configure checkpoints, place NFC tags or QR codes at patrol points
- Train your team, roughly 1-2 hours of orientation
- Go live, full operations within 1-2 business days
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Novagems and TEAM Software?
Scale and pricing. TEAM is enterprise software (100+ employees) with integrated payroll and financials, priced by custom quote. Novagems is built for SMB and mid-size firms (10-500 guards) with transparent per-active-user pricing and 1-2 day setup.
Is TEAM Software good for small security companies?
It is powerful but enterprise-oriented, which usually means more platform, cost, and setup than a small firm needs. Novagems covers the core operations without the enterprise sales cycle.
How is Novagems priced compared to TEAM Software?
Novagems publishes per-active-user pricing; TEAM uses custom enterprise quotes that are not public.
Does Novagems do payroll like TEAM Software?
TEAM includes integrated payroll; Novagems exports payroll-ready timesheets to your existing provider. If replacing payroll is the goal, TEAM is built for that.
Which is better for a growing mid-size security company?
Novagems, for fast setup and predictable cost. TEAM fits large enterprises needing unified payroll and financials.
Ready to see Novagems in action? Start your free 14-day trial →
Further Reading
- Security Guard Management Software, the all-in-one operations platform for security firms
- Best Security Guard Management Software in 2026, the top 8 platforms compared by features, pricing, and best-fit company size
- Guard Tour and Checkpoint Tours, NFC and QR patrol verification
- GPS Tracking and Geofencing, verified patrols and real-time guard location
- Start a Free 14-Day Trial, cancel anytime
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