Quick Overview
- 1#1: Homebase - Offers free employee scheduling, time clock, and team messaging optimized for home health care agencies managing caregivers.
- 2#2: Connecteam - All-in-one mobile app for frontline workers with free scheduling, GPS tracking, and task management for home health teams.
- 3#3: Sling - Free unlimited employee scheduling software with shift templates, trades, and notifications for home care shifts.
- 4#4: When I Work - Shift scheduling and communication platform with availability management and trades ideal for home health staffing.
- 5#5: Deputy - Workforce management tool with scheduling, time tracking, and compliance features suitable for home health operations.
- 6#6: Setmore - Free appointment and staff scheduling software for booking home health care visits and managing provider availability.
- 7#7: SimplyBook.me - Customizable booking system with free plan for staff scheduling and client appointments in home health care.
- 8#8: Picktime - Free resource and staff scheduling tool for home health care services with calendar syncing and reminders.
- 9#9: Findmyshift - Online employee rostering software with a free plan for small home health care teams to create and share rotas.
- 10#10: Calendly - Automated scheduling tool with free basic plan for coordinating home health care visits and caregiver availability.
Tools were selected and ranked based on features tailored to home health workflows, ease of use for both caregivers and administrators, overall functionality, and the value of their free plans.
Comparison Table
Efficiently managing home health care schedules is essential, and free scheduling software offers a practical solution. This comparison table examines tools like Homebase, Connecteam, Sling, When I Work, Deputy, and others, outlining their core features and strengths. Readers will gain clarity on which options align with their team’s size, workflow, and unique care needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Homebase Offers free employee scheduling, time clock, and team messaging optimized for home health care agencies managing caregivers. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 10/10 |
| 2 | Connecteam All-in-one mobile app for frontline workers with free scheduling, GPS tracking, and task management for home health teams. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 3 | Sling Free unlimited employee scheduling software with shift templates, trades, and notifications for home care shifts. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.9/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 4 | When I Work Shift scheduling and communication platform with availability management and trades ideal for home health staffing. | specialized | 7.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 5 | Deputy Workforce management tool with scheduling, time tracking, and compliance features suitable for home health operations. | enterprise | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.3/10 | 5.9/10 |
| 6 | Setmore Free appointment and staff scheduling software for booking home health care visits and managing provider availability. | specialized | 7.1/10 | 6.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 7 | SimplyBook.me Customizable booking system with free plan for staff scheduling and client appointments in home health care. | specialized | 7.4/10 | 7.0/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 8 | Picktime Free resource and staff scheduling tool for home health care services with calendar syncing and reminders. | other | 7.4/10 | 6.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 9 | Findmyshift Online employee rostering software with a free plan for small home health care teams to create and share rotas. | specialized | 7.1/10 | 6.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 10 | Calendly Automated scheduling tool with free basic plan for coordinating home health care visits and caregiver availability. | other | 6.2/10 | 4.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 |
Offers free employee scheduling, time clock, and team messaging optimized for home health care agencies managing caregivers.
All-in-one mobile app for frontline workers with free scheduling, GPS tracking, and task management for home health teams.
Free unlimited employee scheduling software with shift templates, trades, and notifications for home care shifts.
Shift scheduling and communication platform with availability management and trades ideal for home health staffing.
Workforce management tool with scheduling, time tracking, and compliance features suitable for home health operations.
Free appointment and staff scheduling software for booking home health care visits and managing provider availability.
Customizable booking system with free plan for staff scheduling and client appointments in home health care.
Free resource and staff scheduling tool for home health care services with calendar syncing and reminders.
Online employee rostering software with a free plan for small home health care teams to create and share rotas.
Automated scheduling tool with free basic plan for coordinating home health care visits and caregiver availability.
Homebase
specializedOffers free employee scheduling, time clock, and team messaging optimized for home health care agencies managing caregivers.
Geofencing time tracking that automatically verifies caregiver arrival at patient homes for accurate billing and compliance.
Homebase is a free workforce management platform tailored for hourly teams, offering drag-and-drop scheduling, time tracking, and communication tools ideal for home health care agencies managing caregivers. It enables quick schedule creation, shift trading, availability management, and mobile clock-ins with geofencing to verify visits at patient homes. While not specialized for healthcare compliance like HIPAA on the free plan, it provides robust basic functionality for small to mid-sized operations at no cost.
Pros
- Completely free core scheduling and time tracking for unlimited employees and locations
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface with shift trading and availability predictions
- Mobile app with geofencing for accurate caregiver clock-ins at patient homes
Cons
- No HIPAA compliance on free plan, limiting use for regulated health data
- Limited integrations and advanced reporting require paid upgrades
- Lacks healthcare-specific features like patient matching or care plan integration
Best For
Small home health care agencies needing simple, cost-free scheduling and time tracking without complex compliance needs.
Pricing
Free plan includes unlimited scheduling, time tracking, and messaging; Essentials ($29.99/location/month), Plus ($69.99/location/month), and All-in-One (custom) add advanced features like HIPAA compliance.
Connecteam
specializedAll-in-one mobile app for frontline workers with free scheduling, GPS tracking, and task management for home health teams.
GPS-enabled time clock with geofencing to automatically verify caregiver arrivals and departures at patient homes
Connecteam is a mobile-first employee management platform offering scheduling, time tracking, and communication tools tailored for frontline workers like home health caregivers. It enables easy shift creation, assignment based on availability, and real-time attendance tracking with GPS verification, making it suitable for small home health agencies. The free plan includes core scheduling features, supporting up to 10 users with an intuitive app interface for both managers and field staff.
Pros
- Free plan supports up to 10 users with robust scheduling and time tracking
- Drag-and-drop scheduling with availability matching and shift swapping
- GPS geofencing for verifying caregiver check-ins at patient homes
Cons
- Limited to 10 users on free plan; scaling requires paid upgrade
- Lacks HIPAA compliance and health-specific features like patient charting on free tier
- Advanced reporting and custom forms available only on paid plans
Best For
Small home health care agencies with fewer than 10 caregivers needing a free, mobile-friendly scheduling tool for basic shift management and attendance tracking.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 users; paid plans start at $29/month for 30 users (billed annually).
Sling
specializedFree unlimited employee scheduling software with shift templates, trades, and notifications for home care shifts.
Unlimited free scheduling for any number of employees and multiple locations
Sling (getsling.com) is a free employee scheduling software that enables businesses to create, manage, and share shift schedules efficiently via a user-friendly web and mobile app. It supports features like drag-and-drop scheduling, shift templates, team messaging, availability tracking, and labor cost forecasting, making it suitable for coordinating home health care staff shifts. While versatile for small teams, it focuses on general workforce management rather than industry-specific health care compliance or patient integration.
Pros
- Completely free for unlimited users, locations, and basic features
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface with mobile accessibility
- Integrated messaging and notifications for quick staff communication
Cons
- Lacks home health-specific tools like EVV, HIPAA compliance, or patient visit routing
- Advanced reporting and integrations require premium upgrade
- Limited customization for care-specific scheduling needs
Best For
Small home health care agencies needing a simple, no-cost tool for basic caregiver shift scheduling and communication.
Pricing
Free forever for core features; premium plans start at $1.70/user/month (billed annually).
When I Work
specializedShift scheduling and communication platform with availability management and trades ideal for home health staffing.
Employee-driven shift swapping and auto-accept features that reduce manager workload
When I Work is a versatile employee scheduling platform designed for businesses to create and manage shift schedules, collect employee availability, and handle shift trades or swaps. It includes mobile apps for employees to view schedules, clock in/out, and communicate via chat, with time tracking and notifications as core features. While not specialized for home health care, its free plan makes it accessible for basic caregiver shift scheduling in small agencies.
Pros
- Free plan suitable for small teams with up to 75 schedules per month
- User-friendly mobile app for caregivers to manage shifts on the go
- Built-in shift swapping and availability collection streamline scheduling
Cons
- Lacks home health-specific features like patient visit matching or HIPAA-focused tools
- Free plan has limitations on schedules and advanced reporting
- General-purpose design may not scale well for larger agencies with complex routing needs
Best For
Small home health care providers needing a simple, no-cost tool for basic shift scheduling and employee communication.
Pricing
Free plan for basic scheduling (up to 75 schedules/month); paid plans start at $2/user/month for advanced features.
Deputy
enterpriseWorkforce management tool with scheduling, time tracking, and compliance features suitable for home health operations.
Drag-and-drop scheduling with auto-fill and overtime predictions
Deputy is a cloud-based workforce management platform primarily focused on employee scheduling, time tracking, and communication for industries including healthcare. It enables managers to create drag-and-drop schedules, handle shift swaps, and monitor attendance in real-time, making it adaptable for coordinating home health care visits. While versatile, it lacks deep specialization in patient-centric features like visit routing or HIPAA-specific compliance tools tailored for home health agencies.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling for quick shift planning
- Robust mobile app for staff clock-in and shift notifications
- Real-time alerts and communication to reduce no-shows
Cons
- No perpetual free plan; requires paid subscription after 14-day trial
- Lacks home health-specific tools like patient matching or mileage tracking
- Limited customization for regulatory compliance in healthcare
Best For
Small home health care teams needing simple, mobile-friendly staff scheduling without complex patient management.
Pricing
14-day free trial; paid plans start at $3.50/user/month (billed annually), scaling with users and features.
Setmore
specializedFree appointment and staff scheduling software for booking home health care visits and managing provider availability.
Customizable booking website allowing patients to self-schedule 24/7 without staff intervention
Setmore is an online appointment scheduling platform designed for service-based businesses, offering tools for booking management, staff calendars, and client reminders. For home health care, it supports patient self-scheduling of visits, caregiver availability setup, and automated notifications to streamline basic operations. The free plan accommodates small teams with unlimited appointments, though it lacks specialized health care features like compliance tracking.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited appointments and up to 4 staff members
- Intuitive interface with mobile app for on-the-go access
- Automated email/SMS reminders and calendar integrations (Google/Outlook)
Cons
- Not HIPAA compliant, posing risks for handling patient health data
- Limited advanced features like route optimization or shift rostering for home visits
- Free plan caps at 4 users; no built-in payments or invoicing
Best For
Solo caregivers or very small home health teams needing simple, no-cost appointment booking without complex compliance needs.
Pricing
Free plan forever; paid plans from $5/user/month (billed annually) for more users and features.
SimplyBook.me
specializedCustomizable booking system with free plan for staff scheduling and client appointments in home health care.
Customizable intake forms that capture detailed patient information, allergies, and home visit specifics before booking confirmation
SimplyBook.me is a flexible online appointment scheduling platform that allows home health care providers to create booking widgets for patients to schedule home visits, manage caregiver availability, and handle payments seamlessly. It includes features like automated SMS/email reminders, custom intake forms for patient details, and support for recurring appointments, making it adaptable for small-scale home care operations. While versatile across industries, its free plan limits usage, positioning it as an entry-level solution rather than a comprehensive health care management tool.
Pros
- Intuitive setup with embeddable booking widget for easy patient access
- Free plan supports basic scheduling needs for small teams
- Custom intake forms and reminders streamline home visit coordination
Cons
- Free plan capped at 50 bookings/month, requiring upgrades for growth
- HIPAA compliance available only on paid plans with add-ons
- Lacks specialized health care features like EHR integration or advanced care planning
Best For
Small home health care providers or solo caregivers seeking a simple, no-cost introductory scheduling tool for patient home visits.
Pricing
Free plan (50 bookings/month, basic features); paid plans start at €9.90/month for higher limits, custom features, and HIPAA options.
Picktime
otherFree resource and staff scheduling tool for home health care services with calendar syncing and reminders.
Unlimited free appointments, staff, and clients with no booking limits
Picktime is a user-friendly online scheduling platform designed for appointment booking, staff management, and calendar organization, suitable for home health care providers handling caregiver visits and client schedules. Its free plan supports unlimited staff, clients, and appointments, with features like drag-and-drop calendars, automated email/SMS reminders, and embeddable booking widgets. While versatile for general use, it provides basic tools for home health scheduling without specialized healthcare compliance or documentation.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited staff, clients, and appointments
- Intuitive interface with drag-and-drop scheduling and mobile-responsive design
- Automated reminders and online booking integration reduce no-shows
Cons
- No HIPAA compliance or healthcare-specific features like visit verification or care notes
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics for agency oversight
- Basic integrations; lacks deep ties to EHR or billing systems
Best For
Small home health agencies or independent caregivers seeking a straightforward, no-cost scheduling solution for basic appointment management.
Pricing
Free plan with unlimited core features; Premium plans from $6/user/month add payments, advanced customizations, and priority support.
Findmyshift
specializedOnline employee rostering software with a free plan for small home health care teams to create and share rotas.
Free forever plan allowing unlimited employees with core shift scheduling capabilities
Findmyshift is a cloud-based employee scheduling platform designed for shift-based businesses, offering drag-and-drop scheduling, time-off requests, and staff communication tools. Its free plan supports unlimited staff for basic scheduling needs, making it viable for small home health care agencies managing caregiver shifts. However, it lacks specialized healthcare features like patient visit matching, compliance tracking, or integration with electronic health records.
Pros
- Free forever plan supports unlimited staff for core scheduling
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface and mobile app for on-the-go access
- Built-in messaging and availability tools streamline staff coordination
Cons
- No healthcare-specific features like HIPAA compliance or patient-caregiver matching
- Free plan lacks advanced reporting, time clocking, and integrations
- Limited customization options for complex home health schedules
Best For
Small home health care agencies or solo providers needing a simple, cost-free tool for basic caregiver shift scheduling.
Pricing
Free plan for unlimited staff with basic features; paid plans start at $18/month (Standard) for up to 20 staff with more tools.
Calendly
otherAutomated scheduling tool with free basic plan for coordinating home health care visits and caregiver availability.
Shareable booking links that automatically check and block calendar availability to prevent double-booking
Calendly is a user-friendly online scheduling platform that enables users to create personalized booking links synced with their calendars, automating appointment setting for services like home health care visits. It eliminates email tag by showing real-time availability to patients or clients, supporting basic event types and reminders. While versatile for general scheduling, it falls short on healthcare-specific needs such as HIPAA compliance, team shift management, or patient record integration. The free plan limits users to one event type and basic features, making it viable for solo providers but not scalable operations.
Pros
- Extremely intuitive setup and sharing of booking links
- Seamless integration with popular calendars like Google and Outlook
- Free plan with unlimited meetings and automated reminders
Cons
- No HIPAA compliance or healthcare-specific compliance tools
- Free tier limited to one event type and no team scheduling
- Lacks advanced features like patient matching, routing, or multi-staff coordination
Best For
Solo home health care providers or small independent caregivers needing simple, no-cost appointment booking for individual patient visits.
Pricing
Free plan available with basic features; paid plans start at $10/user/month for Essentials (more event types, integrations).
Conclusion
The reviewed tools offer reliable solutions for home health care scheduling, with Homebase leading as the top choice, thanks to its tailored focus on employee scheduling, time tracking, and team messaging for caregiver management. Connecteam and Sling follow strongly, with Connecteam excelling in its all-in-one mobile app features and Sling impressing with unlimited shifts and practical tools like trades. Each option caters to distinct needs, ensuring there’s a fit for various home health care operations.
For a seamless scheduling experience optimized for home health care, Homebase is the clear top pick—start using its free features today to simplify your team’s workflow.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
