Quick Overview
- 1#1: 7shifts - Restaurant scheduling software with labor forecasting, shift reminders, and team communication for hospitality teams.
- 2#2: HotSchedules - Enterprise-grade employee scheduling and operations platform tailored for restaurants and hospitality businesses.
- 3#3: Deputy - Mobile workforce scheduling tool with time tracking, compliance, and forecasting for hospitality shifts.
- 4#4: When I Work - Employee scheduling app that handles shift trades, availability, and notifications for hourly hospitality workers.
- 5#5: Homebase - Free scheduling, time clock, and hiring software designed for small hospitality and service teams.
- 6#6: Sling - Free shift scheduling platform with reminders, labor cost tracking, and task management for hospitality staff.
- 7#7: Connecteam - All-in-one employee management app featuring scheduling, checklists, and chat for frontline hospitality workers.
- 8#8: ZoomShift - Cloud-based employee scheduling and time tracking software optimized for shift-based hospitality operations.
- 9#9: Workforce.com - AI-powered workforce management with scheduling, forecasting, and payroll integration for hospitality venues.
- 10#10: Agendrix - Simple employee scheduling software with messaging, time-off requests, and mobile access for hospitality teams.
Tools were selected based on a focus on robust feature sets (labor forecasting, communication, compliance), user-friendly design (key for fast-paced hospitality teams), and value, ensuring they cater to businesses of all sizes and operational demands.
Comparison Table
Efficient scheduling is vital for smooth hospitality operations, and the right software can make a significant difference. This comparison table outlines key features, pricing, and usability for tools like 7shifts, HotSchedules, Deputy, When I Work, Homebase, and more, guiding readers to the best fit for their needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7shifts Restaurant scheduling software with labor forecasting, shift reminders, and team communication for hospitality teams. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 2 | HotSchedules Enterprise-grade employee scheduling and operations platform tailored for restaurants and hospitality businesses. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Deputy Mobile workforce scheduling tool with time tracking, compliance, and forecasting for hospitality shifts. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | When I Work Employee scheduling app that handles shift trades, availability, and notifications for hourly hospitality workers. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 5 | Homebase Free scheduling, time clock, and hiring software designed for small hospitality and service teams. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 6 | Sling Free shift scheduling platform with reminders, labor cost tracking, and task management for hospitality staff. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 7 | Connecteam All-in-one employee management app featuring scheduling, checklists, and chat for frontline hospitality workers. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 8 | ZoomShift Cloud-based employee scheduling and time tracking software optimized for shift-based hospitality operations. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 9 | Workforce.com AI-powered workforce management with scheduling, forecasting, and payroll integration for hospitality venues. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | Agendrix Simple employee scheduling software with messaging, time-off requests, and mobile access for hospitality teams. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 |
Restaurant scheduling software with labor forecasting, shift reminders, and team communication for hospitality teams.
Enterprise-grade employee scheduling and operations platform tailored for restaurants and hospitality businesses.
Mobile workforce scheduling tool with time tracking, compliance, and forecasting for hospitality shifts.
Employee scheduling app that handles shift trades, availability, and notifications for hourly hospitality workers.
Free scheduling, time clock, and hiring software designed for small hospitality and service teams.
Free shift scheduling platform with reminders, labor cost tracking, and task management for hospitality staff.
All-in-one employee management app featuring scheduling, checklists, and chat for frontline hospitality workers.
Cloud-based employee scheduling and time tracking software optimized for shift-based hospitality operations.
AI-powered workforce management with scheduling, forecasting, and payroll integration for hospitality venues.
Simple employee scheduling software with messaging, time-off requests, and mobile access for hospitality teams.
7shifts
specializedRestaurant scheduling software with labor forecasting, shift reminders, and team communication for hospitality teams.
AI-powered labor forecasting and auto-scheduling that predicts optimal staffing based on historical sales and trends
7shifts is a comprehensive employee scheduling and workforce management platform designed specifically for the hospitality industry, particularly restaurants. It streamlines shift creation, staff communication, time tracking, and labor cost optimization with features like drag-and-drop scheduling, availability-based auto-scheduling, and sales forecasting integration. The platform also offers tip tracking, payroll integrations, and a mobile app for on-the-go management, helping teams reduce overtime and improve operational efficiency.
Pros
- Powerful auto-scheduling and labor forecasting that minimizes overtime and aligns staffing with sales data
- Robust mobile app for shift trades, time clock with geofencing, and team communication
- Seamless integrations with popular POS systems like Toast, Square, and payroll providers
Cons
- Pricing can add up for multi-location businesses with add-ons
- Advanced features may require a learning curve for new users
- Limited customization for non-restaurant hospitality niches
Best For
Multi-location restaurants and hospitality chains seeking an all-in-one solution for scheduling, labor management, and compliance.
Pricing
Starts at $29.99 per location/month for Essentials (up to 20 employees); Pro at $43.99/month; Enterprise custom; 14-day free trial.
HotSchedules
enterpriseEnterprise-grade employee scheduling and operations platform tailored for restaurants and hospitality businesses.
OpenShift for seamless employee-to-employee shift trading and real-time approvals
HotSchedules is a leading workforce management platform tailored for the hospitality industry, offering robust employee scheduling, shift management, and labor forecasting tools to streamline operations in restaurants, hotels, and bars. It includes features like real-time communication, time clock integration, availability management, and performance reporting, all accessible via a user-friendly mobile app. The software integrates seamlessly with popular POS systems and helps reduce labor costs through predictive scheduling.
Pros
- Comprehensive scheduling with labor forecasting and auto-scheduling
- Excellent mobile app for employees and managers
- Strong integrations with POS and payroll systems
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Pricing can be high for small businesses
- Customer support response times vary
Best For
Multi-location restaurant groups and hotels requiring scalable, feature-rich scheduling for large teams.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting around $2-3 per user/month, with plans scaling based on locations and features; free trial available.
Deputy
specializedMobile workforce scheduling tool with time tracking, compliance, and forecasting for hospitality shifts.
AI-driven labor forecasting that integrates sales data from POS to automatically optimize shift staffing and minimize over/under-scheduling
Deputy is a robust workforce management platform tailored for hospitality businesses, enabling efficient employee scheduling, time tracking, and shift management across multiple locations. It features demand forecasting, labor costing, and automated scheduling to optimize staffing based on sales data and employee availability. The software also supports mobile clock-ins, team communication, and compliance with hospitality-specific regulations like break management.
Pros
- Advanced scheduling with drag-and-drop interface and auto-fill based on forecasts
- Seamless integrations with POS systems like Toast and Square for real-time labor costing
- Mobile app for employees to swap shifts, view rosters, and communicate instantly
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers required for advanced hospitality features like multi-location support
- Occasional glitches in mobile time clocking during peak hours
- Reporting customization is limited without enterprise plan
Best For
Mid-sized hospitality chains such as restaurants or hotels needing scalable scheduling with labor forecasting and compliance tools.
Pricing
Starts at $3.50 per active user/month (billed annually) for Essentials; premium plans from $5/user/month, with Enterprise custom pricing.
When I Work
specializedEmployee scheduling app that handles shift trades, availability, and notifications for hourly hospitality workers.
Employee self-scheduling and real-time shift pickups via mobile app
When I Work is a cloud-based employee scheduling platform designed for hourly workforces, enabling managers in hospitality to create drag-and-drop schedules, manage shift trades, track time off, and communicate via mobile apps. It offers labor forecasting, overtime alerts, and multi-location support, making it suitable for restaurants, hotels, and bars handling variable shifts. The tool emphasizes employee self-service for availability and swaps, reducing administrative overhead.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app for employees to claim shifts and communicate
- Affordable pricing with a free tier for small teams
- Strong shift trading and availability-based auto-scheduling
Cons
- Limited native integrations with hospitality-specific POS systems like Toast or Aloha
- Reporting lacks depth for advanced labor cost forecasting in high-volume venues
- Customer support can be slower for non-enterprise users
Best For
Small to medium-sized hospitality businesses with hourly staff seeking simple, mobile-friendly scheduling without complex enterprise needs.
Pricing
Free for up to 75 schedules/month; paid plans start at $2/user/month (billed annually) for Scheduling, $4/user/month for full Workforce Management.
Homebase
specializedFree scheduling, time clock, and hiring software designed for small hospitality and service teams.
The free forever plan with unlimited scheduling and time tracking for small teams
Homebase is an all-in-one employee scheduling and management platform tailored for small businesses, including hospitality venues like restaurants and hotels. It offers drag-and-drop scheduling, mobile time tracking with geofencing, shift trading via OpenShifts, and team communication tools to streamline operations. Additional features include hiring, onboarding, performance tracking, and integrations with payroll providers, making it suitable for managing hourly frontline teams.
Pros
- Generous free plan with core scheduling and time tracking
- Intuitive mobile-first interface for managers and employees
- Effective communication and shift trade features
Cons
- Limited advanced labor forecasting and hospitality-specific tools like tip pooling
- Basic reporting lacks depth for larger operations
- Fewer integrations compared to enterprise competitors
Best For
Small to medium hospitality businesses like independent restaurants or cafes with 1-3 locations seeking an affordable, user-friendly scheduling solution.
Pricing
Free for 1 location (up to 20 employees); Essentials $29.99/location/month; Premium $59.99/location/month (billed annually).
Sling
specializedFree shift scheduling platform with reminders, labor cost tracking, and task management for hospitality staff.
Free forever plan with unlimited scheduling and up to 50 users, including labor forecasting
Sling is a cloud-based employee scheduling platform tailored for shift-based industries like hospitality, restaurants, and retail. It enables managers to create optimized schedules, facilitate shift trades, track time and attendance, and monitor labor costs through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. The software also includes team communication tools, availability tracking, and mobile apps for on-the-go access, making it suitable for dynamic hospitality environments.
Pros
- Generous free plan with core scheduling tools
- Highly intuitive drag-and-drop interface and mobile app
- Effective labor cost tracking and overtime alerts
Cons
- Limited integrations with advanced POS or payroll systems
- Reporting features are basic in the free tier
- Scalability challenges for very large enterprises
Best For
Small to mid-sized hospitality businesses like restaurants and hotels seeking affordable, user-friendly scheduling without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Free plan for core features; Standard at $1.70/user/month, Premium at $2.20/user/month (billed annually).
Connecteam
specializedAll-in-one employee management app featuring scheduling, checklists, and chat for frontline hospitality workers.
Smart Scheduling with AI-driven auto-fill that matches shifts to employee availability, skills, and overtime rules
Connecteam is an all-in-one employee management platform tailored for non-desk workers in industries like hospitality, offering robust shift scheduling, time tracking, communication, and task management features. It enables managers to create drag-and-drop schedules, automate shift assignments based on availability and skills, and track employee attendance via mobile GPS time clocks. The platform also includes tools for checklists, forms, and internal messaging to streamline daily operations in restaurants, hotels, and similar venues.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile-first interface ideal for frontline staff
- Comprehensive all-in-one tools beyond just scheduling (e.g., time tracking, communication)
- Affordable pricing with a free plan for small teams
Cons
- Lacks deep hospitality-specific integrations like POS systems or reservation software
- Advanced features may require time to master for non-tech-savvy users
- Customer support can be slower for free/basic plan users
Best For
Small to mid-sized hospitality businesses seeking an affordable, mobile-friendly all-in-one solution for shift scheduling and employee management.
Pricing
Free plan for up to 10 users; paid plans start at $29/month (Basic for 30 users), $49/month (Premium), $99/month (Enterprise), billed annually with per-user scaling.
ZoomShift
specializedCloud-based employee scheduling and time tracking software optimized for shift-based hospitality operations.
Employee shift trading and open shift bidding, allowing staff to swap shifts in real-time without manager approval
ZoomShift is a cloud-based employee scheduling and time tracking platform tailored for hourly workforces in hospitality, such as restaurants, hotels, and event venues. It enables drag-and-drop shift creation, real-time availability matching, time clock integration, and staff communication through a mobile app. The software also handles labor costing, PTO requests, and overtime alerts to streamline operations.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Strong mobile app for employees to claim shifts and clock in/out
- Affordable pricing with a free tier for small teams
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to enterprise tools
- Fewer integrations with hospitality-specific POS systems
- Occasional glitches in multi-location management
Best For
Small to mid-sized hospitality businesses like restaurants and hotels seeking simple, cost-effective shift scheduling without complex enterprise needs.
Pricing
Free plan for up to 75 shifts/month; paid plans start at $1.25 per active user/month (Pro) up to $2.75 (Enterprise), billed annually.
Workforce.com
enterpriseAI-powered workforce management with scheduling, forecasting, and payroll integration for hospitality venues.
Intelligent Roster AI that auto-generates compliant schedules minimizing labor costs while maximizing coverage
Workforce.com is a comprehensive cloud-based workforce management platform designed for shift-based industries like hospitality, offering AI-powered scheduling, real-time time tracking, and compliance tools. It automates roster creation by factoring in employee availability, skills, labor costs, and regulatory requirements such as award interpretations and break management. The mobile-first app enables employees to clock in/out with geofencing, swap shifts, and view schedules on the go, while integrating seamlessly with payroll systems.
Pros
- AI-driven auto-scheduling optimizes labor costs and respects employee preferences
- Robust compliance engine handles hospitality-specific regulations like awards and breaks
- Intuitive mobile app with geofencing for accurate time tracking and shift swaps
Cons
- Steep learning curve during initial setup and configuration
- Pricing can be expensive for smaller hospitality operations
- Customer support response times can be inconsistent for non-enterprise users
Best For
Mid-sized hospitality businesses with complex, variable shift patterns needing automated scheduling and regulatory compliance.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting at around $5-7 per active user/month for core plans, scaling up for advanced features and enterprise support.
Agendrix
specializedSimple employee scheduling software with messaging, time-off requests, and mobile access for hospitality teams.
Real-time availability matching and shift trade approvals via mobile app
Agendrix is a cloud-based workforce management platform specializing in employee scheduling, time tracking, and communication tools tailored for industries like hospitality. It enables managers to create drag-and-drop schedules, manage shift trades and availability requests, and monitor attendance via mobile time clocks. The software supports multi-location operations and includes features like overtime alerts and team messaging to reduce administrative burdens in fast-paced hospitality environments.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Robust mobile app for employees and managers
- Affordable pricing with high value for small teams
Cons
- Limited advanced hospitality-specific integrations (e.g., POS or PMS systems)
- Reporting features are basic compared to enterprise tools
- No perpetual free plan beyond trial limitations
Best For
Small to mid-sized hospitality businesses like restaurants, hotels, and event venues needing simple, mobile-friendly scheduling without enterprise complexity.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 employees at one location; Team plan at $2.49/user/month, Business at $4.49/user/month, Enterprise custom; 14-day free trial.
Conclusion
When evaluating hospitality scheduling software, 7shifts rises to the top as the most comprehensive choice, with robust labor forecasting, communication tools, and shift management features. HotSchedules and Deputy follow as strong alternatives, offering enterprise scalability and mobile flexibility, respectively, to meet diverse operational needs. Together, these tools demonstrate how modern solutions can streamline workflows and empower hospitality teams.
Take the first step toward smoother operations—try 7shifts to unlock efficient scheduling, reduce stress, and keep your team aligned and informed, setting the stage for a more successful hospitality business.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison