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Food Service Restaurants

Top 10 Best Restaurant Schedule Software of 2026

Discover top 10 best restaurant schedule software to streamline operations. Find perfect tool for your business today!

Min-ji Park

Min-ji Park

Feb 11, 2026

10 tools comparedExpert reviewed
Independent evaluation · Unbiased commentary · Updated regularly
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Efficient scheduling is vital for restaurant operations, impacting staffing, labor costs, and customer experiences. With a range of tools—from specialized platforms to all-in-one systems—selecting the right software is key to streamlining workflows. This article explores the top 10 solutions tailored to the industry’s unique needs.

Quick Overview

  1. 1#1: 7shifts - Restaurant-specific employee scheduling software with labor forecasting, tip pooling, and team communication features.
  2. 2#2: Homebase - Free employee scheduling and time tracking tool tailored for small businesses including restaurants.
  3. 3#3: Fourth - Enterprise workforce management platform formerly HotSchedules, offering advanced scheduling for hospitality and restaurants.
  4. 4#4: When I Work - Flexible employee scheduling app with shift trades, availability management, and mobile notifications for restaurants.
  5. 5#5: Deputy - Scheduling and time clock software with labor costing and compliance tools suitable for restaurant operations.
  6. 6#6: Sling - Free team scheduling app with shift templates, reminders, and labor cost tracking for restaurants.
  7. 7#7: Connecteam - All-in-one employee management app including scheduling, communication, and training for frontline restaurant workers.
  8. 8#8: ZoomShift - Cloud-based scheduling and time tracking software with overtime alerts and forecasting for restaurant staff.
  9. 9#9: Toast - POS-integrated workforce management with scheduling, labor analytics, and integrations for restaurants.
  10. 10#10: Revel Systems - Restaurant POS system with built-in employee scheduling, time tracking, and sales forecasting capabilities.

Tools were evaluated based on core features, usability, reliability, and value, ensuring they meet diverse restaurant requirements, from basic scheduling to advanced forecasting and compliance.

Comparison Table

Efficient scheduling is critical for smooth restaurant operations, and with a range of software tools like 7shifts, Homebase, Fourth, When I Work, Deputy, and more, choosing the right solution can feel overwhelming. This comparison table breaks down key features, benefits, and considerations to help readers identify the tool that best meets their restaurant's unique needs, from team management to time tracking.

17shifts logo9.4/10

Restaurant-specific employee scheduling software with labor forecasting, tip pooling, and team communication features.

Features
9.6/10
Ease
9.2/10
Value
9.1/10
2Homebase logo9.2/10

Free employee scheduling and time tracking tool tailored for small businesses including restaurants.

Features
9.3/10
Ease
9.5/10
Value
9.7/10
3Fourth logo8.5/10

Enterprise workforce management platform formerly HotSchedules, offering advanced scheduling for hospitality and restaurants.

Features
9.2/10
Ease
7.8/10
Value
7.5/10

Flexible employee scheduling app with shift trades, availability management, and mobile notifications for restaurants.

Features
8.1/10
Ease
9.3/10
Value
8.2/10
5Deputy logo8.3/10

Scheduling and time clock software with labor costing and compliance tools suitable for restaurant operations.

Features
8.5/10
Ease
8.7/10
Value
8.0/10
6Sling logo8.7/10

Free team scheduling app with shift templates, reminders, and labor cost tracking for restaurants.

Features
8.5/10
Ease
9.2/10
Value
9.8/10
7Connecteam logo8.4/10

All-in-one employee management app including scheduling, communication, and training for frontline restaurant workers.

Features
8.6/10
Ease
9.1/10
Value
8.2/10
8ZoomShift logo7.3/10

Cloud-based scheduling and time tracking software with overtime alerts and forecasting for restaurant staff.

Features
7.5/10
Ease
7.8/10
Value
7.0/10
9Toast logo8.2/10

POS-integrated workforce management with scheduling, labor analytics, and integrations for restaurants.

Features
8.5/10
Ease
8.0/10
Value
7.5/10

Restaurant POS system with built-in employee scheduling, time tracking, and sales forecasting capabilities.

Features
7.5/10
Ease
8.0/10
Value
6.8/10
1
7shifts logo

7shifts

specialized

Restaurant-specific employee scheduling software with labor forecasting, tip pooling, and team communication features.

Overall Rating9.4/10
Features
9.6/10
Ease of Use
9.2/10
Value
9.1/10
Standout Feature

Labor Profitability dashboard with real-time sales vs. labor cost tracking and predictive scheduling

7shifts is a leading workforce management platform tailored for restaurants, offering drag-and-drop scheduling, time tracking, and labor forecasting to optimize staffing and reduce costs. It includes employee communication tools, tip pooling, payroll integrations, and POS compatibility with systems like Toast and Square. Designed for single or multi-location operations, it helps managers forecast labor needs based on sales data and ensures compliance with scheduling regulations.

Pros

  • Powerful scheduling with AI-driven forecasting and auto-fill based on sales history
  • Seamless mobile app for clock-ins, shifts swaps, and communication
  • Extensive integrations with POS, payroll, and restaurant-specific tools

Cons

  • Pricing scales quickly for multi-location chains with add-ons
  • Advanced reporting and analytics require higher-tier plans
  • Occasional sync delays with certain POS integrations

Best For

Multi-location restaurant groups and busy independents needing robust labor cost control and team management.

Pricing

Starts at $29.99/location/month (Essentials), $43.99 (Pro), $59.99 (Complete), billed annually with per-user fees on some plans.

Visit 7shifts7shifts.com
2
Homebase logo

Homebase

specialized

Free employee scheduling and time tracking tool tailored for small businesses including restaurants.

Overall Rating9.2/10
Features
9.3/10
Ease of Use
9.5/10
Value
9.7/10
Standout Feature

Sales forecasting integrated with auto-scheduling to optimize labor costs based on historical and projected restaurant sales data

Homebase is an all-in-one workforce management platform tailored for restaurants, enabling managers to create drag-and-drop schedules, forecast labor based on sales data, and track employee time with geofenced mobile clock-ins. It includes team messaging, shift claiming via OpenShifts, and integrations with popular POS systems like Toast and Square for real-time labor cost monitoring. The software also offers hiring tools and compliance features to streamline restaurant operations for small to mid-sized teams.

Pros

  • Generous free plan with unlimited employees and core scheduling
  • Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with sales forecasting
  • Strong mobile app for clock-ins, shift trades, and communication

Cons

  • Advanced reporting and auto-scheduling locked behind paid plans
  • Customer support slower on free tier
  • Limited customization for complex multi-location setups

Best For

Small to mid-sized restaurant owners and managers needing affordable, user-friendly scheduling with time tracking and team communication.

Pricing

Free plan for 1 location (core features); Essentials $29.95/location/month (billed annually) for forecasting and hiring; Premium $59.95+ for advanced tools.

Visit Homebasejoinhomebase.com
3
Fourth logo

Fourth

enterprise

Enterprise workforce management platform formerly HotSchedules, offering advanced scheduling for hospitality and restaurants.

Overall Rating8.5/10
Features
9.2/10
Ease of Use
7.8/10
Value
7.5/10
Standout Feature

AI-powered labor forecasting directly integrated with POS data for precise, cost-optimized scheduling

Fourth is a robust workforce management platform tailored for restaurants, offering advanced scheduling tools that leverage sales forecasting from POS integrations to optimize staffing. It includes drag-and-drop scheduling, auto-scheduling algorithms, shift templates, and real-time adjustments to minimize labor costs. Beyond scheduling, it provides time & attendance tracking, compliance alerts for labor laws, and employee self-service via mobile app.

Pros

  • Deep POS integrations for accurate sales-based forecasting
  • AI-driven auto-scheduling reduces manual effort
  • Scalable for multi-location chains with strong compliance tools

Cons

  • Steep learning curve for new users
  • Pricing can be high for small independent restaurants
  • Over-featured for basic scheduling needs

Best For

Enterprise-level restaurant groups and multi-location chains needing integrated labor forecasting and compliance management.

Pricing

Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $50-100 per location/month plus per-employee fees for add-ons.

Visit Fourthfourth.com
4
When I Work logo

When I Work

specialized

Flexible employee scheduling app with shift trades, availability management, and mobile notifications for restaurants.

Overall Rating8.4/10
Features
8.1/10
Ease of Use
9.3/10
Value
8.2/10
Standout Feature

OpenShifts, allowing employees to claim available shifts in real-time via the mobile app

When I Work is a cloud-based scheduling platform tailored for shift-based industries like restaurants, enabling managers to build drag-and-drop schedules, set employee availability, and handle shift trades or open shifts. It offers mobile apps for both managers and staff, facilitating real-time notifications, time-off requests, and team communication via messaging and announcements. The tool also includes basic time tracking and reporting to help monitor labor costs and compliance.

Pros

  • Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling and mobile-first design
  • Robust shift trading, OpenShifts, and availability features for flexible restaurant staffing
  • Strong communication tools with push notifications and team chat

Cons

  • Lacks advanced restaurant-specific tools like labor forecasting or sales-based scheduling
  • Pricing per user can add up for large teams
  • Reporting and integrations limited in lower-tier plans

Best For

Small to mid-sized restaurants with hourly shift workers seeking simple, mobile-friendly scheduling without complex forecasting needs.

Pricing

Free plan for small teams (up to 75 schedules/month); paid plans start at $2/user/month (Essential) up to $3.50+/user/month (Elite), billed monthly per active user.

Visit When I Workwheniwork.com
5
Deputy logo

Deputy

specialized

Scheduling and time clock software with labor costing and compliance tools suitable for restaurant operations.

Overall Rating8.3/10
Features
8.5/10
Ease of Use
8.7/10
Value
8.0/10
Standout Feature

Demand-based auto-scheduling that forecasts labor needs from historical sales and POS data

Deputy is a robust workforce management platform specializing in employee scheduling, time tracking, and communication, making it well-suited for restaurants handling shift-based staffing. It features drag-and-drop scheduling, availability management, labor forecasting integrated with POS systems, and mobile apps for employees to clock in/out and swap shifts. The software emphasizes compliance with labor laws, overtime alerts, and real-time notifications to optimize restaurant operations and reduce no-shows.

Pros

  • Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with shift templates
  • Strong mobile app for employee self-service and time tracking
  • Labor cost forecasting and POS integrations for restaurants

Cons

  • Advanced forecasting locked behind higher plans
  • Initial setup and integrations can be time-consuming
  • Customer support response times vary by plan

Best For

Multi-location restaurants or chains needing scalable scheduling with labor compliance and forecasting tools.

Pricing

Starts at $3.50/user/month (Essential), $5.25/user/month (Plus), with Enterprise custom pricing; 14-day free trial available.

Visit Deputydeputy.com
6
Sling logo

Sling

specialized

Free team scheduling app with shift templates, reminders, and labor cost tracking for restaurants.

Overall Rating8.7/10
Features
8.5/10
Ease of Use
9.2/10
Value
9.8/10
Standout Feature

Free labor cost forecasting and budgeting integrated directly into scheduling

Sling is a versatile employee scheduling software tailored for restaurants and other hourly work environments, enabling managers to create optimized schedules, track labor costs, and facilitate shift management. Key functionalities include drag-and-drop scheduling, employee availability preferences, shift trades, team messaging, time clock integration, and real-time labor forecasting. It supports unlimited users on its free plan, making it accessible for small to medium teams.

Pros

  • Free core scheduling for unlimited users
  • Intuitive mobile app for employees and managers
  • Labor cost forecasting to optimize expenses

Cons

  • Limited advanced reporting in free tier
  • Fewer restaurant-specific integrations
  • Premium features like tasks require upgrade

Best For

Small to medium restaurants seeking a free, user-friendly tool for shift scheduling and basic labor management.

Pricing

Free plan for core features; Premium starts at $2/active user/month for advanced tools.

Visit Slinggetsling.com
7
Connecteam logo

Connecteam

specialized

All-in-one employee management app including scheduling, communication, and training for frontline restaurant workers.

Overall Rating8.4/10
Features
8.6/10
Ease of Use
9.1/10
Value
8.2/10
Standout Feature

AI-powered scheduling that automatically fills shifts based on employee availability, skills, and labor forecasts

Connecteam is an all-in-one employee management platform optimized for frontline workers in sectors like restaurants, featuring drag-and-drop scheduling, shift availability management, and automated notifications. It enables easy shift creation, trading, and overtime alerts, integrated with time tracking and geofencing for accurate clock-ins. The mobile-first app ensures employees can view schedules, request time off, and communicate instantly, while managers gain insights via reporting dashboards.

Pros

  • Intuitive mobile app for employees to manage shifts on-the-go
  • Comprehensive scheduling with availability matching and auto-fill
  • All-in-one toolkit including time tracking and team chat reduces app sprawl

Cons

  • Pricing scales quickly with team size, less ideal for very large chains
  • Overkill for restaurants needing only basic scheduling without extras
  • Limited native integrations with restaurant-specific POS systems

Best For

Small to mid-sized restaurants with hourly frontline staff seeking an affordable, mobile-centric solution for scheduling and daily operations.

Pricing

Free for up to 10 users; paid plans start at $29/month (Basic, up to 30 users), $49/month (Premium, up to 60), $99/month (Expert, up to 100), then $1.80-$2.40 per additional user/month.

Visit Connecteamconnecteam.com
8
ZoomShift logo

ZoomShift

specialized

Cloud-based scheduling and time tracking software with overtime alerts and forecasting for restaurant staff.

Overall Rating7.3/10
Features
7.5/10
Ease of Use
7.8/10
Value
7.0/10
Standout Feature

Drag-and-drop scheduling with real-time labor cost forecasting to help control restaurant expenses

ZoomShift is a cloud-based employee scheduling and time tracking platform tailored for hourly workforces like restaurants, enabling managers to create drag-and-drop schedules, handle shift trades, and monitor attendance in real-time. It includes features for PTO requests, overtime alerts, and basic labor cost forecasting, all accessible via web and mobile apps. The software emphasizes simplicity for shift-based operations, with built-in team messaging to reduce communication silos.

Pros

  • Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling for quick shift creation and adjustments
  • Mobile app supports employee self-service like time punches and shift swaps
  • Affordable pricing scales well for small restaurant teams

Cons

  • Limited integrations with popular restaurant POS systems like Toast or Square
  • Basic reporting lacks depth for advanced labor analytics
  • Customer support can be slow outside business hours

Best For

Small to mid-sized restaurants with hourly staff needing simple, mobile-friendly scheduling without enterprise-level complexity.

Pricing

Starts at $1.25/user/month (Basic, billed annually); Pro at $2.25/user/month; Enterprise custom pricing.

Visit ZoomShiftzoomshift.com
9
Toast logo

Toast

enterprise

POS-integrated workforce management with scheduling, labor analytics, and integrations for restaurants.

Overall Rating8.2/10
Features
8.5/10
Ease of Use
8.0/10
Value
7.5/10
Standout Feature

AI-powered sales forecasting for optimized shift planning and labor cost control

Toast is a comprehensive restaurant management platform that includes robust scheduling capabilities through its Team Management module, enabling managers to build shifts based on sales forecasts, employee availability, and labor budgets. It supports drag-and-drop scheduling, time-off requests, and mobile clock-ins for staff. Deeply integrated with Toast's POS and payroll systems, it provides real-time insights into labor costs and compliance.

Pros

  • Seamless integration with POS for sales-driven labor forecasting
  • Employee self-service app for shift swaps and availability
  • Automated overtime alerts and compliance tracking

Cons

  • Pricing tied to full platform, expensive for scheduling-only needs
  • Steeper learning curve for non-Toast users
  • Limited standalone flexibility without other Toast modules

Best For

Multi-location restaurants using Toast POS that want integrated scheduling with labor analytics.

Pricing

Team Management starts at $75/month per location, requires core POS subscription ($69-$165/month).

Visit Toasttoasttab.com
10
Revel Systems logo

Revel Systems

enterprise

Restaurant POS system with built-in employee scheduling, time tracking, and sales forecasting capabilities.

Overall Rating7.4/10
Features
7.5/10
Ease of Use
8.0/10
Value
6.8/10
Standout Feature

POS-integrated labor forecasting that auto-adjusts schedules based on real-time sales data

Revel Systems is a cloud-based POS platform tailored for restaurants that includes integrated employee scheduling within its workforce management tools. It enables managers to create drag-and-drop schedules, assign shifts based on availability and sales forecasts, and track labor costs in real-time synced with POS data. The system supports mobile clock-in/out and notifications, streamlining restaurant operations. However, scheduling is a secondary feature to its core POS capabilities.

Pros

  • Seamless integration with POS for sales-driven scheduling and labor forecasting
  • User-friendly drag-and-drop interface with mobile employee access
  • Real-time time tracking and compliance reporting

Cons

  • Scheduling features are not as advanced or customizable as dedicated tools
  • High cost structure geared toward full POS users, less ideal for scheduling-only needs
  • Requires iPad hardware and can have a learning curve for complex setups

Best For

Restaurants already using Revel POS that want integrated scheduling without switching platforms.

Pricing

Starts at $99/month per location (Starter plan); full employee scheduling in Grow ($299+) or Pro plans, plus hardware costs.

Visit Revel Systemsrevelsystems.com

Conclusion

Across the reviewed tools, 7shifts emerges as the top restaurant schedule software, excelling with labor forecasting, tip pooling, and team communication features. Homebase stands out as a free, small-business tailored option, ideal for simplicity, while Fourth’s advanced enterprise capabilities make it a strong pick for larger operations. Each tool addresses distinct needs, but 7shifts leads as the comprehensive choice.

7shifts logo
Our Top Pick
7shifts

Explore the top-ranked 7shifts to simplify your scheduling, boost team efficiency, and elevate your restaurant’s operations—don’t miss out on this essential tool.