Quick Overview
- 1#1: Homebase - Streamlines retail employee scheduling with labor forecasting, shift trades, and time tracking in one intuitive platform.
- 2#2: When I Work - Provides mobile-first scheduling for retail teams with availability management, shift notifications, and overtime alerts.
- 3#3: Deputy - Offers advanced workforce scheduling for retail stores featuring demand forecasting, compliance tools, and multi-location support.
- 4#4: 7shifts - Delivers sales-driven scheduling and labor forecasting optimized for retail and quick-service environments.
- 5#5: Connecteam - Combines retail scheduling with team communication, task management, and time clock features for frontline workers.
- 6#6: Sling - Enables simple, free employee scheduling for retail with shift templates, reminders, and availability-based planning.
- 7#7: Fourth - Powers enterprise-level retail scheduling with integrated forecasting, fatigue management, and back-office analytics.
- 8#8: ZoomShift - Facilitates affordable retail shift scheduling with geofencing time tracking and automated notifications.
- 9#9: Agendrix - Simplifies retail team scheduling with real-time availability, messaging, and absence management tools.
- 10#10: Workforce.com - Manages retail workforce scheduling with AI-driven forecasting, timesheets, and performance insights.
Tools were ranked based on relevance to retail needs, feature robustness (including forecasting, communication, and compliance), user-friendliness, and overall value, ensuring a balanced and practical guide for retailers of all sizes.
Comparison Table
Retail scheduling demands precision to meet staffing needs and customer flow, and selecting the right software is critical. This comparison table explores top tools like Homebase, When I Work, and 7shifts—along with additional options—to help readers compare features, usability, and functionality tailored to their store’s specific requirements.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Homebase Streamlines retail employee scheduling with labor forecasting, shift trades, and time tracking in one intuitive platform. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 2 | When I Work Provides mobile-first scheduling for retail teams with availability management, shift notifications, and overtime alerts. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | Deputy Offers advanced workforce scheduling for retail stores featuring demand forecasting, compliance tools, and multi-location support. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 4 | 7shifts Delivers sales-driven scheduling and labor forecasting optimized for retail and quick-service environments. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 | Connecteam Combines retail scheduling with team communication, task management, and time clock features for frontline workers. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 6 | Sling Enables simple, free employee scheduling for retail with shift templates, reminders, and availability-based planning. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 7 | Fourth Powers enterprise-level retail scheduling with integrated forecasting, fatigue management, and back-office analytics. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | ZoomShift Facilitates affordable retail shift scheduling with geofencing time tracking and automated notifications. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 9 | Agendrix Simplifies retail team scheduling with real-time availability, messaging, and absence management tools. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 10 | Workforce.com Manages retail workforce scheduling with AI-driven forecasting, timesheets, and performance insights. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
Streamlines retail employee scheduling with labor forecasting, shift trades, and time tracking in one intuitive platform.
Provides mobile-first scheduling for retail teams with availability management, shift notifications, and overtime alerts.
Offers advanced workforce scheduling for retail stores featuring demand forecasting, compliance tools, and multi-location support.
Delivers sales-driven scheduling and labor forecasting optimized for retail and quick-service environments.
Combines retail scheduling with team communication, task management, and time clock features for frontline workers.
Enables simple, free employee scheduling for retail with shift templates, reminders, and availability-based planning.
Powers enterprise-level retail scheduling with integrated forecasting, fatigue management, and back-office analytics.
Facilitates affordable retail shift scheduling with geofencing time tracking and automated notifications.
Simplifies retail team scheduling with real-time availability, messaging, and absence management tools.
Manages retail workforce scheduling with AI-driven forecasting, timesheets, and performance insights.
Homebase
specializedStreamlines retail employee scheduling with labor forecasting, shift trades, and time tracking in one intuitive platform.
AI-powered labor forecasting that automatically suggests optimal staffing based on historical sales and traffic data
Homebase is a robust workforce management platform tailored for retail stores, enabling managers to create optimized employee schedules based on sales forecasts, availability, and labor budgets. It streamlines shift management with features like auto-scheduling, shift trades, and open shift notifications, while integrating time tracking, payroll, and team messaging. The mobile-first design empowers employees to clock in/out, swap shifts, and communicate seamlessly from anywhere.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with labor forecasting tied to POS sales data
- Free plan for single-location businesses with unlimited employees
- Strong mobile app for employee self-service and real-time communication
Cons
- Advanced reporting and multi-location support require paid upgrades
- Customer support can have longer response times on the free plan
- Limited customization for very large enterprises
Best For
Small to mid-sized retail stores with hourly workers seeking an affordable, mobile-friendly scheduling tool.
Pricing
Free for one location (unlimited schedules); Essentials $29.99/mo (up to 20 employees), Plus $59.99/mo, Premium $99.99/mo; additional employees $6/mo each.
When I Work
specializedProvides mobile-first scheduling for retail teams with availability management, shift notifications, and overtime alerts.
OpenShifts marketplace where employees can claim available shifts in real-time, reducing manager workload and filling gaps instantly
When I Work is a cloud-based workforce management platform specializing in employee scheduling for retail stores, enabling managers to create, share, and optimize shift schedules based on availability, sales forecasts, and labor rules. It includes features like shift trading, time clock integration, and team messaging to reduce no-shows and overtime costs. The mobile-first app empowers employees to pick shifts, request time off, and clock in/out from anywhere, making it ideal for hourly retail teams.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with auto-fill based on availability and forecasts
- Robust employee self-service for shift swaps, claims, and time-off requests
- Strong mobile app with push notifications and GPS time tracking
Cons
- Advanced forecasting and reporting locked behind higher-tier plans
- Multi-location management can feel clunky without the Enterprise add-on
- Customer support response times vary for non-premium users
Best For
Retail managers overseeing multiple stores with hourly, shift-based staff who need flexible, mobile-friendly scheduling to handle variable demand.
Pricing
Starts at $2/active user/month (Essential, annual billing) up to $4/user/month (Advanced); free for up to 75 users with limited features.
Deputy
specializedOffers advanced workforce scheduling for retail stores featuring demand forecasting, compliance tools, and multi-location support.
Live labor costing and forecasting that provides real-time budget insights during scheduling
Deputy is a robust workforce management platform tailored for shift-based operations like retail stores, offering drag-and-drop scheduling, employee availability management, and real-time shift notifications. It integrates time tracking, labor costing, and task management to optimize store operations and ensure compliance with labor laws. The mobile-first design empowers employees to swap shifts, clock in/out, and communicate seamlessly from anywhere.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with auto-fill and templates
- Real-time notifications and mobile app for quick shift swaps and communication
- Advanced labor cost forecasting and compliance alerts
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams or advanced features
- Steep initial learning curve for complex multi-location setups
- Limited customization in reporting for basic plans
Best For
Mid-sized retail chains with multiple locations seeking efficient shift scheduling, labor optimization, and mobile employee engagement.
Pricing
Essential plan at $3.50/active user/month; Plus at $5.25; Enterprise custom (billed annually).
7shifts
specializedDelivers sales-driven scheduling and labor forecasting optimized for retail and quick-service environments.
AI-powered Smart Schedules that auto-generate optimized shifts based on historical sales forecasts
7shifts is a workforce management platform primarily designed for restaurants but adaptable for retail store scheduling, enabling managers to build shift schedules, forecast labor needs based on sales data, and manage employee time tracking. It supports shift trades, availability requests, team messaging, and integrations with POS systems like Square and Lightspeed for retail use. While effective for basic hourly workforce coordination, it lacks deep retail-specific tools like inventory-linked staffing or peak-hour customer analytics.
Pros
- User-friendly drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Mobile app for employee self-service shift trades and clock-ins
- Labor forecasting and POS integrations adaptable for retail sales data
Cons
- Restaurant-centric features like tip pooling less relevant for retail
- No native support for retail-specific metrics like foot traffic or register balancing
- Pricing per location adds up for multi-store chains
Best For
Multi-location retail stores with hourly, shift-based staff seeking straightforward scheduling and basic forecasting without complex retail inventory ties.
Pricing
Starts at $29.99 per location/month (Essentials), $43.99 (Pro), $59.99+ (Complete), with custom Enterprise; free trial available.
Connecteam
specializedCombines retail scheduling with team communication, task management, and time clock features for frontline workers.
Employee self-service shift marketplace allowing instant swaps, requests, and availability updates via mobile app
Connecteam is an all-in-one mobile-first workforce management platform designed for frontline and deskless teams, including retail stores, with powerful scheduling tools at its core. It enables managers to create drag-and-drop schedules, manage employee availability, set shift templates, and facilitate self-service shift swaps and requests. Integrated features like time tracking, GPS check-ins, communication chats, and task assignments make it a comprehensive solution for retail operations beyond just scheduling.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with recurring templates and multi-location support
- Employee self-service for shift trades, availability, and mobile time clock with GPS
- Seamless integration of scheduling with communication, tasks, and training tools
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams, potentially less cost-effective for scheduling-only needs
- Lacks advanced AI-driven auto-scheduling or deep forecasting analytics found in specialized tools
- Full feature set can feel overwhelming for users needing simple scheduling
Best For
Small to mid-sized retail businesses with multiple locations seeking an all-in-one app for scheduling, time tracking, and employee engagement.
Pricing
Free plan for basic features (unlimited users); paid plans start at $29/month for up to 30 users (Operations), $49/month (Advanced), $99/month (Expert), with Enterprise custom pricing.
Sling
specializedEnables simple, free employee scheduling for retail with shift templates, reminders, and availability-based planning.
Free forever plan with unlimited scheduling for single-location teams
Sling is an employee scheduling software tailored for retail stores and similar businesses, enabling managers to create optimized shift schedules, track time and attendance, and communicate with staff via mobile and web apps. It offers features like automated scheduling, labor cost forecasting, shift trading, and overtime alerts to streamline operations and control expenses. With support for multiple locations and real-time updates, it's designed to reduce no-shows and improve team efficiency.
Pros
- Generous free plan with core scheduling tools
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface and mobile app
- Strong labor cost tracking and overtime alerts
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting in free tier
- Fewer integrations compared to enterprise competitors
- Customer support can be slow for free users
Best For
Small to medium retail stores seeking an affordable, user-friendly scheduling solution without complex setup.
Pricing
Free plan for basic use; paid plans start at $2 per active user/month (billed annually) for premium features.
Fourth
enterprisePowers enterprise-level retail scheduling with integrated forecasting, fatigue management, and back-office analytics.
AI-driven intelligent forecasting that automatically generates optimized schedules based on real-time sales predictions
Fourth (fourth.com) is a comprehensive workforce management platform specializing in retail store scheduling, leveraging AI-driven forecasting to predict sales demand and automate shift creation. It optimizes labor costs, ensures compliance with labor laws, and provides tools for time tracking, employee self-service, and performance analytics. Ideal for multi-location retailers, it integrates seamlessly with POS and other enterprise systems to deliver real-time scheduling adjustments.
Pros
- AI-powered demand forecasting for accurate scheduling
- Strong compliance and labor law adherence tools
- Robust integrations with POS and HR systems
Cons
- High enterprise-level pricing
- Steep learning curve for setup and customization
- Overly complex for small single-store operations
Best For
Large multi-location retail chains needing advanced forecasting and compliance in their scheduling processes.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically suited for enterprises with costs scaling per store or user (contact for demo).
ZoomShift
specializedFacilitates affordable retail shift scheduling with geofencing time tracking and automated notifications.
OpenShift bidding system that lets employees claim available shifts in real-time via mobile app
ZoomShift is a cloud-based employee scheduling platform tailored for shift-based industries like retail stores, enabling managers to create drag-and-drop schedules across multiple locations. It includes time tracking with GPS verification, shift trading, team messaging, and basic labor forecasting to optimize staffing. The software integrates with popular payroll providers and offers a mobile app for both managers and employees to handle scheduling on the go.
Pros
- Affordable pricing with a generous free tier for small teams
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling and mobile accessibility
- Strong shift trading and communication tools for hourly workers
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and forecasting compared to top competitors
- Reporting features are basic and require higher plans for depth
- Customer support response times can be inconsistent
Best For
Small to mid-sized retail stores needing simple, cost-effective scheduling for hourly shift workers without advanced demand forecasting.
Pricing
Free for up to 75 shifts/month; paid Pro plan starts at $1.50/active user/month (billed annually) with add-ons for extra features.
Agendrix
specializedSimplifies retail team scheduling with real-time availability, messaging, and absence management tools.
Employee-driven shift trading and self-scheduling based on availability
Agendrix is a cloud-based employee scheduling platform tailored for small to medium-sized businesses, including retail stores, offering intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling to create and manage shifts across multiple locations. It includes mobile apps for employees to view schedules, request time off, trade shifts, and clock in/out via GPS or QR codes. The software also features overtime alerts, availability-based auto-scheduling, and built-in communication tools to reduce no-shows and improve team coordination.
Pros
- Highly intuitive drag-and-drop interface for quick schedule creation
- Robust mobile app supporting shift trades, time-off requests, and GPS time tracking
- Affordable pricing with strong value for multi-location retail operations
Cons
- Limited advanced labor forecasting and demand prediction tools
- Reporting capabilities are basic compared to enterprise competitors
- Fewer third-party integrations than some higher-ranked alternatives
Best For
Small to medium retail stores seeking simple, mobile-friendly scheduling without complex analytics.
Pricing
Starts at $2/user/month (Essential plan, billed annually); Pro at $3.25/user/month; Advanced at $4.25/user/month; free for up to 10 users.
Workforce.com
enterpriseManages retail workforce scheduling with AI-driven forecasting, timesheets, and performance insights.
AI-powered demand forecasting that integrates sales data to automatically generate cost-optimal schedules
Workforce.com is a comprehensive workforce management platform designed for retail, hospitality, and field services, with strong scheduling capabilities tailored for store environments. It offers drag-and-drop scheduling, demand forecasting based on sales data, and auto-scheduling to optimize labor costs while ensuring coverage. The software also includes time tracking, shift management, and compliance tools to handle breaks, overtime, and award interpretations, primarily serving Australian and international businesses.
Pros
- Advanced demand forecasting and AI-driven auto-scheduling for efficient retail staffing
- Robust compliance engine for labor laws, breaks, and penalties
- Multi-location support with real-time visibility across stores
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for small retail teams and can feel premium
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features despite intuitive mobile app
- Limited integrations compared to some US-centric retail scheduling tools
Best For
Mid-sized retail chains with multiple locations needing sales-driven scheduling and strict compliance management.
Pricing
Starts at ~$3 per active user/month for Essentials plan; scales to $6+ for Advanced/Enterprise with custom quotes.
Conclusion
Among the top retail scheduling software options, Homebase emerges as the clear leader, unifying labor forecasting, shift trades, and time tracking in an intuitive platform. When I Work stands out for its mobile-first design and strong availability management, while Deputy excels with advanced demand forecasting and multi-location support, offering distinct strengths to suit varied operational needs.
Don't miss out—try Homebase to simplify your scheduling, keep your team connected, and boost operational efficiency.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison