Quick Overview
- 1#1: When I Work - Streamlines employee shift scheduling, swap requests, availability management, and time tracking for teams of any size.
- 2#2: Deputy - Provides workforce scheduling, time & attendance, task management, and compliance tools for hourly workers.
- 3#3: Homebase - Offers free employee scheduling, time clock, hiring, and performance tools for small businesses.
- 4#4: Sling - Enables easy shift creation, notifications, messaging, and labor cost tracking for teams.
- 5#5: Connecteam - Delivers mobile scheduling, communication, checklists, and training in one employee management app.
- 6#6: ZoomShift - Cloud-based solution for creating rosters, tracking time, managing PTO, and generating reports.
- 7#7: 7shifts - Optimizes restaurant staff scheduling with labor forecasting, tip pooling, and communication features.
- 8#8: Agendrix - Simplifies shift scheduling, messaging, time tracking, and availability collection for SMBs.
- 9#9: Workforce.com - Integrates scheduling, time tracking, HR, and payroll for streamlined workforce management.
- 10#10: Planday - Manages employee rosters, absences, sales forecasting, and compliance across multiple locations.
Tools were evaluated based on functionality (such as scheduling, compliance, and communication), user-friendliness, reliability, and value, ensuring they meet the needs of varied team sizes and industries while balancing depth and accessibility.
Comparison Table
Roster making is critical for organizing team schedules, and selecting the right software can enhance operational flow. This comparison table explores leading tools like When I Work, Deputy, Homebase, Sling, Connecteam, and more, examining features, pricing, and usability to guide readers toward the best fit for their team's unique needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | When I Work Streamlines employee shift scheduling, swap requests, availability management, and time tracking for teams of any size. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Deputy Provides workforce scheduling, time & attendance, task management, and compliance tools for hourly workers. | specialized | 8.9/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Homebase Offers free employee scheduling, time clock, hiring, and performance tools for small businesses. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 4 | Sling Enables easy shift creation, notifications, messaging, and labor cost tracking for teams. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 5 | Connecteam Delivers mobile scheduling, communication, checklists, and training in one employee management app. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | ZoomShift Cloud-based solution for creating rosters, tracking time, managing PTO, and generating reports. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 7 | 7shifts Optimizes restaurant staff scheduling with labor forecasting, tip pooling, and communication features. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | Agendrix Simplifies shift scheduling, messaging, time tracking, and availability collection for SMBs. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 9 | Workforce.com Integrates scheduling, time tracking, HR, and payroll for streamlined workforce management. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | Planday Manages employee rosters, absences, sales forecasting, and compliance across multiple locations. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.2/10 |
Streamlines employee shift scheduling, swap requests, availability management, and time tracking for teams of any size.
Provides workforce scheduling, time & attendance, task management, and compliance tools for hourly workers.
Offers free employee scheduling, time clock, hiring, and performance tools for small businesses.
Enables easy shift creation, notifications, messaging, and labor cost tracking for teams.
Delivers mobile scheduling, communication, checklists, and training in one employee management app.
Cloud-based solution for creating rosters, tracking time, managing PTO, and generating reports.
Optimizes restaurant staff scheduling with labor forecasting, tip pooling, and communication features.
Simplifies shift scheduling, messaging, time tracking, and availability collection for SMBs.
Integrates scheduling, time tracking, HR, and payroll for streamlined workforce management.
Manages employee rosters, absences, sales forecasting, and compliance across multiple locations.
When I Work
specializedStreamlines employee shift scheduling, swap requests, availability management, and time tracking for teams of any size.
OpenShifts, which lets employees claim open shifts in real-time, reducing manager workload for last-minute coverage.
When I Work is a comprehensive employee scheduling platform designed to streamline roster creation and management for businesses with hourly workers. It offers drag-and-drop scheduling, auto-fill capabilities based on availability, and features like shift trading via OpenShifts, allowing employees to pick up available shifts. The software also integrates time tracking, attendance alerts, and mobile apps for seamless communication and real-time updates.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with auto-scheduling tools
- Robust mobile app for employees to manage shifts and availability
- OpenShifts feature enables easy shift trading and coverage
Cons
- Advanced reporting and integrations locked behind premium plans
- Free plan limits team size and some automation features
- Occasional mobile notifications delays reported by users
Best For
Hourly workforce businesses like retail, restaurants, and healthcare needing flexible, mobile-first roster management.
Pricing
Free for up to 75 users with basic features; Premium plans start at $2/user/month, with Advanced at $3.50/user/month.
Deputy
specializedProvides workforce scheduling, time & attendance, task management, and compliance tools for hourly workers.
AI-powered Auto Schedule that optimizes rosters based on demand forecasts, skills, and budgets
Deputy is a comprehensive workforce management platform focused on roster making, enabling managers to create, edit, and publish schedules with drag-and-drop tools across multiple locations. It supports shift assignments based on employee availability, skills, and labor costs, while integrating time tracking, notifications, and compliance features. The mobile-first design empowers employees to view rosters, request swaps, and clock in/out seamlessly.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop roster builder with auto-scheduling
- Strong mobile app for employee self-service and real-time updates
- Labor costing and compliance forecasting tools
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams
- Advanced customization requires higher tiers
- Reporting dashboards can feel cluttered
Best For
Medium to large shift-based businesses in retail, hospitality, or healthcare needing mobile-friendly scheduling and cost controls.
Pricing
Starts at $3.50 per active user/month (Essential plan, billed annually); scales to Advanced ($5+) and Enterprise (custom) with more features.
Homebase
specializedOffers free employee scheduling, time clock, hiring, and performance tools for small businesses.
OpenShifts, which lets employees view and claim available shifts in real-time via mobile app, reducing manager workload
Homebase is an all-in-one workforce management platform tailored for small businesses, with powerful roster-making tools that enable drag-and-drop scheduling, employee availability tracking, and automated shift assignments. Managers can create weekly or bi-weekly rosters, handle shift trades via OpenShifts, and send notifications to ensure full coverage. It integrates scheduling with time tracking, team messaging, and hiring features for streamlined operations.
Pros
- Generous free plan for up to 20 employees at one location
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with mobile app support
- OpenShifts feature for easy employee shift claiming and trades
Cons
- Limited advanced forecasting and analytics compared to enterprise tools
- Per-location pricing can become costly for multi-site businesses
- Customization options for complex rotating schedules are basic
Best For
Small to medium-sized hourly businesses like restaurants, retail shops, and services needing simple, affordable roster management.
Pricing
Free for one location (up to 20 employees); Starter at $29.99/mo, Essentials at $59.99/mo, and Premium at $99.99/mo per location (billed annually).
Sling
specializedEnables easy shift creation, notifications, messaging, and labor cost tracking for teams.
Real-time labor cost forecasting integrated directly into the scheduling calendar
Sling is a workforce management platform focused on employee scheduling and roster creation, ideal for hourly teams in retail, restaurants, and services. It offers drag-and-drop scheduling, shift templates, availability management, and time tracking to streamline roster making. The tool also includes team communication, labor costing, and mobile access for on-the-go adjustments.
Pros
- Generous free plan for single locations with unlimited scheduling
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for quick roster creation
- Strong mobile app support for employees to view shifts and request swaps
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to enterprise tools
- Fewer third-party integrations (e.g., limited payroll options)
- Customer support primarily email-based on free tier
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses with hourly workers needing simple, cost-effective roster management without complex enterprise needs.
Pricing
Free for one location; Standard plan $2/user/month (billed annually); Premium $4/user/month with advanced features.
Connecteam
specializedDelivers mobile scheduling, communication, checklists, and training in one employee management app.
Employee self-service shift trading and availability-based auto-fill
Connecteam is an all-in-one mobile-first workforce management platform designed for frontline and non-desk teams, with robust scheduling tools for creating and managing rosters. Managers can use drag-and-drop calendars to build schedules, set shift templates, and handle employee availability or swap requests seamlessly. It integrates rostering with time tracking, communication, and task assignment for streamlined operations.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Strong mobile app for employee self-service like shift swaps
- Integrated notifications and availability management
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams
- Broader features may overwhelm users needing only rostering
- Limited advanced AI optimization for complex rostering
Best For
Managers of hourly, frontline, or field teams seeking integrated scheduling with communication and time tracking.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 users; paid plans start at $29/month (billed annually) for Operations tier up to 30 users, with per-user scaling.
ZoomShift
specializedCloud-based solution for creating rosters, tracking time, managing PTO, and generating reports.
Open shift board allowing employees to claim available shifts in real-time, reducing manual manager intervention.
ZoomShift is a cloud-based employee scheduling platform tailored for shift-based businesses, enabling easy roster creation through a drag-and-drop interface and automated scheduling tools. It supports shift trading, time-off requests, and employee self-scheduling via a mobile app, while integrating time tracking and basic labor cost forecasting. Ideal for managing hourly workforces, it emphasizes simplicity and communication to streamline operations.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop roster builder with real-time availability checks
- Strong mobile app for employee shift swaps and notifications
- Affordable pricing with a free tier for small teams
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and forecasting compared to enterprise tools
- Basic reporting lacks depth for complex multi-location needs
- Integrations are functional but not as extensive as top competitors
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses in retail, hospitality, or healthcare that need straightforward, cost-effective roster management for hourly shifts.
Pricing
Free for single location (1 user); Pro at $1.89/active user/month; Elite at $3.27/active user/month (billed annually).
7shifts
specializedOptimizes restaurant staff scheduling with labor forecasting, tip pooling, and communication features.
AI-powered labor forecasting that predicts staffing needs based on historical sales and POS integrations
7shifts is a restaurant-focused workforce management platform that excels in employee scheduling and roster creation, allowing managers to build shifts via drag-and-drop interfaces with real-time availability checks. It optimizes labor through sales forecasting, overtime alerts, and shift trading features tailored for hourly hospitality workers. The software also includes time tracking, team messaging, and POS integrations to enhance operational efficiency.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with auto-fill based on availability
- Strong labor forecasting tied to POS sales data
- Mobile app for shift swaps and clock-ins
Cons
- Pricing scales per location, costly for small single-site operations
- Advanced analytics locked behind higher tiers
- Primarily optimized for restaurants, less flexible for other industries
Best For
Multi-location restaurants seeking sales-driven scheduling and labor cost optimization.
Pricing
Starts at $29.99/location/month (Essentials) up to $109.99+ (Enterprise), billed annually; free trial available.
Agendrix
specializedSimplifies shift scheduling, messaging, time tracking, and availability collection for SMBs.
Availability-based auto-scheduling that matches shifts to employee preferences and constraints automatically
Agendrix is an employee scheduling platform tailored for shift-based businesses, enabling managers to create, manage, and share rosters efficiently through a drag-and-drop interface. It supports features like availability collection, shift trading, time-off requests, and mobile notifications to streamline workforce coordination. The software also integrates time tracking and basic communication tools to reduce administrative overhead.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with visual roster views
- Robust mobile app for employees to view shifts, trade, and request time off
- Affordable per-active-user pricing with no contracts or minimums
Cons
- Limited advanced forecasting and demand-based scheduling tools
- Fewer third-party integrations than top competitors
- Reporting capabilities are basic for larger enterprises
Best For
Small to medium-sized shift-based businesses in hospitality, retail, or healthcare seeking simple, mobile-friendly roster management.
Pricing
Starts at $2/active user/month (Essential), $3.65/active user/month (Pro), with custom Enterprise pricing; billed annually.
Workforce.com
enterpriseIntegrates scheduling, time tracking, HR, and payroll for streamlined workforce management.
AI-powered Smart Scheduling that automatically generates optimal rosters balancing labor costs, skills, and employee preferences
Workforce.com is a comprehensive workforce management platform specializing in roster making, shift scheduling, and employee management. It offers drag-and-drop rostering tools, AI-powered auto-scheduling based on demand forecasts and availability, and real-time notifications for seamless shift management. Integrated with time tracking, payroll, and compliance features, it streamlines operations for industries with variable staffing needs.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- AI auto-rostering optimizes costs and preferences
- Strong mobile app for employee self-service
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with add-ons and users
- Advanced features have a learning curve
- Limited free trial or basic plan options
Best For
Medium to large businesses in retail, hospitality, or healthcare requiring automated, compliance-focused rostering.
Pricing
Starts at ~$3.50 per active user/month for basic scheduling, with Pro and Enterprise tiers up to $10+/user/month including AI and integrations.
Planday
enterpriseManages employee rosters, absences, sales forecasting, and compliance across multiple locations.
AI-driven forecasting and auto-scheduling that optimizes rosters based on predicted sales and labor needs
Planday is a cloud-based workforce management platform focused on employee scheduling and rostering for shift-based industries like hospitality, retail, and events. It offers drag-and-drop tools to create optimized rotas based on availability, skills, labor costs, and demand forecasts. Additional features include mobile time tracking, staff communication, and integrations with payroll and POS systems for streamlined operations.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Robust mobile app for employees to view shifts and clock in/out
- Real-time notifications and forecasting tools for demand-based rostering
Cons
- Pricing is quote-based and can be expensive for small teams
- Some advanced analytics locked behind higher tiers
- Initial setup and integrations may require time and support
Best For
Medium-sized businesses in hospitality and retail with hourly shift workers needing mobile-first rostering.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $3-5 per active user/month with Essentials, Professional, and Enterprise tiers.
Conclusion
Evaluating the top 10 roster making software reveals When I Work as the top choice, excelling in streamlining shifts, swaps, and time tracking for teams of any size. Deputy and Homebase follow, offering tailored solutions—Deputy for hourly workforce management and Homebase for free, all-in-one tools for small businesses—proving there’s a strong option for every need. This roundup underscores the versatility of these platforms, each designed to simplify the complexity of team scheduling efficiently.
Don’t miss out on optimizing your team operations—try When I Work first to experience seamless shift management, real-time communication, and effortless time tracking.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison