Quick Overview
- 1#1: Deputy - Deputy provides AI-powered employee scheduling, time tracking, and workforce management for businesses across industries.
- 2#2: When I Work - When I Work offers intuitive shift scheduling, availability management, and team communication for hourly workforces.
- 3#3: Homebase - Homebase delivers free employee scheduling, time clocks, and hiring tools for small to medium businesses.
- 4#4: Connecteam - Connecteam is an all-in-one app for employee scheduling, task management, and frontline team communication.
- 5#5: 7shifts - 7shifts specializes in restaurant scheduling, labor forecasting, and tip management for hospitality teams.
- 6#6: Sling - Sling provides free drag-and-drop scheduling, shift reminders, and labor cost tracking for teams.
- 7#7: ZoomShift - ZoomShift enables cloud-based employee scheduling, time tracking, and PTO management with mobile access.
- 8#8: Workforce.com - Workforce.com offers automated scheduling, timesheets, and compliance tools for global teams.
- 9#9: Agendrix - Agendrix simplifies employee scheduling, messaging, and time off requests for small businesses.
- 10#10: Findmyshift - Findmyshift provides online staff rostering, rotas, and timesheet software for efficient shift planning.
We selected and ranked these tools based on key factors, including comprehensive feature sets (such as automation, communication, and time management tools), user-friendly interface, reliability, and overall value, ensuring each entry delivers meaningful benefits across varied business needs.
Comparison Table
Effective roster scheduling is key to optimizing team workflows, and selecting the right software can transform operational efficiency. This comparison table explores top tools like Deputy, When I Work, Homebase, Connecteam, 7shifts, and more, detailing their features, usability, and unique strengths. Readers will discover which platform aligns best with their business size, industry, and specific scheduling priorities.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deputy Deputy provides AI-powered employee scheduling, time tracking, and workforce management for businesses across industries. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 2 | When I Work When I Work offers intuitive shift scheduling, availability management, and team communication for hourly workforces. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Homebase Homebase delivers free employee scheduling, time clocks, and hiring tools for small to medium businesses. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 4 | Connecteam Connecteam is an all-in-one app for employee scheduling, task management, and frontline team communication. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 5 | 7shifts 7shifts specializes in restaurant scheduling, labor forecasting, and tip management for hospitality teams. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 6 | Sling Sling provides free drag-and-drop scheduling, shift reminders, and labor cost tracking for teams. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 7 | ZoomShift ZoomShift enables cloud-based employee scheduling, time tracking, and PTO management with mobile access. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 8 | Workforce.com Workforce.com offers automated scheduling, timesheets, and compliance tools for global teams. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | Agendrix Agendrix simplifies employee scheduling, messaging, and time off requests for small businesses. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 10 | Findmyshift Findmyshift provides online staff rostering, rotas, and timesheet software for efficient shift planning. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 |
Deputy provides AI-powered employee scheduling, time tracking, and workforce management for businesses across industries.
When I Work offers intuitive shift scheduling, availability management, and team communication for hourly workforces.
Homebase delivers free employee scheduling, time clocks, and hiring tools for small to medium businesses.
Connecteam is an all-in-one app for employee scheduling, task management, and frontline team communication.
7shifts specializes in restaurant scheduling, labor forecasting, and tip management for hospitality teams.
Sling provides free drag-and-drop scheduling, shift reminders, and labor cost tracking for teams.
ZoomShift enables cloud-based employee scheduling, time tracking, and PTO management with mobile access.
Workforce.com offers automated scheduling, timesheets, and compliance tools for global teams.
Agendrix simplifies employee scheduling, messaging, and time off requests for small businesses.
Findmyshift provides online staff rostering, rotas, and timesheet software for efficient shift planning.
Deputy
enterpriseDeputy provides AI-powered employee scheduling, time tracking, and workforce management for businesses across industries.
AI-Powered Smart Scheduling that automatically builds optimal rosters based on sales forecasts, employee preferences, and labor laws
Deputy is a leading workforce management platform specializing in roster scheduling for shift-based businesses. It enables managers to create optimized schedules using drag-and-drop tools, AI-powered auto-scheduling, and demand forecasting to match staff availability with business needs. Additional features include mobile time tracking, real-time notifications, compliance tools, and integrated communication to streamline operations and reduce administrative time.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with AI automation
- Robust mobile app for employees to view rosters and clock in/out
- Advanced labor costing, forecasting, and compliance features
Cons
- Pricing scales with active users and can be costly for large teams
- Some integrations and reports limited to higher-tier plans
- Steep initial setup for complex rules and custom fields
Best For
Medium to large shift-based businesses in retail, hospitality, healthcare, and field services needing scalable, mobile-first roster management.
Pricing
Starts at $3.50/active user/month (Essentials); scales to Enterprise with custom pricing for advanced features like AI forecasting.
When I Work
enterpriseWhen I Work offers intuitive shift scheduling, availability management, and team communication for hourly workforces.
Employee-to-employee shift trades and swaps with manager approval
When I Work is a mobile-first employee scheduling platform tailored for shift-based industries like retail, hospitality, restaurants, and healthcare. It enables managers to build and publish schedules quickly, automate shift filling, and handle time-off requests seamlessly. Employees benefit from a user-friendly app for viewing schedules, swapping shifts, clocking in/out, and receiving instant notifications.
Pros
- Highly intuitive mobile app for employees to manage shifts independently
- Automated scheduling and shift trade features reduce manual work
- Robust notifications and communication tools keep teams aligned
Cons
- Advanced reporting and forecasting limited to higher tiers
- Customer support response times can vary
- Per-user pricing scales quickly for large teams
Best For
Shift-based businesses with hourly workers seeking mobile self-service scheduling and easy shift management.
Pricing
Free for up to 75 schedules/month; paid plans from $2/user/month (Standard) to $5+/user/month (Elite), billed annually.
Homebase
enterpriseHomebase delivers free employee scheduling, time clocks, and hiring tools for small to medium businesses.
OpenShifts, allowing employees to claim and fill open shifts automatically via mobile app notifications
Homebase is an all-in-one workforce management platform tailored for small businesses, offering intuitive employee scheduling, time tracking, and team communication tools. Managers can create drag-and-drop schedules, set availability preferences, enable shift trades, and use auto-scheduling to optimize labor costs. It also includes GPS time clocks, messaging, and basic hiring features to streamline hourly workforce operations.
Pros
- Generous free plan for single-location businesses with up to 20 employees
- Intuitive mobile-first interface with drag-and-drop scheduling
- Integrated time tracking, shift trades, and team messaging
Cons
- Advanced reporting and forecasting locked behind paid plans
- Limited integrations compared to enterprise competitors
- Customer support primarily email-based with slower response times
Best For
Small retail, restaurant, and hospitality businesses managing hourly shift workers with 1-50 employees.
Pricing
Free Essentials plan for 1 location; Premium $29.99/location/month (billed annually); Elite $59.99/location/month.
Connecteam
enterpriseConnecteam is an all-in-one app for employee scheduling, task management, and frontline team communication.
Smart Scheduling with AI-driven shift optimization and employee preference matching
Connecteam is an all-in-one employee management platform tailored for deskless and frontline teams, featuring robust roster scheduling tools like drag-and-drop shift creation, templates, and auto-scheduling. Managers can assign shifts based on employee availability, while the mobile app enables workers to view schedules, request swaps, set preferences, and clock in with GPS verification. Beyond scheduling, it integrates time tracking, communication chats, forms, and tasks, providing a comprehensive operations hub.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with templates and auto-fill capabilities
- Mobile-first employee self-service for shift swaps and availability
- Seamless integration of scheduling with time tracking and team communication
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams beyond basic needs
- Feature-rich interface can feel overwhelming for pure scheduling users
- Advanced automation and reporting locked behind higher plans
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses with deskless or mobile workforces needing scheduling combined with communication, tasks, and compliance tools.
Pricing
Free forever for up to 10 users; paid plans start at $29/month (up to 30 users), $49/month Advanced, $99/month Expert, with per-user pricing for larger teams and Enterprise custom.
7shifts
specialized7shifts specializes in restaurant scheduling, labor forecasting, and tip management for hospitality teams.
AI-driven labor forecasting that predicts staffing needs based on historical sales and traffic data
7shifts is a workforce management platform tailored for the restaurant industry, specializing in employee scheduling, time tracking, and labor cost optimization. It enables managers to build drag-and-drop schedules, forecast labor needs based on sales data, and communicate shifts via a mobile app. The software integrates with popular POS systems and offers insights into performance metrics to streamline restaurant operations.
Pros
- Robust scheduling tools with auto-scheduling and drag-and-drop interface
- Strong mobile app for employee self-service and communication
- Seamless POS integrations for accurate labor forecasting
Cons
- Limited customization for non-restaurant industries
- Pricing can add up for multi-location businesses
- Occasional glitches in mobile notifications reported by users
Best For
Restaurant managers and multi-location chains seeking industry-specific scheduling and labor management tools.
Pricing
Starts at $29.99 per location/month for Essential plan (billed annually); Pro at $109.99 and Premium at $269.99 with more features and users.
Sling
enterpriseSling provides free drag-and-drop scheduling, shift reminders, and labor cost tracking for teams.
Unlimited free scheduling for teams of any size with no user limits
Sling is a free employee scheduling platform tailored for shift-based businesses like restaurants, retail, and healthcare, enabling managers to create rosters, assign shifts, and handle trades via an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. It includes tools for time tracking, labor cost forecasting, and team communication through in-app messaging and notifications. The mobile app ensures accessibility for both managers and employees on the go.
Pros
- Completely free core scheduling for unlimited users and locations
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with mobile app support
- Built-in shift trading and availability self-management to reduce admin time
Cons
- Advanced reporting and integrations limited to paid premium plans
- Customer support primarily email-based with no phone option in free tier
- Lacks some enterprise-level features like advanced forecasting or payroll sync
Best For
Small to medium-sized shift-based businesses seeking a cost-free, straightforward roster scheduling solution without complex needs.
Pricing
Free forever plan for core features; Premium at $2/user/month (billed annually) for advanced tools like detailed reports and unlimited integrations.
ZoomShift
enterpriseZoomShift enables cloud-based employee scheduling, time tracking, and PTO management with mobile access.
Shift Marketplace for employee-driven shift trades and open shift pickups
ZoomShift is a cloud-based employee scheduling platform tailored for hourly workforce management in industries like retail, hospitality, and healthcare. It enables managers to create drag-and-drop schedules, automate shift assignments, and handle time-off requests seamlessly. Employees access shifts via a mobile app, trade shifts through a marketplace, and clock in/out with geofencing for accurate time tracking. The software also supports labor costing and payroll integrations for streamlined operations.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Strong mobile app with shift trading marketplace
- Affordable per-user pricing with solid core features
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics
- Occasional glitches in mobile time clock
- Customer support response times can vary
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses managing hourly shift workers in retail, restaurants, or field services.
Pricing
Starts at $1.25/active user/month (Basic), $2.25 (Plus), $3.25 (Premium); billed annually with a minimum of 10 users.
Workforce.com
enterpriseWorkforce.com offers automated scheduling, timesheets, and compliance tools for global teams.
Award Interpretation Engine that automatically enforces complex labor compliance rules like minimum shifts and breaks
Workforce.com is a comprehensive workforce management platform specializing in roster scheduling for hourly workforces, offering drag-and-drop scheduling, AI-powered forecasting, and shift optimization. It integrates time tracking, leave management, and compliance tools to streamline operations for industries like hospitality, retail, and healthcare. The platform supports employee self-service via mobile app for shift swaps, availability updates, and notifications.
Pros
- Advanced AI forecasting and auto-scheduling reduce manual effort
- Robust compliance automation for labor laws and awards
- Strong mobile app for employee engagement and self-roster management
Cons
- Steep learning curve for complex configurations
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams or add-ons
- Reporting customization is somewhat limited
Best For
Medium to large businesses with hourly workers in regulated industries needing integrated scheduling and compliance.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at ~$4-6 per active user/month; tiered plans (Essentials, Growth, Enterprise) with add-ons for advanced features.
Agendrix
enterpriseAgendrix simplifies employee scheduling, messaging, and time off requests for small businesses.
Employee self-scheduling and shift trading system that allows workers to swap shifts directly via the app with manager approval.
Agendrix is a cloud-based workforce management software specializing in employee scheduling for shift-based businesses like hospitality, retail, and healthcare. It enables managers to build rosters with drag-and-drop tools, manage shift trades and availability requests, and integrate time tracking and messaging for efficient operations. The platform's mobile app ensures accessibility for both managers and employees on the go.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Robust mobile app for employees and managers
- Affordable pricing with a generous free tier
Cons
- Limited third-party integrations
- Basic analytics and reporting capabilities
- Less suitable for very large enterprises
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses in shift-heavy industries like restaurants, retail, and healthcare seeking simple, mobile-friendly scheduling.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 employees; paid plans start at $2.95/user/month (billed annually) for Premium features.
Findmyshift
specializedFindmyshift provides online staff rostering, rotas, and timesheet software for efficient shift planning.
Integrated employee messaging and availability bidding system for seamless shift management and conflict resolution
Findmyshift is a cloud-based roster scheduling software tailored for shift-based industries like hospitality, healthcare, and retail. It enables managers to create drag-and-drop rosters, track employee availability and timesheets, and facilitate staff communication via messaging and notifications. The platform also offers payroll integration, overtime alerts, and mobile apps for both managers and employees.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Strong mobile app for employee self-service and shift swaps
- Affordable pricing with a free tier for small teams
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to competitors
- Customization options can feel restrictive for large enterprises
- Customer support response times vary by plan
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses in shift-heavy sectors seeking straightforward, cost-effective roster management without complex integrations.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 users; paid plans from $18/user/month (Basic) to $30/user/month (Advanced), billed annually.
Conclusion
After reviewing various tools, Deputy emerges as the top option, boasting AI-powered scheduling and robust workforce management. When I Work impresses with its intuitive design for hourly teams, while Homebase delivers strong value for small to medium businesses. Each of the top three offers unique strengths, ensuring there’s a reliable choice for diverse needs.
Don’t miss out on optimizing your scheduling—try Deputy today to unlock AI-driven efficiency, time tracking, and seamless team coordination.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison