Quick Overview
- 1#1: When I Work - Streamlines employee scheduling, shift swaps, time-off requests, and team communication for modern workforces.
- 2#2: Deputy - Provides flexible workforce scheduling, time tracking, and labor cost optimization for businesses.
- 3#3: Homebase - Offers free employee scheduling, time clocks, and hiring tools for hourly teams.
- 4#4: Connecteam - All-in-one mobile app for employee scheduling, communication, and operations management.
- 5#5: Sling - Simplifies team scheduling with shift templates, reminders, and availability tracking.
- 6#6: 7shifts - Restaurant-specific scheduling, labor forecasting, and tip management platform.
- 7#7: ZoomShift - Cloud-based tool for employee scheduling, time tracking, and GPS attendance.
- 8#8: Agendrix - Employee scheduling software with messaging, timesheets, and mobile notifications.
- 9#9: findmyshift - Online rostering system for creating schedules, tracking time, and managing shifts.
- 10#10: Workforce.com - AI-driven platform for scheduling, compliance, and workforce forecasting.
We ranked these tools based on feature depth, usability, reliability, and value, ensuring a curated guide that balances functionality with accessibility for businesses of all sizes.
Comparison Table
Navigating roster software can be challenging, but comparing leading tools helps simplify the process. This table breaks down When I Work, Deputy, Homebase, Connecteam, Sling, and more, highlighting their core features, strengths, and key differences. By exploring these options, readers can identify the tool that best aligns with their scheduling, team management, and operational needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | When I Work Streamlines employee scheduling, shift swaps, time-off requests, and team communication for modern workforces. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Deputy Provides flexible workforce scheduling, time tracking, and labor cost optimization for businesses. | specialized | 9.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 3 | Homebase Offers free employee scheduling, time clocks, and hiring tools for hourly teams. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 4 | Connecteam All-in-one mobile app for employee scheduling, communication, and operations management. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 | Sling Simplifies team scheduling with shift templates, reminders, and availability tracking. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 6 | 7shifts Restaurant-specific scheduling, labor forecasting, and tip management platform. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | ZoomShift Cloud-based tool for employee scheduling, time tracking, and GPS attendance. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 8 | Agendrix Employee scheduling software with messaging, timesheets, and mobile notifications. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | findmyshift Online rostering system for creating schedules, tracking time, and managing shifts. | specialized | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 10 | Workforce.com AI-driven platform for scheduling, compliance, and workforce forecasting. | enterprise | 7.9/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 |
Streamlines employee scheduling, shift swaps, time-off requests, and team communication for modern workforces.
Provides flexible workforce scheduling, time tracking, and labor cost optimization for businesses.
Offers free employee scheduling, time clocks, and hiring tools for hourly teams.
All-in-one mobile app for employee scheduling, communication, and operations management.
Simplifies team scheduling with shift templates, reminders, and availability tracking.
Restaurant-specific scheduling, labor forecasting, and tip management platform.
Cloud-based tool for employee scheduling, time tracking, and GPS attendance.
Employee scheduling software with messaging, timesheets, and mobile notifications.
Online rostering system for creating schedules, tracking time, and managing shifts.
AI-driven platform for scheduling, compliance, and workforce forecasting.
When I Work
specializedStreamlines employee scheduling, shift swaps, time-off requests, and team communication for modern workforces.
OpenShifts marketplace allowing employees to claim, trade, or drop shifts in real-time without manager intervention
When I Work is a leading employee scheduling and roster software that simplifies shift planning, communication, and time tracking for businesses with hourly workers. Managers can create drag-and-drop schedules, set availability rules, and use AI-powered auto-scheduling, while employees access shifts, swap them, and clock in/out via a mobile app. It supports team messaging, labor forecasting, and integrations with payroll systems to optimize workforce management.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling and mobile-first design for quick roster creation
- Robust employee self-service features like shift trading and availability bidding
- Real-time notifications, time tracking with geofencing, and labor cost forecasting
Cons
- Advanced reporting and custom integrations limited to higher-tier plans
- Customer support can be slow for non-enterprise users
- Pricing scales with active users, which may increase costs for large teams
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses in retail, hospitality, and healthcare needing efficient, mobile-friendly roster management for shift-based teams.
Pricing
Free for up to 75 schedules/month; Essential plan at $2/active user/month, Elite at $3.50/active user/month (billed annually).
Deputy
specializedProvides flexible workforce scheduling, time tracking, and labor cost optimization for businesses.
AI-powered Demand Forecasting that predicts staffing needs based on sales data and historical trends
Deputy is a cloud-based workforce management platform specializing in roster scheduling for shift-based industries like retail, hospitality, and healthcare. It enables managers to create drag-and-drop rosters, automate shift assignments based on demand forecasting, and track time attendance via a mobile app. Additional features include employee communication tools, compliance alerts for labor laws, and integrations with payroll and POS systems for streamlined operations.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with AI demand forecasting
- Robust mobile app for employee self-service including shift swaps
- Strong compliance tools and real-time notifications
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers needed for advanced features
- Steeper learning curve for complex multi-location setups
- Limited free trial and customization in basic plans
Best For
Medium to large shift-based businesses in retail, hospitality, or healthcare seeking automated rostering and employee engagement.
Pricing
Starts at $3.50 per active user/month (Schedule plan, billed annually); higher tiers like Advanced ($5+) and Enterprise (custom).
Homebase
specializedOffers free employee scheduling, time clocks, and hiring tools for hourly teams.
OpenShifts, allowing employees to claim available shifts in real-time for flexible self-scheduling.
Homebase is an all-in-one workforce management platform tailored for small to medium-sized businesses, focusing on employee scheduling, time tracking, and team communication. It enables managers to build rosters with drag-and-drop tools, handle shift trades and availability requests, and integrate with payroll systems. The software also includes hiring, onboarding, and performance management features to support growing teams.
Pros
- Generous free plan for basic scheduling with unlimited employees
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling and mobile-first design
- Seamless shift trading and availability management
Cons
- Advanced reporting and analytics limited to higher tiers
- Customer support primarily email-based for free users
- Payroll integrations may require additional setup fees
Best For
Small retail, hospitality, and service businesses seeking affordable, user-friendly roster management without complex enterprise needs.
Pricing
Free for basic scheduling (one location); Essentials $29.99/mo/location, Premium $59.99/mo/location (billed annually).
Connecteam
specializedAll-in-one mobile app for employee scheduling, communication, and operations management.
Employee-driven shift marketplace for easy swapping and bidding on open shifts
Connecteam is a mobile-first all-in-one employee management platform tailored for deskless and frontline teams, with robust rostering capabilities including drag-and-drop scheduling, shift templates, and availability-based auto-scheduling. It integrates rostering with time tracking, GPS check-ins, task assignments, and team communication to streamline workforce operations. While versatile, its rostering shines in managing shift-based workforces with features like overtime alerts and compliance tracking.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduler with auto-fill and template support
- Mobile app empowers employees for self-service shift swaps and availability updates
- Seamless integration of rostering with time clock and communication tools
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams, potentially costly
- Some advanced rostering features locked behind higher-tier plans
- Overkill for businesses needing only basic scheduling without extras
Best For
Medium-sized businesses with deskless or shift-based teams seeking an integrated mobile rostering and management solution.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 users; paid plans start at $29/month (billed annually) for the first 30 users on Essentials, then ~$0.50 per additional user, with Advanced ($49) and Expert ($99) tiers.
Sling
specializedSimplifies team scheduling with shift templates, reminders, and availability tracking.
Unlimited free scheduling with shift trading and employee self-service availability updates
Sling is a user-friendly employee scheduling and roster management software tailored for businesses with hourly workers, enabling quick creation of shift schedules, availability tracking, and shift trades. It includes built-in communication tools, time clock functionality, and labor cost insights to optimize workforce management. The platform supports mobile access for employees and integrates with payroll and POS systems for seamless operations.
Pros
- Generous free plan for unlimited users
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Robust mobile app for employees and managers
Cons
- Advanced reporting limited to premium plans
- Customization options could be more flexible
- Integrations occasionally experience sync delays
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses in retail, restaurants, or healthcare needing affordable, simple roster management for hourly teams.
Pricing
Free basic plan; Standard at $2/active user/month, Premium at $4/active user/month (billed annually).
7shifts
specializedRestaurant-specific scheduling, labor forecasting, and tip management platform.
AI-driven auto-scheduling that optimizes shifts based on historical sales forecasts to minimize labor costs.
7shifts is a restaurant-focused workforce management platform specializing in employee scheduling, labor forecasting, and team communication. It enables managers to build rosters with drag-and-drop tools, auto-scheduling based on sales data, and shift trading features via a mobile app. The software also integrates with POS systems and payroll providers to streamline operations and control labor costs effectively.
Pros
- Robust scheduling with auto-fill and sales forecasting
- Strong mobile app for employee self-service and communication
- Deep integrations with 100+ POS and payroll systems
Cons
- Primarily tailored to restaurants, less flexible for other industries
- Pricing scales quickly for multi-location businesses
- Initial setup and customization can have a learning curve
Best For
Restaurant managers and multi-location operators needing advanced roster scheduling tied to labor cost optimization.
Pricing
Free for single-location (up to 50 team members); Pro at $29.99/location/month; Elite at $49.99+/location/month (billed annually).
ZoomShift
specializedCloud-based tool for employee scheduling, time tracking, and GPS attendance.
OpenShifts board that allows employees to claim available shifts in real-time
ZoomShift is a cloud-based workforce management platform focused on employee scheduling, time tracking, and communication for hourly workforces. It enables managers to create drag-and-drop schedules, handle shift trades, and monitor attendance via a mobile app with geofencing. The software integrates with payroll providers and offers labor cost insights, making it suitable for industries like retail and hospitality.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Affordable per-user pricing with no contracts
- Robust mobile app for employees and managers
Cons
- Limited advanced forecasting and analytics
- Fewer integrations compared to top competitors
- Reporting customization could be more flexible
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses in retail, restaurants, or field services needing straightforward shift rostering and time tracking.
Pricing
Starts at $2/active user/month (Starter), $3.25 (Pro), $4.25 (Elite), billed annually with a 14-day free trial.
Agendrix
specializedEmployee scheduling software with messaging, timesheets, and mobile notifications.
Automatic scheduling engine that matches shifts to employee availability, skills, and preferences in real-time
Agendrix is an employee scheduling and workforce management platform tailored for shift-based industries like healthcare, hospitality, and retail. It enables drag-and-drop roster creation, automatic shift filling based on availability and skills, time tracking, and team communication through a unified interface. The software also includes mobile apps for employees to view schedules, clock in/out, and request swaps, streamlining daily operations for managers.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with real-time updates
- Robust mobile app for employee self-service
- Responsive customer support with quick onboarding
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting options
- Integrations are basic compared to enterprise competitors
- Per-user pricing scales up for larger teams
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses in shift-heavy sectors seeking simple, mobile-friendly rostering without complex enterprise features.
Pricing
Starts at $2/user/month (Basic, annual billing), $3/user/month (Pro), with Enterprise custom pricing.
findmyshift
specializedOnline rostering system for creating schedules, tracking time, and managing shifts.
Employee self-service portal for viewing rosters, bidding on shifts, and requesting swaps without manager intervention
FindMyShift is a cloud-based roster software that enables businesses to create, manage, and communicate employee schedules efficiently through a drag-and-drop interface. It includes features like automated notifications, employee self-service portals for shift swaps and availability updates, time clock integration, and basic reporting. Primarily targeted at shift-based industries, it supports multi-location rostering and mobile access for both managers and staff.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling
- Strong employee self-service capabilities
- Affordable and scalable pricing
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting
- Fewer third-party integrations
- Basic customization options
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses in hospitality, retail, or healthcare seeking simple, cost-effective shift rostering.
Pricing
Free for up to 5 users; paid plans start at $18/month for 10 users, with pricing scaling per additional employee (e.g., $1.80/user/month).
Workforce.com
enterpriseAI-driven platform for scheduling, compliance, and workforce forecasting.
Intelligent Award Interpretation Engine for automatic compliance with complex labor agreements
Workforce.com is a comprehensive workforce management platform focused on rostering, scheduling, time tracking, and compliance for hourly workforces in industries like hospitality, retail, and healthcare. It features drag-and-drop scheduling, AI-powered auto-rostering with cost and skill optimization, and real-time notifications for shift changes. The software excels in handling complex labor laws and employment awards, particularly in regions like Australia and New Zealand.
Pros
- Robust compliance tools with award interpretation engine
- AI-driven auto-scheduling and fatigue management
- Strong mobile apps for employees and managers
Cons
- Pricing can be high for small teams
- Steep learning curve for setup and advanced features
- Reporting customization is somewhat limited
Best For
Medium to large businesses in regulated industries needing advanced compliance and automated rostering.
Pricing
Custom quote-based; starts around $4.50 per active user/month for basic plans, higher for enterprise features.
Conclusion
Navigating roster software reveals tools designed to address varied workplace needs, from streamlining shifts to enhancing team communication. At the peak, When I Work leads, excelling in simplifying scheduling, swaps, time-off requests, and interactions for modern workforces. Strong alternatives like Deputy and Homebase follow, with Deputy offering flexible scheduling and labor cost optimization, and Homebase providing free tools and hiring support, ensuring there’s a fit for most business needs.
Elevate your team management—try When I Work today to experience intuitive, effective roster tools that keep operations running seamlessly.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison