Quick Overview
- 1#1: Deputy - Comprehensive workforce management software for employee scheduling, time tracking, and communication across industries.
- 2#2: When I Work - User-friendly employee scheduling and time tracking tool designed for shift-based businesses.
- 3#3: Homebase - Free scheduling, time tracking, and hiring platform tailored for small hourly teams.
- 4#4: Connecteam - All-in-one mobile app for employee scheduling, communication, and operations management.
- 5#5: 7shifts - Restaurant-specific scheduling software with labor forecasting and team management features.
- 6#6: Sling - Free employee scheduling app for retail, restaurants, and hospitality with labor cost controls.
- 7#7: Workforce.com - Integrated workforce management platform for scheduling, time tracking, and compliance.
- 8#8: Agendrix - Simple employee scheduling software with availability-based shift assignments.
- 9#9: ZoomShift - Cloud-based scheduling and time clock software for hourly workers with GPS tracking.
- 10#10: Fourth - Enterprise restaurant management suite including advanced scheduling and labor optimization.
Tools were ranked based on key factors including feature breadth (scheduling, time tracking, communication, and industry-specific capabilities), user-friendliness, reliability, and value, ensuring a comprehensive overview of the most impactful options.
Comparison Table
Rostering and scheduling software is vital for efficient team management, bridging communication and shift planning for diverse businesses. This comparison table examines leading tools like Deputy, When I Work, Homebase, Connecteam, 7shifts, and more, breaking down features, usability, and integration to help readers identify the best fit for their needs. From small operations to larger teams, discover how each solution balances flexibility and simplicity to streamline daily workflows.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deputy Comprehensive workforce management software for employee scheduling, time tracking, and communication across industries. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | When I Work User-friendly employee scheduling and time tracking tool designed for shift-based businesses. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | Homebase Free scheduling, time tracking, and hiring platform tailored for small hourly teams. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 4 | Connecteam All-in-one mobile app for employee scheduling, communication, and operations management. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | 7shifts Restaurant-specific scheduling software with labor forecasting and team management features. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 6 | Sling Free employee scheduling app for retail, restaurants, and hospitality with labor cost controls. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 7 | Workforce.com Integrated workforce management platform for scheduling, time tracking, and compliance. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | Agendrix Simple employee scheduling software with availability-based shift assignments. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 9 | ZoomShift Cloud-based scheduling and time clock software for hourly workers with GPS tracking. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 10 | Fourth Enterprise restaurant management suite including advanced scheduling and labor optimization. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 | 7.2/10 |
Comprehensive workforce management software for employee scheduling, time tracking, and communication across industries.
User-friendly employee scheduling and time tracking tool designed for shift-based businesses.
Free scheduling, time tracking, and hiring platform tailored for small hourly teams.
All-in-one mobile app for employee scheduling, communication, and operations management.
Restaurant-specific scheduling software with labor forecasting and team management features.
Free employee scheduling app for retail, restaurants, and hospitality with labor cost controls.
Integrated workforce management platform for scheduling, time tracking, and compliance.
Simple employee scheduling software with availability-based shift assignments.
Cloud-based scheduling and time clock software for hourly workers with GPS tracking.
Enterprise restaurant management suite including advanced scheduling and labor optimization.
Deputy
enterpriseComprehensive workforce management software for employee scheduling, time tracking, and communication across industries.
AI Schedule Optimizer with built-in fatigue management and global labor compliance automation
Deputy is a leading workforce management platform specializing in rostering and scheduling for shift-based industries like retail, hospitality, healthcare, and field services. It offers intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling, AI-powered auto-scheduling, and real-time shift adjustments via a mobile-first app accessible to both managers and employees. Beyond core scheduling, it integrates time tracking, task assignment, fatigue management, and compliance tools to optimize labor costs and ensure regulatory adherence.
Pros
- Powerful AI-driven auto-scheduling and labor forecasting reduce manual effort and overtime costs
- Robust mobile app enables employee self-service for shifts, swaps, and availability
- Comprehensive compliance features including fatigue detection and labor law adherence across 80+ countries
Cons
- Pricing based on active users can add up for seasonal or high-turnover businesses
- Advanced features may require initial setup time and training for non-tech-savvy users
- Customer support response times can vary, especially on lower-tier plans
Best For
Medium to large shift-based businesses in hospitality, retail, or healthcare needing scalable scheduling with compliance and forecasting.
Pricing
Starts at $3.50/active user/month (Essentials), $5.25 (Plus), custom Enterprise pricing; 14-day free trial available.
When I Work
specializedUser-friendly employee scheduling and time tracking tool designed for shift-based businesses.
AI-powered Schedule Optimizer that automatically generates optimized rosters based on employee availability, skills, and labor costs.
When I Work is a mobile-first employee scheduling platform designed for businesses to create, manage, and communicate shifts efficiently. It enables managers to build rosters, handle shift trades and open shifts, track time and attendance, and integrate with payroll systems. The software emphasizes employee self-service through its intuitive app, reducing administrative burden while improving team coordination.
Pros
- Highly intuitive mobile app for both managers and employees
- Seamless shift trading and open shift claiming features
- Strong communication tools with push notifications and messaging
Cons
- Advanced reporting and analytics locked behind higher plans
- Limited customization for complex enterprise needs
- Customer support can be slow for non-premium users
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses in retail, hospitality, and healthcare managing hourly shift workers who prioritize mobile accessibility and employee self-scheduling.
Pricing
Essential plan at $2/user/month, Pro at $4/user/month, Elite at $6/user/month (billed annually); free for up to 75 users at one location with limited features.
Homebase
specializedFree scheduling, time tracking, and hiring platform tailored for small hourly teams.
OpenShifts, allowing employees to claim and trade shifts in real-time without manager intervention
Homebase is a comprehensive workforce management platform tailored for hourly businesses, offering intuitive shift scheduling, time tracking, and team communication tools. It enables managers to build drag-and-drop schedules, automate shift reminders, and handle employee availability with features like OpenShifts for self-scheduling. Beyond rostering, it integrates time clocks with geofencing, messaging, and hiring to streamline operations for small to mid-sized teams.
Pros
- Generous free plan for one location and up to 20 employees
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with mobile app support
- Integrated time tracking and OpenShifts for employee self-management
Cons
- Advanced reporting and multi-location features require premium plans
- Limited customization for highly complex shift patterns
- Customer support can be slow for free users
Best For
Small to medium-sized hourly businesses in retail, restaurants, or hospitality needing affordable, user-friendly scheduling without enterprise complexity.
Pricing
Free for 1 location (up to 20 employees); Essentials starts at $29.99/location/month; Premium at $49.99/location/month (billed annually).
Connecteam
enterpriseAll-in-one mobile app for employee scheduling, communication, and operations management.
Smart shift trade marketplace allowing employees to swap shifts directly in the app with manager approval
Connecteam is a mobile-first all-in-one employee management platform with robust rostering and scheduling tools designed for frontline and deskless teams. It features drag-and-drop schedule creation, shift templates, availability tracking, and automated notifications to streamline workforce planning. Integrated with time tracking, GPS check-ins, and communication channels, it reduces no-shows and overtime issues while boosting operational efficiency.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with real-time availability and conflict detection
- Employee self-service via mobile app for shift swaps, requests, and notifications
- Seamless integration with time tracking and task management for holistic operations
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams, potentially less cost-effective than pure scheduling tools
- Limited advanced AI forecasting or optimization compared to specialized competitors
- Feature overload for users needing only basic rostering without extras
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses with shift-based frontline workers seeking an all-in-one mobile solution for scheduling and communication.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 users; paid plans start at $29/month (Basic for ≤30 users), $49/month (Advanced), $99/month (Expert), with per-user scaling for larger teams.
7shifts
specializedRestaurant-specific scheduling software with labor forecasting and team management features.
Shift Marketplace for effortless employee shift trading and auto-approval based on manager rules
7shifts is a comprehensive workforce management platform designed specifically for the restaurant industry, offering tools for employee scheduling, time tracking, labor forecasting, and team communication. It enables managers to create drag-and-drop schedules, handle shift trades via a marketplace, and integrate with popular POS systems for real-time sales data. The software also includes features like automated notifications, payroll exports, and performance reports to optimize operations and reduce labor costs.
Pros
- Tailored scheduling with labor forecasting based on sales data
- Seamless mobile app for employees to clock in and manage shifts
- Strong integrations with POS and payroll systems like Toast and QuickBooks
Cons
- Primarily focused on restaurants, limiting versatility for other industries
- Pricing scales quickly with multiple locations and employees
- Occasional reports of mobile app glitches during peak hours
Best For
Restaurant owners and managers of single or multi-location operations seeking industry-specific scheduling and labor optimization tools.
Pricing
Starts at $29.99 per location/month (Essentials), $49.99 (Pro), and custom Enterprise plans; free trial available.
Sling
specializedFree employee scheduling app for retail, restaurants, and hospitality with labor cost controls.
Automated labor cost forecasting that projects expenses based on schedules and historical data
Sling is a user-friendly employee scheduling and rostering software tailored for small to medium-sized businesses, enabling drag-and-drop shift creation, availability tracking, and automated notifications. It integrates time tracking, labor costing, and team messaging to optimize workforce management and reduce scheduling conflicts. Ideal for shift-based industries like retail and hospitality, it offers a robust free plan with premium upgrades for advanced needs.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited users and schedules
- Intuitive mobile app for employees to claim shifts and clock in/out
- Real-time notifications and labor cost tracking to control expenses
Cons
- Limited integrations with payroll/HR systems compared to enterprise tools
- Advanced reporting and customization locked behind paid plans
- Can feel basic for very large teams with complex compliance needs
Best For
Small to medium businesses in shift-heavy industries like restaurants, retail, and healthcare seeking an affordable, easy-to-deploy scheduling solution.
Pricing
Free forever plan for core features; Standard ($2/user/month) and Premium ($4/user/month) plans billed annually.
Workforce.com
enterpriseIntegrated workforce management platform for scheduling, time tracking, and compliance.
Automated award compliance engine that interprets labor laws and calculates payslips directly from schedules
Workforce.com is a comprehensive cloud-based workforce management platform designed for rostering, scheduling, time tracking, and compliance, primarily targeting shift-based industries like hospitality, retail, and healthcare. It offers drag-and-drop scheduling, auto-rostering with labor forecasting, shift swapping, and real-time notifications via a mobile app. The software excels in award interpretation and compliance, especially for Australian and New Zealand businesses, while integrating with payroll and POS systems for seamless operations.
Pros
- Powerful auto-scheduling and optimization tools with labor cost forecasting
- Robust mobile app for employee self-service and real-time updates
- Strong compliance features including automated award/pay calculations
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for small teams with per-active-user model
- Initial setup and configuration can be complex for non-HR users
- Limited integrations outside core payroll/POS systems
Best For
Medium to large shift-based businesses in hospitality, retail, or healthcare needing advanced rostering compliance and forecasting.
Pricing
Starts at ~$4 per active user/month for core scheduling, with tiered plans up to $6+ for full features; custom enterprise pricing available.
Agendrix
specializedSimple employee scheduling software with availability-based shift assignments.
Employee shift trading and self-scheduling based on availability preferences
Agendrix is a user-friendly cloud-based scheduling software tailored for employee rostering and shift management, enabling managers to create, publish, and adjust schedules with drag-and-drop simplicity. It offers mobile access for employees to view shifts, swap them, request time off, and clock in/out, while including built-in messaging and time tracking. The platform supports multiple locations and integrates with payroll systems for streamlined workforce operations.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Robust mobile app for employees with shift swapping
- Affordable pricing with strong value for small teams
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting
- Fewer third-party integrations compared to leaders
- Customization options can feel basic for complex needs
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses in retail, hospitality, or services needing simple, mobile-first scheduling without a steep learning curve.
Pricing
Starts at $2.95 per user/month (billed annually) for the Premium plan; free trial available, with higher tiers up to $4.95/user/month.
ZoomShift
specializedCloud-based scheduling and time clock software for hourly workers with GPS tracking.
Open Shifts and employee shift trading, allowing staff to bid on and claim available shifts autonomously
ZoomShift is a cloud-based employee scheduling platform tailored for hourly workforce management in industries like retail, restaurants, and hospitality. It enables drag-and-drop shift creation, employee self-scheduling via shift trades and open shifts, time tracking with geofencing, and labor cost forecasting. The software also supports team messaging, PTO requests, and basic reporting to streamline operations for small to mid-sized teams.
Pros
- Affordable per-user pricing model ideal for small businesses
- Intuitive mobile app for employee shift swaps and clock-ins
- Real-time notifications and labor costing tools
Cons
- Limited third-party integrations compared to enterprise solutions
- Reporting lacks advanced analytics and customization
- Customer support primarily email-based with slower response times
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses with hourly workers in shift-based industries seeking simple, budget-friendly rostering without complex needs.
Pricing
Free plan for up to 75 shifts/month; paid plans start at $29 base + $1/active user/month (Basic), up to $89 + $3/user/month (Elite), billed monthly.
Fourth
enterpriseEnterprise restaurant management suite including advanced scheduling and labor optimization.
Sales-linked AI forecasting that automatically generates optimal rosters to match demand and minimize overstaffing
Fourth is a workforce management platform tailored for the hospitality and retail sectors, specializing in intelligent rostering and scheduling. It uses AI-driven forecasting based on sales data from integrated POS systems to optimize labor costs and staffing levels. The software also includes time tracking, compliance tools, and employee self-service portals for shift swaps and availability management.
Pros
- AI-powered demand forecasting integrates seamlessly with POS for accurate scheduling
- Strong compliance features for labor laws and wage regulations
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics for cost control
Cons
- Complex interface with a steep learning curve for new users
- Custom pricing can be expensive for small businesses
- Limited flexibility for non-hospitality industries
Best For
Mid-to-large hospitality chains requiring sales-driven scheduling and labor optimization.
Pricing
Quote-based enterprise pricing, typically starting at $5,000+ per month depending on locations and users.
Conclusion
The top 10 rostering and scheduling tools showcase diverse strengths, with Deputy emerging as the clear leader, offering a comprehensive solution for workforce management across industries. When I Work and Homebase follow closely, each excelling in unique areas—user-friendliness for shift-based businesses and accessibility for small hourly teams—solidifying their status as strong, tailored alternatives.
Ready to transform your scheduling workflow? Begin with Deputy, the top-ranked tool, to experience its seamless integration of scheduling, time tracking, and communication, designed to boost team efficiency and operational success.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison