Quick Overview
- 1#1: Homebase - Free employee scheduling, time tracking, and communication tool designed for small businesses and hourly teams.
- 2#2: When I Work - Mobile-first scheduling app with shift trades, availability management, and team messaging for modern workforces.
- 3#3: Deputy - Comprehensive workforce management platform offering advanced scheduling, time tracking, and labor costing features.
- 4#4: Connecteam - All-in-one employee app with drag-and-drop scheduling, GPS time clock, and task management for frontline workers.
- 5#5: 7shifts - Restaurant-focused scheduling software with labor forecasting, shift reminders, and tip pooling integration.
- 6#6: Sling - User-friendly team scheduling tool with shift templates, notifications, and availability-based auto-scheduling.
- 7#7: ZoomShift - Cloud-based scheduling and time tracking software with overtime alerts and payroll integration for small teams.
- 8#8: Workforce.com - Mobile scheduling platform with geofencing time clock and demand forecasting for hourly employees.
- 9#9: Findmyshift - Flexible online rostering tool supporting shift patterns, swaps, and multi-location scheduling.
- 10#10: Agendrix - Simple employee scheduling software with availability polls, SMS notifications, and absence management.
Tools were carefully evaluated based on feature breadth—including scheduling flexibility, time tracking, and communication capabilities—user-friendliness, and practical value, ensuring the list prioritizes reliability and adaptability for modern work environments.
Comparison Table
Effective employee scheduling is critical for operational efficiency, and selecting the right software can streamline workflows and support team success. This comparison table examines key tools like Homebase, When I Work, Deputy, Connecteam, 7shifts, and more, guiding readers to identify features, usability, and cost structures that align with their business needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Homebase Free employee scheduling, time tracking, and communication tool designed for small businesses and hourly teams. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 2 | When I Work Mobile-first scheduling app with shift trades, availability management, and team messaging for modern workforces. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 3 | Deputy Comprehensive workforce management platform offering advanced scheduling, time tracking, and labor costing features. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Connecteam All-in-one employee app with drag-and-drop scheduling, GPS time clock, and task management for frontline workers. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 5 | 7shifts Restaurant-focused scheduling software with labor forecasting, shift reminders, and tip pooling integration. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 6 | Sling User-friendly team scheduling tool with shift templates, notifications, and availability-based auto-scheduling. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 7 | ZoomShift Cloud-based scheduling and time tracking software with overtime alerts and payroll integration for small teams. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 8 | Workforce.com Mobile scheduling platform with geofencing time clock and demand forecasting for hourly employees. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | Findmyshift Flexible online rostering tool supporting shift patterns, swaps, and multi-location scheduling. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 10 | Agendrix Simple employee scheduling software with availability polls, SMS notifications, and absence management. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.5/10 |
Free employee scheduling, time tracking, and communication tool designed for small businesses and hourly teams.
Mobile-first scheduling app with shift trades, availability management, and team messaging for modern workforces.
Comprehensive workforce management platform offering advanced scheduling, time tracking, and labor costing features.
All-in-one employee app with drag-and-drop scheduling, GPS time clock, and task management for frontline workers.
Restaurant-focused scheduling software with labor forecasting, shift reminders, and tip pooling integration.
User-friendly team scheduling tool with shift templates, notifications, and availability-based auto-scheduling.
Cloud-based scheduling and time tracking software with overtime alerts and payroll integration for small teams.
Mobile scheduling platform with geofencing time clock and demand forecasting for hourly employees.
Flexible online rostering tool supporting shift patterns, swaps, and multi-location scheduling.
Simple employee scheduling software with availability polls, SMS notifications, and absence management.
Homebase
specializedFree employee scheduling, time tracking, and communication tool designed for small businesses and hourly teams.
Generous free plan with full scheduling, time tracking, and messaging for small teams, unmatched in the category
Homebase is a comprehensive workforce management platform tailored for small to medium-sized businesses, specializing in employee scheduling, time tracking, and team communication. It features drag-and-drop scheduling, shift trading via OpenShifts, GPS-enabled time clocks, and automated alerts to optimize labor costs. The software also integrates hiring, onboarding, and payroll tools, making it a one-stop solution for hourly workforce management.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with shift trading and availability management
- Robust free plan for up to 20 employees including core features like time tracking
- Excellent mobile app for employees to clock in/out, request shifts, and communicate
Cons
- Advanced reporting and forecasting limited to higher-tier plans
- Some integrations require paid upgrades
- Customer support response times can vary for free users
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses with hourly workers in retail, restaurants, or services needing an affordable, all-in-one scheduling and time management tool.
Pricing
Free for 1 location up to 20 employees; Essentials starts at $24.95/location/month (billed annually); higher tiers like Premium at $49.95+ for advanced features.
When I Work
specializedMobile-first scheduling app with shift trades, availability management, and team messaging for modern workforces.
Employee-driven shift marketplace for easy trading and claiming shifts without manager approval
When I Work is a cloud-based employee scheduling platform designed to streamline shift planning, time tracking, and team communication for hourly workforces. It allows managers to create schedules quickly, set employee availability, and enable self-service features like shift trades and swaps through a user-friendly mobile app. The software also includes time clock functionality, overtime alerts, and labor cost forecasting to help optimize operations.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Robust employee self-service with shift trading and claims
- Excellent mobile app for real-time notifications and clock-ins
Cons
- Advanced reporting and forecasting limited to higher tiers
- Integrations with payroll systems can be basic
- Customer support response times vary for free plan users
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses in retail, hospitality, and healthcare needing simple, mobile-first scheduling for hourly employees.
Pricing
Free for basic scheduling (up to 75 users); Pro at $2/user/month (billed annually); Elite and Enterprise plans custom-priced with advanced features.
Deputy
enterpriseComprehensive workforce management platform offering advanced scheduling, time tracking, and labor costing features.
Deputy Predict: AI-powered demand forecasting that auto-generates optimal schedules to control labor costs
Deputy is a robust workforce management platform specializing in employee scheduling for shift-based industries like retail, hospitality, and healthcare. It enables managers to build and publish schedules via an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, with features like shift swapping, time tracking, and labor costing to optimize operations. Employees access everything through a user-friendly mobile app, including clocking in/out, availability updates, and task management, while integrations with POS and payroll systems streamline workflows.
Pros
- Advanced forecasting and auto-scheduling based on sales data
- Seamless mobile app for employees to manage shifts and timesheets
- Strong integrations with payroll, POS, and communication tools
Cons
- Pricing increases significantly for larger teams or advanced features
- Some reporting and customization options feel limited
- Occasional customer support delays reported
Best For
Medium to large shift-based businesses in retail, hospitality, or healthcare needing precise labor forecasting and mobile-first scheduling.
Pricing
Essential plan at $3.50/user/month (billed annually), Plus at $5.25/user/month, Enterprise custom; 14-day free trial available.
Connecteam
specializedAll-in-one employee app with drag-and-drop scheduling, GPS time clock, and task management for frontline workers.
AI-powered Smart Scheduler that automatically generates optimized schedules based on employee availability, skills, and labor laws
Connecteam is a mobile-first employee management platform designed for deskless and frontline teams, with robust scheduling tools that enable managers to create drag-and-drop schedules, automate shift assignments based on availability, and handle swap requests seamlessly. It integrates scheduling with time tracking, GPS check-ins, and team communication, ensuring real-time updates and compliance. Ideal for industries like retail, hospitality, and field services, it reduces no-shows through push notifications and employee self-service features.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with auto-fill and conflict detection
- Strong mobile app for employee shift viewing, swaps, and availability updates
- Seamless integration of scheduling with time clock and communication tools
Cons
- Pricing per user can become costly for larger teams
- Full advanced scheduling features locked behind higher plans
- Steeper initial setup for non-tech-savvy managers
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses with mobile or deskless workforces needing integrated scheduling and communication.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 users; paid plans start at $29/month (billed annually) for 30 users on Basic, up to $99/month for 100 users on Expert plan with advanced scheduling.
7shifts
specializedRestaurant-focused scheduling software with labor forecasting, shift reminders, and tip pooling integration.
Sales forecasting-powered auto-scheduling that predicts optimal staffing based on historical and projected sales data
7shifts is a robust employee scheduling software tailored for the restaurant and hospitality industry, enabling managers to create optimized schedules, forecast labor needs based on sales data, and handle shift trades and availability requests. It integrates time tracking, payroll, and communication tools into a single mobile-friendly platform to streamline operations and reduce labor costs. The software supports multi-location management and offers insights into performance metrics for better decision-making.
Pros
- Powerful sales-driven scheduling and labor forecasting tailored for restaurants
- Seamless mobile app for employees to view shifts, trade, and clock in/out
- Strong integrations with POS systems, payroll, and tip tracking
Cons
- Limited customization for non-restaurant industries
- Higher-tier plans required for advanced reporting and multi-location features
- Occasional mobile app glitches reported by users
Best For
Restaurant owners and managers seeking industry-specific scheduling with labor cost optimization and team communication.
Pricing
Starts at $29.99 per location/month (Essentials, billed annually) up to $59.99+ for Pro/Enterprise tiers; 14-day free trial available.
Sling
specializedUser-friendly team scheduling tool with shift templates, notifications, and availability-based auto-scheduling.
Comprehensive free tier allowing unlimited scheduling for one location with no user limits
Sling is a user-friendly employee scheduling platform designed for shift-based businesses like restaurants and retail. It enables managers to create drag-and-drop schedules, facilitate shift trades, track time, and communicate via in-app messaging. The software also includes labor cost forecasting and attendance tracking to optimize workforce management.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited employees for single locations
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling and mobile app
- Integrated communication and shift trading tools
Cons
- Advanced reporting and multi-location support require paid upgrades
- Limited third-party integrations compared to competitors
- Customer support primarily email-based in free tier
Best For
Small to medium-sized shift-based businesses seeking a cost-effective, easy-to-use scheduling solution without upfront costs.
Pricing
Free plan for single locations; paid plans (Pro, Premium, Business) start at $2/user/month billed annually.
ZoomShift
specializedCloud-based scheduling and time tracking software with overtime alerts and payroll integration for small teams.
Employee shift marketplace for easy peer-to-peer shift trading and swapping
ZoomShift is a cloud-based employee scheduling and time tracking software tailored for shift-based businesses like retail, hospitality, and healthcare. It enables managers to create drag-and-drop schedules, monitor attendance via mobile clock-in, and facilitate shift trades among employees. The platform also offers labor cost insights, messaging, and availability management to streamline workforce operations.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Strong mobile app for employee self-service and clock-ins
- Affordable pricing with a free tier for small teams
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics
- Integrations are basic compared to enterprise tools
- Customer support response times can vary
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses with hourly, shift-based workforces in industries like restaurants and retail needing simple, mobile-first scheduling.
Pricing
Free plan for single-location teams (up to 75 shifts/month); Pro starts at $1.25 per active employee/month; Enterprise plans available.
Workforce.com
enterpriseMobile scheduling platform with geofencing time clock and demand forecasting for hourly employees.
Live AutoSchedule with AI that dynamically fills open shifts based on demand forecasting and employee availability
Workforce.com is an all-in-one workforce management platform designed for shift-based industries like hospitality, retail, and healthcare, offering robust employee scheduling tools. It features drag-and-drop scheduling, AI-powered auto-scheduling, shift trading, and real-time notifications to ensure optimal staffing. The software integrates seamlessly with time tracking, payroll, and compliance features, providing end-to-end visibility into workforce operations.
Pros
- AI-driven auto-scheduling with labor forecasting for efficient staffing
- Mobile app for employees to view schedules, clock in/out, and request swaps
- Strong integrations with payroll systems like Xero and QuickBooks
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for small teams with per-active-user model
- Steep learning curve for advanced customization features
- Occasional reports of customer support delays during peak times
Best For
Medium to large businesses in shift-heavy industries needing integrated scheduling, time tracking, and compliance tools.
Pricing
Starts at ~$3-5 per active user/month (billed annually), with tiered plans (Essentials, Pro, Enterprise) and custom pricing for larger teams.
Findmyshift
specializedFlexible online rostering tool supporting shift patterns, swaps, and multi-location scheduling.
Drag-and-drop scheduling with auto-scheduling templates and spreadsheet import/export for seamless transition from manual processes
Findmyshift is a cloud-based employee scheduling platform designed to streamline shift planning, time tracking, and workforce management for businesses with rotating or variable schedules. It offers drag-and-drop scheduling, mobile apps for employees to view shifts and clock in/out, overtime alerts, and built-in messaging to reduce communication silos. Primarily targeted at shift-based industries, it helps minimize scheduling errors and labor costs while providing real-time visibility into workforce availability.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface that supports quick rota creation and bulk edits
- Strong mobile app for employee self-service, including shift swaps and time clock functionality
- Affordable pricing with a free plan for small teams and excellent uptime/reliability
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting compared to enterprise competitors
- Fewer native integrations with payroll/HR systems like ADP or QuickBooks
- Customization options for schedules and notifications can feel basic for complex needs
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses in hospitality, retail, or healthcare needing simple, cost-effective shift scheduling without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Free for up to 5 users; Standard plan at $18/user/month (billed annually); Premium at $25/user/month with advanced features like custom reports.
Agendrix
specializedSimple employee scheduling software with availability polls, SMS notifications, and absence management.
Intelligent overtime forecasting and real-time alerts to prevent costly overruns
Agendrix is an employee scheduling platform tailored for small to medium-sized businesses, enabling drag-and-drop shift creation, time tracking, and mobile access for staff to view schedules and request time off. It includes features like overtime alerts, absence management, and team messaging to minimize conflicts and boost efficiency in shift-based environments. Primarily popular in retail, hospitality, and healthcare, it supports multiple locations and integrates with payroll systems.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Robust mobile app for employee self-service
- Affordable pricing with strong value for SMBs
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting
- Fewer third-party integrations than top competitors
- Customization options are somewhat basic
Best For
Small to medium businesses in shift-heavy industries like retail and hospitality seeking simple, mobile-first scheduling without complex setup.
Pricing
Starts at $2.95/user/month (Essentials, billed annually) up to $4.95/user/month (Enterprise), with a free trial available.
Conclusion
The top 10 scheduling tools present distinct strengths, with Homebase emerging as the clear winner, boasting user-friendly design and robust features for small businesses. When I Work impresses with its mobile focus and team communication capabilities, while Deputy stands out for advanced workforce management tools, making them exceptional alternatives for different operational needs. Regardless of the choice, these platforms streamline scheduling and support efficient team coordination.
Ready to simplify your scheduling? Homebase is the top pick—try it today to enjoy free tools, seamless time tracking, and effortless communication, and transform how you manage your team.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison