Quick Overview
- 1#1: BambooHR - Provides comprehensive HR management with automated leave tracking, accrual rules, and absence approvals.
- 2#2: Deputy - Offers workforce scheduling with real-time absence management, shift swaps, and time-off requests.
- 3#3: Rippling - Integrates HR, payroll, and IT with global absence management, policy enforcement, and compliance.
- 4#4: When I Work - Simplifies employee scheduling and handles absence requests, PTO tracking, and notifications.
- 5#5: Homebase - Delivers free scheduling, time tracking, and PTO management for small teams and hourly workers.
- 6#6: Vacation Tracker - Tracks vacations, sick days, and custom absences with integrations for Slack, Teams, and calendars.
- 7#7: LeaveBoard - Visualizes team absences and holidays with accrual tracking and self-service leave requests.
- 8#8: Zoho People - Manages employee attendance, leaves, and absences with customizable policies and reports.
- 9#9: Paycor - Supports HR and payroll with advanced absence tracking, FMLA compliance, and forecasting.
- 10#10: UKG Pro - Enterprise workforce management with sophisticated timekeeping, absence automation, and analytics.
These tools were ranked based on a focus on robust features (including automation, compliance, and adaptability), user experience, and overall value, ensuring they deliver practical, scalable solutions for businesses of all sizes.
Comparison Table
Efficient staff absence management is vital for maintaining operational flow; this comparison table examines tools like BambooHR, Deputy, Rippling, When I Work, Homebase, and more, breaking down their key features. Readers will discover differences in functionality, usability, and suitability for various organizational needs, helping them select the right solution.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BambooHR Provides comprehensive HR management with automated leave tracking, accrual rules, and absence approvals. | enterprise | 9.6/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Deputy Offers workforce scheduling with real-time absence management, shift swaps, and time-off requests. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 3 | Rippling Integrates HR, payroll, and IT with global absence management, policy enforcement, and compliance. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | When I Work Simplifies employee scheduling and handles absence requests, PTO tracking, and notifications. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Homebase Delivers free scheduling, time tracking, and PTO management for small teams and hourly workers. | other | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 6 | Vacation Tracker Tracks vacations, sick days, and custom absences with integrations for Slack, Teams, and calendars. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 7 | LeaveBoard Visualizes team absences and holidays with accrual tracking and self-service leave requests. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 8 | Zoho People Manages employee attendance, leaves, and absences with customizable policies and reports. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 9 | Paycor Supports HR and payroll with advanced absence tracking, FMLA compliance, and forecasting. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 10 | UKG Pro Enterprise workforce management with sophisticated timekeeping, absence automation, and analytics. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
Provides comprehensive HR management with automated leave tracking, accrual rules, and absence approvals.
Offers workforce scheduling with real-time absence management, shift swaps, and time-off requests.
Integrates HR, payroll, and IT with global absence management, policy enforcement, and compliance.
Simplifies employee scheduling and handles absence requests, PTO tracking, and notifications.
Delivers free scheduling, time tracking, and PTO management for small teams and hourly workers.
Tracks vacations, sick days, and custom absences with integrations for Slack, Teams, and calendars.
Visualizes team absences and holidays with accrual tracking and self-service leave requests.
Manages employee attendance, leaves, and absences with customizable policies and reports.
Supports HR and payroll with advanced absence tracking, FMLA compliance, and forecasting.
Enterprise workforce management with sophisticated timekeeping, absence automation, and analytics.
BambooHR
enterpriseProvides comprehensive HR management with automated leave tracking, accrual rules, and absence approvals.
Automated PTO accrual rules that adjust based on tenure, location, and custom policies with seamless integration into employee records
BambooHR is a comprehensive cloud-based HR platform with a robust Time Off module designed for efficient staff absence management. It enables employees to submit PTO, sick leave, and other absence requests via self-service portals, while managers handle approvals with automated workflows and notifications. The system tracks accruals, balances, and compliance automatically, offering shared calendars and detailed reports for better workforce planning.
Pros
- Intuitive self-service portal for quick absence requests and approvals
- Automated accrual tracking and policy enforcement for various leave types
- Integrated calendars and reporting for real-time team availability insights
Cons
- Full HR suite may be overkill and pricier for absence-only needs
- Pricing requires custom quotes, lacking transparency
- Advanced custom policies need higher-tier plans or integrations
Best For
Mid-sized businesses seeking an all-in-one HR solution with top-tier absence management.
Pricing
Custom quote-based; typically $6-$12 per employee/month depending on company size and features.
Deputy
specializedOffers workforce scheduling with real-time absence management, shift swaps, and time-off requests.
AI-powered shift swaps that automatically match available staff to cover absences in real-time
Deputy is a robust workforce management platform specializing in staff scheduling, time tracking, and absence management, ideal for shift-based industries. It enables employees to submit leave requests via a mobile app, with automated notifications and approval workflows for managers. The software seamlessly integrates absence tracking with scheduling to highlight coverage gaps and facilitate shift swaps, ensuring operational continuity.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app for quick leave requests and approvals
- Real-time absence visibility integrated with scheduling
- Automated shift swap suggestions to cover absences efficiently
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams
- Advanced features may require initial setup time
- Less tailored for non-shift-based office environments
Best For
Shift-heavy businesses in retail, hospitality, or healthcare that need integrated absence management with scheduling.
Pricing
Starts at $3.50/user/month (billed annually) for Essentials; higher tiers like Advanced ($5.25/user/month) add absence and compliance features; custom Enterprise pricing.
Rippling
enterpriseIntegrates HR, payroll, and IT with global absence management, policy enforcement, and compliance.
Automatic payroll synchronization that adjusts employee pay in real-time based on approved absences
Rippling is an all-in-one HR platform with robust staff absence management features, enabling employees to submit time-off requests through a self-service mobile app or portal. Managers can approve requests with automated workflows, while the system tracks PTO accruals, balances, and compliance across multiple leave types and global regulations. It uniquely integrates absence data directly into payroll for automatic pay adjustments and reporting.
Pros
- Seamless integration with payroll and HR for automatic absence-to-pay calculations
- Automated accrual tracking and compliance with global leave policies
- Real-time dashboards and mobile app for easy employee self-service
Cons
- Higher pricing makes it less ideal for small businesses focused solely on absence management
- Steep initial setup for companies new to the full Rippling ecosystem
- Limited standalone flexibility without adopting other Rippling modules
Best For
Mid-sized companies needing integrated HR, payroll, and absence management in one platform.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting at ~$8 per employee/month for core HR (absence included), scaling up with add-ons.
When I Work
specializedSimplifies employee scheduling and handles absence requests, PTO tracking, and notifications.
Employee-to-employee shift trades and open shift marketplace for self-managed absence coverage
When I Work is a mobile-first employee scheduling platform with robust staff absence management features, enabling employees to request time off, set availability, and trade shifts seamlessly. Managers can approve requests, track PTO balances, and use auto-scheduling to fill gaps left by absences. It integrates absence handling directly into the master schedule, providing real-time visibility and notifications to maintain operational continuity. Ideal for shift-based teams, it reduces administrative burden through self-service tools.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app for quick time-off requests and approvals
- Shift trades and open shifts enable easy coverage of absences
- Real-time schedule visibility and notifications prevent understaffing
Cons
- Limited advanced PTO accrual and policy customization options
- Reporting on absence trends lacks depth compared to dedicated HR tools
- Costs add up for larger teams on premium plans
Best For
Small to mid-sized shift-based businesses like retail, restaurants, and hospitality needing integrated scheduling and simple absence management.
Pricing
Free for up to 75 schedules/month; paid plans start at $2/user/month (Basic) up to $5.20/user/month (Elite), billed annually.
Homebase
otherDelivers free scheduling, time tracking, and PTO management for small teams and hourly workers.
OpenShifts marketplace allowing employees to claim available shifts directly, minimizing absence-related gaps
Homebase is an all-in-one workforce management platform designed for small to medium-sized businesses, particularly those with hourly employees, offering robust tools for staff scheduling and absence management. It enables managers to handle time-off requests, shift trades, and availability preferences through an intuitive mobile app, with automated notifications to minimize disruptions. The software integrates absence tracking with time clocks and communication features to streamline operations and ensure coverage.
Pros
- User-friendly mobile app for quick time-off requests and shift swaps
- Automated alerts for absences, no-shows, and schedule changes
- Integrated scheduling and availability tools reduce manual oversight
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics for absence trends and forecasting
- PTO accrual and compliance tracking are basic compared to specialized tools
- Free plan restricts multi-location use and advanced absence features
Best For
Small retail, restaurant, or service businesses with hourly staff seeking affordable, mobile-first absence and scheduling management.
Pricing
Free for one location (basic features); Essentials at $29.99/location/month; Premium at $49.99/location/month (billed annually).
Vacation Tracker
specializedTracks vacations, sick days, and custom absences with integrations for Slack, Teams, and calendars.
Direct time-off requests and approvals embedded in Slack or Teams chats, eliminating the need to switch apps.
Vacation Tracker is a modern absence management tool designed for teams using Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Google Workspace, allowing employees to request, track, and approve time off directly within their chat apps. It supports customizable leave policies, automated approvals based on rules, accrual tracking, and a shared calendar view to visualize team availability. The platform provides reporting dashboards for HR to monitor absence trends and balances across multiple companies or locations.
Pros
- Seamless integrations with Slack, Teams, and Google Workspace for chat-based requests and approvals
- Quick setup with intuitive interface and no steep learning curve
- Customizable policies and automated workflows that reduce admin time
Cons
- Reporting and analytics are solid but lack advanced enterprise-level customization
- No native mobile app; relies on web and integrations
- Best suited for smaller to mid-sized teams, may feel limited for very large organizations
Best For
Distributed teams relying on Slack or Microsoft Teams who need simple, real-time absence tracking without complex HR software.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 users; paid plans start at $4/active user/month (Starter) up to $7/user/month (Pro), billed annually with a 14-day free trial.
LeaveBoard
specializedVisualizes team absences and holidays with accrual tracking and self-service leave requests.
Unlimited customizable leave policies, enabling flexible configurations for diverse absence types and team structures
LeaveBoard is a cloud-based staff absence management software designed to streamline vacation tracking, time-off requests, and approvals for teams of all sizes. It provides employees with a self-service portal to submit requests and view balances, while managers access intuitive dashboards for oversight and approvals. The platform supports unlimited leave policies, calendar integrations, and reporting to ensure compliance and visibility into absences.
Pros
- Highly affordable pricing with strong value for small teams
- Intuitive interface and quick setup
- Seamless integrations with Google Workspace, Office 365, and Slack
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics compared to enterprise tools
- No native mobile app (mobile-responsive web only)
- Customization options are basic for complex HR needs
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses seeking a simple, cost-effective solution for managing staff absences without unnecessary complexity.
Pricing
Basic plan at $2.99/user/month (billed annually), Pro at $4.99/user/month, and custom Enterprise pricing.
Zoho People
enterpriseManages employee attendance, leaves, and absences with customizable policies and reports.
Configurable multi-level approval workflows with automated accrual and carryover rules for compliance
Zoho People is a cloud-based HR management suite with dedicated staff absence management capabilities, enabling employees to submit leave requests via a self-service portal, managers to handle approvals, and admins to define accrual policies and track balances. It features visual calendars for absence visibility, automated notifications, and integration with payroll and attendance modules for streamlined operations. The tool supports various leave types, including sick, vacation, and custom policies, making it suitable for workforce planning.
Pros
- Highly customizable leave policies and accrual rules
- Real-time absence calendars and mobile app for approvals
- Seamless integration with Zoho's ecosystem for HR workflows
Cons
- Interface can feel cluttered with full HR features enabled
- Advanced reporting requires higher-tier plans
- Limited native support for complex shift-based absences
Best For
Mid-sized businesses seeking an affordable, integrated HR platform with reliable absence tracking and policy automation.
Pricing
Free for up to 5 users; paid plans from $1.25/user/month (Standard) to $3.75/user/month (Ultimate), billed annually.
Paycor
enterpriseSupports HR and payroll with advanced absence tracking, FMLA compliance, and forecasting.
Automated accrual management with pro-rating, carryover rules, and real-time balance updates across multiple leave types
Paycor is a comprehensive HCM platform with a dedicated absence management module that streamlines leave requests, approvals, and tracking for organizations. It supports automated accrual calculations, compliance with FMLA, PTO policies, and integrates seamlessly with payroll and timekeeping systems. Employees can submit requests via a mobile app, while managers handle approvals with real-time notifications and reporting dashboards.
Pros
- Seamless integration with payroll and HR modules for unified data
- Mobile app for employee self-service and manager approvals
- Automated compliance tracking for various leave types like FMLA and PTO
Cons
- Pricing is quote-based and can be high for smaller teams focused only on absence management
- Steeper learning curve for advanced configuration
- Limited standalone customization without full HCM suite
Best For
Mid-sized businesses seeking an integrated HCM solution with robust absence tracking and compliance automation.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing, typically $20-40 per employee/month depending on modules and company size; absence management included in core HCM plans.
UKG Pro
enterpriseEnterprise workforce management with sophisticated timekeeping, absence automation, and analytics.
Predictive absence analytics powered by AI to forecast trends and optimize staffing
UKG Pro is a comprehensive cloud-based HCM platform from UKG that includes robust staff absence management capabilities, enabling organizations to automate leave requests, approvals, and tracking across various absence types like vacation, sick leave, and FMLA. It integrates seamlessly with payroll, scheduling, and timekeeping modules to ensure compliance with global regulations and minimize administrative burdens. The solution offers self-service portals for employees and configurable workflows for managers, supporting large-scale enterprises with predictive analytics for absence forecasting.
Pros
- Advanced compliance automation for complex regulations like FMLA and ADA
- Seamless integration with payroll and scheduling for unified workforce management
- AI-driven absence forecasting and analytics for proactive planning
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive enterprise features
- High implementation costs and time for customization
- Less intuitive interface compared to dedicated absence-only tools
Best For
Large enterprises with complex, multi-location workforces needing integrated HCM solutions for absence management.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $10-20 per employee/month for core modules, with higher tiers for full HCM suite and implementation fees.
Conclusion
The 10 tools offer varied strengths, from free scheduling for small teams to enterprise-grade analytics, but BambooHR leads as the top choice with its comprehensive HR management, automated leave tracking, and intuitive approvals. Deputy shines in real-time workforce coordination and shift swaps, while Rippling impresses with its seamless global integration and policy enforcement. Together, they cater to diverse organizational needs, ensuring no absences go unmanaged.
Start with BambooHR to simplify leave tracking, automate processes, and gain better visibility into team availability—boost efficiency and empower your workplace today.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
