Quick Overview
- 1#1: Deputy - Deputy provides drag-and-drop staff scheduling, time tracking, and communication tools for businesses of all sizes.
- 2#2: When I Work - When I Work offers mobile-first employee scheduling, shift swapping, and time attendance tracking.
- 3#3: Homebase - Homebase delivers free scheduling, time clock, and team communication for hourly workforces.
- 4#4: 7shifts - 7shifts specializes in restaurant staff scheduling, labor forecasting, and tip management.
- 5#5: Workforce.com - Workforce.com combines employee scheduling, timesheets, and performance tracking in one platform.
- 6#6: Sling - Sling enables free shift scheduling, reminders, and labor cost management for teams.
- 7#7: Connecteam - Connecteam offers scheduling alongside training, checklists, and communication for frontline workers.
- 8#8: ZoomShift - ZoomShift provides online employee scheduling, GPS time tracking, and PTO management.
- 9#9: Agendrix - Agendrix simplifies staff rostering with shift trades, messaging, and availability tracking.
- 10#10: Findmyshift - Findmyshift is a cloud-based staff rota tool with auto-scheduling and overtime alerts.
Tools were evaluated and ranked based on key criteria including feature comprehensiveness, user-friendliness, performance reliability, and overall value, ensuring relevance across industries and organizational sizes
Comparison Table
Staff rostering software simplifies scheduling, communication, and coordination for diverse teams. This comparison table examines popular tools like Deputy, When I Work, Homebase, 7shifts, Workforce.com, and more, outlining key features, usability, and suitability to guide readers toward the right solution.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deputy Deputy provides drag-and-drop staff scheduling, time tracking, and communication tools for businesses of all sizes. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | When I Work When I Work offers mobile-first employee scheduling, shift swapping, and time attendance tracking. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | Homebase Homebase delivers free scheduling, time clock, and team communication for hourly workforces. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 4 | 7shifts 7shifts specializes in restaurant staff scheduling, labor forecasting, and tip management. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 5 | Workforce.com Workforce.com combines employee scheduling, timesheets, and performance tracking in one platform. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Sling Sling enables free shift scheduling, reminders, and labor cost management for teams. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 7 | Connecteam Connecteam offers scheduling alongside training, checklists, and communication for frontline workers. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | ZoomShift ZoomShift provides online employee scheduling, GPS time tracking, and PTO management. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | Agendrix Agendrix simplifies staff rostering with shift trades, messaging, and availability tracking. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 10 | Findmyshift Findmyshift is a cloud-based staff rota tool with auto-scheduling and overtime alerts. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 |
Deputy provides drag-and-drop staff scheduling, time tracking, and communication tools for businesses of all sizes.
When I Work offers mobile-first employee scheduling, shift swapping, and time attendance tracking.
Homebase delivers free scheduling, time clock, and team communication for hourly workforces.
7shifts specializes in restaurant staff scheduling, labor forecasting, and tip management.
Workforce.com combines employee scheduling, timesheets, and performance tracking in one platform.
Sling enables free shift scheduling, reminders, and labor cost management for teams.
Connecteam offers scheduling alongside training, checklists, and communication for frontline workers.
ZoomShift provides online employee scheduling, GPS time tracking, and PTO management.
Agendrix simplifies staff rostering with shift trades, messaging, and availability tracking.
Findmyshift is a cloud-based staff rota tool with auto-scheduling and overtime alerts.
Deputy
specializedDeputy provides drag-and-drop staff scheduling, time tracking, and communication tools for businesses of all sizes.
AI-driven scheduling optimization that auto-assigns shifts based on employee preferences, skills, and labor forecasts
Deputy is a leading staff rostering and workforce management software that enables businesses to create, manage, and publish shift schedules efficiently using a drag-and-drop interface. It offers real-time notifications, employee self-service for shift swaps and availability, time tracking with GPS check-ins, and integrations with payroll systems like Xero and QuickBooks. Additionally, it provides labor costing, forecasting, and compliance tools to optimize workforce operations for hourly and shift-based teams.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with auto-fill based on availability
- Robust mobile app for employee self-roster, timesheets, and communication
- Comprehensive integrations with payroll, POS, and HR systems
Cons
- Pricing can escalate quickly for larger teams with premium add-ons
- Advanced reporting requires higher-tier plans
- Occasional sync delays with third-party integrations
Best For
Shift-based businesses in retail, hospitality, healthcare, and field services needing scalable rostering with mobile accessibility.
Pricing
Starts at $3.50/active user/month (Schedule plan), up to custom enterprise pricing with features like forecasting and compliance.
When I Work
specializedWhen I Work offers mobile-first employee scheduling, shift swapping, and time attendance tracking.
Open Shifts feature allowing employees to claim available shifts in real-time via mobile app
When I Work is a mobile-first staff rostering software tailored for hourly workforces in industries like retail, hospitality, and healthcare. It enables managers to create drag-and-drop schedules, post open shifts, and automate notifications while allowing employees to view schedules, request time off, swap shifts, and clock in/out via an intuitive app. The platform also offers time tracking, labor forecasting, and integrations with payroll systems like QuickBooks and Gusto to streamline operations.
Pros
- Highly intuitive mobile app for employee self-service including shift swaps and claims
- Automated scheduling, notifications, and labor forecasting save managers significant time
- Robust integrations with payroll and POS systems for seamless operations
Cons
- Advanced reporting and analytics limited in lower-tier plans
- Customer support response times can vary, especially for free users
- Pricing scales quickly with active users in multi-location setups
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses with hourly staff in shift-based industries needing flexible, mobile-friendly rostering.
Pricing
Free for 1 location up to 75 users; Essentials at $2/active user/month, Elite at $3.50/active user/month, Enterprise custom.
Homebase
specializedHomebase delivers free scheduling, time clock, and team communication for hourly workforces.
Free forever plan with unlimited employees and essential rostering tools for single locations
Homebase is an all-in-one workforce management platform tailored for small to medium-sized businesses with hourly employees, offering drag-and-drop scheduling, shift management, time tracking, and team communication tools. It enables managers to create rosters based on employee availability, handle shift trades and open shifts, and integrate with payroll systems. The mobile-first design supports geofenced clock-ins and hiring features to streamline staffing.
Pros
- Generous free plan for single-location businesses with unlimited employees
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling and mobile app for quick roster adjustments
- Built-in communication and shift trading reduce admin time
Cons
- Limited advanced forecasting and analytics compared to enterprise tools
- Multi-location support requires paid upgrade
- Some users report occasional sync issues with integrations
Best For
Small retail, restaurant, or service businesses managing hourly shifts on a budget.
Pricing
Free for one location (core scheduling and time tracking); paid plans from $29.99/location/month (billed annually) for multi-location and advanced features.
7shifts
specialized7shifts specializes in restaurant staff scheduling, labor forecasting, and tip management.
Predictive labor forecasting that uses real-time sales data from POS integrations to auto-suggest optimal staffing levels.
7shifts is a robust workforce management platform tailored for the restaurant industry, enabling managers to create efficient staff schedules, track time and attendance, and control labor costs. It features drag-and-drop scheduling, predictive labor forecasting based on sales data, shift trading, and team communication tools. The software integrates seamlessly with popular POS and payroll systems to streamline operations for single or multi-location restaurants.
Pros
- Industry-specific tools like sales forecasting and tip pooling for restaurants
- Intuitive mobile app for employees to view schedules and trade shifts
- Strong integrations with 100+ POS and payroll providers
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for multi-location operations
- Less suitable for non-hospitality industries
- Advanced forecasting requires higher-tier plans
Best For
Multi-location restaurants focused on labor cost optimization and efficient scheduling.
Pricing
Starts at $29.99/location/month (Essential), $59.99 (Pro), $99.99 (Elite), billed annually with custom enterprise options.
Workforce.com
enterpriseWorkforce.com combines employee scheduling, timesheets, and performance tracking in one platform.
Automated award interpretation and compliance ensuring accurate pay and rostering adherence to local labor regulations
Workforce.com is a robust workforce management platform focused on staff rostering, scheduling, time tracking, and compliance for hourly workforces in industries like retail, hospitality, and healthcare. It enables drag-and-drop roster creation, demand forecasting, skills-based scheduling, and real-time adjustments based on employee availability and labor laws. The platform also integrates time clocks, leave management, and payroll to streamline operations end-to-end.
Pros
- Advanced AI-driven forecasting and auto-rostering
- Strong compliance tools for awards and labor laws
- Comprehensive mobile apps for employees and managers
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small teams
- Initial setup and customization require time
- Customer support response times vary
Best For
Medium to large businesses with hourly workers needing compliant, scalable rostering and integrated time tracking.
Pricing
Starts at ~$4/active user/month (billed annually), with tiered plans up to enterprise custom pricing; free trial available.
Sling
specializedSling enables free shift scheduling, reminders, and labor cost management for teams.
Free unlimited-user scheduling with built-in labor cost forecasting
Sling is a user-friendly staff rostering software that enables businesses to create, manage, and optimize employee schedules efficiently. It offers features like drag-and-drop scheduling, shift templates, availability tracking, time clock, and team messaging via a mobile app. Ideal for variable-shift industries, it also includes labor cost forecasting and reminders to minimize overtime and no-shows.
Pros
- Completely free core plan for unlimited users
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface with mobile app
- Integrated labor cost tracking and overtime alerts
Cons
- Advanced reporting and customization limited to paid plans
- Fewer integrations compared to enterprise competitors
- Occasional mobile sync delays reported by users
Best For
Small to medium businesses in retail, hospitality, or restaurants needing affordable, simple shift scheduling.
Pricing
Free forever plan; Premium plans from $1.70/user/month (billed annually).
Connecteam
enterpriseConnecteam offers scheduling alongside training, checklists, and communication for frontline workers.
Built-in shift swap marketplace allowing employees to trade shifts directly with manager approval
Connecteam is a comprehensive mobile-first employee management platform with robust staff rostering capabilities, enabling managers to create schedules using drag-and-drop tools, templates, and auto-scheduling based on availability and skills. It supports shift swaps, overtime alerts, and real-time notifications via a user-friendly app for both managers and employees. Ideal for frontline and deskless teams, it integrates rostering with time tracking, communication, and task management for streamlined operations.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with auto-fill and recurring shifts
- Mobile app empowers employees for self-service shift swaps and availability updates
- Real-time notifications and conflict detection reduce scheduling errors
Cons
- Pricing scales with total users, becoming costly for larger teams
- Advanced features like skill-based scheduling locked behind higher tiers
- Less suited for highly complex rostering needs like multi-site compliance
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses with frontline or deskless workers seeking mobile-friendly scheduling integrated with communication and time tracking.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 users; paid plans start at $29/month for Basic (30 users), $49 for Advanced, $99 for Expert (billed annually per user slot).
ZoomShift
specializedZoomShift provides online employee scheduling, GPS time tracking, and PTO management.
Smart auto-scheduling that factors in employee availability, skills, and labor forecasts
ZoomShift is a cloud-based staff rostering and workforce management software tailored for hourly workforces in industries like retail, hospitality, and healthcare. It enables managers to create drag-and-drop schedules, track employee time and attendance via mobile apps, and handle shift swaps, PTO requests, and labor costing. The platform emphasizes real-time communication and employee self-service to streamline operations and reduce administrative overhead.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Strong mobile app for employee self-service and time tracking
- Effective shift trading and approval workflows
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting compared to top competitors
- Customer support response times can be inconsistent
- Fewer third-party integrations available
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses with hourly employees in shift-based industries seeking an affordable, user-friendly rostering solution.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month for up to 20 users (Basic), $59/month for up to 50 (Pro), $119/month for up to 100 (Elite), with custom enterprise pricing.
Agendrix
specializedAgendrix simplifies staff rostering with shift trades, messaging, and availability tracking.
Employee self-service mobile app with seamless shift swapping and availability-based auto-scheduling
Agendrix is a user-friendly staff rostering software tailored for shift-based businesses like retail, hospitality, and healthcare, enabling drag-and-drop scheduling, shift templates, and automated notifications. It includes employee self-service features via a mobile app for viewing schedules, requesting swaps, time-off, and clocking in/out. The platform also supports time tracking, availability management, and basic forecasting to optimize staffing.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduler with color-coding and templates
- Robust mobile app for employee self-service including shift trades and messaging
- Affordable pricing with strong customer support and quick setup
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to top competitors
- Fewer integrations with payroll and POS systems
- Some forecasting tools require higher-tier plans
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses in shift-heavy industries needing simple, mobile-friendly rostering without complex enterprise features.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 users; Pro plan at $2.95/user/month, Advanced at $4.95/user/month (billed annually, minimum 10 users).
Findmyshift
specializedFindmyshift is a cloud-based staff rota tool with auto-scheduling and overtime alerts.
Staff availability-based auto-scheduling that suggests optimal shifts in real-time
Findmyshift is a cloud-based staff rostering software that enables businesses to create, manage, and share employee schedules efficiently through a drag-and-drop interface. It supports features like staff availability tracking, shift swapping, time clocking, and mobile notifications to keep teams aligned. The platform also includes basic payroll exports, overtime alerts, and reporting for small to medium operations.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Affordable pricing with a free tier for small teams
- Strong mobile app for staff self-service and notifications
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to competitors
- Fewer integrations with major payroll and HR systems
- Customization options for rotas feel somewhat basic
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses seeking a simple, cost-effective solution for shift planning without complex needs.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 staff; paid plans start at $25/month (Lite), $35/month (Standard), $45/month (Unlimited) per location.
Conclusion
The reviewed staff rostering tools diverse in focus—from restaurant labor forecasting to free hourly scheduling—yet all aim to simplify operations. At the top, Deputy leads with its robust, all-in-one offering, while When I Work and Homebase stand as strong alternatives, each excelling in key areas like mobile functionality or cost-effectiveness, ensuring there’s a top solution for every need.
Don’t miss out on streamlining your team’s scheduling—try Deputy today to experience seamless organization, better communication, and more time for what matters.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison