Quick Overview
- 1#1: Deputy - Deputy provides mobile-first workforce management with advanced employee scheduling, time tracking, and shift swapping features.
- 2#2: When I Work - When I Work offers intuitive employee scheduling, shift notifications, and time-off requests for hourly teams.
- 3#3: Homebase - Homebase delivers free employee scheduling, time clocks, and team communication for small businesses.
- 4#4: Connecteam - Connecteam is an all-in-one app for scheduling shifts, managing time, and frontline worker communication.
- 5#5: 7shifts - 7shifts specializes in restaurant scheduling with labor forecasting, tip pooling, and compliance tools.
- 6#6: Sling - Sling enables easy shift scheduling, availability tracking, and team messaging for non-desk workers.
- 7#7: ZoomShift - ZoomShift provides cloud-based scheduling, GPS time tracking, and overtime alerts for SMBs.
- 8#8: HotSchedules - HotSchedules offers hospitality-focused scheduling with availability, trades, and availability management.
- 9#9: UKG Ready - UKG Ready is an HCM platform with robust workforce scheduling, forecasting, and compliance for growing businesses.
- 10#10: ADP Workforce Now - ADP Workforce Now integrates HR, payroll, and employee scheduling for mid-sized enterprises.
We evaluated tools based on core feature robustness, ease of use, reliability, and value, prioritizing solutions that cater to varied industries, team sizes, and operational requirements to ensure comprehensive utility.
Comparison Table
Discover a detailed comparison of leading staff scheduling HR software tools, such as Deputy, When I Work, Homebase, Connecteam, 7shifts, and additional options, crafted to simplify workforce coordination. This table outlines core capabilities, usability, and integration strengths, equipping readers to find the ideal solution for their team’s requirements.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deputy Deputy provides mobile-first workforce management with advanced employee scheduling, time tracking, and shift swapping features. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | When I Work When I Work offers intuitive employee scheduling, shift notifications, and time-off requests for hourly teams. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 3 | Homebase Homebase delivers free employee scheduling, time clocks, and team communication for small businesses. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 4 | Connecteam Connecteam is an all-in-one app for scheduling shifts, managing time, and frontline worker communication. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 5 | 7shifts 7shifts specializes in restaurant scheduling with labor forecasting, tip pooling, and compliance tools. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 6 | Sling Sling enables easy shift scheduling, availability tracking, and team messaging for non-desk workers. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 7 | ZoomShift ZoomShift provides cloud-based scheduling, GPS time tracking, and overtime alerts for SMBs. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 8 | HotSchedules HotSchedules offers hospitality-focused scheduling with availability, trades, and availability management. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 9 | UKG Ready UKG Ready is an HCM platform with robust workforce scheduling, forecasting, and compliance for growing businesses. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | ADP Workforce Now ADP Workforce Now integrates HR, payroll, and employee scheduling for mid-sized enterprises. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.0/10 |
Deputy provides mobile-first workforce management with advanced employee scheduling, time tracking, and shift swapping features.
When I Work offers intuitive employee scheduling, shift notifications, and time-off requests for hourly teams.
Homebase delivers free employee scheduling, time clocks, and team communication for small businesses.
Connecteam is an all-in-one app for scheduling shifts, managing time, and frontline worker communication.
7shifts specializes in restaurant scheduling with labor forecasting, tip pooling, and compliance tools.
Sling enables easy shift scheduling, availability tracking, and team messaging for non-desk workers.
ZoomShift provides cloud-based scheduling, GPS time tracking, and overtime alerts for SMBs.
HotSchedules offers hospitality-focused scheduling with availability, trades, and availability management.
UKG Ready is an HCM platform with robust workforce scheduling, forecasting, and compliance for growing businesses.
ADP Workforce Now integrates HR, payroll, and employee scheduling for mid-sized enterprises.
Deputy
specializedDeputy provides mobile-first workforce management with advanced employee scheduling, time tracking, and shift swapping features.
Intelligent Auto-Scheduler that uses sales forecasts, employee preferences, and labor rules to generate optimized schedules automatically
Deputy is a comprehensive workforce management platform specializing in staff scheduling, time tracking, and communication for shift-based businesses. It enables managers to create optimized schedules using drag-and-drop tools, automate shift filling, and forecast labor needs based on sales data. Employees benefit from a mobile app for clocking in/out, shift swaps, and availability updates, while integrations with payroll systems ensure seamless HR operations.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with auto-fill capabilities
- Robust mobile app for employee self-service and real-time updates
- Extensive integrations with payroll, POS, and HR tools like Xero and QuickBooks
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams and advanced features
- Initial setup can require time for complex multi-location configurations
- Customer support response times vary by plan tier
Best For
Medium to large businesses in retail, hospitality, healthcare, and field services needing scalable shift scheduling and compliance tools.
Pricing
Starts at ~$3.50 AUD per active user/month for Essentials, with Plus (~$5.25) and Enterprise plans offering advanced features; custom quotes for large teams.
When I Work
specializedWhen I Work offers intuitive employee scheduling, shift notifications, and time-off requests for hourly teams.
OpenShifts feature, allowing employees to instantly post and claim available shifts without manager approval
When I Work is a cloud-based staff scheduling software tailored for businesses with hourly workers, enabling managers to create, publish, and manage employee schedules efficiently. Key functionalities include drag-and-drop scheduling, automated shift reminders, open shift posting for employee claims, time clock integration, and team communication via in-app messaging. It supports labor forecasting, overtime alerts, and integrations with payroll systems like QuickBooks and ADP, making it ideal for shift-based industries like retail and hospitality.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with mobile-first design for easy access
- Robust employee self-service features like shift trades and open shifts
- Strong communication tools including messaging and announcements
Cons
- Advanced reporting and analytics limited to higher-tier plans
- Lacks deep HR functionalities like performance management or recruiting
- Customization options can feel restrictive for very large enterprises
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses in shift-based industries like retail, restaurants, and healthcare needing flexible, mobile-friendly scheduling.
Pricing
Free plan for up to 75 users; Essential ($2/user/mo), Pro ($3.50/user/mo), and Enterprise (custom) plans billed annually.
Homebase
specializedHomebase delivers free employee scheduling, time clocks, and team communication for small businesses.
OpenShifts feature that lets employees claim available shifts directly from the app
Homebase is a user-friendly workforce management platform tailored for small to medium-sized businesses, particularly those with hourly workers in retail, restaurants, and services. It excels in staff scheduling with drag-and-drop calendars, auto-scheduling based on availability, and shift trade features. Additional HR tools include time tracking with geofencing, team messaging, hiring, and performance insights to optimize labor costs.
Pros
- Generous free plan for single-location businesses with core scheduling and time tracking
- Intuitive mobile-first interface that's quick to learn
- Strong communication tools like messaging and announcements integrated with schedules
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics on lower tiers
- Fewer integrations with payroll/HR systems compared to enterprise competitors
- Scalability issues for multi-location chains without premium plans
Best For
Small businesses in hourly-wage industries like retail and hospitality seeking affordable, simple scheduling without complex setup.
Pricing
Free forever for one location (basic features); paid plans from $29.99/location/month (Essentials) to $89.99 (Elite), billed annually.
Connecteam
specializedConnecteam is an all-in-one app for scheduling shifts, managing time, and frontline worker communication.
Employee self-service shift swapping and availability bidding via mobile app
Connecteam is a comprehensive mobile-first platform tailored for deskless and frontline teams, providing robust staff scheduling tools integrated with time tracking, communication, and task management. It features drag-and-drop scheduling, shift templates, auto-scheduling based on availability, and employee self-service for shift swaps and requests. The app ensures real-time notifications and GPS-based time clocking to streamline HR operations for hourly workforces.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with templates and auto-fill
- Mobile app enables employee self-service for shifts and communication
- Seamless integration of scheduling with time tracking and attendance
Cons
- Advanced forecasting and reporting locked behind higher plans
- Pricing scales quickly for teams larger than 30 users
- Limited native integrations compared to enterprise-focused competitors
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses with deskless or hourly workers needing simple, mobile-friendly scheduling and team communication.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 users; paid plans start at $29/month (30 users) for Basic, $49/month for Advanced, $99/month for Expert, with per-user scaling thereafter.
7shifts
specialized7shifts specializes in restaurant scheduling with labor forecasting, tip pooling, and compliance tools.
Auto Schedule with sales forecasting that builds optimal shifts to match predicted demand and control overtime.
7shifts is a robust staff scheduling and workforce management platform tailored for the restaurant and hospitality industry. It enables managers to build drag-and-drop schedules, forecast labor based on sales data from integrated POS systems, track time and attendance, and communicate with teams via an all-in-one hub. The software also handles tip pooling, payroll exports, and compliance features to optimize operations and control costs.
Pros
- Powerful sales forecasting and auto-scheduling to minimize labor costs
- Seamless POS integrations (over 100 supported) for real-time data
- Employee-friendly mobile app for shifts, clock-ins, and communication
Cons
- Primarily optimized for restaurants, less ideal for other sectors
- Pricing scales quickly with multiple locations
- Occasional glitches in mobile time clock reported by users
Best For
Restaurant managers and multi-location chains seeking to streamline scheduling, track labor costs, and improve team communication in high-volume environments.
Pricing
Starts at $29.99/month per location (Essential plan) up to $59.99/month (Elite); free for single locations with up to 20 staff; enterprise custom pricing.
Sling
specializedSling enables easy shift scheduling, availability tracking, and team messaging for non-desk workers.
Integrated labor cost management with real-time forecasting and budget alerts
Sling is a user-friendly staff scheduling software tailored for hourly workforces in industries like restaurants, retail, and healthcare. It enables managers to build drag-and-drop schedules, track employee time and attendance, monitor labor costs, and facilitate shift trades or availability requests. The platform also includes built-in messaging and notifications to streamline team communication and reduce no-shows.
Pros
- Generous free plan with core scheduling tools
- Intuitive mobile app for employees and managers
- Real-time labor cost tracking and forecasting
Cons
- Limited third-party integrations compared to competitors
- Advanced reporting and custom alerts locked behind premium tiers
- No native payroll processing or full HR suite
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses with shift-based hourly employees seeking an affordable, mobile-first scheduling solution.
Pricing
Free plan for basic features; Premium plans start at $1.70/user/month (billed annually) for advanced tools like overtime alerts.
ZoomShift
specializedZoomShift provides cloud-based scheduling, GPS time tracking, and overtime alerts for SMBs.
Employee shift marketplace for self-scheduling, trading, and claiming open shifts
ZoomShift is a cloud-based staff scheduling and workforce management software tailored for hourly workers in industries like retail, restaurants, and healthcare. It enables managers to create drag-and-drop schedules, track time and attendance via mobile clock-in, handle shift trades, and monitor labor costs. Additional tools include PTO management, team messaging, and basic forecasting to optimize staffing.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Robust mobile app for employee self-service and clock-ins
- Affordable pricing with strong value for small teams
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics
- Fewer integrations than enterprise competitors
- Occasional mobile app glitches and slow load times
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses in shift-based industries needing simple, mobile-friendly scheduling and time tracking without complex HR needs.
Pricing
Starts at $1 per active user/month (Basic), $2 (Pro), $3 (Elite), billed annually with a minimum of 10 users.
HotSchedules
specializedHotSchedules offers hospitality-focused scheduling with availability, trades, and availability management.
Sales-driven labor forecasting that automatically predicts optimal staffing levels from integrated POS and historical data
HotSchedules is a cloud-based workforce management platform tailored for hourly workforces in hospitality, retail, and food service, offering tools for shift scheduling, time tracking, and employee communication. Managers can create schedules via drag-and-drop, forecast labor needs based on sales data, and handle shift trades or availability requests seamlessly. The mobile app enables employees to view schedules, clock in/out, and message teams in real-time, streamlining operations across multiple locations.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling and shift trading
- Robust mobile app for employee self-service
- Advanced labor forecasting integrated with POS data
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for small businesses
- Occasional customer support delays
- Reporting customization is somewhat limited
Best For
Multi-location hospitality and retail businesses with large hourly workforces needing flexible scheduling and forecasting.
Pricing
Custom quotes based on employee count; typically starts at $2-3 per active employee per month with tiered plans for additional features.
UKG Ready
enterpriseUKG Ready is an HCM platform with robust workforce scheduling, forecasting, and compliance for growing businesses.
AI-powered workforce forecasting that dynamically adjusts schedules based on historical trends and real-time data
UKG Ready is a cloud-based HCM platform from UKG that offers comprehensive workforce management, including staff scheduling tools for creating optimized schedules, managing shifts, and handling time-off requests. It integrates scheduling with time tracking, payroll, and HR functions to streamline operations and ensure compliance. Designed for mid-market businesses, it supports mobile access for employees to view schedules, swap shifts, and clock in/out.
Pros
- Robust integration with payroll, time tracking, and HR modules
- AI-driven forecasting for demand-based scheduling
- Mobile-first design for employee self-service
Cons
- Complex setup and steep learning curve for new users
- Pricing can be high for small businesses
- Customization requires vendor support
Best For
Mid-sized companies needing an integrated HCM suite with reliable staff scheduling.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing, typically $25-$60 per employee/month depending on modules and scale.
ADP Workforce Now
enterpriseADP Workforce Now integrates HR, payroll, and employee scheduling for mid-sized enterprises.
Seamless real-time integration of scheduling data with ADP payroll and time tracking for automated compliance and processing.
ADP Workforce Now is a comprehensive HCM platform from ADP that includes staff scheduling capabilities within its time and attendance module, allowing managers to create shifts, manage employee availability, handle requests, and forecast labor needs. It supports drag-and-drop scheduling, mobile access for employees, and integration with payroll for seamless processing. While powerful for enterprises, its scheduling features are part of a broader HR suite rather than a standalone specialized tool.
Pros
- Deep integration with payroll, benefits, and HR modules for end-to-end workforce management
- Scalable for large enterprises with advanced compliance and forecasting tools
- Mobile app supports employee self-service for shifts and availability
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for scheduling tasks
- High cost makes it less viable for small to mid-sized businesses
- Scheduling lacks the simplicity and customization of dedicated tools
Best For
Large enterprises needing integrated HR scheduling within a full HCM ecosystem.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically $100-$200+ per employee/month depending on modules and company size.
Conclusion
The reviewed tools represent the pinnacle of staff scheduling software, with Deputy leading as the top choice, boasting robust mobile functionality and comprehensive features. When I Work and Homebase, though ranking second and third, still shine—perfect for hourly teams and small businesses, respectively, delivering intuitive tools tailored to specific needs. Together, they highlight the breadth of options available, ensuring organizations can find the ideal fit for their unique workflows.
Don’t miss the opportunity to enhance your scheduling process; try Deputy, the top-ranked tool, and unlock efficient, stress-free workforce management.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison