Quick Overview
- 1#1: Homebase - Homebase provides free employee scheduling, time tracking, hiring, and communication tools for small businesses.
- 2#2: When I Work - When I Work offers intuitive employee scheduling, shift trading, time-off requests, and team messaging features.
- 3#3: Deputy - Deputy delivers advanced workforce scheduling with labor forecasting, compliance, and time attendance tracking.
- 4#4: Connecteam - Connecteam is an all-in-one employee management app featuring scheduling, communication, and training tools.
- 5#5: 7shifts - 7shifts specializes in restaurant scheduling with labor forecasting, tip pooling, and performance insights.
- 6#6: Sling - Sling enables easy employee scheduling, shift reminders, labor cost tracking, and team communication.
- 7#7: Workforce.com - Workforce.com offers mobile-first scheduling, timesheets, GPS tracking, and task management for teams.
- 8#8: ZoomShift - ZoomShift provides cloud-based scheduling, time tracking, PTO management, and payroll integration.
- 9#9: Agendrix - Agendrix simplifies employee scheduling with availability detection, messaging, and event calendars.
- 10#10: Shiftboard - Shiftboard automates complex scheduling with employee bidding, forecasting, and mobile notifications.
These tools were chosen based on a blend of robust core features (such as scheduling flexibility, time tracking, and team communication), intuitive design, reliability, and alignment with diverse business scales, ensuring they deliver tangible benefits across industries.
Comparison Table
Compare top staff scheduling tools including Homebase, When I Work, Deputy, Connecteam, and 7shifts to streamline shift management, time tracking, and team communication. This table breaks down key features, usability, and suitability for different business needs, helping readers identify the best fit for their operations.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Homebase Homebase provides free employee scheduling, time tracking, hiring, and communication tools for small businesses. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 2 | When I Work When I Work offers intuitive employee scheduling, shift trading, time-off requests, and team messaging features. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 3 | Deputy Deputy delivers advanced workforce scheduling with labor forecasting, compliance, and time attendance tracking. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | Connecteam Connecteam is an all-in-one employee management app featuring scheduling, communication, and training tools. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 5 | 7shifts 7shifts specializes in restaurant scheduling with labor forecasting, tip pooling, and performance insights. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 6 | Sling Sling enables easy employee scheduling, shift reminders, labor cost tracking, and team communication. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 7 | Workforce.com Workforce.com offers mobile-first scheduling, timesheets, GPS tracking, and task management for teams. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 8 | ZoomShift ZoomShift provides cloud-based scheduling, time tracking, PTO management, and payroll integration. | specialized | 8.0/10 | 7.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 9 | Agendrix Agendrix simplifies employee scheduling with availability detection, messaging, and event calendars. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 10 | Shiftboard Shiftboard automates complex scheduling with employee bidding, forecasting, and mobile notifications. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.4/10 |
Homebase provides free employee scheduling, time tracking, hiring, and communication tools for small businesses.
When I Work offers intuitive employee scheduling, shift trading, time-off requests, and team messaging features.
Deputy delivers advanced workforce scheduling with labor forecasting, compliance, and time attendance tracking.
Connecteam is an all-in-one employee management app featuring scheduling, communication, and training tools.
7shifts specializes in restaurant scheduling with labor forecasting, tip pooling, and performance insights.
Sling enables easy employee scheduling, shift reminders, labor cost tracking, and team communication.
Workforce.com offers mobile-first scheduling, timesheets, GPS tracking, and task management for teams.
ZoomShift provides cloud-based scheduling, time tracking, PTO management, and payroll integration.
Agendrix simplifies employee scheduling with availability detection, messaging, and event calendars.
Shiftboard automates complex scheduling with employee bidding, forecasting, and mobile notifications.
Homebase
specializedHomebase provides free employee scheduling, time tracking, hiring, and communication tools for small businesses.
Open Shifts marketplace allowing employees to easily trade, claim, or drop shifts in real-time
Homebase is a comprehensive workforce management platform designed for small to medium-sized businesses, with a strong emphasis on staff scheduling for hourly workers. It offers drag-and-drop scheduling, auto-scheduling based on availability and labor costs, shift notifications, and open shift trading to optimize workforce efficiency. Beyond scheduling, it integrates time tracking, team communication, payroll, and hiring tools into an intuitive, mobile-first interface.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with auto-fill and labor forecasting
- Free plan for single-location businesses with core features
- Robust mobile app for employees to claim shifts and clock in/out with geofencing
Cons
- Advanced reporting and multi-location support require paid upgrades
- Limited integrations compared to enterprise-level competitors
- Occasional mobile app glitches reported by some users
Best For
Small retail, restaurant, and hospitality businesses with hourly staff needing an affordable, user-friendly scheduling tool.
Pricing
Free forever for one location (unlimited employees); paid plans start at $29.99/location/month (billed annually) for Essentials with more features.
When I Work
specializedWhen I Work offers intuitive employee scheduling, shift trading, time-off requests, and team messaging features.
Open Shifts feature allows employees to claim available shifts in real-time, reducing manager workload
When I Work is a cloud-based staff scheduling platform tailored for shift-based businesses like restaurants, retail, and healthcare facilities. It enables managers to build schedules, handle shift trades and time-off requests, and track time via a user-friendly mobile app. The software also facilitates employee communication through announcements, chats, and real-time notifications, with integrations for payroll systems.
Pros
- Highly intuitive mobile app for both managers and employees
- Automated scheduling and open shift features streamline operations
- Robust communication tools including shift alerts and team chat
Cons
- Customer support response times can be inconsistent
- Advanced reporting and forecasting locked behind higher tiers
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams or multiple locations
Best For
Medium-sized shift-based businesses such as restaurants and retail stores that prioritize mobile accessibility and employee self-service.
Pricing
Starts at $2 per active user/month (Basic), $3 per user/month (Pro), $4 per user/month (Elite); billed annually with a free trial.
Deputy
enterpriseDeputy delivers advanced workforce scheduling with labor forecasting, compliance, and time attendance tracking.
AI-driven Auto Schedule that intelligently assigns shifts based on forecasted demand, skills, and employee preferences to minimize labor costs.
Deputy is a robust workforce management platform focused on staff scheduling, enabling managers to create optimized shift rosters with drag-and-drop tools, auto-scheduling, and labor forecasting. It integrates time tracking, attendance monitoring, and employee communication to ensure compliance and operational efficiency. Widely used in shift-based industries, it helps reduce overtime costs and improve workforce productivity through real-time updates and mobile accessibility.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with AI auto-fill
- Strong mobile app for employees to swap shifts and clock in/out
- Comprehensive compliance tools like overtime alerts and award interpretation
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams with premium add-ons
- Advanced reporting requires higher tiers
- Occasional sync issues with third-party integrations
Best For
Medium to large businesses in retail, hospitality, and healthcare managing hourly shift workers with variable demand.
Pricing
Starts at $3.50/active user/month (Essentials plan billed annually), with Plus ($5.25/user/month) and Enterprise custom pricing.
Connecteam
specializedConnecteam is an all-in-one employee management app featuring scheduling, communication, and training tools.
Smart Scheduling that auto-generates optimized schedules matching employee availability, preferences, and business rules
Connecteam is a mobile-first workforce management platform designed for frontline and deskless teams, offering robust staff scheduling tools alongside communication and operations features. Managers can create drag-and-drop schedules, set employee availability preferences, and use smart scheduling to auto-assign shifts based on skills and constraints. It integrates scheduling with time tracking, notifications, and task management for seamless operations.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with mobile employee access for shift viewing and claiming
- Smart Scheduling automates shift assignments based on availability, skills, and overtime rules
- Built-in notifications and integrations with time clock reduce no-shows and manual errors
Cons
- Advanced automation and reporting locked behind higher pricing tiers
- Overkill for teams needing only basic scheduling without other ops tools
- Geofencing features may concern privacy-focused users
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses with frontline workers who need mobile-friendly scheduling integrated with time tracking and communication.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 users; Starter at $29/month (up to 30 users); Growth at $49/month; Enterprise custom; billed annually.
7shifts
specialized7shifts specializes in restaurant scheduling with labor forecasting, tip pooling, and performance insights.
AI-powered labor forecasting that predicts optimal staffing based on historical sales data and trends
7shifts is a robust staff scheduling software tailored specifically for the restaurant and hospitality industry, allowing managers to create, optimize, and communicate schedules efficiently. It offers tools for time tracking, labor cost forecasting, shift trading, and team messaging, all integrated with popular POS systems like Toast and Square. The platform helps reduce overtime, minimize no-shows, and control labor expenses through data-driven insights and automation.
Pros
- Industry-specific tools like tip pooling and sales forecasting
- Seamless POS and payroll integrations
- Mobile-first design with shift swap and messaging features
Cons
- Limited applicability outside restaurants
- Advanced analytics locked behind premium tiers
- Steeper learning curve for complex multi-location setups
Best For
Restaurant owners and managers needing precise labor forecasting and scheduling in high-volume hospitality environments.
Pricing
Starts at $29.99/location/month (Essential), $59.99 (Pro), $99.99 (Complete); annual billing required, free trial available.
Sling
specializedSling enables easy employee scheduling, shift reminders, labor cost tracking, and team communication.
Built-in team messaging that syncs directly with schedules for quick shift trades and updates
Sling is a user-friendly staff scheduling software tailored for small to medium-sized businesses, particularly those with hourly workers in retail, hospitality, and services. It enables managers to create drag-and-drop schedules, track employee availability and time punches, and facilitate team communication through an integrated messaging system. Additional tools include shift templates, labor cost tracking, and mobile accessibility for both managers and staff.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Generous free plan with core features
- Robust mobile app for on-the-go management
Cons
- Limited integrations with payroll and POS systems
- Basic reporting compared to enterprise tools
- Premium features locked behind paywall for larger teams
Best For
Small to medium businesses in hourly industries like restaurants and retail seeking an affordable, simple scheduling solution.
Pricing
Free forever plan for basic scheduling; Premium add-ons start at $1.70/user/month (billed annually) for labor costing and advanced features.
Workforce.com
enterpriseWorkforce.com offers mobile-first scheduling, timesheets, GPS tracking, and task management for teams.
Automated award interpretation and compliance scheduling for regulated labor markets
Workforce.com is an all-in-one workforce management platform specializing in staff scheduling for shift-based industries. It offers drag-and-drop scheduling, AI-powered forecasting, and automatic compliance with labor awards and regulations, particularly strong in Australia and New Zealand. The software integrates time tracking, fatigue management, and mobile accessibility for real-time adjustments and employee self-service.
Pros
- Advanced AI scheduling and demand forecasting
- Built-in compliance with labor laws and fatigue rules
- Strong mobile app for employees and managers
Cons
- Pricing is custom and can be expensive for small teams
- Steeper learning curve for complex configurations
- Limited free trial and reporting customization
Best For
Medium to large shift-based businesses in regulated industries like hospitality, healthcare, and retail needing compliance-focused scheduling.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $5-10 per active user/month, with tiers for Essentials, Premium, and Enterprise features.
ZoomShift
specializedZoomShift provides cloud-based scheduling, time tracking, PTO management, and payroll integration.
Employee-driven shift trading marketplace for self-service swaps with manager oversight
ZoomShift is a cloud-based staff scheduling platform tailored for small to medium-sized businesses managing hourly workers, offering drag-and-drop scheduling, time tracking, and employee communication tools. It enables shift creation, trading, and approvals via a mobile app, with features like GPS geofencing for clock-ins and labor cost forecasting. The software integrates with popular payroll systems to streamline operations for industries like retail, restaurants, and field services.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for quick schedule building
- Robust mobile app with GPS time tracking and shift trading
- Affordable pricing suitable for small teams
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to competitors
- Some users report occasional integration glitches
- Customization options feel basic for complex needs
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses in hourly-wage industries like hospitality and retail seeking straightforward, mobile-first scheduling without high costs.
Pricing
Free for 1 location (up to 75 shifts/month); paid plans start at $29/month for Essentials (10 users minimum, ~$1-2 per user/month), scaling to Pro ($59+) and Enterprise with more features.
Agendrix
specializedAgendrix simplifies employee scheduling with availability detection, messaging, and event calendars.
Automated overtime forecasting with real-time alerts to prevent costly scheduling errors
Agendrix is a cloud-based workforce management platform specializing in employee scheduling for hourly workers in industries like retail, hospitality, and healthcare. It enables managers to create drag-and-drop schedules, manage shift trades, time-off requests, and track time via a mobile app. The software also includes overtime alerts, availability forecasting, and integrated messaging to streamline communication and reduce administrative workload.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Strong mobile app for employee self-service
- Affordable pricing with no user limits
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting
- Fewer integrations than top competitors
- No free tier or trial without sales contact
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses with hourly employees in retail or hospitality needing simple, mobile-friendly scheduling.
Pricing
Starts at $1.75 per active employee/month (Advantage plan, billed annually); Premium at $2.25; Enterprise custom.
Shiftboard
specializedShiftboard automates complex scheduling with employee bidding, forecasting, and mobile notifications.
Open shift marketplace allowing employees to bid on, trade, or claim open shifts autonomously
Shiftboard is a robust staff scheduling software tailored for industries with hourly and shift-based workforces, such as healthcare, hospitality, and security. It enables managers to create schedules, manage shift trades, track availability, and handle time-off requests through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface and mobile app. The platform also offers labor forecasting, compliance tools, and integrations with payroll systems like ADP and QuickBooks.
Pros
- Powerful auto-scheduling and labor forecasting tools
- Employee self-service via shift marketplace and mobile app
- Strong integrations and reporting for compliance
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Pricing can be high for smaller teams
- Customer support response times vary
Best For
Mid-to-large businesses in shift-heavy industries like healthcare and hospitality managing complex, variable schedules.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing starting around $2-5 per employee per month, with tiers for Basic, Pro, and Enterprise plans scaling by users and features.
Conclusion
After reviewing the top tools, Homebase emerges as the clear winner, offering free, comprehensive scheduling and management features tailored to small businesses. When I Work stands out for its user-friendly design and shift trading, while Deputy excels in advanced forecasting and compliance—each a strong choice for specific needs. Together, these top three provide reliable solutions to streamline workforce planning.
Ready to elevate your scheduling? Start with Homebase today to access free, all-in-one tools that keep your team connected and operations efficient.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison