Quick Overview
- 1#1: BambooHR - Comprehensive HR platform with intuitive time off request, approval workflows, accrual tracking, and balance visibility for employees.
- 2#2: Rippling - Unified workforce management system automating PTO requests, approvals, accruals, and compliance across global teams.
- 3#3: Gusto - Payroll and HR software simplifying time off requests with automated accruals, approvals, and integration to payroll.
- 4#4: Vacation Tracker - Dedicated time off management tool for self-service requests, multi-policy accruals, and team calendar visibility.
- 5#5: timeoff.management - Slack-integrated app for effortless time off booking, approvals, accruals, and absence calendars.
- 6#6: Zenefits - HR platform offering streamlined PTO request submission, manager approvals, and accrual policy enforcement.
- 7#7: LeaveBoard - Cloud-based leave management with custom accrual rules, self-service requests, and real-time balance tracking.
- 8#8: Homebase - Free scheduling tool with built-in time off requests, approvals, and shift coverage for hourly teams.
- 9#9: Deputy - Workforce scheduling software featuring time off requests, shift swaps, and automated approvals.
- 10#10: When I Work - Employee scheduling app with time off management, request approvals, and availability calendars.
We ranked these tools by evaluating features like intuitive approval workflows, accurate accrual tracking, and cross-team visibility, alongside usability, reliability, and value to deliver a curated list of the most impactful solutions.
Comparison Table
Choosing the right time off request software can streamline workflows; this comparison table breaks down top tools like BambooHR, Rippling, Gusto, Vacation Tracker, timeoff.management, and more, helping readers identify key features, usability, and fit for their team.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BambooHR Comprehensive HR platform with intuitive time off request, approval workflows, accrual tracking, and balance visibility for employees. | enterprise | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Rippling Unified workforce management system automating PTO requests, approvals, accruals, and compliance across global teams. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.9/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Gusto Payroll and HR software simplifying time off requests with automated accruals, approvals, and integration to payroll. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | Vacation Tracker Dedicated time off management tool for self-service requests, multi-policy accruals, and team calendar visibility. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 5 | timeoff.management Slack-integrated app for effortless time off booking, approvals, accruals, and absence calendars. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 6 | Zenefits HR platform offering streamlined PTO request submission, manager approvals, and accrual policy enforcement. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | LeaveBoard Cloud-based leave management with custom accrual rules, self-service requests, and real-time balance tracking. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 8 | Homebase Free scheduling tool with built-in time off requests, approvals, and shift coverage for hourly teams. | other | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 9 | Deputy Workforce scheduling software featuring time off requests, shift swaps, and automated approvals. | other | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 10 | When I Work Employee scheduling app with time off management, request approvals, and availability calendars. | other | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
Comprehensive HR platform with intuitive time off request, approval workflows, accrual tracking, and balance visibility for employees.
Unified workforce management system automating PTO requests, approvals, accruals, and compliance across global teams.
Payroll and HR software simplifying time off requests with automated accruals, approvals, and integration to payroll.
Dedicated time off management tool for self-service requests, multi-policy accruals, and team calendar visibility.
Slack-integrated app for effortless time off booking, approvals, accruals, and absence calendars.
HR platform offering streamlined PTO request submission, manager approvals, and accrual policy enforcement.
Cloud-based leave management with custom accrual rules, self-service requests, and real-time balance tracking.
Free scheduling tool with built-in time off requests, approvals, and shift coverage for hourly teams.
Workforce scheduling software featuring time off requests, shift swaps, and automated approvals.
Employee scheduling app with time off management, request approvals, and availability calendars.
BambooHR
enterpriseComprehensive HR platform with intuitive time off request, approval workflows, accrual tracking, and balance visibility for employees.
Time Off Planner: Interactive calendar displaying real-time team availability, balances, and conflicts for effortless scheduling.
BambooHR is a comprehensive cloud-based HR platform with robust time off request functionality, enabling employees to submit vacation, sick leave, and other time off requests via self-service portals, while managers handle approvals through customizable workflows. It features automated accrual tracking, balance management, and integration with payroll and overall employee records for seamless HR operations. The system provides visibility into team availability via a shared calendar, reducing scheduling conflicts and ensuring compliance with company policies.
Pros
- Automated accrual calculations with multiple policy support
- Intuitive mobile app for requests and approvals on the go
- Integrated Time Off Planner for visual team calendar views
Cons
- Full suite pricing may be higher for companies needing only time off tools
- Advanced reporting often requires add-ons or integrations
- Limited customization for very complex enterprise policies
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses looking for an integrated HR solution with top-tier time off management.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically $6-$12 per employee per month depending on features and company size, billed annually.
Rippling
enterpriseUnified workforce management system automating PTO requests, approvals, accruals, and compliance across global teams.
Automated payroll integration that syncs time off approvals directly to paychecks with multi-country compliance
Rippling is an all-in-one workforce management platform with robust time off request capabilities, allowing employees to submit vacation, sick days, and custom leave requests through a intuitive self-service portal. It features automated accrual tracking, manager approvals, and policy enforcement across multiple locations and compliance rules. The system integrates seamlessly with payroll, calendars, and HR tools, providing real-time balance updates and reporting for admins.
Pros
- Seamless integration with payroll and HR for automatic deductions and compliance
- Flexible accrual rules supporting unlimited leave types and global policies
- Mobile app and self-service portal for quick employee requests and approvals
Cons
- Pricing can be high for small teams only needing time off features
- Full platform complexity may overwhelm users focused solely on PTO
- Customization limited for highly niche or industry-specific leave policies
Best For
Mid-sized to enterprise companies seeking integrated HR with advanced time off management.
Pricing
Starts at $8 per employee per month for core HR including time off, with custom add-ons for payroll and advanced features.
Gusto
enterprisePayroll and HR software simplifying time off requests with automated accruals, approvals, and integration to payroll.
Direct payroll integration that automatically deducts and pays out approved time off without manual reconciliation
Gusto is a comprehensive payroll and HR platform for small businesses that includes built-in time off request functionality, allowing employees to submit PTO, sick leave, or vacation requests via web or mobile app. Managers can review, approve, or deny requests with one click, while the system handles accrual balances, policy enforcement, and integration with payroll for accurate pay calculations. It provides dashboards for tracking team time off and remaining balances, making it a solid all-in-one solution for basic to moderate time off needs.
Pros
- Seamless integration with payroll and benefits for automated PTO pay
- Intuitive mobile app for employee requests and manager approvals
- Automated accrual tracking and balance updates across multiple PTO types
Cons
- Limited customization for complex accrual policies compared to dedicated tools
- Full features require higher-tier plans, increasing costs for small teams
- Reporting on time off trends is basic without advanced analytics add-ons
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses using Gusto for payroll who want integrated time off management without needing a standalone tool.
Pricing
Starts at $40/month base + $6/employee for Simple plan (basic time off); Plus ($80 + $12/emp) and Premium (custom) unlock advanced HR features including time off.
Vacation Tracker
specializedDedicated time off management tool for self-service requests, multi-policy accruals, and team calendar visibility.
Direct in-chat time off requests and approvals via Slack or Teams bots
Vacation Tracker is a time off request software that integrates seamlessly with Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, and other collaboration tools, enabling employees to submit, approve, and track vacation requests directly in chat without switching apps. It automates accrual calculations, balance tracking, carryover rules, and public holiday management to ensure compliance and accuracy. The platform provides customizable workflows, reporting dashboards, and integrations with HRIS like BambooHR for streamlined leave administration.
Pros
- Seamless chat integrations for frictionless requests and approvals
- Automated accruals, balances, and policy enforcement
- Strong mobile and real-time visibility for teams
Cons
- Chat-dependent interface limits standalone use
- Advanced reporting and custom workflows require higher tiers
- Fewer native HRIS integrations compared to enterprise competitors
Best For
Small to medium teams using Slack, Teams, or Google Chat who want simple, in-app time off management.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 users; paid plans start at $3/user/month (billed annually) for Pro, up to $6/user/month for Enterprise.
timeoff.management
specializedSlack-integrated app for effortless time off booking, approvals, accruals, and absence calendars.
Unlimited free users in the open-source self-hosted version
timeoff.management is an open-source time off tracking software designed for teams to manage vacation requests, sick days, and other absences efficiently. It offers approval workflows, calendar views, customizable leave policies, and integrations with tools like Google Calendar, Slack, and Microsoft Teams. Available as a free self-hosted solution or affordable cloud plans, it scales well for small to medium-sized teams without user limits.
Pros
- Free open-source self-hosted version with unlimited users
- Intuitive interface and visual calendar for easy planning
- Strong integrations with Slack, Teams, and calendars
Cons
- Self-hosting requires technical setup
- Advanced reporting limited in free version
- No native mobile app, relies on responsive web design
Best For
Small to medium teams seeking a cost-effective, customizable time off solution without user limits.
Pricing
Free self-hosted; Cloud plans start at $2.50/user/month (Starter, annual billing) up to Enterprise custom pricing.
Zenefits
enterpriseHR platform offering streamlined PTO request submission, manager approvals, and accrual policy enforcement.
Payroll-integrated time off deductions with real-time accrual syncing
Zenefits is an all-in-one HR platform with robust time off request functionality, allowing employees to submit PTO, vacation, and sick leave requests via web or mobile app. It features automated accrual tracking, customizable policies, and multi-level approval workflows integrated with calendars and payroll. Managers gain visibility into team availability, ensuring compliance and accurate forecasting.
Pros
- Automated accrual calculations and policy enforcement
- Mobile-first interface for quick requests and approvals
- Deep integration with payroll and benefits for seamless processing
Cons
- Not a standalone time off tool; requires full HR suite commitment
- Initial setup can be complex for custom policies
- Pricing scales per employee, less ideal for tiny teams
Best For
Mid-sized businesses seeking integrated HR management with reliable time off tracking.
Pricing
Starts at $8 per employee per month (billed annually) for core HR including time off; custom quotes for advanced plans.
LeaveBoard
specializedCloud-based leave management with custom accrual rules, self-service requests, and real-time balance tracking.
Interactive, color-coded visual leave calendar that updates in real-time and can be shared externally
LeaveBoard is a cloud-based time off management software that simplifies requesting, approving, and tracking employee absences, vacations, and leave types through an intuitive visual calendar. It supports customizable policies, automated workflows, balance tracking, and detailed reporting to help HR teams monitor workforce availability. The platform integrates seamlessly with tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, and Slack, making it easy to manage time off in real-time across distributed teams.
Pros
- Highly affordable pricing with a generous free tier for small teams
- Intuitive visual calendar for at-a-glance absence visibility
- Strong integrations with popular collaboration tools like Slack and Teams
Cons
- Limited advanced HR features beyond core leave management
- Reporting capabilities lack depth for very large enterprises
- Mobile app is basic compared to desktop experience
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses seeking a simple, cost-effective solution for tracking employee time off requests without complex HR overhead.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 users; Pro at €1.99/user/month (billed annually); Enterprise custom pricing.
Homebase
otherFree scheduling tool with built-in time off requests, approvals, and shift coverage for hourly teams.
Real-time schedule optimization that automatically detects time off conflicts and proposes shift covers or hires
Homebase is a comprehensive workforce management platform designed primarily for small businesses, with robust time off request features integrated into its scheduling tools. Employees can submit PTO, vacation, or sick leave requests directly through the intuitive mobile app or web dashboard, complete with attachments and notes. Managers receive instant notifications for approvals or denials, and the system automatically updates schedules to reflect availability gaps and suggest shift covers. This ensures minimal disruptions for hourly workforces in industries like retail and hospitality.
Pros
- Seamless mobile app for quick employee requests and manager approvals
- Automatic schedule updates to fill time off gaps with shift trades or hires
- Free plan available for single-location teams up to 20 employees
Cons
- Pricing model charges per location, which adds up for multi-site businesses
- Limited advanced PTO accrual and policy customization compared to dedicated HR tools
- Geared more toward hourly workers than complex salaried time off management
Best For
Small to mid-sized retail, restaurant, or service businesses with hourly employees needing integrated scheduling and simple time off handling.
Pricing
Free Kickstart plan for basic features; paid Essentials ($29.99/location/month annually) and Plus ($59.99/location/month) plans unlock advanced time off and scheduling tools.
Deputy
otherWorkforce scheduling software featuring time off requests, shift swaps, and automated approvals.
Automatic schedule adjustments upon leave approval to instantly reflect availability gaps
Deputy is a workforce management platform with robust time off request features, enabling employees to submit vacation, sick leave, or other absence requests via a intuitive mobile app or web dashboard. Managers can review, approve, or deny requests in real-time, with automatic integration into shift schedules to prevent coverage gaps and ensure compliance with leave policies. It supports accrual tracking, customizable rules, and reporting for better workforce planning.
Pros
- Seamless integration of leave requests with shift scheduling
- Mobile-first design for quick employee submissions and manager approvals
- Automated notifications and compliance tools for leave policies
Cons
- Pricing scales with full workforce management suite, less ideal for standalone time off needs
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customization
- Limited free tier or trial depth for testing time off specifics
Best For
Mid-sized shift-based businesses in retail, hospitality, or healthcare needing integrated scheduling and leave management.
Pricing
Starts at $3.50/active user/month (Essentials plan); higher tiers like Advanced ($5+) and Enterprise (custom) include more features.
When I Work
otherEmployee scheduling app with time off management, request approvals, and availability calendars.
OpenShifts, which lets employees automatically post time off requests for others to claim as swaps, ensuring coverage without manager intervention
When I Work is a mobile-first employee scheduling platform with built-in time off request management, allowing staff to submit PTO, vacation, or shift absence requests directly via app. Managers receive instant notifications for approvals or denials, with automatic checks against schedules to flag coverage issues. It supports time off accrual tracking and integrates with overall workforce planning to minimize disruptions.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app for quick employee requests and manager approvals
- Seamless integration of time off with scheduling to prevent gaps
- Real-time notifications and shift swap options to cover absences
Cons
- Limited advanced PTO policy customization like multi-tier accruals
- Reporting on time off trends is basic compared to dedicated HR tools
- Less ideal for non-shift or salaried office environments
Best For
Shift-based businesses in retail, hospitality, or healthcare needing simple, integrated time off requests with scheduling.
Pricing
Free for up to 75 users; Professional plan at $2/active user/month (billed annually); Enterprise custom pricing.
Conclusion
After reviewing the top 10 time off request tools, BambooHR leads as the top choice, boasting a comprehensive HR platform with intuitive workflows, strong accrual tracking, and clear employee balance visibility. Rippling and Gusto follow closely, with Rippling excelling at automating global PTO management and Gusto streamlining requests with payroll integration—each offering unique strengths. Ultimately, these tools highlight the range of solutions available, but BambooHR emerges as the most well-rounded for diverse business needs.
Start optimizing your time off process today by trying BambooHR, the top-ranked tool designed to simplify requests, approvals, and tracking for a smoother team experience.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
