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According to Connecteam, “140 hours are wasted annually by creating a manual work schedule.” From tracking paper time-off requests to working around scheduling conflicts, manual scheduling is time-consuming. Moreover, it prevents you from optimizing your labor and payroll costs.
Employee scheduling software removes these headaches. Scheduling software allows you to create schedules quickly, adjust them on the go, avoid being short-staffed, manage multiple locations, access the schedule on any device, and keep your team happy.
After reviewing more than two dozen systems, we developed our list of the best employee scheduling software based on overall pricing and plan features, functionality, compliance features, and add-on services.
Best Employee Scheduling Software of 2023
- Best for HR Services: Paycor
- Best for Ease of Use: Homebase
- Best for Mobile Access: Connecteam
- Best for Windows: Deputy
- Best for Healthcare: Shiftboard
- Best for Restaurants: 7shifts
Best for HR Services : Paycor
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Paycor
- Mobile Capability: Yes
- Pricing: $99 to $199 a month
- 24/7 Customer Support: No
- External Integration: Yes
Paycor provides all-in-one services so you manage schedules, compliance, and payroll in one spot.
Complete HR software solution
Compliance document storage
Intuitive scheduling design and process
No pricing data for companies with 50 or more employees
Only PDF reports on Basic plan
Pricey for 401(k) integrations
Established in 1990, Paycor is one of the oldest and most trusted human resources platforms. Its comprehensive scheduling tools combined with payroll features make it the top choice for the best employee scheduling software for HR services.
Paycor offers packages according to the size of your company. Small businesses with one to 49 employees will use the small business plans, whereas organizations with 50 to 1,000 people should use the mid-market programs. All small business plans come with:
- Compliance document storage
- Payroll features
- Federal and state tax filing
- Employee self-service and profile access
- Schedule employees from desktop or mobile
Select from four small business plans:
- Basic: $99 per month for PDF-only reporting, garnishment and child support self-service options, and all features listed above
- Essential: $149 per month for compliance checklists and templates, along with PTO request and approval features
- Core: $199 per month for integrations with 401(k) providers and general ledger services, as well as a full lineup of onboarding tools
- Complete: $199 a month for the full suite of features and options
For companies with 50 employees or more, Paycor allows you to customize your plan and get a custom quote. You can pick which features you need, such as:
- Payroll
- ACA eligibility
- Paycor analytics
- Onboarding
- Expense management
- Learning management system
- Benefits administration
- Compensations plans
- Time tracking
- Recruiting and applicant tracking
- Scheduling
- Performance management
Paycor works on most devices and desktops. You can find integrations using their Paycor marketplace, where apps cover many categories like employment verification, expense management, background screening, and video conferencing.
Best for Ease of Use : Homebase
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Homebase
- Mobile Capability: Yes
- Pricing: Free basic plan to $80 per month
- 24/7 Customer Support: No
- External Integration: Yes
Homebase provides a simple drag-and-drop interface with tons of features for scheduling employees.
Free iOS or Android apps
Unlimited employees
GPS employee tracking
No live weekend customer service
Must buy Plus package for labor cost reporting
Can’t add credentials to employee profiles
Founded in 2015, Homebase is a comprehensive solution for small business owners, with numerous updates released since 2020. Its free plan gives you everything you need to start scheduling shifts, whereas paid plans are affordable and packed with features. With the addition of safety screenings to its mobile app, Homebase tops our list for best overall employee scheduling software.
The basic free plan delivers big by providing time clocks, time and attendance tracking, employee mobile apps, and the ability to schedule beyond 10 days. You can also track breaks and overtime for compliance and get daily labor reports.
With a paid plan, you can pay monthly or yearly. But you’ll save 20% on the subscription with an annual payment. The following paid plans reflect your price when paid yearly and cover one location:
- Essentials: $20 per month for performance management, team communication, and productivity reports
- Plus: $48 per month for compliance planning and budgeting and labor cost controls
- All-in-One: $80 per month for an onboarding program and HR Pro advisors and training
Homebase offers other services like job posting promotions on ZipRecruiter, Craigslist, Meta, and Indeed for $79 per post.
You’ll appreciate its integrations with popular POS and accounting systems such as:
- Lightspeed
- Clover
- Shopify
- Square
- Poynt
- Vend
The easy-to-use interface lets you work on Windows or Mac computers, and its apps work on Apple or Android devices, which is why Homebase is a well-rounded choice for scheduling your employees.
Best for Mobile Access : Connecteam
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Connecteam
- Mobile Capability: Yes
- Pricing: Free plan to $99 per month
- 24/7 Customer Support: No
- External Integration: Unknown
Built for deskless employees, Connecteam provides all the scheduling details for people on the go.
Can use a mobile device for a kiosk station
Tons of employee engagement features
Robust mobile administrative dashboard
Integrations with other software aren’t disclosed
Lack of real-time alerts for open shifts
Must have an internet connection to use
Since 2014 Connecteam has delivered reliable software with increased functionalities for virtual and on-the-go workforces. This scheduling system was built for mobile use and is the winner in our best for mobile access category.
This mobile-first platform provides business owners and employees with tons of great features, including checklists and forms, all in the palm of your hand. You can explore all the features during a 14-day free trial. All plans come with features such as:
- Organizational chat and directory
- Real-time clock in and out
- Mobile administrative capabilities, including compliance
- Surveys and employee engagement tools
Connecteam's free plan supports up to 10 users. All paid plans support up to 30 users, and you'll pay anywhere from $0.5 to $3.60 per month for each additional user depending on the plan. If you choose to pay your subscription fee yearly instead of monthly, you'll save 18% overall. Based on an annual payment, plans include:
- Free: $0 for full access to all hubs and features.
- Basic: $29 per month to add time tracking, payroll software integration, claiming open shifts, and filtering for dates past 30 days.
- Advanced: $49 per month for everything included in Basic plus smart groups and admin permissions, geofence for the time clock, recurring shifts, auto clock out, and more.
- Expert: $99 per month for everything in Advanced plus ability to edit personal profiles, live GPS tracking, in-app links, multi-branch management, process automation, and more.
- Enterprise: Contact the company if you need advanced features.
You can use Connecteam in a web browser, Mac or Windows computer, or download a mobile app for your Android and Apple devices. Although the company doesn't provide information on integrations, it offers nearly all services employers need right within its desktop and mobile apps, including job training capabilities.
Best for Windows : Deputy
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Deputy
- Mobile Capability: Yes
- Pricing: Up to $4.20 per month
- 24/7 Customer Support: Yes
- External Integration: Yes
With drag-and-drop functionality and a 31-day free trial, Deputy gives business owners scheduling control when using Windows.
Unlimited 24/7 phone or online chat support
31-day free trial
Mobile app
No free option
Lower-tier plans don’t offer discounts for paying annually
Deputy started in 2008 and continues to improve its offerings to support a wide range of employer needs. The comprehensive reporting system works well on Windows desktops while providing mobile apps for convenient employee use, making it our winner in the best for Windows category.
The company doesn't offer an annual payment option for its Scheduling or Time & Attendance programs, but it's available for the Premium plan. All versions come with the following:
- Administrative dashboard
- Newsfeed for company posts and document sharing
- Single sign-on for easy logins
- Paid time off (PTO) and leave management
You're required to spend a minimum of $10 per month on the services, regardless of the number of users. Most business owners opt for the Premium version to get all the necessary features for payroll and scheduling. Deputy plans include:
- Scheduling: $3.50 per user per month, you get a meal and rest break planning, employee and auto-scheduling, and tasking options
- Time & Attendance: $3.50 per user per month, you get timesheets, payroll integration, tasking, and meal and rest break planning
- Premium: $4.20 per user per month when billed yearly, or $4.90 if billed monthly; you get all the features from Scheduling and Time & Attendance plans along with advanced reporting features
- Enterprise: For companies with more than 250 employees, contact Deputy for a custom quote that includes dedicated support.
Deputy makes compliance easy by simplifying recordkeeping with digital records and employee confirmations. Along with your Windows desktop, Deputy offers apps for iOS and Android. Plus, it integrates with popular software such as:
- ADP
- Gusto
- Paycor
- Square
- Dropbox
- Xero
- QuickBooks
- Clover
- Lightspeed
Best for Healthcare : Shiftboard
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Shiftboard
- Mobile Capability: Yes
- Pricing: Call for pricing; not listed
- 24/7 Customer Support: No
- External Integration: Yes
Built for complex environments, Shiftboard simplifies healthcare scheduling.
Multiple ways to sign in
Group employees by certifications or credentials
Day of shift coverage tools
No free plan
No pricing on website
Tricky to set up
Founded in 2008, Shiftboard is an industry leader that empowers healthcare teams to deliver excellent patient care and manage coverage. Its medical features earn it the top spot in our best for healthcare category.
Shiftboard provides dedicated tools for nursing and healthcare teams. The ScheduleFlex software supports dynamic workflows, whereas the SchedulePro plans provide advanced compliance tracking options. Healthcare scheduling features include:
- Team grouping with custom information about certifications and proficiencies
- Day-of-shift coverage tools
- Real-time staff communication via text, alerts, and notifications
- Easy float pool management for multiple locations
- Robust employee self-serve access and tools
- Can place limits on nurses’ schedulable hours
- Easily view expected overtime costs
Shiftboard offers either ScheduleFlex or SchedulePro plans and provides custom quotes for all packages. With ScheduleFlex software, you have a choice of:
- Business: With this plan, you can do scheduling by seniority, watch daily and weekly overtime thresholds, abide by mandatory rest periods, employ intelligent auto-scheduling, and use SMS texting.
- Enterprise: This version includes applicant tracking services, training and credential tracking, and compliance alerts. Pricing is provided upon application.
For SchedulePro plans you can choose from:
- Enterprise: You’ll get shift pattern scheduling, on-call scheduling, policy-based overtime detection, overtime banking, and activity and system audit logs.
- Enterprise Plus: This adds on qualification and proficiency tracking, protected leave days, and secondary duties scheduling.
The company also offers extra services like a demand planner, applicant tracking system, time clock, and geofencing program. Shiftboard integrates with:
- Oracle
- Workday
- ADP
- Salesforce
Shiftboard software works on Mac and Windows desktops and iOS and Android devices.
Best for Restaurants : 7shifts
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7Shifts
- Mobile Capability: Yes
- Pricing: Free up to $135 a month
- 24/7 Customer Support: No
- External Integration: Yes
More than 500,000 restaurants use 7shifts for easy scheduling and shift management.
Health and safety tracking features
Instant alerts for compliance or overtime
Free plan covers 10 employees
No live support on free plan
Payroll integration only on The Works plan
7shifts is a well-known and trusted name in the restaurant industry and has been in business since 2014. Its drag-and-drop schedule builder and mobile capabilities make it best for restaurants requiring a mobile scheduling tool.
7shifts offers four plans, including a free program. All versions come with robust scheduling features, including:
- Time clock
- Staff scheduling and notifications
- Employee engagement dashboard
- Free iOS and Android apps
All plans can be billed monthly or annually, and annual payment will save you 10%. You’ll pay a separate fee for each restaurant location. The 7shifts plans consist of:
- Comp: The free plan covers 30 employees at one location and provides time off requests, employee availability, basic reporting, and scheduling for 150 shifts per month.
- Entrée: For $29.99 per month when billed annually, this plan covers everything from Comp plus an unlimited number locations, unlimited shifts, 30 employees per location, unlimited scheduling, budgeting tools, shift reminders, PTO tracking, and more.
- The Works: For $69.99 per month when billed annually, this plan covers everything from Entrée plus an unlimited number locations, unlimited shifts, 40 employees per location, scheduled breaks, weather forecasting, and more.
- Chef's Choice: For $89.99 per month when billed annually, this plan covers everything from The Works plus unlimited locations, shifts, and employees, employee discount certifications, department-based budgeting, optimal labor tool, and more.
- Gourmet: For $135 per month, this plan covers everything from Chef's Choice plus unlimited locations, shifts, and employees, auto-scheduling tools, custom attestation, and more.
With paid plans, 7shifts offers integrations with most POS and payroll systems including:
- Clover
- Lightspeed
- Square
- Toast
- TouchBistro
- Upserve
- QuickBooks
- ADP
- Paychex
You and your employees can access your 7shifts scheduling software using any mobile or desktop device.
Final Verdict
Employee scheduling software can help you save money and time, and there are various options on the market depending on your company's needs. Homebase is our best pick overall because it is easy to use, affordable, and offers a robust set of features. Employers and employees alike can use the app to switch schedules, trade shifts, and make updates in real-time.
Homebase also offers a payroll feature, has a time clock, creates daily labor reports, and is less expensive than some of its competitors. There also is a free trial, so you can try it before you buy it.
Compare the Best of Employee Scheduling Software
Company | Mobile App | Pricing | 24/7 Customer Support | External Integration |
---|---|---|---|---|
Paycor Best for HR Services | Yes | $99 to $199 a month | No | Yes |
Connecteam Best for Mobile Access | Yes | Free to $99 a month billed annually | No | N/A |
Deputy Best for Windows | Yes | $3.50 to $4.20 a month billed annually | Yes | Yes |
Shiftboard Best for Healthcare | Yes | N/A; call for information | No | Yes |
Homebase Best Ease of Use | Yes | Free to $80 per month billed annually | No | Yes |
7shifts Best for Restaurants | Yes | Free plan up to $135 a month | No | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Is Employee Scheduling Software?
Employee scheduling software allows you to automate the process to reduce data entry mistakes and oversights. You easily can schedule employees based on job positions, credentials, and availability, and your employees can access their schedules, make changes, or pick up shifts from their mobile phones. You also can save time and money by optimizing your human resources and scheduling according to shifts or seasonal changes requiring more or fewer team members. Plus, scheduling software helps you stay compliant and digitally track hours so you can submit reports without using spreadsheets.
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What Types of Schedules Are There?
Depending on your business, you may use fixed or variable schedules or need to cover rotating shifts. For instance, many healthcare and public services use a schedule where employees work four days, then have four days off. Another scheduling option is working five days a week, with two days off. Employee scheduling software programs may provide options for different types of scheduling needs, but it’s important to review their functions to ensure the software supports your needs.
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How Much Does Employee Scheduling Software Cost?
For small businesses, there are plenty of free options for basic scheduling software. However, if you need extra features, then you’ll want to opt for a paid plan. Some services charge per employee, whereas others offer a flat rate per location:
- Employee-based services: Prices range from around $1.50 to $4.50 per employee.
- Subscription plans per location: Prices range from around $14 to $199 per site.
Employee scheduling software may offer add-on services to help you with applicant job postings and tracking, and you may pay $79 per post or $50 per month for those extra services.
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What Is the Best Way to Schedule Employees?
Needs differ among employers, so there is no absolute best way. In general, the best scheduling software options can help save time and improve efficiency by simplifying the process and ensuring that shifts are covered. Staff from multiple locations can collaborate on a single scheduling document, reducing confusion. If desired, employees also can have access to scheduling programs to see who may be available to cover a shift.
Methodology
We sorted through more than two dozen employee scheduling solutions and narrowed our selections down according to ease of use, types of software packages and features, compliance capabilities, and costs.
Nearly all scheduling software works across devices and desktops, so we only chose tools that could meet the needs of both Mac and Windows users. Also, we searched for software options that integrated with most other POS and accounting systems so you can build an efficient workflow for your business.
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AndreyPopov / Getty Images