Top 11 Employee Scheduling Apps for 2024: Boost Productivity & Manage Shifts

Picture this scenario: a bustling restaurant where culinary artistry meets impeccable service, a logistics hub orchestrating the seamless flow of goods, or a healthcare facility ensuring round-the-clock patient care. In each of these diverse settings, the delicate choreography of knowing what is shift work and scheduling for employees can be a puzzle. In the world of the best employee scheduling apps, complexity drives innovation.

As we uncover the best app for scheduling employees, we will look at the apps that promise not just efficiency, but a mix of features designed to cater to the multifaceted needs of businesses big and small. In the world of employee scheduling apps, the search for the best isn’t merely a quest—it’s an exploration of the complex interplay between technology, human resources, and the boundless potential of tomorrow’s workforce.

Selection Criteria for the Best Employee Scheduling App

As we embark on our journey to discover the best employee scheduling app, it’s essential to establish a set of rigorous criteria by which we’ll evaluate these digital solutions. After all, in a landscape brimming with options, discerning the cream of the crop requires a methodical approach.

1. User-friendliness: The team scheduling app should be easy for managers and employees to navigate, reducing the learning curve and ensuring smooth adoption.
2. Customization: One size rarely fits all when it comes to a staff scheduling application. For this purpose, we’ll be looking for apps that offer a high degree of customization, allowing businesses to tailor schedules to their specific needs.
3. Automation and AI: How effectively does the shift scheduling app leverage automation and AI capabilities? The ability to automate repetitive tasks, like shift allocation and time-off requests, can significantly boost efficiency.
4. Compatibility and integration: Integration with other essential business software, such as payroll and time-tracking systems, is crucial for a seamless workflow.
5. Scalability: We assess how well these employee scheduling apps accommodate the changing needs of both small startups and large enterprises.
6. Communication features: We look for team scheduling apps that facilitate clear and timely communication between managers and employees.
7. Compliance and labor laws: Adherence to labor laws and compliance regulations is non-negotiable. Here we examine how well each employee schedule app helps businesses stay compliant with local labor laws.
8. Mobile accessibility: In today’s mobile world, accessibility on smartphones and tablets is key. We’ll evaluate the mobile-friendliness of each app.
9. Reporting and analytics: Insights derived from scheduling data can drive better decision-making. We’ll consider the reporting and analytics capabilities of each app.
10. Cost and ROI: Finally, we’ll assess the cost of each solution relative to its features and benefits. The ideal app should offer a strong return on investment.

❗ Our selections remain unbiased, unaffected by payments from specific tools. Our goal is to provide forthright recommendations, establishing trust in our evaluations.

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TL;DR Table

Tool	Pricing	Free Plan	Best Suited For
Shifts by Everhour	Free	Yes	Businesses seeking a tool with basic scheduling features, especially project-based organizations
Deputy	Starts at $3.50/user/mo	No; 30-day free trial	Retail, hospitality, and healthcare
When I Work	Starts at $2.50	No; free trial	Small to medium-sized businesses in various industries
Shiftboard	Custom pricing	No; free demo	Healthcare and service industries
Zoomshift	Starts at $2 per active team member/mo	No; 14-day free trial	Small businesses in various industries
Skedulo	Custom pricing	No; free demo	Field service businesses
Sling	Paid plan starts at $1.70	Yes; free trial	Restaurants and food service businesses
HotSchedules	Custom pricing	No	Restaurants and hospitality businesses
7shifts	Starts at $29.99 per mo/location	Yes; a 14-day free trial	Restaurants and food service businesses
Homebase	Starts at $20 per location/mo	Yes	Retail, restaurant, and healthcare businesses
Planday	Starts at €2.99 per user/mo	No	Businesses in retail, hospitality, and the service sector

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Best Employee Scheduling App: Top 11 Picks

1. Shifts by Everhour

Shifts is a powerful staff scheduling app that offers a set of robust scheduling features combined with insightful analytics and payroll.

💪 Key features

1. Scheduling: Shifts by Everhour offers robust scheduling capabilities, allowing managers to create, edit, and assign shifts with ease. The drag-and-drop interface simplifies the process, and you can set recurring schedules for added convenience.

2. Mobile clock-in/out: With mobile clock-in/out functionality, employees can conveniently log their work hours using their smartphones. This feature ensures accurate time tracking, especially for remote or field workers.

3. Attendance tracking: The app provides comprehensive attendance tracking, allowing you to monitor employee attendance and tardiness. Managers can receive real-time notifications for attendance-related issues.

4. Payroll management: Shifts app simplifies the payroll process. You can easily calculate wages, manage overtime, and generate payroll reports, saving time and reducing errors.

✅ Pros

• User-friendly interface: The user interface is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy for both managers and employees to navigate and use effectively.
• Mobile accessibility: The mobile clock-in/out feature and mobile app make it convenient for employees to access their schedules and log hours from anywhere, enhancing flexibility.
• Customization: Shifts allows for a high degree of customization, accommodating various scheduling needs, such as shift rotations and multiple locations.

❌ Cons

• Only basic scheduling features available: Shifts is a priceless tool if your scheduling needs aren’t very complicated. However, as of yet, it lacks more advanced features, such as GPS tracking or complex communication tools.

💸 Pricing

Shifts by Everhour is completely free to use.

Shifts by Everhour is a comprehensive solution for businesses seeking an integrated approach to employee scheduling, time tracking, and payroll management. Its user-friendly interface and mobile accessibility make it a strong contender for companies looking to streamline workforce management processes. However, it’s important to consider your specific needs when evaluating this solution.

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2. Deputy

Deputy is a versatile work scheduling app that includes employee scheduling, time tracking, and communication tools for businesses of all sizes.

💪 Key features

1. Scheduling: Deputy offers intuitive scheduling tools, allowing managers to create, assign, and edit shifts effortlessly.
2. Mobile clock-in/out: Employees can use the mobile app to clock in and out, providing accurate time tracking, especially for remote or field workers.
3. Attendance tracking: The platform includes attendance tracking to monitor employee attendance and manage compliance.
4. Payroll integration: Deputy integrates with various payroll systems, streamlining the payroll process and reducing errors.

✅ Pros

• User-friendly: Deputy is known for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for both managers and employees to use.
• Mobile accessibility: The mobile app enhances flexibility and convenience for employees to access schedules and clock in/out.
• Integration options: Deputy offers multiple integrations with popular payroll and HR software.

❌ Cons

• Limited reporting: Some users may find that Deputy’s reporting capabilities are not as robust as they’d like.
• Pricing: While Deputy offers a free trial, some businesses may find the pricing to be on the higher side, especially for larger teams.

💸 Pricing

Deputy offers pricing plans based on the number of employees and features required. They provide a 30-day free trial for users to evaluate the platform. The pricing starts at $3.50.

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3. When I Work

When I Work is an employee shift schedule app that simplifies employee scheduling, time tracking, and team communication, making it suitable for businesses in various industries.

💪 Key features

1. Scheduling: When I Work provides scheduling tools that enable managers to create, share, and manage employee schedules efficiently.
2. Mobile clock-in/out: Employees can use the mobile app to clock in and out, ensuring accurate time tracking, particularly for remote or mobile teams.
3. Communication: The platform offers built-in communication features for team messaging and shift swapping, promoting collaboration and flexibility.
4. Labor cost control: When I Work helps businesses control labor costs by providing insights into labor expenses and compliance.

✅ Pros

• Ease of use: When I Work is known for its user-friendly interface, making it accessible to both managers and employees.
• Affordable pricing: The platform offers cost-effective pricing plans, making it suitable for small to medium-sized businesses.
• Mobile accessibility: The mobile app enhances flexibility and convenience for employees and managers on the go.

❌ Cons

• Limited advanced features: When I Work may not offer as many advanced features as some other workforce management tools.
• Integration options: While it does integrate with popular payroll and POS systems, the range of integrations may be somewhat limited compared to other solutions.

💸 Pricing

When I Work offers pricing plans based on the number of employees and features needed. They also provide a free trial for users to explore the platform. The pricing starts at $2.50.

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4. Shiftboard

Shiftboard is a cloud-based scheduling and workforce management solution designed to help businesses optimize scheduling with features like drag-and-drop scheduling.

💪 Key features

1. Scheduling: Shiftboard offers robust scheduling tools, allowing managers to create, assign, and manage shifts with ease.
2. Mobile clock-in/out: The platform supports mobile clock-in/out, enabling employees to log their work hours conveniently using their smartphones.
3. Compliance management: Shiftboard provides compliance management features to help businesses adhere to labor laws and regulations.
4. Customization: The platform offers a high degree of customization, accommodating various scheduling needs, including complex shift patterns.

✅ Pros

• Flexibility: Shiftboard is known for its flexibility, making it suitable for businesses in various industries with unique scheduling requirements.
• Compliance focus: The compliance management features can be particularly beneficial for businesses that need to ensure adherence to labor laws.
• Scalability: Shiftboard is scalable, making it suitable for both small businesses and larger enterprises.

❌ Cons

• Learning curve: Some users may find that Shiftboard has a steeper learning curve compared to more straightforward scheduling tools.
• Integration options: While Shiftboard does offer integration capabilities, the range of integrations may be more limited than other workforce management solutions.

💸 Pricing

Shiftboard often offer a free trial or demo to help users assess the platform’s suitability for their needs. For more detailed information on pricing plans, contact the team directly.

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5. ZoomShift

ZoomShift offers employee scheduling, time tracking, and team communication tools, emphasizing flexibility and ease of use.

💪 Key features

1. Scheduling: ZoomShift provides user-friendly scheduling tools, allowing managers to create, edit, and assign shifts effortlessly.
2. Mobile clock-in/out: Employees can use the mobile app to clock in and out, making it convenient for remote or field workers to log their hours.
3. Communication: ZoomShift offers built-in communication features for team messaging and shift swapping, promoting collaboration among employees.
4. Reporting and analytics: The platform includes reporting and analytics tools to provide insights into labor costs and workforce performance.

✅ Pros

• Ease of use: ZoomShift is known for its straightforward and user-friendly interface, making it accessible to both managers and employees.
• Affordable pricing: The platform offers competitive pricing plans, making it suitable for businesses with budget constraints.
• Mobile accessibility: The mobile app enhances flexibility and convenience for employees and managers on the go.

❌ Cons

• Limited advanced features: Some users may find that ZoomShift lacks certain advanced features compared to more comprehensive workforce management tools.
• Integration options: While it does integrate with popular payroll and accounting systems, the range of integrations may be somewhat limited compared to other solutions.

💸 Pricing

ZoomShift offer a free trial or demo to help users evaluate the platform. The pricing starts at $2 per active team member/month.

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6. Skedulo

Skedulo is a comprehensive workforce management solution that specializes in simplifying scheduling, optimizing field worker assignments, and enhancing communication for industries like healthcare, home services, and logistics.

💪 Key features

1. Scheduling: Skedulo specializes in scheduling and workforce management for field service businesses, helping managers create and optimize schedules efficiently.
2. Mobile workforce: The platform is designed to support mobile workforces, allowing field service employees to access schedules, job details, and customer information on the go.
3. Routing and dispatch: Skedulo offers routing and dispatch features to help businesses assign the right field workers to jobs and optimize routes for efficiency.
4. Integration: The platform integrates with other business systems, streamlining data flow and ensuring accurate record-keeping.

✅ Pros

• Field service focus: Skedulo is tailored for businesses with field service operations, making it an ideal choice for industries such as healthcare, home services, and logistics.
• Mobile accessibility: The mobile app enhances the productivity and communication of field service employees, enabling them to work more efficiently.
• Scalability: Skedulo is scalable and suitable for both small businesses and larger enterprises with growing workforces.

❌ Cons

• Industry specificity: While perfect for field service, Skedulo may not be as adaptable for businesses in other industries.
• Pricing: Pricing for Skedulo may vary based on the specific needs of your field service business.

💸 Pricing

Rather than offering fixed pricing tiers, Skedulo tailors its pricing to match the unique needs and scale of your organization. This approach allows you to pay for the services and capabilities that are most relevant to your business, ensuring that you receive a cost-effective solution that aligns with your workforce management requirements.

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7. Sling

Sling is a workforce management app that offers employee scheduling, time tracking, and labor cost control, ideal for businesses in the hospitality and healthcare sectors.

💪 Key features

1. Scheduling: Sling provides scheduling tools designed specifically for businesses in the hospitality and healthcare sectors, allowing managers to create, edit, and assign shifts with ease.
2. Labor cost control: Sling helps businesses control labor costs by providing insights into labor expenses and scheduling optimization.
3. Communication: Sling offers built-in communication features for team messaging and shift swapping, enhancing collaboration among employees.

✅ Pros

• Industry focus: Sling caters to the specific needs of the hospitality and healthcare industries, making it a suitable choice for businesses in these sectors.
• User-friendly: Sling is known for its user-friendly interface, making it accessible to both managers and employees.
• Labor cost management: The platform’s labor cost control features can be particularly beneficial for businesses looking to optimize workforce expenses.

❌ Cons

• Limited industry scope: While ideal for hospitality and healthcare, Sling may not be as versatile for businesses in other industries.
• Integration options: The range of integrations may be somewhat limited compared to more comprehensive workforce management tools.

💸 Pricing

Sling offers pricing plans based on the number of users and features required. They provide a free trial for users to evaluate the platform. The pricing starts at $1.70 per user per month.

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8. HotSchedules

HotSchedules focuses on employee scheduling for the restaurant and hospitality shift scheduling, offering features like labor forecasting and compliance management.

💪 Key features

1. Scheduling: HotSchedules specializes in scheduling tools tailored for the restaurant and hospitality industry, enabling managers to create, edit, and assign shifts efficiently.
2. Labor forecasting: The platform provides labor forecasting capabilities to help businesses optimize labor costs and staffing levels.
3. Compliance management: HotSchedules assists businesses in staying compliant with labor laws and regulations, crucial in the restaurant industry.
4. Communication: The platform includes communication features for team messaging and shift swapping, promoting collaboration among restaurant staff.

✅ Pros

• Industry focus: HotSchedules is designed specifically for the restaurant and hospitality industry, making it an ideal choice for businesses in these sectors.
• Labor cost optimization: The labor forecasting features can help restaurants manage labor costs effectively and maintain compliance.
• Mobile accessibility: HotSchedules offers a mobile app for easy access to schedules and communication for restaurant staff on the go.

❌ Cons

• Industry specificity: While perfect for restaurants and hospitality, HotSchedules may not be as adaptable for businesses in other industries.
• No free trial.

💸 Pricing

For detailed pricing information, it’s recommended to visit the HotSchedules website or contact their sales team directly.

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9. 7shifts

7shifts is a scheduling and labor management platform designed specifically for restaurants and food service businesses.

💪 Key features

1. Scheduling: 7shifts specializes in scheduling tools designed specifically for restaurants and food service businesses. It simplifies the creation and management of employee schedules.
2. Communication: The platform includes communication features that facilitate team messaging and shift swapping, fostering collaboration among restaurant staff.
3. Labor cost control: 7shifts offers labor cost control features, helping restaurants optimize labor expenses and ensure compliance with labor laws.
4. Mobile accessibility: 7shifts provides a mobile app for easy access to schedules and communication, catering to the needs of restaurant staff on the move.

✅ Pros

• Industry focus: 7shifts is tailored for the restaurant and food service industry, making it an ideal choice for businesses in these sectors.
• Labor cost management: The platform’s labor cost control features can assist restaurants in effectively managing labor expenses and maintaining compliance.
• User-friendly: 7shifts is known for its user-friendly interface, making it accessible to both managers and restaurant employees.

❌ Cons

• Industry specificity: While perfect for restaurants and food service, 7shifts may not be as adaptable for businesses in other industries.
• Limited reporting: Some users may find that 7shifts lacks advanced reporting capabilities compared to more comprehensive workforce management tools.

💸 Pricing

7shifts offers a 14-day free trial. They also provide a free plan with the most basic features. The pricing starts at $29.99 per month/location.

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10. Homebase

Homebase provides employee scheduling, time tracking, and team communication tools for businesses in the retail, restaurant, and healthcare sectors.

💪 Key features

1. Scheduling: Homebase offers scheduling tools designed for businesses in retail, restaurant, and healthcare sectors, allowing managers to create, edit, and assign shifts efficiently.
2. Team communication: Homebase facilitates team communication through built-in features for messaging and shift swapping, enhancing collaboration among employees.
3. Payroll integration: Homebase integrates with various payroll systems, simplifying the payroll process and reducing errors.

✅ Pros

• Industry focus: Homebase caters to the specific needs of businesses in retail, restaurants, and healthcare, making it a suitable choice for these sectors.
• User-friendly: The platform is known for its user-friendly interface, making it accessible to both managers and employees.
• Mobile accessibility: Homebase provides a mobile app for convenient access to schedules and communication, particularly beneficial for employees on the move.

❌ Cons

• Industry specificity: While ideal for retail, restaurant, and healthcare, Homebase may not be as adaptable for businesses in other industries.
• Limited advanced features: Some users may find that Homebase lacks certain advanced features compared to more comprehensive workforce management tools.

💸 Pricing

Homebase offers a free plan with the most basic features. The pricing starts at $20 per location/month.

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11. Planday

Planday is a versatile workforce management tool that excels in simplifying employee scheduling, time tracking, and team communication.

💪 Key features

1. Scheduling: Planday offers employee scheduling tools, allowing managers to create, edit, and assign shifts with ease.
2. Time tracking: The platform includes time tracking capabilities to monitor employee hours, attendance, and overtime accurately.
3. Communication: Planday facilitates communication among employees and managers, streamlining shift swaps and collaboration.
4. Integration: Planday integrates with various payroll and HR systems, simplifying the payroll process and ensuring data accuracy.

✅ Pros

• User-friendly: Planday is known for its user-friendly interface, making it accessible to both managers and employees.
• Industry versatility: While suitable for various industries, Planday is particularly well-suited for businesses in retail, hospitality, and service sectors.
• Affordable pricing: The platform offers competitive pricing plans, making it accessible to small to medium-sized businesses.

❌ Cons

• Limited advanced features: Some users may find that Planday lacks certain advanced features compared to more comprehensive workforce management tools.
• Integration scope: The range of integrations may be somewhat limited compared to other solutions.

💸 Pricing

Planday’s pricing starts at €2.99 per user/month.

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❓ What is an Employee Scheduling App?

An employee scheduling app is a digital tool designed to streamline and simplify the process of creating, managing, and communicating employee work schedules within an organization. These apps replace traditional manual scheduling methods, such as spreadsheets or paper-based systems, with automated and user-friendly solutions.

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❓ How Do Employee Scheduling Apps Work?

Employee scheduling apps typically work by allowing managers to input employee availability, assign shifts, and set schedules using a user-friendly interface. Employees can access their schedules, request time off, and receive notifications through a mobile app or web platform. These apps often integrate with time tracking, payroll, and communication tools, facilitating seamless workforce management.

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❓ Benefits of Using the Best Employee Scheduling App

• Efficiency: Employee scheduling apps significantly reduce the time and effort required to create and manage schedules, leading to increased operational efficiency.
• Accuracy: Automation reduces scheduling errors and conflicts, ensuring that shifts are assigned correctly, and labor laws are adhered to.
• Flexibility: Employees can view their schedules, request shift changes, and receive updates in real time, enhancing flexibility and communication.
• Cost savings: Effective scheduling can help businesses optimize labor costs by aligning staffing with demand, preventing overstaffing or understaffing.
• Compliance: Many apps offer compliance features, helping businesses adhere to labor laws and regulations, particularly in industries with strict workforce management requirements.

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❓ Why Should I Use an Employee Scheduling App?

By and large, using an employee scheduling app is beneficial for businesses of all sizes and industries for several reasons:

• Time savings: It saves managers significant time compared to manual scheduling methods.
• Improved communication: Such apps enhance communication between managers and employees regarding schedules, time-off requests, and shift changes.
• Better organization: These apps provide a centralized platform for scheduling and related tasks, making it easier to manage a workforce.
• Enhanced accuracy: Automation reduces scheduling errors, ensuring employees are assigned to the right shifts.
• Cost control: Effective scheduling helps control labor costs and prevent unnecessary overtime.
• Employee satisfaction: Real-time access to schedules and the ability to request time off can improve employee satisfaction and work-life balance.

In summary, when it comes to optimizing workforce schedules and boosting operational effectiveness, Shifts by Everhour stands out as the top choice among employee scheduling apps, offering a cost-effective solution for businesses.

If you’re looking for a seamless way to improve shift planning, Shifts by Everhour is the perfect solution. With features like real-time monitoring, easy scheduling, and mobile accessibility, managing your workforce has never been simpler.