10 Best Online Scheduling Software for Workforce Management in 2024

Maria Kharlantseva, September 27, 2024
10 best online scheduling software for workforce management in 2024

Managing employee schedules effectively is crucial for keeping operations running smoothly in any organization. With the rise of online employee scheduling software, workforce management has become more streamlined, allowing businesses to improve efficiency, reduce errors, and enhance communication with their teams. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of using online scheduling tools, how manpower scheduling software can optimize workforce management, and what features to look for when selecting the best solution for your business. These tools are designed to save time and simplify complex scheduling tasks, making it easier to manage your workforce.

Key Criteria for Choosing Online Employee Scheduling Software

When evaluating online employee scheduling software for workforce management, several important factors come into play. These key criteria ensure that the solutions we recommend are truly beneficial for businesses. We focus on the following aspects:

  • 🖱️ Ease of use: The personnel scheduling software should have an intuitive interface that simplifies scheduling tasks for managers and employees alike.
  • 📈 Scalability: The automated employee scheduling software should be capable of handling your business’s growth, whether you’re managing a small team or a large workforce.
  • ⚙️ Customization: Flexibility in setting up schedules, managing time-off requests, and accommodating various work patterns is crucial.
  • 🔗 Integrations: Seamless integration with payroll, time tracking, and other workforce management tools ensures smooth operations.
  • 📞 Customer support: Reliable support is essential for resolving any issues that may arise during implementation or regular use.

🛑 Note: We do not accept paid entries. Our selections are based purely on the merit of the software and how well it meets the needs of businesses.


Comparison Table

Tool Pricing Best For Free Trial
Shifts by Everhour Free Small teams looking for free scheduling and time tracking Yes
Deputy Starting at $3.50 per user/month Businesses seeking advanced scheduling with labor forecasting Yes
ZoomShift Starting at $2 per user/month Companies needing simple, intuitive scheduling Yes
When I Work Starting at $3 per user/month Businesses looking for flexibility and team collaboration Yes
Shiftboard Contact for pricing Businesses with complex scheduling needs Yes
Connecteam Starting at $29 per user/month Businesses with a mobile workforce Yes
Skedulo Contact for pricing Field service businesses Yes
Sling Starting at $1.70 per user/month Cost-conscious businesses seeking simple shift management Yes
Findmyshift Free for small teams Small businesses with basic scheduling needs Yes
Homebase Starting at $20 per location/month Businesses needing comprehensive time tracking and scheduling Yes

10 Best Online Employee Scheduling Software for Workforce Management

Shifts by Everhour

Shifts by Everhour is a schedule manager software designed to simplify workforce management. It provides businesses with an intuitive interface to handle shift planning, time tracking, and team coordination seamlessly. With its focus on efficiency and flexibility, Shifts ensures that your team stays organized and up to date with minimal effort.

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Key features

  • Quick shift creation: Easily create, edit, and assign shifts in just a few clicks, ensuring that your team is always aware of their schedules.
  • Mobile clock-in/out: Employees can clock in and out directly from their mobile devices, making time tracking accessible and convenient.
  • Open shifts: Allow team members to select shifts based on their availability, giving employees greater flexibility and control over their work hours.
  • Real-time notifications: Notify your team instantly of any shift changes, minimizing miscommunication and keeping everyone informed.
  • Attendance monitoring: Track who’s clocked in, on break, or late in real-time, enabling better workforce oversight.
  • Detailed reporting: Generate comprehensive reports on shift trends, labor expenses, and employee performance, providing data-driven insights for better decision-making.

Pricing

Shifts by Everhour is free, providing essential scheduling and time tracking features at no cost. Ideal for small teams looking to streamline their workforce management without additional expenses


Deputy

Deputy is a robust workforce management solution that streamlines scheduling and communication for businesses of all sizes. Its user-friendly platform helps managers create schedules effortlessly while giving employees the flexibility to manage their shifts. With advanced tools for forecasting labor needs and budgeting, Deputy ensures that your team operates efficiently and within budget.

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Key features

  • Intuitive scheduling: Easily create, adjust, and manage shifts using the drag-and-drop interface.
  • Employee communication: Send important messages, notifications, and updates directly to your team, keeping everyone aligned and informed.
  • Forecasting and budgeting: Plan labor costs with accuracy, predicting future needs to optimize your schedule while staying within budget constraints.
  • Employee self-service: Empower employees to take control of their schedules by requesting time off, swapping shifts, and viewing schedules via the app or web portal.

Pricing

  • Scheduling: $3.50 per user per month
  • Time and Attendance: $3.50 per user per month
  • Premium: $4.90 per user per month
  • Enterprise: Customized pricing

ZoomShift

ZoomShift offers a versatile platform for managing employee schedules, tracking time, and facilitating communication. Designed for ease of use, ZoomShift helps managers streamline scheduling processes and provides employees with tools to manage their shifts and communicate effectively.

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Key features

  • Scheduling: Create, edit, and assign shifts with ease using ZoomShift’s user-friendly scheduling tools. Ensure that your team’s work hours are organized efficiently.
  • Mobile clock-in/out: Allow employees to clock in and out via the mobile app, making it easy for remote or field workers to log their hours accurately.
  • Communication: Utilize built-in messaging features to enhance team collaboration. Employees can also swap shifts through the platform, improving flexibility.
  • Reporting and analytics: Gain insights into labor costs and workforce performance with ZoomShift’s reporting and analytics tools. Make data-driven decisions to optimize scheduling and management.

Pricing

  • Free trial or demo: Available for evaluation
  • Starting at: $2 per active team member per month

When I Work

When I Work is a comprehensive scheduling and workforce management tool designed to simplify shift management and improve team coordination. It supports effective scheduling, accurate time tracking, and flexible shift management.

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Key features

  • Employee availability: Track and manage employee availability and time-off requests effortlessly. Ensure that shifts are assigned based on availability to match the right people with the right tasks.
  • Time and attendance: Employees can clock in and out using their mobile devices, reducing time theft and easing payroll processes.
  • Shift swapping and pickup: Enable employees to swap shifts, request time off, and pick up available shifts through the mobile app.
  • Labor cost forecasting: Forecast labor costs based on your schedule to manage expenses effectively. Keep track of your budget and optimize labor costs to stay within financial limits.

Pricing

  • Essentials: $3 per user per month
  • Pro Plan: $5 per user per month
  • Premium Plan: $7 per user per month

Shiftboard

Shiftboard provides is a human resource scheduling software for managing complex scheduling needs and workforce planning. Its features are designed to enhance scheduling flexibility, improve employee engagement, and ensure compliance with labor regulations.

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Key features

  • Flexible scheduling: Utilize Shiftboard’s intuitive interface to create and manage work schedules tailored to your organization’s needs. Customize schedules for shift rotations, split shifts, and on-call staffing to suit various operational requirements.
  • Labor forecasting: Predict staffing needs using Shiftboard’s forecasting tools. Analyze historical data and future demand to ensure optimal staffing levels and avoid over- or understaffing.
  • Shift bidding: Facilitate a transparent shift bidding process where employees can request and bid on shifts according to their availability and preferences.
  • Compliance and certifications: Track employee certifications and qualifications to ensure compliance with labor laws and industry regulations. Automated alerts for expiring certifications help mitigate compliance risks.

Pricing

Shiftboard frequently offers a free trial or demo for potential users to evaluate the platform’s fit for their needs. For detailed pricing information and specific plans, contact the Shiftboard team


Connecteam

Connecteam is a versatile and complex scheduling software designed to enhance communication, streamline task management, and support mobile workforces. It integrates a variety of features to improve overall team efficiency and productivity.

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Key features

  • Communication hub: Connecteam serves as a centralized platform for seamless team communication. Features include group chats, announcements, and feedback forms, ensuring effective and organized communication within your organization.
  • Task and project management: Organize and prioritize assignments with Connecteam’s robust task and project management tools. Use task lists, checklists, and project timelines to enhance productivity and keep projects on track.
  • Mobile workforce management: Ideal for businesses with a mobile workforce, Connecteam offers tools like mobile clock-in/out, location tracking, and flexible scheduling.
  • Training and knowledge base: Create and deliver training materials using Connecteam’s integrated training module. Build a comprehensive knowledge base to provide employees with essential resources for skill development and ongoing learning.

Pricing

Connecteam’s pricing starts at $29 per user per month when billed annually. This plan includes access to all core features designed to support efficient workforce management


Skedulo

Skedulo is a robust cloud-based workforce management solution tailored for businesses with field staff, such as plumbers and electricians. It offers powerful scheduling and workflow optimization features to streamline operations and enhance productivity.

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Key features

  • Automatic scheduling: Skedulo’s standout feature is its ability to automatically assign field service workers to tasks based on factors such as skill, location, availability, and customer preferences. This ensures that the most suitable employee is dispatched for each job.
  • Real-time visibility: Gain real-time insights into your workforce operations, allowing for better management and quick adjustments as needed.
  • Mobile workforce collaboration: Facilitate effective communication and collaboration among mobile employees with tools designed for on-the-go management.
  • Analytics and reporting: Utilize detailed analytics and reporting features to track performance, optimize scheduling, and make data-driven decisions.

Pricing

To receive a customized quote, contact their sales team


Sling

Sling is a versatile tool designed for efficient shift planning and workforce management. It helps businesses streamline scheduling and keep track of employee hours with ease.

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Key features

  • Shift planning: Effortlessly create, edit, and manage shifts. Set up regular schedules or customize shifts to fit specific business needs.
  • Shift notifications: Automatically notify employees of their shifts to minimize absenteeism and ensure punctuality.
  • Time clock functionality: Track employee hours accurately with built-in clock-in and clock-out features.
  • Time off requests: Employees can submit time off requests directly through the app, simplifying the approval process.
  • Labor cost monitoring: Use reporting and analytics tools to gain insights into labor costs and manage expenses effectively.

Pricing

  • Free Plan
  • Premium Plan: $1.70 per user per month
  • Business Plan: $3.40 per user per month

Findmyshift

Findmyshift simplifies scheduling and time management with a user-friendly platform suitable for various business sizes and staffing needs.

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Key features

  • Flexible scheduling: Create schedules that accommodate both full-time and part-time employees, catering to diverse staffing requirements.
  • Shift patterns: Easily set up recurring shift patterns and templates to save time on scheduling.
  • Time-off management: Allow employees to request time off through the app, with managers able to approve or deny requests seamlessly.
  • Availability management: Employees can specify their availability to ensure schedules align with their preferences.
  • Notifications and reminders: Automated notifications and reminders help manage shift changes, upcoming schedules, and time-off requests.

Pricing

Findshift is free for 5 team members and 1 manager


Homebase

Homebase is one of the best shift schedule makers that offers a comprehensive suite of tools to manage shift schedules and time tracking efficiently. A powerful schedule planning software, it supports businesses in maintaining smooth operations and effective communication.

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Key features

  • Flexible shift creation: Create and assign shifts easily. Set regular schedules or customize shifts according to your business’s needs.
  • Availability tracking: Employees can update their availability, helping managers create schedules that fit individual preferences and constraints.
  • Shift reminders: Automatic shift reminders help reduce absenteeism and late arrivals.
  • Time off requests: Employees can request time off through the app, streamlining the process for managers.
  • Shift swaps: Facilitate shift swaps between employees to reduce managerial workload and ensure proper shift coverage.

Pricing

  • Basic Plan: Free
  • Essentials Plan: $20 per month per location
  • Plus Plan: $48 per month per location
  • All-In-One Plan: $80 per month per location

Use Shifts by Everhour for Your Workforce Management

Choosing the right online employee scheduling software for small business can significantly enhance your scheduling processes, streamline communication, and provide valuable insights into labor costs and employee performance. Among the tools discussed, Shifts by Everhour stands out as the best staff scheduling software, a free and user-friendly option that simplifies shift creation, attendance tracking, and reporting. It offers a robust solution for businesses seeking to manage their workforce efficiently without incurring additional costs.

By selecting the best employee scheduling software that aligns with your specific needs, you can improve scheduling accuracy, reduce administrative burdens, and ensure your team remains engaged and informed. Whether you opt for Shifts or another platform, investing in the right software will ultimately support your organization’s growth and operational success.

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.

Maria Kharlantseva

Maria is a proud content guardian with experience working for international teams and projects of different complexities. Maria has a passion for fantasy novels, music, black-and-white films, and nitpicking (because there is always room for improvement!).