Discover the Best Retail Scheduling Software for 2025

In today’s retail industry, efficient workforce management is key. Managing staff schedules can be challenging sometimes. So, having the right retail scheduling software is essential. These retail employee scheduling tools help managers deliver exceptional customer experiences.

Additionally, free employee shift scheduling apps can enhance efficiency without adding financial strain. Here, we’ll explore some of the best retail scheduling software solutions that meet the retail sector’s needs.

Key Criteria for Choosing Scheduling Software for Retail Stores

🔍 Ease of use: Look for retail schedule software that is intuitive and easy to navigate.
⏰ Advanced scheduling features: Seek retail labor scheduling software with shift swapping, availability tracking, and scheduling algorithms.
💼 Integration: Choose retail scheduling systems that integrate with POS, payroll, and HR platforms.
💬 Communication and collaboration: Prioritize tools that facilitate communication between managers and employees.
📅 Shift forecasting: Look for retail employee scheduling software to predict staffing needs based on historical data and trends.
🔄 Shift swapping & availability management: Choose retail shift scheduling software that manages availability preferences.
📱 Mobile accessibility: Prioritize retail staff scheduling software with mobile apps or responsive interfaces.
🧾 Compliance: Look for employee scheduling software for retail that ensures labor law compliance.
📈 Performance metrics: Finally, opt for retail staff software that provides performance & efficiency metrics.

🚫 No paid entries: We don’t accept paid entries for scheduling software for retail or any other tools.

---

Comparison Table

	Pricing	Free Trial	Standout Features
Shifts by Everhour	Free; $8.50	Yes	Completely free to use, intuitive interface, flexible scheduling, real-time updates
Homebase	Starting at $20 per location per month	14-day free trial	Free plan, unlimited employees, feature-rich platform
Deputy	Starting at $3.50 per user per month	14-day free trial	Intuitive interface, enhanced communication, efficient forecasting
When I Work	Starting at $2.50 per user per month	14-day free trial	Robust scheduling and time management features, beginner-friendly, auto-scheduling
ZoomShift	Starting at $2 per user per month	14-day free trial	Seasonal scheduling flexibility, third-party calendar sync, employee shift preferences
Sling	Starting at $1.25 per user per month	No free trial	Free and inexpensive plans, easy to use, unlimited locations and employees per plan
Connecteam	Starting at $29 per user per month	14-day free trial	Communication hub, task delegation, mobile workforce management
OnTheClock	Custom	No free trial	Intuitive navigation, quick setup, overtime calculations
Buddy Punch	Starting at $2.99 per user per month	30-day free trial	Responsive support, automated scheduling, mobile accessibility
Social Schedules	Starting at $12.99 per month per location	No free trial	Enhanced communication, compliance assurance, improved productivity
Humanity	Starting at $3 per user per month	No free trial	Automatic scheduling, mobile accessibility, flex scheduling

---

11 Best Retail Scheduling Software Tools

Shifts by Everhour

Managing retail schedules efficiently is crucial. It optimizes staffing levels and delivers excellent customer service. Shifts by Everhour is a retail scheduler that simplifies retail scheduling processes and creates flexible schedules.

✅ Pros

• Completely free to use. Shifts by Everhour is retail scheduling software that can be used for free.
• Intuitive and user-friendly interface: Its interface simplifies the scheduling process for everyone involved.
• Flexible scheduling: Retail managers can accommodate varying staffing needs and seasonal fluctuations.
• Real-time updates: Managers can respond to scheduling changes, shift swaps, and time-off requests.

❌ Cons

• Limited customization: Some users find customization limited compared to more robust scheduling solutions.

🌟 Key features

• Availability management: Employees can update their availability, accommodating their preferences and scheduling constraints.
• Shift reminders: Automated shift reminders minimize no-shows and last-minute scheduling conflicts.
• Time-off requests: With a simplified time-off request process, employees can submit requests in the app.
• Kiosk setup: Facilitates clocking in and out with a dedicated device, exclusively designated for your team’s time tracking.
• Shift swapping: Employees can swap shifts, reducing scheduling conflicts and improving employee satisfaction.
• Centralized attendance: Consolidated all attendance-related information in one centralized location.
• Mobile accessibility: Access schedules and make changes on the go with Shifts’ mobile app, even outside the workplace.

💰 Pricing

Shifts by Everhour is completely free.

---

Homebase

Homebase is a leading retail scheduling software solution. It offers businesses a comprehensive platform to streamline employee scheduling and management processes. It also provides the tools to optimize workforce scheduling and ensure smooth operations.

✅ Pros

• Free plan: It covers one business location with up to 20 employees, providing essential scheduling tools at no cost.
• Unlimited employees: Businesses can enjoy unlimited employees for the by-location price.
• Feature-rich platform: Includes hiring, job posting, and communication tools.

❌ Cons

• By-location pricing: This model may be expensive for businesses with multiple locations and few employees.
• Mobile app glitches: Some users experience glitches in the mobile app. It particularly concerns calendar, photo sync, and other tools.
• Time off tracking limitations: Time off tracking is available in higher-tier plans only.

🌟 Key features

• Flexible shift creation: Create, assign, and manage shifts to match your business’s unique requirements.
• Availability tracking: Employees can update their availability, allowing managers to accommodate individual preferences.
• Shift reminders: Reduce absenteeism and late arrivals with automatic shift reminders.
• Time off requests: Streamline the time off request process by enabling employees to request time off directly through the app.
• Shift swaps: Shift swaps reduce managerial workload and ensure adequate shift coverage.

💰 Pricing

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

---

Deputy

Deputy scheduling tool is a robust retail scheduling and workforce management solution. It streamlines scheduling processes and boosts team productivity. Deputy offers features to simplify scheduling, time tracking, and employee communication.

✅ Pros

• Intuitive interface: Deputy’s user-friendly platform makes creating and managing schedules effortless. With drag-and-drop functionality and easy navigation, scheduling becomes a seamless task.
• Enhanced communication: Send messages, notifications, and updates inside the platform.
• Efficient forecasting: Plan your labor costs with Deputy’s forecasting and budgeting tools. Predict future labor needs and optimize schedules to align with your budgetary constraints.

❌ Cons

• Limited customization: Some users may find Deputy’s customization options to be somewhat limited.

🌟 Key features

• Shift scheduling: Its user-friendly interface allows for the easy management of retail schedules. Use drag-and-drop functionality and at-a-glance views to streamline scheduling tasks.
• Employee self-service: Employees can also access schedules, request time off, and swap shifts.
• Effective communication: Communicate updates through the platform to ensure collaboration across the team.

💰 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 available.

---

When I Work

When I Work is a standout choice for retail scheduling, offering tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of retail businesses. It simplifies employee scheduling, making it an ideal solution for retailers.

✅ Pros

• Employee scheduling & time management: Businesses can manage employee schedules, track time, and streamline workforce management tasks.
• Beginner-friendly: Its intuitive interface makes it easy for people to use effectively.
• Auto-scheduling: When I Work simplifies scheduling by offering auto-scheduling features.

❌ Cons

• Limited reporting: It may pose challenges for businesses requiring in-depth analytics and insights.
• No phone support: Unlike some competitors, When I Work does not offer phone support. It can be a con for businesses seeking immediate assistance via phone.

🌟 Key features

• Employee availability management: Easily track and manage employee availability and time-off requests.
• Time and attendance tracking: Employees can clock in/out via mobile devices.
• 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 your labor expenses and stay within budget.

💰 Pricing

• Essentials: $2.50 per user per month.
• Pro Plan: $5 per user per month.
• Premium Plan: $8 per user per month.

---

Zoomshift

ZoomShift is a versatile solution that meets the scheduling needs of retail businesses. It simplifies scheduling, streamlines time tracking, and fosters better communication among team members.

✅ Pros

• Seasonal scheduling flexibility: Accommodates seasonal businesses by putting scheduling on hold during off-seasons. This provides flexibility for businesses with fluctuating staffing needs.
• Third-party calendar sync: Integrates with third-party calendar applications. It allows for better coordination and scheduling across multiple platforms.
• Employee shift preferences: Gauge employee interest in extra shifts, helping to optimize staffing levels.

❌ Cons

• No free plan: Does not offer a free plan option, which may deter smaller businesses or those with limited budgets from utilizing the platform.
• Limited live support: Live support options are minimal, potentially leading to longer wait times.
• Few integrations: Has limited integration options with other software. It may limit its compatibility and functionality within certain business ecosystems.

🌟 Key features

• User-friendly scheduling: Intuitive interface allows managers to create, edit, and assign shifts effortlessly.
• 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.
• Communication tools: ZoomShift offers built-in communication features for team messaging and shift swapping.
• Reporting and analytics: Includes reporting & analytics tools to provide insights into workforce performance.

💰 Pricing

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

---

Sling

Boasting an intuitive interface and comprehensive functionality, Sling streamlines shift planning, time tracking, and employee management processes, offering retailers a means to optimize scheduling operations. 

✅ Pros

• Free and inexpensive plans: Has free and affordable paid plans, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes and budgets.
• Easy to use: Sling features an intuitive interface, allowing managers and employees to use the platform with ease.
• Unlimited locations & employees: Businesses can include multiple locations and employees within each plan.

❌ Cons

• Free version does not allow shift swaps.
• Only the most expensive plan has auto-scheduling.
• No time clock in the free version: Unlike paid plans, the free version of Sling does not include time clock functionality. It may require businesses to invest in additional tools for time-tracking purposes.

🌟 Key features

• Shift planning: Allows users to effortlessly create, edit, and manage shifts. 
• Shift notifications: Receiving timely reminders, your staff will be informed and accountable.
• Time clock: With clock-in/out features, businesses maintain accurate records of work hours for payroll.
• Time off requests: Employees can submit time off requests directly through the app.
• Labor cost monitoring: Businesses can optimize staffing levels, identify cost-saving opportunities, and make informed decisions.

💰 Pricing

• Free Plan.
• Premium Plan: $1.25 per user per month.
• Business Plan: $3.40 per user per month.

---

Connecteam

Connecteam is a powerful retail scheduling software that streamlines workforce management. Its centralized communication hub and mobile workforce management tools empower retail managers to schedule shifts and optimize productivity.

✅ Pros

• User-friendly interface: Connecteam’s interface ensures easy navigation and quick adoption for all-level users.
• Training and certifications tracking: Track employee training and certifications. This helps you ensure that your team is equipped with the necessary skills and qualifications.
• Task delegation: This feature facilitates collaboration and task management among team members.

❌ Cons

• Limited support: It lacks live support, which may result in delays in resolving issues or accessing assistance when needed.
• No auto-scheduling: No auto-scheduling requires manual shift planning, potentially increasing administrative workload.
• Restricted integrations: Limited integrations which hinders connectivity with other essential business tools.

🌟 Key features

• Communication hub: Its features include group chats, announcements, and feedback forms.
• Task and project management: Teams can organize and prioritize assignments efficiently. Features include task lists, checklists, and project timelines.
• Mobile workforce management: Mobile clock-in/out, location tracking, and scheduling flexibility help manage remote or field employees.
• Training and knowledge base: Includes an integrated training module that creates and delivers training materials.

💰 Pricing 

Connecteam offers pricing plans starting at $29 per user per month when billed annually.

---

OnTheClock

OnTheClock is a versatile retail store scheduling software. It is an ideal choice for businesses prioritizing employee time tracking, clocking in/out, and scheduling. Focusing on time tracking and scheduling efficiency, OnTheClock helps companies manage their workforce.

✅ Pros

• Intuitive navigation: The intuitive interface simplifies navigation, ensuring ease of use and efficient adoption.
• Clear design: Makes it easy for users to understand various functions without extensive training.
• Quick setup: OnTheClock provides quick setup and implementation. This minimizes downtime and facilitates swift adoption across the organization.

❌ Cons

• Learning curve: Some users experience a learning curve when first navigating OnTheClock’s features and settings. This is particularly true when configuring advanced functionalities such as geofencing.
• Limited free plan: Businesses requiring more advanced features may need to upgrade to a paid plan.

🌟 Key features

• Scheduling: Businesses can manage employee schedules, ensuring proper coverage and labor law compliance.
• Overtime calculations: Overtime calculations are based on labor laws and company policies. This helps businesses accurately track and manage overtime hours.
• Time-off management: Businesses can manage time-off requests, accruals, and approvals within the app.
• Geofencing: Allows businesses to set location-based restrictions to ensure employees are at the designated worksite.

💰 Pricing

OnTheClock offers a free plan for 1-2 employees. Competitively priced plans are also available for businesses requiring features such as geofencing and integrations.

---

Buddy Punch

Buddy Punch is an employee scheduling software that simplifies time tracking and attendance management. It streamlines scheduling processes, tracks employee hours, and ensures compliance with labor regulations.

✅ Pros

• Support: Buddy Punch has excellent customer service, offering prompt and helpful user assistance.
• Personalized assistance: Users get personalized assistance from the support team, with dedicated support representatives available to offer tailored troubleshooting.

❌ Cons

• Limited integrations: Some users may find that Buddy Punch has limited integrations with other third-party software and tools.
• Potential for technical issues: While facial recognition can enhance security and convenience, it may encounter technical issues or inaccuracies in certain situations, such as poor lighting conditions or facial obstructions.

🌟 Key features

• Automated scheduling: Buddy Punch enables businesses to create and manage employee schedules efficiently, with automated features for shift rotations, recurring schedules, and time-off requests.
• Real-time insights: Buddy Punch offers a quick overview of work hours, making time card analysis seamless and ensuring you’re always up-to-date.
• Mobile accessibility: Buddy Punch offers retail employees and managers an option to access scheduling from their phones.

💰 Pricing

• Standard: $2.99 per user per month.
• Pro: $3.99 per user per month.
• Enterprise: Custom.

---

Social Schedules

Social Schedules emerges as a dynamic platform tailored to address the intricate scheduling needs of the retail sector. It serves as a comprehensive solution, empowering retail businesses to efficiently manage their workforce, streamline communication, and ensure optimal operational performance.

✅ Pros

• Enhanced communication: The platform helps communication among retail teams, enabling managers to convey important updates, announcements, and shift changes in real time.
• Compliance assurance: Social Schedules helps retail businesses maintain compliance with labor regulations, thus ensuring adherence to working time directives and break policies.
• Improved productivity: By providing insights into employee availability and preferences, Social Schedules empowers retail managers to create schedules that align with individual needs.

❌ Cons

• Limited customization: Some users may find the customization options within Social Schedules to be somewhat restricted compared to other scheduling platforms.
• Learning curve: While the platform offers intuitive features, new users may require some time to familiarize themselves with its functionalities and interface.

🌟 Key features

• Employee availability insights: Gain visibility into employee availability and preferences, facilitating the creation of schedules.
• Real-time communication: Develop communication among retail teams with built-in messaging features, enabling managers to disseminate important information and updates.
• Time and attendance tracking: Monitor employee attendance and working hours accurately, thus ensuring compliance with labor regulations.
• Compliance reporting: Generate reports to track working time, break policies, and other compliance factors, helping retail businesses mitigate risks.

💰 Pricing

• Basic Plan: Free, offering essential scheduling features for retail businesses.
• Starter Plan: $12.99 per month per location.
• Premium Plan: $33.99 per month per location.
• Enterprise Plan: Custom.

---

Humanity

Humanity is a leading cloud-based employee scheduling software that caters specifically to the diverse needs of the retail industry. With its robust features and intuitive interface, Humanity streamlines scheduling processes, empowers managers, and enhances operational efficiency in retail settings.

✅ Pros

• Automatic scheduling: Retail managers can save time by automating repetitive scheduling tasks, ensuring accurate and efficient scheduling processes.
• Mobile accessibility: Humanity’s mobile capabilities enable managers to access schedules on the go, providing real-time updates, even outside the workplace.

❌ Cons

• Limited data-gathering tools: Humanity may lack advanced data-gathering tools. It limits its ability to provide insights for retail businesses seeking deeper visibility into scheduling patterns and workforce trends.

🌟 Key features

• Cloud-based automatic scheduling: Humanity’s cloud-based platform enables automatic scheduling, allowing managers to create and adjust schedules while ensuring accuracy and compliance with labor regulations.
• Flex scheduling: Humanity offers flexible scheduling features, allowing managers to accommodate employee preferences and availability.
• Intuitive interface: Humanity’s user-friendly interface simplifies scheduling tasks for managers.
• Integration capabilities: Humanity also integrates with other retail management systems, enabling data sharing and streamlining workflows across multiple platforms.

💰 Pricing

• Starter: $3/user/month (billed annually).
• Classic: $4/user/month (billed annually).
• Enterprise: Custom.

---

FAQs about Retail Scheduling Software

What is HR and scheduling software for retail, and why do retail businesses need it?

All in all, retail scheduling software is a tool designed to help retail businesses efficiently manage employee schedules, shifts, and workforce-related tasks. It automates scheduling processes, ensures adequate staffing levels, and enhances communication between managers and employees, ultimately improving operational efficiency and customer service.

What features should I look for in retail scheduling software?

When selecting retail scheduling software, consider features such as automatic scheduling, shift swapping, employee availability management, mobile accessibility, integration capabilities with other retail management systems, and compliance with labor regulations. These features help streamline scheduling processes and meet the unique needs of retail businesses.

How does retail scheduling software benefit retail businesses?

Retail scheduling software offers several benefits such as improved employee productivity and satisfaction, reduced scheduling conflicts, compliance with labor laws, optimized labor costs, and increased operational efficiency and customer service.

Can retail scheduling software integrate with other retail management systems?

Yes, many retail scheduling software solutions offer integration capabilities with other retail management systems, such as point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory management software, and payroll systems. This integration enables seamless data sharing and streamlines workflows across different retail operations.

Is retail scheduling software suitable for businesses of all sizes?

Yes, retail scheduling software is designed to accommodate businesses of all sizes, from small independent retailers to large retail chains. Whether you have a handful of employees or a large workforce spread across multiple locations, retail scheduling software can help you manage schedules efficiently and effectively.

What are the pricing options for retail scheduling software?

Pricing for retail employee scheduling software varies depending on the provider and the features included in the software. Some software solutions offer tiered pricing plans based on the number of users or locations, while others may charge a flat monthly or annual fee. Additionally, some providers offer free trial periods or free versions of their software with limited features.

How do I choose the right retail scheduling software for my business?

When choosing retail scheduling software, consider your business size, budget, specific scheduling needs, ease of use, and integration capabilities. It’s also helpful to read reviews, request demos/free trials, and gather feedback from other retailers who used the software to make an informed decision.

In case 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.

---

Conclusion

To sum up, when it comes to employee scheduling for retail, Shifts by Everhour is the top choice. Shifts streamlines scheduling processes, enhances employee productivity, and also ensures operational efficiency. By leveraging Shifts, retailers can manage employee schedules, track attendance, and optimize labor costs, thus leading to improved customer service. With its flexible scheduling options, Shifts is the premier solution for retailers looking to drive growth in their operations.