9 best employee scheduling software of 2024

If you feel like you’re constantly spinning plates trying to keep up with employee scheduling, requests, and last-minute changes, you’re not alone. Pleasing everyone and adapting to chaotic workplace needs is a common challenge, but it’s not something you need to live with.

Ditch the disorganized spreadsheets and embrace order by using employee scheduling software. This helpful tool can be your secret weapon for boosting agent productivity, saving money, and increasing employee satisfaction. Discover how the right software can turn scheduling from a frustrating time suck into a well-oiled machine. In this guide, we’ll cover the following solutions:

• Zendesk: best AI-powered workforce scheduling software for support teams
• Deputy: best workforce scheduling software for hourly workers
• 7shifts: best workforce scheduling software for restaurants
• When I Work: best workforce scheduling software for remote workers
• Connecteam: best workforce scheduling software for deskless employees
• Zoom Shift: best workforce scheduling software for managing expenses
• QuickBooks Time: best workforce scheduling software for Quickbooks users
• Sling: best free workforce scheduling software
• Homebase: best workforce scheduling software for small businesses

Now, let’s keep things on schedule and learn more about each.

If you don’t know how to assess whether staff scheduling software is right for your business, we’ve got your back. Begin by making sure the solution checks these boxes:

• Ensure it’s easy to use: Choose software that isn’t overly complex so you can set it up without the assistance of software developers. Make sure its built-in integrations work with your existing tech stack so workforce managers and employees can work with a familiar, user-friendly interface.
• Prioritize flexibility and adaptability: Software that provides real-time access to critical metrics—such as staffing levels, workload distribution, and agent activity—allows managers to make informed decisions and adjustments on the fly.
• Look for a fast time to value: Opt for software with a straightforward implementation process. Solutions that require minimal setup time and include readily available training resources result in a quick time to value.

By focusing on these three criteria, you can identify employee scheduling software that simplifies workflows, delivers fast results, and adapts to evolving needs.

To create positive employee experience journeys, you need a robust solution that supports your business scheduling needs. Check out this breakdown for an overview of the top employee scheduling software costs and key capabilities.

Take an in-depth look at what these employee scheduling software providers can offer your business.

1. Zendesk

Best AI-powered workforce scheduling software for support teams

Zendesk provides workforce management (WFM) software that seamlessly integrates with our broader customer service solutions, making it very easy to use for new and existing Zendesk users alike. The Zendesk WFM scheduling features are designed to optimize agent performance and improve overall customer service delivery.

How it works: AI-powered forecasting analyzes historical data on customer traffic, support ticket volume, and agent performance to predict future workload needs. In turn, managers can lean on AI to proactively create schedules that ensure adequate staffing levels during peak hours and avoid understaffing during slower periods.

Managers can set parameters and criteria, and the software automatically generates balanced schedules that consider agent availability and skills. This saves time and ensures efficient use of agent resources. To boot, managers can utilize bulk team schedule editing to make quick adjustments or updates that apply to entire teams, saving time compared to individual edits.

Additionally, managers can track agent activity, including reps’ current status and the channels they are working on in real time, or use historical reports to monitor long-term trends. These reports can include workforce management metrics like average handle time, revenue per employee, and customer satisfaction. Managers can then use this data to identify areas for improvement and implement targeted coaching or agent training initiatives that ultimately improve customer support.

Pricing: Plans start at $25 per agent/month. A 14-day free trial is available upon request.

Explore more Zendesk pricing plans.

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2. Deputy

Best workforce scheduling software for hourly workers

Deputy is cloud-based workforce management software that helps businesses manage schedules, track time, and comply with labor regulations. It caters particularly to businesses with hourly workforces, which are common in industries like hospitality, retail, and healthcare.

The software’s automatic scheduler lets managers set parameters based on business needs and employee availability, allowing the software to generate balanced schedules that align with labor budgets. Additionally, Deputy facilitates real-time attendance monitoring. Users can do this through a mobile app with GPS verification, ensuring employees clock in and out of shifts from the designated workplace.

Beyond scheduling and attendance, Deputy allows for task assignment and communication within the platform. Managers can create and distribute task lists directly to employees to help them stay organized and accountable.

The software also features a news feed for company-wide announcements and updates. This feature also lets managers send direct messages to employees and share documents.

Pricing: Plans start at $0 per month for up to 100 published shifts per month. A 31-day free trial is available.

3. 7shifts

Best workforce scheduling software for restaurants

7shifts is scheduling software designed for the restaurant industry. Its bulk team schedule editing allows managers to adjust schedules for multiple employees at once.

Performance reporting provides managers insights into labor costs, employee productivity, and scheduling efficiency.

The 7shifts mobile app lets managers and employees access schedules, request time off, swap shifts, and communicate with their team members on the go. 7shifts helps businesses comply with labor regulations by tracking employee work hours, breaks, and overtime. Additionally, restaurants can use 7shifts to onboard new employees, collect tax forms, and store other important documentation.

Pricing: Plans start at $0 per month for up to 30 employees at a single location. A 14-day free trial is available.

4. When I Work

Best workforce scheduling software for remote workers

When I Work is employee scheduling software that can be used to create, communicate, and manage staff schedules for remote workers. Managers can utilize pre-built schedule templates when creating new schedules. Managers can also customize these templates based on business needs and employee availability.

Once the user finalizes a schedule, the software can send automated shift notifications and reminders directly to employees, informing them of their upcoming work hours. The platform features a built-in shift trading function, allowing employees to swap shifts amongst themselves, subject to manager approval.

Additionally, When I Work offers a messaging tool for real-time team communication. To protect privacy, employees can message privately or in groups without sharing phone numbers.

Its mobile time clock feature allows any device to clock in and out of shifts. This eliminates the need for dedicated hardware and allows remote workers to track their hours. The app can also capture breaks and time off requests.

Pricing: Plans start at $2.50 per user/month. A 14-day free trial is available.

5. Connecteam

Best workforce scheduling software for deskless employees

Connecteam is a workforce management software solution offering business operations, communications, and HR tools. It’s particularly useful for companies that oversee field service workers at varying locations. Its operations hub includes key features like automatic scheduling, bulk editing, and activity monitoring and reporting.

Managers can also use custom push notifications to send real-time updates, announcements, or task reminders directly to employees' mobile devices. This helps keep employees informed of changes wherever they are working—at a desk or not.

The software allows for the creation and distribution of digital forms and checklists. Managers can customize them to specific workflows or tasks, including safety checks, equipment inspections, and customer service protocols.

Connecteam also features a task management module. Managers can assign tasks to individual employees or teams, set deadlines, and track progress within the platform. Users can also access a quick view of past-due tasks to see what’s slipped through the cracks.

Pricing: Plans start at $0 per month for up to 10 users. A 14-day free trial is available.

6. ZoomShift

Best workforce scheduling software for managing expenses

ZoomShift is a cloud-based employee scheduling software primarily aimed at businesses with hourly workers. It offers a collection of scheduling, communication, and timekeeping features.

After a manager publishes a schedule, ZoomShift allows employees to confirm their availability for assigned shifts. Additionally, ZoomShift integrates timesheets and a mobile time clock. Employees can clock in and out of shifts directly through the app, eliminating the need for physical time cards. The software automatically tracks regular hours and overtime, aiding in timesheet creation and payroll processing.

Employees can submit PTO requests through the platform, allowing managers to review and approve them electronically. The software also tracks employee breaks throughout the shift for accurate work time records.

ZoomShift also features overtime warnings to help businesses control labor costs. Managers can set predefined thresholds for overtime hours and receive alerts when employees approach or exceed those limits, allowing them to adjust staffing or schedules before incurring unnecessary expenses.

Pricing: Plans start at $0 per month with limited features. A 14-day free trial is available.

7. QuickBooks Time

Best workforce scheduling software for QuickBooks users

QuickBooks Time, formerly TSheets, is a cloud-based employee time-tracking software for scheduling, timekeeping, and payroll processes. It integrates with other QuickBooks products, making it a suitable tool for businesses already using the accounting software.

The geofencing feature allows managers to define a virtual perimeter around a worksite. When employees clock in or out using the mobile app within the designated geofence, it verifies their physical location, adding extra accountability to timekeeping.

The drag-and-drop scheduler allows managers to create and adjust staff schedules. QuickBooks Time also offers a time kiosk option. This kiosk is a central location for employees to clock in and out using a physical device, eliminating the need for individual mobile app downloads for every employee.

Beyond basic shift and time tracking, QuickBooks Time allows for job scheduling. Managers can assign specific tasks or projects to employees and track the time spent on each one.

Pricing: Plans start at $20 per month. A 30-day free trial is available.

8. Sling

Best free workforce scheduling software

Sling is a cloud-based employee scheduling software with scheduling, communication, and cost-control features. It offers a free plan with unlimited locations, managers, and employees. Some of the software’s key features include automatic scheduling, geofencing, and bulk editing.

Managers can set budget parameters and use Sling's tools to forecast labor costs based on projected schedules.

Additionally, Sling facilitates communication within the platform itself. Using the app, managers can post team announcements on newsfeed pages or send private messages to individual employees.

Managers can automate mandatory rest and meal breaks to comply with labor regulations, and employees can attest to their breaks within the Sling app to maintain accurate work time records. Plus, managers can generate reports that provide insights into individual or team performance metrics like attendance, total hours worked, and wages earned.

Pricing: Plans start at $0 per month for unlimited employees, managers, and locations. A 15-day free trial is available.

9. Homebase

Best workforce scheduling software for small businesses

Homebase is a cloud-based employee scheduling software with time tracking and communication capabilities. It caters to small businesses in the retail, hospitality, and healthcare industries.

One way Homebase assists with scheduling is by including shift notes and instructions. Managers can attach detailed notes to specific shifts, providing employees with clear instructions about tasks, expectations, or changes in workflow.

Additionally, Homebase allows for department segmentation and custom manager permissions. Businesses can create departmental structures within the platform to tailor schedules and communication to specific teams. Businesses can also assign managers different permission levels.

The platform offers features that help track and manage labor expenses, too. Based on created schedules, managers can set budget parameters and view projected labor costs. Managers can also prevent employees from clocking in early and automatically clock them out at the end of their shifts.

Pricing: Plans start at $0 per month for one location and up to 20 employees. A 14-day free trial is available.