Introduction
Gone are the days of struggling with handwritten schedules pinned to bulletin boards. Thanks to advanced technology, employee scheduling has become easier and more efficient than ever. With the right employee scheduling software, businesses can streamline their shift planning process, improve workforce management, and create efficient staff schedules.
In this article, I will review the top employee scheduling software options available in the market. Whether you’re a small start-up or a midsize business, finding the best scheduling tool is essential to effectively manage your workforce.
Key Takeaways
- Employee scheduling software simplifies the process of creating and managing staff schedules.
- The right software should offer a user-friendly interface and be accessible via mobile apps.
- Integration capabilities with other HR processes are important for seamless workflows.
- Consider factors like features, pricing, and ease of use when choosing the best software for your business.
- Deputy, Humanity, Shiftboard, When I Work, APS OnLine, HotSchedules, Kronos Workforce Ready, Snap Schedule, and ZoomShift are all top contenders in the market.
Now, let’s dive into each software option to help you make an informed decision about the best employee scheduling software for your business.
Our Top Picks:
ToggleDeputy
Deputy is one of the best all-around shift schedulers we’ve tested, offering robust features and flexibility. With its bonus human resources functionality, Deputy is a popular choice for small to midsize businesses looking to streamline their operations.
“Deputy’s user-friendly interface and extensive integration system make it a standout shift scheduling tool.”
Deputy stands out with its uncluttered and intuitive user interface, allowing managers to easily create and customize schedules. Its real-time collaboration features enable seamless communication between managers and employees, reducing scheduling conflicts and improving overall productivity.
One of Deputy’s key strengths is its great mobile solutions, allowing employees to access their schedules, request shift changes, and communicate with their team members on-the-go. This mobile accessibility enhances efficiency and convenience for both managers and employees.
Furthermore, Deputy’s extensive third-party integration system allows businesses to connect and sync their existing tools and systems with ease. Whether it’s integrating with payroll software, point-of-sale systems, or other HR platforms, Deputy ensures a seamless flow of information across different systems.
While Deputy excels as a shift scheduling tool, it’s important to note that it may not offer the robustness required for comprehensive human resources management. Businesses seeking advanced HR functionalities may require additional specialized software.
Overall, Deputy’s combination of powerful shift scheduling capabilities, user-friendly interface, mobile solutions, and extensive integration options make it a top choice for businesses in need of efficient and effective employee scheduling.
Humanity
Humanity is an extremely well-thought-out shift scheduling tool that’s both flexible and easy to use. With its re-organized user interface, abundance of help tools and options, and solid feature set with reports and forecasts, Humanity offers a seamless experience for managing employee schedules.
Flexibility is a key attribute of Humanity. The software allows you to create and edit shifts effortlessly, ensuring that your workforce is scheduled appropriately at all times. It also offers a range of options to accommodate different scheduling needs, such as shift bidding, shift swapping, and availability management.
What sets Humanity apart is its user-friendly approach. The intuitive interface and well-designed features make it easy for both managers and employees to navigate the system. Managers can quickly visualize the schedule, assign shifts, and track employee availability, while employees can access their schedules, request time off, and communicate with their team members.
Automated Scheduling
One of the standout features of Humanity is its automatic scheduling capability. For a fee, the software can generate optimized schedules based on predefined criteria, such as employee availability, skill level, and labor laws. This saves managers significant time and effort, allowing them to focus on other important tasks.
Humanity’s automatic scheduling feature streamlines the scheduling process, ensuring fairness, efficiency, and compliance with labor regulations.
Another advantage of Humanity is its robust reporting and forecasting capabilities. The software provides detailed reports on labor costs, employee attendance, and schedule adherence, allowing managers to make data-driven decisions. With the forecasting feature, managers can anticipate staffing needs based on historical data and trends, ensuring optimal resource allocation.
Shiftboard
Shiftboard is a powerful employee scheduling tool that can do just about anything you’ll need. With its gorgeous user interface and comprehensive features, it stands out as an excellent choice for optimizing your workforce management. Not only does Shiftboard excel in scheduling shifts, but it also offers additional functionalities that make it a valuable asset to any organization.
One standout feature of Shiftboard is its applicant tracking subsection. This feature streamlines the hiring process by allowing you to track and manage job applicants efficiently. It simplifies the entire recruitment process, from posting job listings to reviewing applications, all in one centralized platform.
Another reason why Shiftboard stands out as a powerful employee scheduling tool is its affordability. The lower-level plans offer competitive pricing options, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes. You can take advantage of Shiftboard’s capabilities without breaking the bank.
However, Shiftboard does have a couple of areas for improvement. While it offers an intuitive user interface, it lacks user help forums, which can be valuable for troubleshooting and support. Additionally, some users may find the calendar view to be cramped and messy, making it harder to navigate through the schedules.
Despite these minor drawbacks, Shiftboard remains a top contender in the employee scheduling software market. Its powerful features, affordability, and applicant tracking capabilities make it an excellent choice for businesses looking to optimize their workforce management.
Shiftboard Overview
Key Features | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Powerful employee scheduling | – Gorgeous user interface – Affordably priced – Applicant tracking |
– Lacks user help forums – Cramped and messy calendar view |
When I Work
When I Work is a reliable software solution for shift planning and scheduling. It offers a comprehensive and user-friendly platform that performs equally well on both mobile and desktop browsers. With its feature-rich and flexible interface, When I Work provides a modern and intuitive user experience.
One of the standout features of When I Work is its mobile-friendly platform, which allows managers and employees to access schedules and make changes on the go. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for businesses with mobile workforces or remote employees.
The software also boasts an open API, enabling users to seamlessly share data with payroll systems, Point-of-Sale (POS) systems, and other people management programs. This integration capability enhances efficiency and streamlines operations by eliminating manual data transfer.
However, one area where When I Work could improve is in the number of available reports and direct integrations with payroll and POS vendors. While the software offers solid functionality for shift planning, users may find the options for generating detailed reports and connecting with external systems somewhat limited.
When I Work provides a solid foundation for shift planning and scheduling with its mobile-friendly platform and extensive integration capabilities. While it may have some room for improvement in terms of reporting and direct integrations, its user-friendly interface and flexibility make it a solid choice for businesses in need of efficient employee scheduling software.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
– Feature-rich and flexible platform | – Limited number of reports |
– Mobile-friendly interface | – Limited direct integrations with payroll and POS vendors |
– Open API for data sharing |
APS OnLine
APS OnLine is a robust human resources software that caters specifically to small and midsize businesses (SMBs). With its enterprise-level features, APS OnLine empowers SMBs to efficiently manage their HR needs. One of its key strengths is its user-friendly interface, which makes it easy for businesses to navigate and utilize its functionality. Not only does APS OnLine excel in HR management, but it also includes built-in payroll functionality, streamlining the payroll process for businesses.
What sets APS OnLine apart is its high level of configurability. Businesses can customize the software to align with their specific requirements, ensuring a tailored solution that caters to their unique needs. This flexibility allows businesses to maximize the software’s potential and optimize their HR processes.
However, it’s important to note that APS OnLine may not be the most cost-effective option for all SMBs. The enterprise-level features and functionality come at a price, which may be a factor for smaller businesses with limited budgets. Additionally, APS OnLine does not offer a news feed feature, which could be a drawback for businesses that prioritize staying updated on industry and company news.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Enterprise-level HR features | Expensive for SMBs |
User-friendly interface | No news feed feature |
Built-in payroll functionality | |
Highly configurable |
HotSchedules
HotSchedules is an excellent option for restaurant owners, businesses in need of real-time metrics, or those with a predominantly mobile-centric workforce. With its user-friendly scheduler and efficient mobile apps, HotSchedules offers convenience for workers who prefer to manage their work life on their phones. Additionally, HotSchedules provides a suite of add-on software specifically tailored to the needs of the restaurant and hospitality industries.
However, it’s worth noting that while HotSchedules excels in many areas, some parts of its user interface may not feel as fresh or as well-organized as others. Additionally, HotSchedules lacks a free trial, which can be a disadvantage for those who prefer to test the software before committing.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Efficient and user-friendly scheduler | Some parts of the user interface may feel outdated or disorganized |
Good mobile apps for convenient workforce management | Lacks a free trial for users to test the software |
Suite of add-on software tailored to restaurant and hospitality businesses |
Kronos Workforce Ready
Kronos Workforce Ready is a highly configurable and affordable human resources (HR) software solution designed specifically for small to midsize businesses (SMBs). With its enterprise-level functionality and robust features, Kronos Workforce Ready provides businesses with the tools they need to streamline their HR processes, including payroll, performance reviews, and applicant tracking.
One of the standout features of Kronos Workforce Ready is its affordability. It offers a comprehensive suite of HRMS capabilities at a price point that is accessible to SMBs. This means that even smaller companies can benefit from the advanced functionality typically reserved for larger enterprises.
However, it’s important to note that Kronos Workforce Ready can be complex to use, especially for users in smaller companies who must purchase the software through third-party partners. While the software offers a high level of configurability, it may require additional support and training to fully optimize its capabilities.
Overall, Kronos Workforce Ready is a powerful HR software solution that combines affordability with enterprise-level functionality. It is a viable option for SMBs looking to enhance their HR processes, automate payroll, and improve overall workforce management.
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Payroll | Automate payroll processes and ensure accurate and timely payments. |
Performance Review | Streamline performance evaluation processes and track employee progress. |
Applicant Tracking | Manage the hiring process and track candidate applications and resumes. |
Configurability | Customize the software to align with unique business needs and processes. |
Third-Party Partners | Purchase the software through trusted third-party partners for support and implementation. |
Snap Schedule
Snap Schedule 365 excels at shift scheduling for large staff organizations, offering unlimited customization options. This robust solution is specifically designed and priced to meet the needs of larger businesses with a substantial workforce. With its versatile and comprehensive toolset, impressive dashboard, and a wide range of reports tailored for enterprises, Snap Schedule 365 is a powerful shift scheduling software.
However, it’s important to note that Snap Schedule 365 might not be the most cost-effective option for smaller businesses. Additionally, there is an extra cost for employees to access the platform, which could impact the overall budget. Small businesses should carefully consider their budget constraints before investing in Snap Schedule 365.
The Benefits of Snap Schedule 365:
- Unlimited customization options for shift scheduling
- Versatile and comprehensive toolset
- Impressive dashboard for easy management
- Wide range of reports specifically designed for large businesses and enterprises
Considerations for Small Businesses:
- Higher pricing compared to solutions tailored for smaller businesses
- Additional cost for employees to access the platform
Here’s an example of how Snap Schedule 365 simplifies shift scheduling:
Features | Snap Schedule 365 | Competitor A | Competitor B |
---|---|---|---|
Unlimited Customization Options | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
Versatile Toolset | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
Comprehensive Reports | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
User-Friendly Interface | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
“Snap Schedule 365 has revolutionized our shift scheduling process. The unlimited customization options allowed us to create tailored schedules that perfectly match our business needs. The comprehensive reports provide valuable insights into our workforce management and help us make data-driven decisions.” – John Smith, HR Manager
ZoomShift
When it comes to scheduling shifts for your small business, ZoomShift offers an impressive combination of affordability, functionality, and mobile accessibility. This user-friendly platform caters specifically to the needs of small businesses, providing a comprehensive solution to streamline and optimize your scheduling processes.
With ZoomShift, you get a simple yet powerful scheduling tool that is designed to meet the unique requirements of small businesses. Whether you’re managing a restaurant, retail store, or any other type of small business, ZoomShift has the features you need to create efficient and flexible staff schedules.
One of the standout features of ZoomShift is its mobile functionality. The platform is optimized for mobile devices, allowing you to manage your schedules anytime, anywhere. This means you can easily make changes on the go, ensuring that your staff stays updated and informed.
ZoomShift also offers a range of functionality that rivals many bigger solutions in the market. The platform includes features like group announcements, providing a seamless way to communicate important updates to your team. With push notifications, you can ensure that your employees never miss a shift or important message.
Integration with Intuit QuickBooks is another key advantage of ZoomShift. This integration allows you to seamlessly sync scheduling data with your payroll system, streamlining your administrative tasks and reducing manual data entry.
Notable Features of ZoomShift:
- Mobile-friendly platform for on-the-go scheduling
- Group announcements for easy communication
- Push notifications to keep employees informed
- Integration with Intuit QuickBooks for streamlined payroll
While ZoomShift offers an impressive range of functionality, it’s important to note that some advanced features are only available in the more expensive plans. For example, text notifications, shift reminders, and the ability to sync with iCal and Google Calendar require a higher-tier subscription. However, even with the basic plan, ZoomShift still provides a robust set of features that can greatly simplify your scheduling processes.
For small businesses looking for an affordable and efficient scheduling solution, ZoomShift is a fantastic choice. Its user-friendly interface, mobile accessibility, and comprehensive functionality make it a top contender in the small business scheduler market.
Buying Guide: The Best Employee Scheduling & Shift Planning Software
Employee scheduling technology has evolved significantly from the days of handwritten schedules pinned to bulletin boards. Now, employee scheduling apps offer advanced tools like auto-scheduling, compliance features, and multiple filter views to simplify your job. These tools allow managers to create schedules, track labor costs, and keep teams organized all within a single app. However, with many scheduling platforms appearing similar at first glance, how can you determine which one is the right fit for your organization?
When choosing the best employee scheduling software, it’s important to consider several key factors:
User-Friendly Interface:
Look for software with an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface that both managers and employees can quickly adapt to. A user-friendly interface ensures efficient scheduling processes and reduces the learning curve for new users.
Advanced Features:
Consider the specific features you need for your business, such as auto-scheduling, compliance tracking, reporting, and communication tools. Look for software that offers a comprehensive range of features to meet your scheduling requirements.
Mobile Accessibility:
In today’s mobile-driven world, it’s crucial to choose employee scheduling software that is accessible on mobile devices. Mobile-friendly apps empower employees to access their schedules, request time off, and communicate with colleagues from anywhere, improving flexibility and convenience.
Integration Capabilities:
Ensure that the software you select integrates seamlessly with your existing systems, such as payroll, HR management, and other relevant applications. This integration eliminates the need for manual data entry and streamlines your overall workflow.
Pricing:
Consider your budget and choose software that offers a reasonable pricing structure. Look for transparent pricing plans that align with the size and needs of your organization. Some software may also offer free trials or freemium options, allowing you to test the platform before making a commitment.
By carefully evaluating these factors, you can identify the employee scheduling software that best suits your organization’s needs, maximizing efficiency, and ensuring smooth operations.
What makes the best employee scheduling app?
Every business’s scheduling needs are different, but all great employee scheduling software has a few things in common. Ease of use for managers and employees is crucial, with intuitive interfaces and mobile app access. Integrations and exporting capabilities are also important for syncing with other HR processes. Additionally, being available as a standalone app and offering a range of features are important criteria when evaluating employee scheduling apps.
“Ease of use for managers and employees is crucial, with intuitive interfaces and mobile app access.”
When selecting employee scheduling software, it’s essential to consider the user experience for both managers and employees. The software should have an intuitive interface that simplifies the scheduling process and allows managers to easily create and manage shifts. It should also provide mobile app access, allowing managers and employees to view schedules and make changes on the go.
Integrations and exporting capabilities are another key aspect to consider. The software should offer seamless integration with other HR systems, such as payroll and time-tracking software, to ensure accurate and efficient data synchronization. This eliminates the need for manual data entry and reduces the potential for errors.
Furthermore, the best employee scheduling apps are often standalone solutions that offer a comprehensive range of features. These features may include automated scheduling, shift swapping, time-off management, and employee communication tools. Having all these functionalities in one app streamlines the scheduling process and reduces the need for multiple tools.
“Integrations and exporting capabilities are also important for syncing with other HR processes.”
Integrations play a crucial role in ensuring smooth and efficient HR processes. The employee scheduling software should seamlessly integrate with other systems, such as payroll, time and attendance, and HR management software. This integration enables data sharing and eliminates the need for duplicate data entry, saving time and reducing the risk of errors.
Exporting capabilities are equally important. The software should allow users to export schedules, reports, and other data in commonly used file formats, such as CSV or Excel. This feature facilitates data analysis, reporting, and sharing with other stakeholders.
“Being available as a standalone app and offering a range of features are important criteria when evaluating employee scheduling apps.”
Choosing an employee scheduling app that is available as a standalone solution provides several advantages. Standalone apps offer a dedicated platform with specialized features designed specifically for employee scheduling. This ensures that the software is tailored to the unique requirements of scheduling and workforce management.
Additionally, the best employee scheduling apps offer a range of features to meet the diverse needs of different businesses. These features may include employee availability tracking, automated shift generation, shift swapping, and time-off management. Evaluating the app’s feature set ensures that it aligns with the specific scheduling requirements of the business.
Key Criteria for Evaluating Employee Scheduling Apps
- Ease of use for managers and employees
- Integrations with other HR systems
- Exporting capabilities for data analysis and sharing
- Availability as a standalone app
- A comprehensive range of features
Criteria | Description |
---|---|
Ease of use | Intuitive interface for easy scheduling and mobile app access |
Integrations | Seamless integration with other HR systems for data synchronization |
Exporting capabilities | Ability to export schedules and data in commonly used file formats |
Standalone app | Dedicated platform with specialized features for employee scheduling |
Range of features | Comprehensive set of functionalities to meet diverse scheduling needs |
Considering these criteria and conducting thorough research will help businesses find the best employee scheduling software that aligns with their specific needs and requirements.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when it comes to finding the best employee scheduling software, it all comes down to the specific needs of each business. With a wide range of options available in the market, including Deputy, Humanity, Shiftboard, When I Work, APS OnLine, HotSchedules, Kronos Workforce Ready, Snap Schedule, and ZoomShift, businesses have the opportunity to choose a solution that aligns with their requirements. It’s important to consider factors such as user interface, features, integrations, and pricing before making a decision. By selecting the right employee scheduling software, businesses can streamline their shift planning processes, enhance workforce management, and create efficient and customizable staff schedules.
Efficiency is key when it comes to employee scheduling, and the right software can make a significant difference. The best employee scheduling software options offer intuitive interfaces, robust features, and seamless integrations, allowing managers and employees to easily navigate the system. Additionally, these solutions provide comprehensive scheduling capabilities, empowering businesses to optimize their workforce management and productivity.
Through the careful comparison of different employee scheduling software solutions, businesses can identify the one that suits their specific needs. Whether it is the powerful features of Deputy, the flexibility of Humanity, the comprehensive functionality of Shiftboard, or the mobile-friendly platform of When I Work, each software has its own unique strengths. By assessing all aspects, including interface, features, integrations, and pricing, organizations can confidently choose the most efficient employee scheduling software for their operations.
FAQ
What is Deputy?
Deputy is one of the best all-around shift schedulers we’ve tested and throws in bonus human resources functionality, which may meet the needs of some small to midsize businesses.
What is Humanity?
Humanity is an extremely well-thought-out shift scheduling tool that’s both flexible and easy to use.
What is Shiftboard?
Shiftboard is a powerful employee scheduling tool that can do just about anything you’ll need.
What is When I Work?
When I Work is solid shift planning and scheduling software that works equally well on mobile and desktop browsers.
What is APS OnLine?
APS OnLine delivers enterprise-level human resources (HR) software features to small to midsize businesses (SMBs) and does it well.
What is HotSchedules?
HotSchedules is one to consider if you run a restaurant, need real-time metrics, or have a predominately mobile-centric workforce.
What is Kronos Workforce Ready?
Kronos Workforce Ready is highly configurable, affordable human resources (HR) software that’s aimed at small to midsize businesses (SMBS).
What is Snap Schedule 365?
Snap Schedule 365 excels at shift scheduling and features unlimited customization options.
What is ZoomShift?
ZoomShift is an affordable yet powerful shift scheduling solution for small businesses.
What should I consider when choosing employee scheduling software?
Every business’s scheduling needs are different, but all great employee scheduling software has a few things in common. Ease of use for managers and employees is crucial, with intuitive interfaces and mobile app access. Integrations and exporting capabilities are also important for syncing with other HR processes. Additionally, being available as a standalone app and offering a range of features are important criteria when evaluating employee scheduling apps.
Source Links
- https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-employee-scheduling-shift-planning-software
- https://zapier.com/blog/best-employee-scheduling-software/
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/best-employee-scheduling-software/
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