What is employee scheduling software?

Employee scheduling software allows you to create work attendance schedules easily. Modern schedule builders offer robust features designed to provide flexibility, such as:

• Time trackers

• Multiple schedule views

• Budgeting tools

• Employee availability manager

• Messaging

• Labor laws and regulations

• Payroll integration

• Schedule forecasting

Many programs also have a mobile app, so you and your employees can use the software on almost any device. Employee scheduling software can help reduce turnover by offering:

• Clarity into shift start and end times

• Streamlined clock-in and clock-out procedures

• Effortless communication

• Easy time-off requests or shift switches

• Accurate time tracking and payroll

• Quick time-card adjustments

The software’s data can help you determine how many employees to schedule during peak hours. It can also help you schedule high-performing employees strategically to ensure the business runs smoothly and efficiently.

Related: How to Create an Employee Work Schedule (With Template)

Employee scheduling software

Here are some scheduling software options on the market:

1. 7shifts

7shifts is scheduling software designed for restaurants. It integrates with payroll software systems, including ADP, Paylocity and Intuit QuickBooks, and comes with an API for custom development. For an additional fee, you can add task management and operations overview, turning 7shifts into a powerful productivity app.

Key features:

• Free mobile apps on iOS and Android for paid tiers

• POS integration (sales)

• Staff engagement dashboard

• SMS notifications

• Customized employee health check

Price: The free plan includes basic time clock functionality and staff scheduling for one location with up to 30 employees. Paid plans support more employees and locations and offer communication, live support, budgeting and labor compliance tools. The highest-tier plan includes the 7shifts Payroll program.

2. ClockShark

The ClockShark employee scheduling software is particularly well-suited for service-based companies with employees in the field. The program features “clock-out questions,” which can be customized to remind employees of critical closing procedures.

ClockShark also has mobile time-clock features. You can even set a geofence that clocks workers in automatically when they arrive at a job site. ClockShark integrates with popular business apps, including Intuit QuickBooks, Xero, Paychex, ADP, Sage and Zapier.

Key features:

• Drag-and-drop scheduling

• Payroll integration

• Geolocation time clock with geofencing capabilities

• Clock-out questions

• Kiosk time clock with facial recognition

Price: Costs depend on the plan.

3. Findmyshift

Findmyshift offers drag-and-drop scheduling, a free time clock station, time-off management and customizable notifications and reminders. You can choose from various integrations, including Xero, Slack, Lightspeed and Vend.

Key features:

• Drag-and-drop scheduling

• Timesheets

• SMS and email notifications

• Shift reminders

• Unlimited locations

Price: The company offers four plans. The base tier is free for companies with five or fewer employees. Paid plans vary by company size..

4. Float

Float is an employee scheduling software that differs from other options. It helps you allocate resources across numerous projects, making it useful for software development companies and businesses with complex project management tasks.

The scheduling feature adjusts to changing timelines and priorities, and the forecasting tools help you predict the company’s capacity to take on additional projects. Employee scheduling apps are available on Android and iOS, which may be useful if you manage a remote workforce. Integrations are available for team-based productivity tools, including Slack, Asana and Trello.

Key features:

• Designed for businesses of all sizes

• Numerous productivity app integrations

• High-level view of deep and complex project management structures

• Scheduling based on the team’s workload

• Project budgets set based on time or fees

Price: Starter, Pro and custom enterprise-level plans are available.

5. Homebase

Homebase labels itself as an “everything app.” The free plan includes basic scheduling, time tracking and POS integration. Paid tiers include more sophisticated scheduling and time tracking, messaging features, time-off controls, hiring support, onboarding , compliance and labor cost management. A payroll add-on is available for all plans.

Homebase also offers numerous integrations for payroll, business tools and sales apps. This employee scheduling software works well for companies in the retail, health and beauty and food service industries.

Key features:

• POS system and accounting software integration

• Hiring and onboarding

• Employee health and screening

• Clock in and out from any device

Price: Homebase has a free version and paid tiers.

6. Jolt

Jolt is a robust digital operations platform used by restaurant and food service brands. In addition to employee scheduling, employee performance and time tracking, it comes with digital food safety features, such as time and temperature logs, sensors and food-life labeling, to decrease spoilage and waste. The company also offers custom solutions for hotels, car wash operations and retail outlets.

Key features:

• Digital food safety

• Temperature probe sync and Bluetooth cold sensor support

• Employee announcements

• Tasks and checklists

• Unlimited users, devices and data

Price: Jolt software packages are tailored to you, so the price may vary. Contact the company for details.

7. MySchedule

MySchedule is an employee scheduling software with a clean interface. It lets you quickly edit and update schedules, issue them to employees via a mobile application and add or remove employees from the schedule with a single click. Managers and owners can also provide announcements directly to employees and communicate in real time.

Key features:

• One-click scheduling

• Management notifications to address issues

• Option to quickly drop and pick up shifts

• SMS notifications

• Mobile application

Price: This software features a per-user pricing model, but occasional promotions may lower the cost.

8. ScheduleAnywhere

ScheduleAnywhere offers employee scheduling, time and attendance management and substitute management. The program is designed mostly for large businesses, but custom solutions are available for smaller companies.

Key features:

• Powerful medical industry scheduling features

• No contract

• Free email and phone support

• Mobile app available to scheduling managers

• Scheduling based on skill, certification and training

Price: Costs are based on company size. Enterprise pricing is available via custom quote.

9. Shiftboard

Shiftboard offers two solutions for employee scheduling. Enterprise includes scheduling and compliance features for a range of industries. The Enterprise Plus plan has advanced features to help businesses with fatigue or safety compliance requirements. Both programs include labor demand planning, continuous coverage optimization, change management and worker engagement.

Key features:

• Schedules viewable from any internet-connected device

• Automated backfill and shift pickup

• Complex rule-based scheduling

• Credential verification and shift blocking

• Fatigue risk management

Price: Pricing for Shiftboard is only available through direct company contact.

10. SwipeClock

SwipeClock can help you quickly create employee schedules, swap and change shifts and gain insight into how scheduling affects your profit. Several HR management tools are also available, including employee onboarding. SwipeClock’s software lets you monitor employee benefits, track potentials for overtime and eliminate buddy punches.

Key features:

• Advanced scheduling

• Applicant tracking

• Intelligent clocks to track breaks, enforce schedules and eliminate buddy punches

• Ability to clock in or out via web software or hardware clocks

• Integration with industry-leading payroll solutions

Price: Pricing for SwipeClock is only available via custom quote.

11. Evolia

Evolia includes employee scheduling, time tracking, labor-cost tracking and recruitment tools. It can streamline scheduling procedures with automated shift assignments and real-time shift swaps. Evolia can potentially save you time by integrating with popular third-party software solutions. It also contains a powerful instant messaging platform.

Key features:

• Smart time clocks

• One-click payroll integration

• Instant messaging

• Leave management

• Overtime management

• Task management

Price: The cost of this software depends on the amount of users.

12. When I Work

When I Work provides easy schedule-building, time tracking and messaging. The add-on payroll function lets you process payroll quickly and gain valuable labor insights. When I Work offers iOS and Android apps and an add-on for employee hiring and onboarding.

Key features:

• Secure messaging platform for one-on-one or group chats

• Automated scheduling and schedule templates

• Forecasting

• Shift coverage

• Timesheet integration with major payroll software systems

• One-click job postings on popular job boards

• Intuitive scheduling

Price: The cost of the basic system varies. Time tracking and attendance features are available at an additional cost.

Related: Payroll Software: Key Considerations Before You Pick

13. ZoomShift

ZoomShift is geared toward hourly workers. It has features for managing employees, including scheduling, time clocking, shift planning and time-off tracking. Team members can swap shifts within the program, and you can set alerts and notifications about upcoming shifts.

Access ZoomShift using the website or mobile app. When it’s time to run payroll, you can export timesheets and send them to your preferred provider.

Key features:

• GPS time clocks

• Scheduling and timesheets

• Calendar app sync

• User permissions for manager and assistant manager scheduling help

Price: ZoomShift offers a free plan and two paid tiers.

What to look for when choosing employee scheduling software

Human capital is your company’s most valuable asset—the right scheduling software can help you maximize talent and optimize your resources. As you consider different programs, consider these factors:

1. Ease of access

Employees should be able to access your company’s scheduling software from any device, including their work computers and personal smartphones, laptops or tablets. Look for programs that have a mobile app or a mobile-friendly web platform.

2. Ease of use

Examine whether the employee scheduling software is easy to use. You could create a sample schedule. Is the process streamlined and intuitive? Does it save time? If you employ off-site workers—plumbers, roofers, HVAC technicians, inspectors and traveling sales reps—remote clock-ins are often an essential feature.

3. Integration

Technology integrations can help you get the most from an employee scheduling program. With payroll integration, the program exports timesheets and hours into your payroll software to ensure accurate and timely payments. You might also consider a POS system integration. It imports past data and identifies peak shifts so you can schedule the right number of employees during busier times.

Read more: 11 Employee Scheduling Software Features to Look For

Frequently asked questions about employee scheduling software

How do I measure the success of employee scheduling software?

You can monitor whether your employee scheduling software is successful by tracking employee engagement and measuring completed shifts. You could also survey employees to gauge their satisfaction.

Should I use a free or paid version of employee scheduling software?

Consider signing up for free software options if you have a small team or want to see how each program works. Most employee scheduling software options also offer a demo version.