Regardless of the size of your business, staff scheduling software is an essential tool for every industry.
Efficient workforce management is crucial in 2024 for businesses aiming to stay ahead.
Gone are the days of creating your own ineffective spreadsheets or trying to manage your staff by hand. Among the myriad of tools empowering modern businesses, staff scheduling software is a linchpin for HR professionals, recruiters, and executives striving for seamless operations.
The business world is evolving and the demand for precision, flexibility, and cost-effective solutions has intensified, making the search for the best staff scheduling software a critical endeavor.
Whether you're navigating the complexities of multilocation staffing, tackling the challenges of remote operations, or aiming for precise compliance with regulations, the right staff scheduling software can be among your biggest allies. Join us on this exploration of the top solutions, designed to streamline scheduling, enhance productivity, and ensure that your workforce operates at its full potential in the dynamic landscape of the current business environment.
There’s no doubt that not every staff scheduling software is equal. Some platforms are better than others and different options are better suited for different needs. To help you with this important decision, we are giving our take on the best staff scheduling software tools on the market in 2024--so you can take your organization to the next level.
Important Benefits of Choosing the Best Staff Scheduling Software
Staff scheduling software is a transformative force in the world of workforce management, offering an array of benefits that resonate across industries. In 2024, when time is of the essence, the advantages of embracing such technological solutions become increasingly evident.
Here are some important benefits to consider when choosing the best staff scheduling option:
Efficiency
One of the primary benefits is the enhanced efficiency it brings to the scheduling process. The automation of shift creation, considering factors like employee availability and time-off requests, significantly reduces the time and effort traditionally invested in manual scheduling methods.
Continuous Service
Employee scheduling software ensures that businesses are adequately staffed at all times, aligning the workforce with the demands of the operation. This not only safeguards against inefficiencies but also contributes to the seamless delivery of services, meeting customer needs promptly.
Compliance
For businesses navigating regulatory landscapes, especially in industries with specific labor regulations, staff scheduling software becomes a compliance ally. By automating the adherence to rules, such as age restrictions in bars or restaurants, businesses can mitigate the risk of infractions and associated penalties.
Cost Savings
Efficient scheduling translates into substantial time savings for management, directly impacting labor costs. Additionally, features like labor cost tracking, overtime alerts, and demand-based shift optimization contribute to intelligent resource allocation, minimizing redundancies and reducing overall payroll expenses. The correct tracking and reporting of compliance factors further shield businesses from potential fees and fines.
How To Choose the Best Staff Scheduling Software
In a landscape teeming with diverse employee scheduling software solutions, making the right choice is paramount for businesses seeking optimal workforce management. Navigating through the many options demands a strategic approach and you should consider the following factors that align with your organizational needs and goals.
Scheduling and Shift Management Features
When evaluating employee scheduling software, focus on the intricacies of scheduling and shift management features. For multi-location businesses, those requiring 24-hour shift coverage, and entities with field or remote operations, certain features can make a significant impact:
Auto-scheduling:
Efficient solutions often offer auto-scheduling capabilities, minimizing manual work and the potential for errors. This feature automates the process of creating schedules, taking into account employee availability and time-off requests.
Shift Optimization:
Optimization algorithms within employee scheduling software ensure that the right number of staff is assigned to a shift based on demand. This feature can even factor in considerations like the risk of employee burnout, preventing overburdening specific team members.
Labor Cost Tracking:
A critical aspect of any scheduling software is its ability to provide an overview of labor costs. This feature aids shift managers in staying within budget constraints and informs decisions related to staffing.
Shift Premiums:
For businesses offering shift premiums for irregular or nontraditional schedules, such as night shifts, it's essential that the employee scheduling software accurately tracks and compensates for hours worked during such periods.
Leave Tracking:
Leave tracking features assist shift managers in efficiently handling and tracking employees' requests for time off. This ensures that employees on leave are not inadvertently scheduled for shifts.
Timekeeping Features
Another vital aspect of the selection process revolves around timekeeping features, which play a pivotal role in streamlining the scheduling, time clock, and payroll workflow:
Clock-in-and-out:
Some employee scheduling software solutions provide clock-in-and-out functionality, eliminating the need for a separate time-clock software solution. This feature simplifies the tracking of HR metrics like absenteeism rates and supports advanced time clock features such as geofenced clock-ins and facial recognition.
Timesheet Approvals:
Efficient scheduling software facilitates timesheet approvals directly through a mobile app or web browser. This streamlines the approval process and alerts shift managers to upcoming payroll deadlines, ensuring timely and accurate payments to employees.
Reporting and Analytics
Reporting and analytics features in employee scheduling software offer invaluable insights for assessing the impact of scheduling on various metrics:
Data Visibility:
These features empower shift managers to view data related to labor costs, production goals, order completion, and other relevant metrics. This data-driven approach aids in aligning scheduling processes with overarching business goals and budgetary considerations.
Software Integrations
Integration capabilities are a crucial aspect, ensuring seamless communication between employee scheduling software and other applications in a business's tech stack:
Maximizing Efficiency:
Employee scheduling software should seamlessly integrate with POS systems, accounting software, payroll software, leave management software, time tracking, and time clock software. This integration minimizes data loss or duplication, streamlining overall scheduling efficiency.
Cost Considerations
Understanding the cost structure of employee scheduling software is essential for making an informed decision:
Pricing Prototypes:
The cost of employee scheduling software can vary, ranging from free options to subscription-based models. Some solutions charge per employee, while others may have flat subscription fees. Analyzing these pricing models in the context of current and projected staffing needs is crucial for fair cost comparisons.
Discounts and Billing Plans:
Many providers offer discounts for annual payments, and understanding the different billing plans is essential for budgetary considerations. Some vendors may have monthly vs. annual billing, and a thorough breakdown of costs aids in fair comparisons.
1. Workstaff
Workstaff will give you optimal shift scheduling and management that empowers your team with flexibility in selecting shifts, communication with team leads, and co-worker collaboration.
When it comes to staff scheduling software, Workstaff is meant especially for businesses that rely heavily on temporary or flexible staff. Workstaff distinguishes itself by offering agile staffing solutions. Designed with a focus on temporary and flexible staff rather than traditional full-time employees, it provides a platform for businesses that require efficient staffing for events, pop-ups, and other temporary projects. Workstaff is ideal for staffing agencies, experiential agencies, caterers, hospitality services and just about any other industry managing a contingent workforce.
Workstaff streamlines staff scheduling processes by integrating time tracking, payroll, and invoicing features. It not only saves time in planning and scheduling but also enhances productivity, playing a pivotal role in boosting overall job satisfaction within your team--as well as with your clients.
Workstaff makes scheduling and planning smooth and easy and has an app with instant push notifications, keeping your staff continuously in the loop and informed.
One of Workstaff’s standout features is its real-time availability tracking. Businesses using Workstaff can efficiently identify and engage available staff on short notice, ensuring prompt response to staffing needs. This real-time visibility is crucial for industries where staffing requirements can change rapidly.
Workstaff allows businesses to create customized staffing pools based on specific skills, preferences, and availability. This customization ensures that businesses can quickly assemble teams with the right expertise for diverse projects, contributing to improved efficiency and task performance.
Whether it's a one-day event or a week-long pop-up, the platform streamlines the process of recruiting, managing, and compensating temporary staff, simplifying the complexities of short-term engagements.
Workstaff Features:
- Quick Booking
- Timesheet Management
- Various Clock-in/out Modes
- Instant Messaging & Broadcasts
- Payroll
- Contractor Invoices
- Mobile App for Workers & Managers
Workstaff Cost:
If you're on a paid plan, you pay only for the number of administrative users using Workstaff to manage your workforce. Workstaff offers access to key scheduling features, with no recurring costs, for free.
The Pro plan starts at $99 per admin seat, per month. Start for Free
2. Connectteam
Connecteam is a cost-effective staff scheduling software tool with robust features, including scheduling, time clock, communication, and training tools. The free version supports ten staff on a single schedule, with app-driven time clock features. Paid plans, ranging from $35 to $119 per month (billed monthly) or $29 to $99 per month (billed annually), offer advanced features like geofenced clock-in, training courses, quizzes, and certification tracking.
Connecteam is suitable for retailers, high-turnover businesses, and those needing efficient onboarding and training.
Connectteam Features:
- Customizable Training
- Forms & Checklists
- Blast Notifications
- Team Chats
Connectteam Cost:
Connectteam is free for up to 10 users and then increases to $35 per month for up to 30 users, or $29 per month when billed annually.
3. Nowsta
Nowsta offers a cloud-based workforce management solution, streamlining the entire employee lifecycle. With a centralized dashboard, managers can create schedules, address conflicts, and receive real-time work request confirmations. Employees use a mobile time clock for hourly punches (with photo verification) and the system captures working hours, calculates wages, and integrates with payroll providers. Managers can rate staff performance and compare projected costs against actual spending for improved resource allocation.
Nowsta Features:
- Employee Scheduling
- Automated Attendance Tracking
- Payroll Management
Nowsta Cost:
Pricing is available monthly or annually and starts as low as $3 per user (yearly).
4. Clockify
Clockify is a versatile time-tracking software compatible with mobile and desktop devices. It offers streamlined features like starting timers, manual time entry, and a customizable sidebar for efficient use. With an unlimited free plan, Clockify is a valuable tool for productivity evaluation, workload distribution, and insightful time management.
Clockify Features:
- Timesheets
- Clock In/Out Kiosk
- Invoicing
Clockify Cost:
Clockify has basic, standard, pro, and enterprise plans, the least expensive of which (basic) starts at $3.99 per user, yearly.
5. Shiftboard
Shiftboard is a workforce management tool designed for efficient shift organization, preference tracking, and compliance management. With a user-friendly mobile app, employees can access schedules, request time off, and engage in remote team communication, enhancing overall scheduling and workforce coordination.
Shiftboard Features:
- Shift Management
- Coverage Optimization
- Leave Management
Shiftboard Cost:
Pricing depends on the size of your organization and the required features spread out across two subscription tiers: Enterprise and Enterprise Plus.
6. Staffconnect
StaffConnect serves as a comprehensive staffing management system, streamlining talent profiling, onboarding, shift coordination with GPS Check-In/Out, timesheets, invoicing, and payroll processes. With automation features, it simplifies daily business operations for agencies, eliminating tedious tasks and enhancing overall efficiency in workforce management.
Staffconnect Features:
- GPS Check-In/Out
- Talent Database
- Employee Communication
Staffconnect Cost:
Staffconect pricing starts at $99.99 per user, per month.
7. Workforce
Workforce specializes in workforce management software designed to boost efficiency in time and labor management for hourly and shift-based workforces. Offering solutions such as advanced employee scheduling, time and attendance tracking, labor analytics, employee engagement, and automated labor compliance, Workforce addresses diverse labor management challenges globally.
Workforce Features:
- Task Management
- Labor Forecasting
- Wage & Hour Automation
Workforce Cost:
Workforce doesn’t publicly share its pricing models and asks potential customers to request pricing.
8. 7shifts
7shifts specializes in employee scheduling software. It initially catered to the food service sector but stood out with its versatile features, ease of use, and cost-effective plans made it suitable for various small businesses. The free version supports up to 30 staff, offering features like shift scheduling and a mobile app.
7shifts Features:
- Hiring & Onboarding
- Training Videos
- Tip Pooling
7shifts Cost:
7shifts has a free plan called “the comp” and paid plans range from $29.99 to $135 monthly.
9. Homebase
Homebase is an employee time-tracking app that prioritizes time clocks and scheduling tools for your employees Ideal for various industries, it simplifies schedule setting, hour tracking, and HR tasks. The all-in-one system seamlessly transitions from scheduling to payroll, with a free yet robust version favored by restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and retailers.
Homebase Features:
- Built-In Messenger
- Time Clocks
- Payroll
Homebase Cost:
Homebase has four different pricing plans, one of which is free. The starting paid price starts at $20 per month, per location.
10. Deputy
Deputy is a comprehensive employee scheduling solution for small businesses. Deputy has an easy-to-use interface and offers auto-scheduler tools, shift-specific task assignments, a “News Feed” communication tool, and a geofenced time clock.
Deputy Features:
- Labor Compliance Tools
- Time Tracking
- Seamless Integrations
Deputy Cost:
Paid plans start at $4.50 per employee per month, along with a $6 premium plan, and an enterprise plan that is customizable per enterprise client.
11. When I Work
When I Work stands out for its user-friendly design, catering well to businesses with multiple locations. The platform offers flexible scheduling tools, supporting cross-scheduling for employees in various locations or groups. When I Work provides live chat and quick support ticket responses, making it an excellent choice for cost-effective scheduling for small businesses.
When I Work Features:
- Team Messaging
- Timeclock
- Payroll
When I Work Cost:
When I Work has three price ranges, starting at $2.50 to $8 per staff member per month.
The Most Important Choice
Establishing a robust staff scheduling system and utilizing staff scheduling software has transitioned from being optional to essential. The significance of well-managed schedules and efficient scheduling software is evident in its impact on productivity, innovation, and overall company culture. Recognizing the pivotal role of the best staff scheduling software is the first and foremost decision in ensuring a streamlined and effective operation in 2024 and beyond.
For further insights on how Workstaff can assist in developing an outstanding staff scheduling system, schedule your demo today.
Book a call today to find out how our software can help you.
Best Staff Scheduling Software-FAQ
