Managing employee schedules can quickly turn chaotic—leading to miscommunication, missed shifts, and payroll mistakes.
If that sounds familiar, don’t worry. I’ve been there, too.
Fortunately, employee rostering software simplifies the process by automating schedules, tracking attendance, and saving valuable time.
But with so many options out there, how do you choose the best one?
In this blog, I’ll walk you through the 10 top rostering tools my team and I tested to help you find the perfect solution.
10 Best Employee Rostering Software in 2024
- What Should You Look for in Rostering Software?
- The 10 Best Rostering Software
- 1. ClickUp (Best for employee scheduling, time tracking, and workforce management)
- 2. Deputy (Best for managing employee schedules and time)
- 3. Connecteam (Best for tracking time, attendance, and task completion)
- 4. 7shifts (Best for simplifying time-off requests and approvals)
- 5. Calendly (Best for streamlining appointment booking)
- 6. QuickBooks Time (Best for optimizing the payroll integration process)
- 7. Homebase (Best for employee scheduling and time tracking)
- 8. Findmyshift (Best for managing shifts and tracking employee work hours)
- 9. When I Work (Best for shift scheduling and time tracking)
- 10. Sling (Best for managing shifts and communicating with employees)
- Streamline the Employee Scheduling Process with ClickUp
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat Should You Look for in Rostering Software?
Choosing the right rostering software has transformed how I manage employee schedules, saving time and eliminating scheduling conflicts.
After testing various tools, here are the key features I found non-negotiable:
- Employee availability tracking: Choose a staff rostering software solution that accurately records staff availability to avoid employee scheduling conflicts and ensure shifts are properly assigned
- Shift swap capabilities: Look for scheduling apps that allow you to create flexible schedules and enable employees to easily swap shifts within the platform, minimizing disruptions and keeping operations running smoothly
- Payroll integration: Choose a payroll software that seamlessly integrates with your payroll system for accurate pay calculations. This helps reduce administrative work
- Attendance tracking: Opt for a roster attendance software that records remote attendance in real time to avoid discrepancies
- Team communication tools: Find an online roster software that facilitates quick communication between managers and employees and keeps everyone informed about schedule changes and team availability
- Multiple team management: Opt for rostering management software that supports employee scheduling across multiple teams or departments without creating confusion
With these must-have features in mind, let’s discover the best scheduling software that ticks all these boxes!
Also Read: To become better at managing time, here’s the ultimate guide to mastering timesheet management
Summarize this article for me pleaseThe 10 Best Rostering Software
After extensive research, my team and I have carefully selected these top 10 roster management software solutions. These tools can help you streamline your complex scheduling needs and optimize your team’s productivity.
1. ClickUp (Best for employee scheduling, time tracking, and workforce management)
ClickUp has greatly optimized my workflow. It has transformed team management by streamlining scheduling, tracking, and task assignments all in one powerful platform.
With the ClickUp Calendar View tool, I can drag and drop tasks, set deadlines, and get a bird’s-eye view of everything happening in the week or month ahead.
You can also sync the tool with Google Calendar to align everything across platforms.
Another functionality I frequently rely on is color-coding different Tasks based on priority. It’s perfect if you want to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
For example, I can see when a project deadline clashes with a team member’s planned time off and quickly adjust their Tasks.
Using the ClickUp Time Tracking feature, you can track time directly within Tasks, whether you’re working on the browser or mobile app.
For example, I can log my time on training sessions or meetings with a single click. The time reports are useful when I need to review how much time my team spends on specific projects.
You can also export time-tracked data for payroll, simplifying the process and reducing manual errors. Additionally, you can mark time as billable, making it easy to keep track of work that needs to be invoiced.
One standout feature that simplifies managing employees is the ability to streamline processes using ClickUp’s Human Resources tool. With features like Custom Fields, Statuses, Reminders, and Checklists, I can efficiently track everything from recruitment to onboarding.
The tool allows me to set up Tasks for each hiring stage, such as screening and interviews, and mark progress using Statuses like “In Progress” or “Completed.” Adding Reminders and Checklists ensures nothing is missed during onboarding.
I also use communication features like ClickUp Comments and ClickUp Chat View for real-time collaboration with other team members. These features keep my team and me in the loop 24/7, so nothing slips through the cracks.
Additionally, ClickUp’s HR templates are huge time savers. They help me avoid starting from scratch and quickly build workflows for tasks like employee hiring, onboarding, and performance reviews.
ClickUp Staff Roster Template
The ClickUp Staff Roster Template made managing shifts and tasks way more efficient than using spreadsheets. I could track everyone’s availability, assign roles, and even manage time-off requests all in one place. This template allows you to:
- Enhance communication and coordination
- Ensure accurate time tracking
- Optimize task assignments for maximum productivity
Custom Fields like “Overtime Hours” and “Department” let me quickly filter by specific employee details, making it a breeze to track who’s been working when. And since everything is linked in one workspace, no one has to chase me for updates—they can see it all in real time.
ClickUp Shift Schedule Template
I also find the ClickUp Shift Schedule Template super helpful for managing daily operations. Scheduling shifts used to be a hassle, but with ClickUp, I can now set up the entire week’s schedule quickly.
You can drag and drop shifts, adjust them, and even track absences using Custom Fields like “Reason for Absence.” This template allows me to:
- Have a clear overview of employee work hours
- Ensure adequate coverage during peak times
- Streamline the process of scheduling and adjusting employee shifts
- Minimize the financial impact of scheduling conflicts and last-minute changes
I love how the tasks get automatically updated, and it’s easy to communicate changes with the team. No more back-and-forth emails or texts asking for shift swaps—everything is streamlined using this template.
Bonus: Access these 10 Free work schedule templates in Excel & ClickUp
ClickUp best features
- Track employee work hours, overtime, and breaks with ClickUp Time Tracking
- Visualize schedules, shift patterns, and time-off requests using the ClickUp Calendar
- Send automated reminders and notifications for upcoming shifts, deadlines, and time-off requests using ClickUp Reminders and ClickUp Notifications
- Assign employees to specific shifts or tasks based on their skills and availability with ClickUp Tasks
- Monitor employee workload to ensure equitable distribution and prevent burnout using ClickUp Workload Views
- Share schedules, policies, and other relevant documents with employees using ClickUp Docs
- Integrate ClickUp with HR systems, payroll software, and other relevant tools leveraging ClickUp Integrations
ClickUp limitations
- ClickUp’s mobile app doesn’t offer all the features and functionalities offered by the desktop version
- Because of the vast number of features and customization options, some new users note a learning curve learning curve
ClickUp pricing
- Free Forever
- Unlimited: $7/month per user
- Business: $12/month per user
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
- ClickUp Brain: Add to any paid plan for $7 per Workspace member per month
ClickUp ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (9,700+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (4,200+ reviews)
2. Deputy (Best for managing employee schedules and time)
I found Deputy to be a helpful rostering tool for creating and managing shifts, assigning tasks, and checking who’s available to work. It’s also effective for handling time-off requests and managing overtime.
Another useful feature is the ability to track employee attendance. You can easily see when employees clock in and out and identify any absences or late arrivals.
Bonus: Check out these 10 Free Time Management Templates (Calendars & Schedules)
Deputy best features
- Send announcements, messages, and reminders directly to your team
- Streamline processes like time-off approvals and payroll calculations
- Gain insights into team performance and productivity through detailed workforce analytics reports
Deputy limitations
- The free plan doesn’t include a management dashboard
- The tool doesn’t have a payroll solution
Deputy pricing
- Scheduling: $4.50/month per user
- Time & Attendance: $4.50/month per user
- Premium: $6/month per user
- Deputy HR: $2/month per user
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Deputy ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (300+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (700+ reviews)
3. Connecteam (Best for tracking time, attendance, and task completion)
Connecteam is pretty intuitive to use, even for someone who isn’t very tech-savvy. It is customizable, so you can create employee rosters and different schedules for different teams, assign specific tasks to employees, and even track their progress.
Everyone using Connecteam can see their shifts and any changes in real time. The online rostering app is also great for handling time-off requests and managing team communication.
Connecteam best features
- Create and manage schedules easily, including shifts, breaks, and time off, with drag-and-drop functionality
- Monitor employee time, attendance, and location in real time
- Integrate Connecteam with other tools like payroll systems and HR software
Connecteam limitations
- Some users have reported that the interface can feel cluttered, and the scheduling system can be a bit buggy at times
- It lacks advanced reporting and financial tracking capabilities
Connecteam pricing
- Free Forever
- Operations Basic: $29/month
- Operations Advanced: $49/month
- Operations Expert: $99/month
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Connecteam ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (700+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.8/5 (300+ reviews)
Bonus: Excel Attendance Sheet!
4. 7shifts (Best for simplifying time-off requests and approvals)
7shifts is another great rostering software that helps you manage your team’s schedules more efficiently. With its drag-and-drop feature, you can easily move employees onto the calendar and assign specific shifts to them quickly.
7shifts has a feature that’s very useful for teams in the restaurant business—automatic time-off requests. Employees can submit their requests directly through the app, and you can approve or decline them with just a click. This streamlines scheduling and helps prevent any rostering conflicts. In fact, this software was designed with the restaurant business in mind.
7shifts best features
- Submit and manage time-off requests seamlessly
- Access real-time data and view key metrics, such as labor costs and employee performance
- Use built-in time clock functionality to monitor employee hours
7shifts limitations
- The pricing plans of 7shifts can be expensive for smaller businesses
- Some users have reported occasional glitches and bugs disrupting ongoing workflows
7shifts pricing
- Comp: Free Forever
- Entrée: $34.99/month
- The Works: $76.99/month
- Gourmet: $150/month
- 7shifts Payroll: $39.99/ add to any plan
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
7shifts ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (100+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (1100+ reviews)
5. Calendly (Best for streamlining appointment booking)
Well known calendar app, Calendly helps streamline the appointment booking process. With its automated scheduling solution, you can set your availability and share a link with potential clients. They can then choose a suitable time slot that works for both of you.
Calendly can automatically sync with Google Calendar, preventing double bookings and ensuring you always have a clear overview of your team’s schedule. This functionality can save you a lot of time and improve productivity.
Calendly best features
- Share a unique scheduling link and let others choose their preferred time slots
- Send automated email and SMS reminders and keep attendees informed
- Sync Calendly with Google Calendar, Outlook, or other calendar systems
Calendly limitations
- Calendly’s free plan allows only one calendar integration
- It doesn’t offer comprehensive scheduling tools needed by bigger teams
Calendly pricing
- Free Forever
- Standard: $12/month
- Teams: $20/month
- Enterprise: Starts at $15K/year
Calendly ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (2200+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (3500+ reviews)
Check out these Calendly alternatives!
6. QuickBooks Time (Best for optimizing the payroll integration process)
QuickBooks Time, a time tracking and workforce management software, helps streamline business operations. With its automatic time tracking, employees can easily clock in and out using their smartphones or computers.
Another useful feature of QuickBooks Time is the integration with QuickBooks Payroll. It enables users to seamlessly transfer time-tracking data into payroll systems, reducing the risk of errors and saving time.
QuickBooks Time best features
- Access insights into employee productivity and overtime hours to make informed decisions
- Receive notifications for missed punches or overtime hours
- Manage employee scheduling by creating, editing, and viewing schedules in a centralized platform
QuickBooks Time limitations
- The pricing plans of the software can be expensive for smaller businesses
- It primarily focuses on time tracking and payroll integration and less on scheduling employees (resource scheduling)
QuickBooks Time pricing
- Time Premium + Payroll Premium: $14/month + $6.80/month per employee
- Time Elite + Payroll Elite: $28/month + $8.50/month per employee
QuickBooks Time ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (1400+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (6800+ reviews)
7. Homebase (Best for employee scheduling and time tracking)
Homebase is a reliable, easy-to-use work schedule app that can help you manage your team’s schedules. At a glance, you can see who’s working when and if there are any staffing shortages.
Homebase also allows you to set different shift types. For example, you can create a shift type for “overtime” or “on-call” and drag and drop employees to different shifts. This way, you can keep track of your team’s work hours and ensure that everyone is being paid correctly.
Homebase best features
- Streamline payroll process by integrating with payroll software
- Access your team’s information from anywhere with the mobile app
- Use the built-in time clock to monitor employee hours and prevent loss of working hours
Homebase limitations
- Some users have reported that the interface is clunky, confusing, and hard to navigate
- Other users have reported a lack of response and understanding from customer support
Homebase pricing
- Free Forever
- Essentials: $24.95/month
- Plus: $59.95/month
- All-in-one: $99.95/month
Homebase ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.2/5 (100+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (1000+ reviews)
8. Findmyshift (Best for managing shifts and tracking employee work hours)
Using Findmyshift, you can create work hours, set employee availability, and even streamline time-off management. It’s a reliable shift management software that lets you see who’s working on any given day, making it easy to coordinate with colleagues and plan for shifts.
Findmyshift automatically updates schedules based on availability. So, if you have a last-minute change, you can update your availability, and the tool will immediately adjust your schedule.
Findmyshift best features
- Create and manage schedules by setting up shift patterns and adjusting them as needed
- Allow employees to trade shifts among themselves, promoting flexibility
- Monitor employee hours worked and absences accurately
Findmyshift limitations
- Integrating Findmyshift into your workflows may require a lot of time and effort
- Users have reported occasional glitches, leading to downtime during work hours
Findmyshift pricing
- Free Forever
- Starter: $25/month
- Business: $40/month
- Enterprise: $80/month
Findmyshift ratings and reviews
- G2: N/A
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (1000+ reviews)
9. When I Work (Best for shift scheduling and time tracking)
When I Work is a user-friendly tool that makes scheduling much easier. You can easily see upcoming shifts, request time off, and even swap shifts with coworkers.
When I Work also offers another helpful feature: the automatic time clock. Users can clock in and out right from their phones, which is super convenient. If you need to make any changes to your schedule, you can do so through the app as well.
When I Work best features
- Send notifications and messages directly to employees about schedule changes
- Manage employee work schedules and view time off requests from your mobile device
- Set up shift patterns and monitor employee hours worked and absences
When I Work limitations
- Time off requests can only be deleted and re-added, they can’t be changed
- It doesn’t offer detailed job or task-tracking features
When I Work pricing
- Essential: $1.50/month
- Essential + Time Tracking & Attendance: $3/month
- Pro: $3/month
- Pro + Time Tracking & Attendance: $5/month
- Premium: $5/month
- Premium + Time Tracking & Attendance: $7/month
- When I Work Payroll (add to any plan): $39/month + $6 per active user/month
When I Work ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.3/5 (250+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (1100+ reviews)
Bonus: Want better options? Check out these 10 best When I Work alternatives!
10. Sling (Best for managing shifts and communicating with employees)
With Sling, you can quickly create shifts, assign them to employees, and adjust as needed. The drag-and-drop functionality makes it simple to move shifts around and ensure everyone has a fair workload.
Sling also has a built-in messaging feature, which is incredibly useful for communicating with teams. You can send messages directly to individuals or groups to share important information or coordinate shifts.
Sling best features
- Share files, assign tasks, and communicate effectively with team members
- Monitor how time and resources are allocated to ensure optimal productivity
- Keep track of tasks, deadlines, and progress across various projects
Sling limitations
- Users have noted that the tool’s mobile version is not as user-friendly as the desktop version
- Only users using the business plan can generate reports
Sling pricing
- Free Forever
- Premium: $2/month
- Business: $4/month
Sling ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (80+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (150+ reviews)
Bonus: To improve work and shift management, learn how to implement a 2-2-3 work schedule.
Summarize this article for me pleaseStreamline the Employee Scheduling Process with ClickUp
Managing employee schedules can be time-consuming and error-prone. An effective rostering software simplifies the process by allowing you to create schedules, quickly assign shifts, and manage your team’s availability.
Leveraging reliable scheduling software also helps you seamlessly access payroll systems and control costs, ensuring optimal staffing levels and minimizing overstaffing or understaffing.
ClickUp, as an ideal scheduling software, allows you to assign shifts based on employee availability, track time worked and generate accurate payroll reports. It streamlines your workflow and reduces manual data entry.
Sign up for ClickUp today and experience the benefits of a streamlined employee scheduling workflow!
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