Connecteam vs. 7shifts: Which Restaurant Management Tool Is Better for Your Team?

Can’t decide if Connecteam or 7shifts is right for your restaurant?

Both platforms help manage shift-based teams, but they’re not created equal. 7shifts focuses narrowly on restaurant scheduling and labor forecasting, while Connecteam gives you an all-in-one platform to manage every part of your operations—from time tracking and scheduling to team chat, training, and compliance.

In this guide, I break down how these two restaurant management tools compare, so you can confidently choose the one that fits your team’s needs and workflows.

At a Glance: Quick Summary

Connecteam is a mobile-first, all-in-one workforce management platform built for deskless teams across industries, including food and beverage and hospitality. It combines GPS time tracking, task management, internal chat, training, and digital forms into a single app, making it ideal for multi-location and frontline teams.

7shifts is purpose-built for restaurants and hospitality businesses. Its key strengths lie in sales-based labor forecasting, auto-scheduling, and POS integration. While more narrowly focused, it’s a great fit for single-location restaurant operators that need to streamline shift planning and control labor costs.

Pricing and Plans 

Both Connecteam and 7shifts offered tiered pricing, with free plans that allow users to get started without any financial risk. 

Connecteam offers a much broader range of tools for business owners and managers, so features are split into 3 hubs: Operations, Communications, and HR & Skills. The table below shows the features available at each tier for the Operations hub, as this most directly aligns with everything offered by 7shifts. 

Each hub from Connecteam is priced the same, but must be bought separately. This allows you to pay for only the services you need without having various unused features. The Small Business Plan provides access to all hubs and features 100% for free for businesses with up to 10 users. 

Meanwhile, 7shifts bundles all features into a single tiered plan structure. The platform also has some additional paid add-ons, which help broaden its offering. 

Add-ons include: 

• Tip management: $49.99/location/month plus transaction fees.
• Manager log book: $14.99/location/month.
• Task management: $12.99/location/month.
• Employee onboarding: $2.99 per onboarding package sent.  

Overall, Connecteam’s pricing is more affordable at every tier compared with 7shifts, and I think the free plan with unlimited access to features for up to 10 employees is a game-changing offering for any small restaurant looking to get started. 

7shifts benefits from offering unlimited staff members starting from its Pro plan, but you’re still charged per location. This may make it a good offering for single-location, large restaurants with high staff counts. 

Pros and Cons 

Connecteam pros ✅

• Unrivaled customer service: In a world of chatbots and long waiting times, Connecteam stands out from the competition with 24/7 customer service from live human agents. One user has said, “The customer service and the overall support from the company truly shows that their mission is to support small businesses!”
• Unlimited feature access on the free tier: Users on the Small Business plan get access to every feature for free. This means that new restaurants and growing small companies can manage everything from HR and training to operations and communications, without any financial risk, for up to 10 users.

Connecteam cons ❌

• More integrations are currently in development: While Connecteam offers direct integrations with industry-standard software, like Xero and QuickBooks, many other software integrations must be made through third-party apps like Zapier. 
• Doesn’t support custom automations: Connecteam offers prebuilt workflow automations for daily tasks like automating report deliveries and notifications. However, complex automations require a third-party integration tool like Zapier. 

7shifts pros ✅

• Smart, labor-optimized scheduling with machine learning: The standout feature during our testing was the machine-learning auto-scheduler. It analyzes past schedules and factors in labor forecasts and sales projections to automatically generate optimized schedules for your restaurant staff. 
• Tip management: Another feature we liked was its effective tip management tool. It ensures fair distribution of tips among all restaurant staff and simplifies the calculation and sharing of tips, allowing for equal distribution, percentage-based distribution, or points weighting.

7shifts cons ❌

• Time tracking requires a separate app: 7shifts doesn’t include native time tracking. Instead, it relies on a separate app (7Punches) or POS system to handle clock-ins and outs. This adds an extra step for employees and complicates the user experience.
• No control over early break endings: The system doesn’t notify employees when their break is ending, nor does it prevent them from returning early. This lack of proactive break enforcement may lead to compliance risks if not carefully monitored.

Use Cases 

Connecteam is best for:

• All-in-one, mobile-first operations management: Connecteam brings scheduling, time tracking, tasks, chat, and forms into one mobile app, making life easy for restaurant employees, especially multi-location teams.
• Streamlining compliance, communication, and training: Connecteam makes it easy to manage training, certifications, and internal communication across restaurant locations.  The option for bite-sized courses is particularly useful in the restaurant industry, where staff turnover can naturally be quite high and new team members must be trained quickly.

7shifts is best for:

• Aligning labor scheduling with sales forecasts: When we tested 7shifts, its ability to create schedules based on labor targets and sales data stood out. This could make it easy to optimize shifts and reduce unnecessary labor costs, especially in busy service environments.
• Tracking team performance and shift feedback: 7shifts allows users to collect shift feedback and monitor metrics like reliability and engagement. It also automatically flags standout staff and underperformers.

Read our in-depth 7shifts review to learn more.

Side-by-Side Feature Overview

Connecteam and 7shifts offer tools for time tracking, communication, and shift management within the restaurant sector. Here are some of their most important features and how they stack up.

Time tracking & location enforcement – Winner: Connecteam

With Connecteam’s employee time clock, staff can easily clock in and out via the mobile app or any shared device you turn into a central kiosk. 

The time clock comes equipped with a real-time GPS tracker. You can verify your workers’ locations upon clock-in/out and even create geofence zones around job sites that prevent them from tracking time outside the restaurant. Automatic clock-outs can kick in when they leave. 

For managers, this means more accurate payroll, fewer disputes, and easier labor compliance. Employees, meanwhile, can worry less about forgetting to clock out manually. 

With 7shifts, by contrast, users must clock in through the POS system or mobile app using a separate app: 7Punches. It also offers GPS and geofencing, but it won’t auto-clock out staff who leave the geofence.

We also noticed some issues with the mobile app during testing. For instance, there’s no timer widget, so employees can’t tell when they’re tracking time. 

Connecteam wins here by giving both sides (managers and workers) a more precise, automated, and transparent experience.

Employee scheduling – Winner: 7shifts

Connecteam gives restaurant managers and employees a fast, all-in-one way to build and manage schedules. You can drag and drop shifts, use recurring shifts and templates, assign shift tasks like “prep line” or “close bar,” and attach notes or checklists. 

Staff can pick up open shifts and swap shifts with co-workers, request time off, and see schedule updates instantly on their phones.

Connecteam has a built-in auto-scheduler that assigns shifts based on role, fair shift distribution, availability (including time off), and even qualifications, so your best barista isn’t accidentally scheduled to run food.

And if your restaurant uses Lightspeed POS, you can benefit from Connecteam’s POS integration: Connecteam syncs labor hours with live sales data, helping you plan shifts around actual demand. 

I also appreciate that Connecteam flags scheduling conflicts, like overtime and double-bookings.

When we tested 7shifts, we appreciated the ability to create schedules based on labor targets and projected sales, which can help you cut down on overstaffing and overtime. Overtime warnings appeared in real time, and daily labor cost summaries made budget tracking simple. Employees can set their availability, request time off, and swap shifts without manager intervention.

The machine-learning auto-scheduler is also a nice feature. It accounts for time off and availability, labor costs, sales forecasts, overtime, and more to create schedules for you. 

Like Connecteam, 7shifts also enables you to assign tasks based on your shifts, and you can add detailed instructions to ensure important to-dos (like checking fridge temperatures) are done correctly.

7shifts also integrates with several POS systems, so it can match staffing to demand, reducing idle hours for staff and labor waste for employers. If your business runs on shifts tied to sales volume, like restaurants or retail, 7shifts offers deeper control for employee scheduling because it integrates with more POS systems and is purpose-built for demand-based restaurant scheduling.

Mobile app – Winner: Connecteam

Connecteam feels like it was built from the ground up for mobile teams. You can handle everything you need—including scheduling, time tracking, task assignments, chats, and even training—directly from the app. It’s incredibly well-designed, with fast navigation and zero need for a desktop to get work done. 

For employees, it means fewer delays, less confusion, and no need to juggle tools. Everything they need is in their pocket. 

With 7shifts, the app is solid enough for frontline staff, including schedules, time-off requests, and messaging. But for managers, key functions like shift approvals, payroll syncing, or deeper reports often require switching to a desktop. The experience just doesn’t feel as seamless or complete. If your business runs on the go, Connecteam’s all-in-one mobile approach delivers the speed and flexibility that modern teams expect.

Communication tools – Winner: Connecteam

With Connecteam’s online team chat, you can create 1:1 chats, team group chats, and announcement feeds, all inside the app. Managers can send urgent updates with push notifications, restrict who can post, and even disable comments when needed. 

For employees, having a dedicated place for shift info, company updates, and conversations means less reliance on external tools like WhatsApp or email. It improves clarity and reduces missed messages. 

7shifts enables basic messaging within shifts and team-wide announcements, which work fine for quick check-ins. But there’s no dedicated chat module or searchable history, which limits you when tracking past conversations or organizing discussions by team or project. 

Connecteam also lets staff set their working hours so they don’t get pinged outside shifts, which is a small but thoughtful touch for employees. Overall, Connecteam delivers a more complete and controlled communication system.

Time-off management – Winner: Tie

Both Connecteam and 7shifts handle time-off management well.

With Connecteam’s time off management, employees can request time off from the app, check their balances, and get manager feedback fast. What I really like is how time off automatically syncs with the auto-scheduling, so if someone’s off, they’re simply not considered when the auto-scheduler is filling shifts. 

That said, 7shifts does a great job, too. When someone requests time off from the app, it flags any conflicts instantly and adjusts the schedule to prevent overlaps. The machine-learning scheduler considers time off, too.

I think both are very solid choices for managing time off in a restaurant setting. But Connecteam offers slightly more customization. For instance, with Connecteam, you can set time-off policies to reset on the employee’s hire date or a custom cycle, while with 7shifts, balances reset on January 1st and can’t be adjusted per employee.

Timesheets & payroll integrations – Winner: 7shifts

For restaurant owners and managers, both Connecteam and 7shifts offer strong reporting and payroll integration capabilities.

Connecteam allows you to export audit-ready timesheets directly to payroll platforms like Gusto, Paychex, and ADP. It provides alerts for missed breaks, duplicate entries, and excessive overtime, aiding compliance. Employees can conveniently view their pay summaries and timesheets within the app.

7shifts provides a dedicated (paid) payroll add-on that integrates schedules, timesheets, and tips, automating calculations for regular hours, overtime, and tip credits to ensure compliance. It also offers unlimited payroll runs, direct deposits, and dedicated payroll specialists for support.

For restaurants wanting to manage tips and run payroll in 1 place, 7shifts’ fully integrated solution might make more sense. That said, Connecteam is still a strong solution. 

Labor compliance support – Winner: Connecteam

Connecteam gives more confidence when it comes to compliance. You can set mandatory breaks, receive overtime alerts, and define custom rules that align with our local labor laws. 

For employees, this means fewer errors, fewer disputes over pay, and protection from accidental overwork. It also makes expectations clearer with break times, tracked hours, and reminders right in the app. 

7shifts offers solid tools, too, including overtime tracking and break compliance support. One standout is its break attestation feature, which prompts employees to confirm whether they took their required rest or meal breaks. This is particularly important in high-compliance states like California, and it helps create a paper trail to protect the business from legal issues later on.

That said, 7shifts feels a bit more reactive than preventative. While it tracks what happened, we didn’t find the same level of rule customization or real-time enforcement. For restaurants with simple, predictable shifts, it does the job. But for more complex setups like multi-location teams or businesses with varying labor laws, Connecteam gives more proactive guardrails to stay compliant and avoid costly slip-ups.

User Ratings

Connecteam and 7shifts have both received strong reviews from users, indicating high satisfaction across core features like scheduling, time tracking, and ease of use. 7shifts holds a slight edge on Capterra, while Connecteam performs better on G2.

Connecteam

• ⭐ 4.6/5 on Capterra
• ⭐ 4.6/5 on G2

7shifts

• ⭐ 4.7/5 on Capterra
• ⭐ 4.5/5 on G2

Security & Compliance 

Both Connecteam and 7shifts offer strong data protection frameworks, but Connecteam stands out with clearer, enterprise-grade compliance credentials. It holds SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certifications, offers HIPAA compliance, and uses AES-256 encryption for data at rest, with SSL/TLS protection for data in transit. It also provides role-based admin controls and two-step account verification, giving both employees and employers peace of mind when handling sensitive timesheets, location data, and communications.

7shifts does a solid job on core security, with AES-256 encryption, role-based permissions, and multi-factor authentication now mandatory for users. It’s also GDPR-compliant and ISO 27001 certified, which is reassuring. However, 7shifts hasn’t explicitly stated HIPAA compliance, which may matter for food and beverage businesses dealing with health-related information or protected data. 

While both tools are secure, Connecteam provides a more transparent and complete picture of its compliance, which is particularly important for teams managing distributed workforces under tight regulatory scrutiny.

Setup and Onboarding 

Connecteam offers a polished onboarding experience. According to users, “user-friendly setup time is super easy” and it’s praised for being “very easy to set up” across multiple verified reviews. There’s a structured 3-step process that involves adding employees, customizing settings, and launching tutorials. It’s designed to get teams started swiftly. New users are aided by built-in videos, intuitive UI, and Connecteam’s unrivaled customer support team. 

When I created an account, the highlight for me was the consistent video tutorials. These made it so easy to set up my account in just minutes. 

In the 7shifts documentation, onboarding is described as efficient and mobile-friendly. We observed a straightforward process when we set up our account: adding employees, building initial schedules, and activating time tracking modules. One new user said, “It was super easy to add new employees… and access their schedule.” Staff members receive invites via SMS or email and can immediately log in using the mobile app. A comprehensive help center supports admins through setup. However, precise timelines or step-by-step guides aren’t provided.

Support and Customer Service 

Connecteam offers round-the-clock chat, email support, and a comprehensive help center. User feedback confirms that the live chat is prompt and effective, often resolving issues within minutes. Some organizations benefit from Connecteam’s Pros service, a pay-per-hour service that offers setup support and personalized onboarding for small businesses without internal IT resources.

7shifts offers live chat and a dedicated support line. Chat support is available from 6:00 am–7:00 pm PDT on weekdays and limited weekend coverage. Email and phone support are responsive, and the searchable Knowledge Base is extensive. One G2 reviewer noted the support was “fast and helpful,” though some reported delays during peak hours. Overall, 7shifts delivers solid support through multiple channels but lacks 24/7 availability.

🏆 Who Wins: Connecteam or 7shifts? 

For restaurant owners weighing Connecteam against 7shifts, the better choice is clear: Connecteam wins.

While 7shifts focuses mainly on scheduling and labor forecasting, Connecteam delivers everything restaurants need in one app. You get powerful scheduling and time tracking, but also communication tools, task and checklist management, employee training, compliance support, and engagement features like recognition and rewards. This eliminates the need to juggle multiple apps or pay extra for add-ons.

Restaurants with multiple locations—or even small, growing teams—benefit from Connecteam’s free plan with unlimited features for up to 10 employees. Add to that its unmatched 24/7 customer support, seamless mobile experience, and transparent compliance tools, and it becomes the smarter investment for long-term efficiency and growth.

👉 The verdict: Choose Connecteam for an all-in-one restaurant management solution that goes beyond scheduling to cover every aspect of running your team.

Try Connecteam for free.

FAQs 

Can bosses see messages on 7shifts?

On 7shifts, bosses (or managers) can see group messages for all departments they’re assigned to. They can’t see private messages between workers unless a worker reports abuse in a message, in which case, the manager will receive an email containing the message, along with the messages leading up to and after the reported message.

What can managers see on 7shifts?

Depending on their permissions, managers on 7shifts can see their workers’ performance insights, wages, availability and time off requests, shift and survey feedback, time punches, and more. They can see data only for departments and locations they’re assigned to, and they can’t see data if an admin doesn’t enable the corresponding permissions. 

Does 7shifts show read receipts?

Yes. When a manager sends an announcement, they can see who’s read it and when. Read receipts aren’t currently supported within messages, though.

Does Connecteam support real-time location tracking for clock-ins?

Yes, Connecteam includes GPS-based time tracking and geofencing to ensure employees clock in only at approved job sites. 

Does Connecteam replace 7shifts?

Yes. Connecteam includes all the scheduling and shift management features you’d expect from 7shifts, plus built-in time tracking, team chat, training, task management, compliance tools, and more. That means you don’t need multiple apps or paid add-ons to cover everything your restaurant staff needs.

Which is cheaper: Connecteam or 7shifts?

Connecteam is generally more affordable. Its free plan covers all features for up to 10 users, and its paid tiers don’t require per-location fees like 7shifts does. This makes Connecteam far more cost-effective for multi-location restaurants and small businesses alike.

Does Connecteam integrate with POS systems?

Yes. Connecteam integrates with POS systems like Lightspeed to sync real-time sales data with labor hours, helping restaurants schedule smarter and pay accurately. More integrations are being added all the time.

Is Connecteam good for small restaurants?

Absolutely. Even if you run a single-location restaurant, Connecteam’s free plan gives you access to scheduling, time tracking, communication, and training tools without any risk. You can start simple and scale as your team grows.

How is Connecteam’s customer support compared to 7shifts?

Connecteam provides 24/7 live chat and email support, with real human agents ready to help in minutes. 7shifts offers strong support too, but it isn’t available around the clock. For busy restaurant operators, always-on support is a huge advantage.

Do employees like using Connecteam?

Yes. Staff members find it easy to clock in and out, swap shifts, chat with coworkers, and complete tasks—all from one mobile app. For employees, this means less confusion and fewer apps to juggle during busy shifts.