Our Top Picks
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1
Best for teams with multiple roles, locations, and pay rules
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2
Good for larger teams prioritizing automated labor law safeguards
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3
Good for restaurant and food & beverage managers who need labor forecasting
Why trust us?
Our team of unbiased software reviewers follows strict editorial guidelines, and our methodology is clear and open to everyone.
See our complete methodology
When rosters live in spreadsheets or disconnected tools, small mistakes turn into overtime blowups, missed shifts, and payroll disputes.
I evaluated six employee roster apps based on how quickly you can build schedules, how well they prevent compliance issues, and how reliably they connect rosters to time tracking and payroll.
This breakdown will help you choose a system that holds up in real operations, not just on a feature list.
| App | Best for | Starting Price | Key Considerations |
| Connecteam | Teams with multiple roles, locations, and pay rules | $29/month (up to 30 users) | Built-in break, overtime, and payroll alignment safeguards |
| Deputy | Larger teams prioritizing automated labor law safeguards | $5/user/month | Advanced compliance controls locked behind higher tiers |
| 7shifts | Restaurant and food & beverage managers who need labor forecasting | $39.99/location/month | Forecast-driven scheduling but separate time clock app |
| When I Work | Small teams prioritizing simplicity over advanced controls | $2.50/user/month | Clean interface but limited field visibility |
| Sling | Small teams with predictable schedules and tight budgets | $1.70/user/month | Low cost but limited skill-based scheduling |
| Planday | Teams needing POS-linked labor analysis | $2.99/user/month | Strong integrations but limited recurring shift logic |
What’s New in This Update (February 2026)
- Reduced the list from eight tools to six after tightening inclusion criteria
- Retested auto-scheduling, break enforcement, and offline clock-in behavior
- Strengthened compliance and real-world limitation analysis
- Refined “best for” positioning to better reflect actual use cases
How I Ranked the Best Employee Roster Apps
To rank these employee roster apps, I focused on what prevents coverage gaps, reduces scheduling conflicts, and keeps payroll aligned across locations during a normal workweek.
Must-have rostering features:
At a minimum, a roster app needs to make schedule creation fast while preventing avoidable errors that turn into overtime costs or last-minute coverage issues.
I prioritized:
- Quick roster creation: Building a weekly schedule should take minutes. Drag-and-drop editors, reusable templates, and the ability to duplicate previous weeks were essential. If creating or adjusting shifts felt slow or repetitive, the tool didn’t rank highly.
- Smart scheduling automation: Shifts should be assigned based on availability, roles, and workload. If managers had to manually cross-check availability or qualifications, the app lost points.
- Built-in coverage controls: Open shifts and swap requests should stay inside the system with clear approval workflows. If managers had to rely on texts or external communication to coordinate replacements, it wasn’t competitive.
- Availability and leave sync: Approved time off must reflect automatically in the roster. If the system allowed double-booking or required manual updates, that was a red flag.
- Compliance safeguards: Overtime alerts, break enforcement, and certification tracking needed to surface before schedules were finalized. If compliance issues only appeared after hours were worked, the app didn’t score well.
- Multi-location visibility: Managers should be able to build schedules by site or department while maintaining centralized oversight. If visibility broke down across locations, the tool lost credibility.
If a platform couldn’t handle these fundamentals reliably, it didn’t compete in this category.
Operational reliability
Beyond core scheduling, I evaluated how each app performs in day-to-day operations.
- Mobile usability: Employees should be able to check schedules, request swaps, and receive updates directly from their phones without friction.
- Reliable notifications: Shift changes, approvals, and open shift alerts need to reach employees in real time. If notifications were inconsistent, managers ended up double-confirming shifts manually.
- Access controls: Permission settings should prevent unauthorized edits, especially in multi-manager environments.
- Adoption risk: If employees struggled to view or confirm shifts, managers spent more time answering questions instead of managing operations.
Workflow continuity
Finally, I looked at how well rostering connects to the rest of the system.
- Time tracking alignment: Scheduled shifts should connect directly to clock-ins so managers can confirm coverage and reduce time discrepancies.
- Payroll readiness: Overtime visibility and clean exports should reduce end-of-period corrections.
- Team coordination tools: Schedule-related communication should stay inside the platform, not spill into separate tools.
- Scalability: The system should handle additional roles, locations, and managers without becoming harder to manage.
6 Best Employee Roster Apps for 2026 (In-Depth Comparison)
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Connecteam — Best for teams with multiple roles, locations, and pay rules
Connecteam is built for teams where scheduling isn’t simple. If you’re managing multiple roles, locations, pay rules, and overtime risks at the same time, it brings rostering, time tracking, and payroll alignment into one system so nothing slips between tools.
It’s especially strong for businesses that can’t afford coverage gaps, compliance mistakes, or payroll corrections at the end of the week.
Why I chose Connecteam: I ranked Connecteam #1 because it was the most complete option for managing employee rosters, especially in planning speed, scheduling automation, and integrated time tracking.
Drag-and-drop roster
Connecteam’s employee scheduler has a drag-and-drop builder that lets managers create rosters quickly. All you have to do is create shifts and drag employee names to assign them. Managers can also copy past schedules, duplicate shifts, set recurring patterns, and even create templates for specific roles, jobs, or full weeks to save time.
Employees can mark their preferred workdays and availability directly in the app, making it easy to assign shifts based on who’s actually available and qualified to work. You can add notes, checklists, tasks, and files to each shift, so your staff has all the information they need before clocking in. Connecteam flags scheduling conflicts so you can fix them before the roster goes live.
You can also publish open shifts for employees to claim and share read-only rosters with clients or stakeholders through a simple link, keeping everyone aligned without extra coordination.
Connecteam’s easy-to-read and color-coded employee scheduler. AI-powered scheduling
One of Connecteam’s most useful features is the AI scheduler, which can build a full roster in seconds instead of hours. You just have to add your unassigned shifts, and the tool automatically fills them in based on employee availability, preferences, skills, fairness, and your business rules.
This is a game-changer for multi-location teams or businesses with more complex scheduling needs. Instead of manually matching availability and qualifications, the system does the heavy lifting, so you can just review and make adjustments if needed. For example, a retail manager can generate a full week’s schedule with 40+ shifts in minutes, freeing up time to be on the floor instead of behind a screen.
Self-service shift swaps
I really liked how Connecteam handles shift replacements. If someone can’t make their shift, they can release it directly in the app, and qualified teammates can choose to pick it up. You can let swaps happen automatically or require manager approval to stay in control of the final roster.
The process is simple: an employee clicks on their shift, selects “Find Replacement,” and chooses eligible teammates to swap with. The team members are notified instantly and can either accept or decline. Once approved, the roster updates in real-time. It’s an easy way to stay flexible without losing visibility, or relying on disconnected texts and emails for coverage.
Connecteam’s shift replacement feature is straightforward for both employees and managers. Time off management
Time off management is built right into the Connecteam app. You can set up custom PTO policies for vacation, sick leave, or personal days, and balances update automatically as employees accrue time based on their hours worked.
I appreciated that employees can submit time-off requests straight from the app, just by selecting the dates and submitting them for approval. Managers are notified instantly, speeding up the process. As soon as the request is approved, the time off appears on the roster and updates the employee’s available balance.
GPS-enabled time tracking
Connecteam’s employee time clock links directly to your roster, so scheduled shifts align with actual hours worked. Employees can clock in and out from the mobile app wherever they’re working, switch between roles or locations without clocking out, and have hours calculated automatically based on your pay, break, and overtime rules.
There’s also optional GPS tracking and geofencing to help verify that employees are clocking in at approved locations, without tracking them when they’re off the clock. All hours flow into digital timesheets for payroll, where managers can review, edit, approve, and lock entries, with every change tracked for clear, audit-ready records.
Note: GPS tracking and geofencing may have legal implications in some areas. Ensure compliance with state GPS tracking laws and employee consent requirements before enabling location tracking. Geofencing can flag legitimate work situations, so manual review is still required to avoid unfair penalties.
Payroll integrations
At the end of the pay period, you can export timesheets to payroll with a single click. Connecteam integrates directly with RUN Powered by ADP®, Xero, QuickBooks Online, Paychex, and other popular payroll providers. If needed, you can also export to Excel.
For multi-location teams, this removes the hassle of collecting timesheets from different managers and manually re-entering data, cutting payroll processing time from hours to minutes.
And so much more…
Connecteam is more than just rostering software. It offers tools to help you manage your entire workforce in one app, including:
- Online team chat: Keep conversations organized and tied directly to work. Share last-minute updates, announcements, and shift details in one-on-one or group chats.
- Training and onboarding: Use the AI Course Creator to build custom training materials in seconds, so employees can get up to speed, fast.
- Employee task tracking: Attach recurring or one-off tasks to the roster, assign them to team members, add subtasks, and track progress in real-time.
- Automatic reports: Track attendance, task completion, and form submissions to spot issues and make better staffing decisions.
- Staff documents: Store certifications, licenses, and contracts in one place and get reminders before documents expire to only add qualified employees to the roster.
When Connecteam may not be the best fit
Connecteam may not be the right choice if you only need a basic tool to publish simple weekly schedules. If you don’t need time tracking, compliance controls, or payroll alignment, the broader system may feel like more than you need.
It’s also not built for fully remote teams that work flexible hours without defined shifts. If your team sets their own hours and doesn’t rely on real-time coordination, a lighter scheduling tool would likely make more sense.
Connecteam also offers a free for life plan – Try Connecteam here!
0Key Features
- Drag-and-drop roster builder
- AI-powered auto-scheduler
- Leave management
- Availability tracking
- Shift swaps and replacements
- GPS time clock with geofencing
Pros
- Handles complex, multi-location scheduling reliably
- Connects rosters directly to time tracking and payroll
- Built-in overtime and break safeguards
- Reduces manual schedule corrections
Cons
- May feel heavier than necessary for very small teams with simple schedules
- Not designed for fully flexible, project-based teams without defined shifts
Pricing
Free-for-life plan availablePremium plans start at $29/month for 30 users
See Connecteam's App in Action
Request a Free Demo -
Deputy — Good for larger teams prioritizing automated labor law safeguards
Key Features
- Drag-and-drop scheduler
- Auto-scheduling
- Time clock with facial recognition
- Leave management
Pros
- Automated labor law and break safeguards
- Handles multi-location scheduling well
Cons
- Key automation features locked to higher tiers
- No offline clock-ins
What’s new with Deputy
Deputy recently raised its base price from $4.50 per user/month to $5 per user/month with a minimum monthly spend of $30 (on monthly plans) starting September 1, 2025.
Deputy is a roster management software that combines scheduling, time tracking, task management, and compliance support.
Why I chose Deputy: I ranked Deputy #2 because it offers strong rostering tools backed by compliance safeguards.
Roster creation and smart scheduling
Deputy’s drag-and-drop scheduler lets you create and assign shifts, use templates, duplicate previous weeks, or leverage the auto-scheduler to generate rosters based on availability. The layout is straightforward, and most managers can put together a weekly roster in a few minutes.
Deputy’s AI-powered auto-scheduler is built for data-driven planning. It can generate schedules based on demand, seasonality, sales patterns, wage rules, and working hour regulations, then assign shifts according to employee availability, qualifications, and labor budgets.
For me, what really sets Deputy apart is its built-in compliance checks. As a manager creates the schedule, it flags overtime risks, applies break requirements based on local labor laws, and helps prevent violations before they impact payroll. The scheduler also verifies employee certifications and licenses before assigning shifts, preventing unqualified employees from being scheduled for certain roles.
During our testing, we found it easy to edit, copy, and publish shifts. It was also helpful to see the projected labor costs as we built out the roster. Coverage and availability management
Employees can request shift swaps and pick up open shifts right in the app. They can also mark their availability and request time off. Managers stay in control with full visibility into who can and can’t work, and can approve or deny requests without chasing down messages.
However, in our full Deputy review, we found that there’s no warning when you assign shifts to employees who have requested time off that’s still pending review or approval. If you rely heavily on automated conflict checks, this gap could leave you short-staffed and rushing to fill avoidable coverage gaps.
Time tracking and payroll
I liked that Deputy lets employees clock in from any device, including mobile, desktop, or shared kiosk apps. Managers can add controls like GPS tracking, geofencing, photo capture, and even facial recognition to prevent buddy punching. You can set rules for overtime and block clock-ins for unscheduled shifts, so time tracking and rosters are aligned.
While these controls are solid, it’s important to mention that Deputy doesn’t support offline clock-ins, which could be limiting for field teams that work in areas without reliable internet. For teams that operate in low-connectivity environments or rely on field staff, this limitation can create payroll risk if punches fail to register.
Recorded time is converted into timesheets, showing hours, wages, and premium rates, which managers can review and approve from the web or mobile app. Deputy doesn’t offer native payroll, but timesheets can be exported as CSV files or synced directly with providers like Gusto or OnPay for processing.
What users say about Deputy
It’s so easy to use on both a manager and employee POV. It’s so user friendly! I love that you can assign shifts, remove shifts, swap and edit shifts easily. You can also very easily time track employees, which makes payroll much easier.
Not the best for remote employees as the app is location-based. Can be tricky coordinating employees in different time zones.
0Pricing
Starts at $5/user/month Trial: Yes Free Plan: No
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7shifts — Good for restaurant and food & beverage managers who need labor forecasting
Key Features
- Sales-based labor forecasting
- AI-powered auto-scheduling
- Shift swaps and open shifts
- Availability and time-off tracking
Pros
- Built for restaurant labor forecasting
- Integrated tip pooling support
Cons
- Requires separate time clock app
- No active break enforcement
7shifts is a rostering and workforce management platform built specifically for the restaurant industry.
Why I chose 7shifts: I chose 7shifts because it’s purpose-built for restaurants and uses labor forecasting to build rosters.
Rostering and labor forecasting
7shifts makes scheduling straightforward for both managers and staff. There’s a drag-and-drop scheduler that helps you quickly assign shifts and make sure every department and location is staffed. All you have to do to create a shift is add the time, include a break if needed, and leave a note to let employees know what’s expected.
You can repeat shifts for quick roster creation and set labor targets based on projected sales, keeping schedules aligned with your budget. When schedules are published or updated, employees are instantly notified and receive reminders ahead of their upcoming shifts. If an employee’s hours push into overtime, the system flags it so managers can make adjustments.
I was really impressed by the machine-learning auto-scheduler. It analyzes past schedules, sales forecasts, availability, time off, and compliance rules to build labor-efficient schedules automatically. And when plans change, employees can swap, offer, or claim shifts in the app. Once approved, the schedule updates instantly, without managers having to rebuild it manually.
During testing, we created a shift for the “chef” role, set the day and shift length, and added a note detailing the responsibilities for that shift. Time off and availability
Employees can submit availability updates or time-off requests right from the 7shifts mobile or web app. In our full 7shifts review, we found that receiving instant notifications whenever a request came in made it easy to review and approve. Once approved, the system automatically blocked off those days, so you couldn’t accidentally schedule someone when they weren’t available.
I also appreciated the time-off notice requirement. You can set a minimum number of days’ notice for requests, so managers have enough time to adjust the schedule or line up coverage. It’s a simple safeguard that helps prevent understaffing and keeps service standards consistent.
Time tracking and payroll
For time tracking, employees have to clock in and out through a separate app (7punches) or your POS. You can set up a geofence and require employees to take photos at clock-in as a way to prevent time theft. Time data syncs back to 7shifts, so it works, but the split experience adds an extra step and potential confusion, especially for teams who prefer seeing everything in one place.
It was also disappointing that the app doesn’t send break reminders or prevent employees from ending breaks early. While you can require employees to confirm they took their breaks, it’s more of a formality than real enforcement. Without stronger safeguards, I can see employees missing or shortening breaks.
This could lead to inaccurate timesheets, overtime miscalculations, and potential violations of meal and rest break compliance laws. If your business is in a state with strict meal and rest break laws, this gap means you will need to monitor breaks more closely to avoid compliance issues.
What users say about 7shifts
7shifts makes it really easy to manage schedules, time off request, manage labor hours and easily allows you to communicate with all teams.
There were times that the information was not up to date regarding shift availability that led to some shifts getting mixed up.
0Pricing
Starts at $29.99/month/location, up to 30 employees Trial: Yes — 14 days Free Plan: Yes — Up to 1 location & 15 employees
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When I Work — Good for small teams prioritizing simplicity over advanced controls
Key Features
- Drag-and-drop schedule builder
- Auto-scheduling with rule controls
- Labor cost forecasting
- Time tracking with geofencing
Pros
- Affordable for small teams
- Easy to learn and use
Cons
- Lacks GPS tracking
- Needs internet to work
When I Work is a workforce management app that helps small teams with shift planning, time tracking, and communication.
Why I chose When I Work: I liked that When I Work offers solid core rostering features at an affordable price, making it practical for small, single-location teams.
Basic roster creation
Building rosters with When I Work is quick and simple. The layout follows a weekly calendar, and you can use templates, copy past rosters, or create shifts from scratch in a few clicks. I liked that each shift is customizable; you can assign shifts to a specific employee or leave it open, set hours and breaks, add notes and tasks, apply tags, and save it as a template to repeat to use later.
When I Work’s auto-scheduler was strong, and I appreciated its ability to assign shifts based on roles, tags, availability, and custom rules like maximum hours or weekend prioritization. With labor forecasting, you can also see projected labor costs in real time, which helps you keep within your budget before rosters go live.
That said, there were a few practical problems we came across during our testing. In our full When I Work review, we noticed that you can’t create custom tasks directly within a shift, so you have to build them separately first. On top of that, open shifts don’t trigger in-app notifications in the web portal (email only), and employees can swap shifts but not drop them, even with permissions enabled.
Time off management
When I Work lets managers handle time-off requests directly in the app, which keeps everything in one place. However, during testing, we found that employees have to manually enter the number of paid hours they’re requesting when submitting leave. It would be more convenient if that calculation was automated, or at least controlled by a manager, just to reduce manual errors and avoid potential disputes.
You can create custom time-off types and set accrual policies for each, but we noticed that there’s no option to set carryover rules. I can see that making it more difficult to manage and explain leave policies.
When testing When I Work, we found that employees requesting leave need to manually enter how many paid hours they plan to take off. Time clock and payroll
When I Work’s time clock lets employees clock in and out from desktops, tablets, or smartphones. I liked that the platform includes geofencing and photo verification to prevent time theft, but I was surprised that there was no GPS tracking. This could really limit visibility for managers who oversee field teams on the move.
Managers can set overtime alerts so they’re notified before employees exceed their scheduled hours. I also liked that approved timesheets sync directly with payroll partners. However, the time tracking feature definitely had a few gaps. Even after adding custom pay rates, labor costs didn’t appear on timesheets, which was strange. There’s also no way to track billable vs. non-billable hours, which could be frustrating for businesses that need to invoice clients.
What users say about When I Work
As a nurse educator, I value how easy and reliable When I Work is to use. Staff can quickly see schedules, which allows me to plan ahead knowing which staff are working which days.
It was difficult to add depth to the tasks and scheduling. The time tracking and scheduling worked great, but detailing exactly what needed to be done was difficult to add within the app
0Pricing
Starts at $2.5/user/month Trial: Yes — 14 days Free Plan: No
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Sling — Good for small teams with predictable schedules and tight budgets
Key Features
- Labor cost visibility in scheduler
- Drag-and-drop shift builder
- Shift swaps and open shifts
- Time clock with geofencing
Pros
- Easy to learn and use
- Free plan supports unlimited users
Cons
- Limited skill-based scheduling controls
- Mobile app lacks full scheduling visibility
Sling is a scheduling and time tracking app designed for shift-based businesses.
Why I chose Sling: I chose Sling because its generous free plan and low-cost paid plans make it a good option for startups and small businesses with budget restrictions.
Employee rostering
In our full Sling review, we found that Sling’s drag-and-drop interface was clean and intuitive, making it easy to build and adjust shifts without getting lost in menus. Sling also does a solid job addressing “clopening” issues by flagging short turnarounds and making it easier to spot tight shift gaps to keep teams compliant with break laws.
Labor cost optimization is built directly into the scheduler, which I liked because it shows you how assignments impact your budget in real time. This makes it easier to control expenses while still meeting coverage and compliance requirements.
Time clock and tracking
With the Sling mobile app, employees can clock in and out from their smartphones. For businesses with fixed locations, you can also set up a shared kiosk on any device, which works best for teams that start and end their shifts in the same place. The system tracks regular hours, overtime, and holidays, and includes geofencing to ensure employees are at the right location when they clock in or out.
I liked that you get controls to help manage labor costs, like automatically ending shifts before overtime kicks in and blocking early clock-ins. It’s a helpful way to keep payroll aligned with scheduled hours. However, the mobile app felt a bit limiting, since it doesn’t show you an employee’s total hours before approving an extra shift, so you’d have to switch to the desktop for a complete view.
When testing Sling, we found that you can set granular permissions for the time clock, including the geofence radius, early clock in time, and automatic clock out time. When testing Sling, we found that you can set granular permissions for the time clock, including the geofence radius, early clock in time, and automatic clock out time.
Where it falls short
There were a few drawbacks we ran into with Sling during our testing. For starters, there’s no option to set day rates alongside hourly pay, which could be restrictive for businesses that operate on mixed or alternative pay structures. If your team isn’t strictly hourly, you may need to find workarounds.
While recurring shift templates are a time-saver, we ran into occasional syncing glitches on mobile during testing. Updates didn’t always reflect instantly, which could create confusion for managers who rely on their phones to make quick adjustments.
Customization is another area that could be stronger. You can filter employees by role and location when assigning shifts, but not by skills, certifications, or experience level. For businesses that depend on matching the right qualifications to the right shift, that added visibility would make scheduling more precise and a lot less manual.
What users say about Sling
I appreciate how easy it is to use; it was extremely helpful for managing my work schedule. I enjoyed the variety of features, and I found myself using it every day.
It does not keep a tally of my PTO. It does not keep a paycheck tracker that shows your taxes and things like that.
0Pricing
Starts at $1.7/user/month Trial: Yes — 15 days Free Plan: Yes — Up to 30 users
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Planday — Good for teams needing POS-linked labor analysis
Key Features
- Drag-and-drop shift builder
- POS and payroll integrations
- Geofenced clock-ins
- Time-off request tracking
Pros
- Large integration library
- Labor-to-revenue cost analysis
Cons
- No true recurring shift automation
- Basic reporting with limited breakdowns
Planday is a time-tracking app that includes team scheduling, time-off management, and a wide range of integrations.
Why I chose Planday: I was interested in Planday because of its competitive pricing and wide range of third-party integrations, particularly with POS platforms that let you analyze payroll against real-time revenue.
Roster planning
In our full Planday review, we tested the drag-and-drop schedule builder. You can create shifts, add start and end times, leave them open, or assign employees, and restrict shifts to a group or position. I also appreciated that you can add breaks, set a default wage, and leave notes for team members.
There’s a “number of copies” tool that lets you duplicate shifts across weekdays, but it feels like copying and pasting cells in a spreadsheet. While it works, I think a more modern alternative would be to just add a recurring shift tool. There’s auto-scheduling, which creates rosters based on employee availability. However, this function is locked behind the highest-tier paid plan.
Time tracking and reporting
Employees can clock in with one tap from the Planday mobile app or a shared kiosk device. However, during testing, we realized there’s no desktop clock-in option. This definitely limits flexibility for teams that mainly work from their computers.
Planday does have pretty solid location controls. You can restrict punch-ins using geofencing, limit access to specific WiFi networks, or allow clock-ins from anywhere. GPS tracking (while employees are clocked in) adds another layer of visibility for managers.
I found it surprising that Planday doesn’t generate traditional timesheets from clocked hours. Instead, you have to rely on working hours reports as a workaround. There’s also no option to clock time against specific projects, tasks, or clients, which makes it difficult to track detailed productivity and job costs.
We used Planday’s mobile app to start and end shifts, view open shifts, and make shift requests. Time off and payroll
Setting absence policies in Planday is simple and easy to manage. Employees submit time-off requests by selecting their dates and adding an optional note, and managers can approve or deny in a click. From the scheduler, you can instantly see who’s unavailable, which helps prevent coverage gaps.
Planday also offers a solid range of integrations, which makes it easier to connect scheduling with payroll and track labor costs against revenue. Reporting is limited, and there are only two core reports (hours per employee and shifts per employee) with basic filters and no breakdown by employee attributes or location, and no visual dashboards.
What users say about Planday
It is a simple solution for shift management. In our induction it takes minutes to show new members of staff the clocking in and out process and where to see their shifts, or if there are any available shifts they can pick up.
There is a noticeable learning curve in the beginning, especially for users who are new to digital scheduling tools. Occasionally, minor bugs or system issues appear, which can be frustrating during busy planning periods.
Pricing
Starts at 2.99€/month Trial: Yes — 30-day Free Plan: No
Compare the Best Employee Roster Apps
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Starts at just $29/month for the first 30 users
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Starts at $5/user/month
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Starts at $29.99/month/location, up to 30 employees
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Starts at $2.5/user/month
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Starts at $1.7/user/month
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Starts at 2.99€/month
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yes
14-day
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yes
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yes
14 days
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yes
14 days
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yes
15 days
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yes
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yes
Free Up to 10 users
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Up to 1 location & 15 employees
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Up to 30 users
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| Use cases |
Best for teams with multiple roles, locations, and pay rules
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Good for larger teams prioritizing automated labor law safeguards
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Good for restaurant and food & beverage managers who need labor forecasting
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Good for small teams prioritizing simplicity over advanced controls
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Good for small teams with predictable schedules and tight budgets
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Good for teams needing POS-linked labor analysis
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| Available on |
What Is an Employee Roster App?
An employee roster app is the control layer between scheduling and payroll. It’s where you decide who should work, under what rules, and at what cost before those hours turn into wages.
The difference between a basic scheduling tool and a strong roster system is oversight. The better platforms don’t just publish shifts. They flag overtime before it happens, block conflicts, and keep availability, roles, and compliance rules synced in one place.
How Roster Apps Work in Real Operations
In practice, managers build schedules based on roles, locations, and labor targets. Employees confirm shifts, request swaps, and submit time-off directly inside the system, which reduces back-and-forth.
Where things get more serious is what happens after shifts are published. Strong roster apps connect directly to time tracking and payroll so scheduled hours match worked hours. When that link is missing, small scheduling mistakes turn into payroll corrections at the end of the week.
Benefits of Employee Rostering Apps
Fewer scheduling errors and payroll corrections
When availability, time off, and shift assignments live in one system, double-bookings and missed shifts drop significantly. That means fewer last-minute schedule changes and fewer payroll adjustments at the end of the week. Employees benefit from clearer expectations, and managers spend less time fixing preventable mistakes.
Clearer communication and shift accountability
A centralized roster creates a single source of truth. When schedules update in real time and employees receive notifications instantly, there’s less confusion about who’s working and when. That reduces no-shows and eliminates the back-and-forth that slows managers down.
Better control over labor costs
Overtime alerts, shift visibility, and labor forecasting help managers spot cost issues before schedules go live. Instead of reacting to budget overruns after payroll runs, you can adjust coverage in advance. Employees also gain more predictable schedules and clearer hour expectations.
Stronger compliance oversight
Built-in break tracking, overtime warnings, and certification checks reduce compliance risk. Managers can catch potential violations before they become legal or payroll problems. Employees benefit from clearer break policies and consistent scheduling practices.
Easier growth across locations
As teams grow, manual scheduling becomes harder to manage. A roster app provides visibility across roles and locations without adding layers of admin work. Employees gain consistency across sites, while managers maintain control as operations scale.
How Much Does a Rostering App Cost?
Most rostering and time tracking platforms charge per user, per month. Prices typically start between $1.70 and $5 per employee, depending on features. Some providers use a per-location model instead, like 7shifts, which charges $39.99 per location per month. Pricing generally scales based on your team size and feature needs.
Connecteam stands out for its Small Business Plan, which is completely free for up to 10 users. Connecteam’s paid plans start at just $29 per month for up to 30 users. Higher-tier plans start at $49/month for Advanced and $99/month for Expert, both of which also cover up to 30 users.
The Bottom Line on Online Rostering Software Solutions
Employee roster apps are designed for businesses that manage shift-based teams and need tighter control over scheduling, coverage, and labor costs.
The right tool should help you build schedules quickly, catch overtime risks before they happen, and keep rosters aligned with time tracking and payroll. If scheduling errors are turning into payroll corrections or coverage gaps, the system isn’t strong enough.
For teams managing multiple roles, locations, or compliance requirements, Connecteam stands out because it brings scheduling, time tracking, and oversight into one structured system. It’s built for operations that can’t afford mistakes.
Ready to simplify your rosters? Try Connecteam for free today.
FAQs
The stronger platforms can. They flag overtime risks, overlapping shifts, or break violations while you’re building the schedule, not after hours are worked. That gives managers a chance to adjust coverage before payroll problems show up at the end of the week.
Not all of them. Some require a constant internet connection to load schedules or record clock-ins. If your team works in areas with weak connectivity, confirm that shifts and punches can be saved locally and synced later, otherwise you risk missing data.
Most apps either export approved timesheets as CSV files or sync directly with payroll providers. The key is whether scheduled hours, overtime rules, and approved edits flow cleanly into payroll without manual rework. If managers still have to reconcile hours manually, the integration isn’t doing its job.
A roster app focuses on planning who should work and when. A time tracking app records who actually worked and for how long. The best systems connect both so scheduled shifts align with clock-ins, reducing discrepancies and payroll corrections.
Yes, but only if they provide centralized visibility with location-level controls. Multi-location teams need permission settings, role-based filtering, and clear oversight across sites. Without that structure, scheduling becomes fragmented and harder to manage as you grow.
