Top 13 Employee Roster Apps for 2023

The 13 Best Employee Roster Apps of 2023

1. Connecteam — Best: All-in-one online employee rostering software solution

   Available on

   • Web
   • iOS
   • Android

   

   At the top of our list is Connecteam’s all-in-one employee roster app. This software solution has everything you need to easily create and manage optimal rosters for your teams, even while on the go. In addition to powerful features, Connecteam offers excellent customer support, an intuitive user experience, and high customizability, which allows you to adjust the platform to suit your precise business needs.

   Its top-notch rostering capabilities include time-saving tools and automations, inconsistency indications, shift information, self-service employee shift replacements, notifications, a time clock, an in-app chat, and much more.

   To help you understand these capabilities, we’ve detailed how you can use them to improve your daily operations in the following sections.

   Time-saving capabilities

   Aside from creating single or multiple shifts, Connecteam offers various tools that allow you to save valuable time and effort. These include the ability to simply copy shifts from a previous period, duplicate existing ones, set shifts as recurring, and use customizable templates for a specific job, shift, or entire week that you can drag and drop right into your current roster. 

   You can assign shifts and jobs based on each staff member’s submitted availability and registered qualifications, ensuring you always have the right person for the job. You also have the option to publish open shifts, which qualified users can claim with or without your approval, depending on your set preferences.

   Inconsistency indications

   Another power capability is that Connecteam helps you avoid scheduling mistakes by flagging conflicts and inconsistencies in your roster. The system, for instance, will flag when an employee is scheduled to work two shifts at once or when their work hours exceed your set overtime limitations. 

   Shift information

   Want to set your employees up with any needed information to get the job done? No problem! You can add relevant information or instructions right into each shift. This can include location, notes, tasks, and attachments. This puts all shift information right in your employees’ hands, eliminating any unclarity or unnecessary back-and-forth.

   Shift replacement 

   With the self-service employee shift replacement feature, you can allow users to swap shifts with other qualified and available team members without involving the manager. This helps save time and effort that you would otherwise invest in shuffling your roster around.

   Time clock

   Another powerful and helpful feature is Connecteam’s time clock all-in-one solution. With it, users can clock in and out from shifts by simply clicking on the time clock button at the bottom of each shift. This will track your employees’ work hours as well as the time spent on any particular projects, jobs, or clients that you would like to track time for.

   You might want to check the best time clocks for small business in depth review

   Notifications

   Powerful notifications are a must-have for any online rostering software – and Connecteam doesn’t disappoint. Its customizable notifications will ensure you and your employees always catch all rostering updates, changes, or requests. Receive instant notifications when employees accept or reject shifts, complete shift tasks, or are late checking in or out from their shift. This way, you remain up-to-date and can take action as soon as necessary.

   In-app chat

   Connecteam also includes an in-app chat solution through which you and your team stay in direct contact from anywhere. All users can open the chat from anywhere within the platform and instantly reach all the right people. All in all, employee rostering and management become more straightforward, efficient, and reliable, with mobile access to everything your team needs.

   I love that I can easily view my entire staff’s schedule, approve vacations, export timesheets for payroll for a specified pay period, and set up daily reports for my staff to fill out using the workflow option

   Kourtney
   Team Manager

   

   Connecteam also offers a free for life plan – Try Connecteam here!

   Key Features

   • Automated rostering

   • Drag & drop

   • Customizable templates

   • Recurring shifts

   • Shift notes & attachments

   • Overtime notifications

   • In app-chat

   Pros

   • Intuitive and easy to use

   • All-in-one solution

   • Great customer support

   • Budget-friendly

   Cons

   • Additional integrations in development

   Pricing

   Free-for-life plan availablePremium plans start at $29/month for 30 users

   No credit card required!

   Start Scheduling Now
2. 

   Homebase — Managing hourly work

   Available on

   • Web
   • iOS
   • Android

   

   Designed with hourly workers in mind, Homebase’s scheduling tool allows small businesses to create rosters according to sales and labor targets.

   With features such as auto-scheduling and templates, managers can optimize their available workforce. Homebase recognizes schedules need to remain flexible, allowing managers to adjust the roster and employees to update their availability any time and from anywhere.

   The app also includes a timesheet feature for tracking working hours, breaks, and overtime. It automatically calculates total hours worked, streamlining the payroll process.

   Managers can share rosters and communicate directly with employees via the app, including sending instant notifications.

   Learn more about Homebase

   Key Features

   • Employees can access the roster from their smartphone, text messages, and email
   • Automatic shift reminders
   • Track staff availability, breaks, and overtime
   • Integrates with Clover, Toast, and other online business tools

   Pros

   • User-friendly interface
   • Integrates with payroll functions

   Cons

   • Limited features available with the free Basic plan
   • Pricing can add up for businesses with multiple locations

   Pricing

   Starts at $20/location/month Trial: Yes — 14-day Free Plan: Yes — For a single location

3. 

   mHelpDesk — Small businesses in the field service industry

   Available on

   • Web
   • iOS
   • Android
   • Windows
   • Mac

   

   mHelpDesk offers an all-in-one, end-to-end SaaS solution for businesses in the field service industry. Several of these tools include scheduling features ideal for generating and managing employee rosters.

   With a similar feel to Google Calendar and Outlook, mHelpDesk allows you to easily see your team’s availability, automate assignment notifications, and view jobs and customer details. The app is designed to limit over or underbooking, maximizing your workforce’s efficiency.

   mHelpDesk aims to automate the repetitive processes common to many field service industries. Doing so can save your business time and money, especially when it comes to rostering and workforce management.

   Learn more about mHelpDesk

   Key Features

   • Schedule recurring jobs and contracts
   • “Assignment view” shows all open jobs and employee availability
   • Color-coded view
   • Integrates with Google Calendar

   Pros

   • Additional field service management tools are available
   • Automatic staff reminders

   Cons

   • No pricing details available on the website
   • Smaller businesses may not need the full suite of services

   Pricing

   Contact vendor for price Trial: Yes Free Plan: No

4. 

   7shifts — Best for: Restaurants

   Available on

   • Web
   • iOS
   • Android

   

   7shifts is specifically designed to address the unique rostering needs of restaurants. A cloud-based solution, 7shifts simplifies your labor management through a single platform where you can manage availability, rosters, timesheets, and communication with your employees.

   The app automatically notifies employees of their upcoming shifts via text and email, as well as any changes to the roster, reducing the risk of any missed shifts. A “Shift Pool” also allows staff to swap shifts with management approval.

   What’s more, 7shifts paid plans offer labor budgeting tools so you can track your labor costs across the different sections of your restaurant.

   Learn more about 7shifts

   Key Features

   • Intuitive drag-and-drop roster and templates
   • Immediate notifications for overtime or labor compliance problems
   • Approve or reject requests for time off or shift swaps
   • Instantly calculate labor spending

   Pros

   • Quick and easy to set up
   • Integrates with a wide range of business management apps, including Clover, CAKE, QuickBooks, and Toast

   Cons

   • Pricing can add up for restaurants with multiple locations
   • Templates and budgeting tools are only available with paid plans

   Pricing

   Starts at $21.99/month/location, for up to 15 employees Trial: Yes — 14-day Free Plan: Yes — Up to 1 location and 15 employees

5. 

   Fourth (Previously called: HotSchedules) — Best for: Hospitality industry

   Available on

   • Web
   • iOS
   • Android

   

   Fourth is a full-suite management software solution for the hospitality industry. It includes a range of workforce management features, including a scheduling tool formerly known as HotSchedules.

   This tool allows employees to centrally view their roster, request time off, swap shifts, and communicate with other team members. In turn, the app gives managers total visibility over what their employees are doing.

   One of the rostering app’s main features is a forecasting tool that assists managers to prepare accurate schedules and minimize overtime. Fourth also ensures rostering complies with both relevant labor laws and team availability.

   Learn more about Fourth (Previously called: HotSchedules)

   Key Features

   • Forecasting tool
   • COVID-19 health monitoring
   • Monitors labor law compliance
   • Integrates with other hospitality-focused apps, including Restaurant Manager, Toast, and Upserve POS

   Pros

   • Clean design
   • Health-monitoring function useful for compliance with COVID-19 regulations

   Cons

   • Can take some time to learn features
   • No pricing information on website

   Pricing

   Pricing is not publicly available Trial: No Free Plan: No

6. 

   Sling — Best for: Larger, multi-location teams

   Available on

   • Web
   • iOS
   • Android

   

   Sling is cloud-based rostering software suitable for businesses of all sizes. With each of Sling’s plans, there’s no limit to the number of employees, managers, or locations that can use the app, making it ideal for larger, multi-location teams.

   Via a centralized dashboard, managers can create team schedules and manage employee availability and requests for time off or shift changes. Managers and employees can also communicate via the app for real-time updates to the roster.

   Sling’s free basic plan gives users access to its scheduling and communication tools. For added features, such as time-tracking and labor reports, users need to subscribe to a paid plan.

   Learn more about Sling

   Key Features

   • Task management
   • Team messaging
   • Scheduling templates
   • Labor data reports

   Pros

   • Works across multiple locations
   • Intuitive to learn

   Cons

   • Basic plan doesn’t include time tracking
   • Fewer integrations than other employee rostering software solutions

   Pricing

   Starts at $1.70/user/month Trial: Yes Free Plan: Yes

7. 

   Google Calendar — Best for: Microbusinesses and freelancers

   Available on

   • Web
   • iOS
   • Android

   

   Google’s scheduling platform, Google Calendar, offers basic rostering functionality ideal for independent freelancers or very small teams. Google Calendar allows you to schedule meetings, appointments, and shifts with your team and provides reminders for upcoming events.

   With daily, monthly, or yearly views and a clean design, it’s easy to get an overview of your team’s availability and whereabouts. You can also create multiple calendars in the one Google account to manage your personal commitments alongside work.

   Google Calendar is completely free with a Google account. For increased calendar functionality, however, you’ll need to pay for a Google Workspace plans.

   Learn more about Google Calendar

   Key Features

   • Shift calendars
   • Attach relevant documents to meetings or shifts
   • Add events from Gmail directly to your Calendar
   • Set reminders

   Pros

   • Free
   • Intuitive to use, especially if you’re already familiar with Google apps

   Cons

   • Very basic scheduling functionality
   • Not ideal for viewing a large number of calendars

   Pricing

   Contact vendor for price Trial: No Free Plan: Yes

8. 

   Paycor — Best for: Businesses looking for full-service HCM software
   

   Available on

   • Web
   • iOS
   • Android

   

   Paycor Scheduling (formerly Ximble) makes it easy to manage labor costs and boost team productivity by creating effective employee rosters. The rostering application can be used to create and optimize rosters, communicate with staff, and work on the move.

   Paycor’s modern, clean interface makes it easy to view rosters and employee availability. Employees can update their availability in real-time, minimizing the opportunity for missed shifts. These scheduling features streamline the roster-creation process while reducing the risk of errors.

   One tool within Paycor’s suite of HCM software, Paycor Scheduling, is a good option for businesses in need of a full-service solution, including payroll, talent management, and employee experience.

   Learn more about Paycor

   Key Features

   • Team chat
   • Auto-reminders
   • Automated breaks
   • Generate reports to understand hours and costs

   Pros

   • Plans can be customized with additional features
   • Team chat allows staff and employees to communicate and share documents

   Cons

   • Pricing model can add up for larger businesses
   • Can’t subscribe to scheduling features alone

   Pricing

   Contact vendor for price Trial: No Free Plan: No

9. 

   Deputy — Best for: Small to medium-sized businesses
   

   Available on

   • Web
   • iOS
   • Android
   • Windows
   • Mac

   

   A well-known rostering solution, Deputy helps managers use their workforce efficiently, keep track of employee attendance, and comply with relevant labor laws. Deputy’s centralized dashboard allows employees to check their roster, claim and swap shifts, update their availability, and receive instant messages about the roster.

   A unique feature of Deputy is the ability to customize the dashboard to fit with your business’s branding.

   Deputy offers 24/7 support to users. It also has flexible pricing plans to suit your business’s needs and budget. Users can sign up for the scheduling app, the time and attendance app, or both.

   You might also want to read our best employee attendance tracking software review

   Learn more about Deputy

   Key Features

   • Easily fill a roster based on employee availability, training, and cost
   • Share the roster via desktop or mobile
   • Find qualified replacements for shifts immediately
   • Control costs based on data regarding wages and sales

   Pros

   • Built-in health check function minimizes disruptions due to COVID-19
   • Time clock app can be integrated with payroll and POS systems

   Cons

   • Stand-alone scheduling tool
   • Web app only available in English

   Pricing

   Starts at $3.5/user/month Trial: Yes — Up to 31 days Free Plan: No

10. 

    Shiftboard — Best for: Businesses with complex scheduling

    Available on

    • Web
    • iOS
    • Android

    

    Shiftboard’s SchedulePro and ScheduleFlex rostering applications are specifically designed for organizations with complex scheduling needs, such as those in mission-critical industries or with high-volume staffing. SchedulePro caters to product-centric businesses, while ScheduleFlex provides for service organizations with fluctuating staffing needs, for example, call centers.

    To do this, Shiftboard’s scheduling solutions are customizable and use AI to create efficient rosters. Team members are kept up to date in real time with email, message, and in-app notifications of roster changes. The apps also ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations, even when dealing with a large and flexible workforce.

    Learn more about Shiftboard

    Key Features

    • Create a roster based on each department and location
    • Use flex pools for last-minute changes
    • Attach custom information for each user such as certifications and proficiencies
    • Real-time communication with employees

    Pros

    • Auto-scheduling for efficient rostering
    • Customize to suit your workforce’s scheduling needs

    Cons

    • No pricing details available on the website
    • Calendar display could be clearer

    Pricing

    Contact vendor for price Trial: No Free Plan: No

11. 

    QuickBooks Time — Best for: Integrations with 3rd party apps
    

    Available on

    • Web
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Windows
    • Mac

    

    With scheduling and time tracking functionality, QuickBooks Time is a good solution for fully mobile workforces. Managers can generate rosters quickly and easily with features like drag and drop shifts and copying previous rosters. Via the app, managers can also track and approve employee time.

    QuickBooks Time integrates with over 50 other apps including Asana, Google Drive, and Dropbox. Existing QuickBooks users will easily adapt to the app’s interface.

    You might also want to read our in-depth review of the best time tracking apps for small businesses

    Learn more about QuickBooks Time

    Key Features

    • Schedule by shift or job
    • Schedule integrates with time clock
    • Drag and drop shifts for quick roster creation
    • Add, edit, or change shifts on mobile app

    Pros

    • Geotechnology capabilities
    • Can also be used to track employee mileage and expenses

    Cons

    • Support only available Monday–Friday
    • Pricing model can add up for larger businesses

    Pricing

    Starts at $10/month + $8/user/month Trial: Yes — 30-day Free Plan: No

12. 

    Google Sheets — Best for: Rostering on a budget

    Available on

    • Web
    • iOS
    • Android

    

    While it’s technically not employee rostering software, Google Sheets is good for small businesses or freelancers with basic rostering needs and a limited budget. A free spreadsheet solution, Google Sheets increases rostering efficiency via its easy-to-use cloud-based platform.

    You can create a roster from scratch or access a range of free templates online, either in a single sheet for quick reference or across multiple employee-specific sheets. By sharing the roster in editing mode, employees can add comments or questions to it.

    Accessing Google Sheets is free for you and your employees. You simply need to create a Google Account, and you’re good to go.

    Learn more about Google Sheets

    Key Features

    • Share sheets with employees via email
    • Built-in formulas, pivot tables, and conditional formatting options
    • Automatically saves additions and changes
    • Pre-made templates for quick rostering

    Pros

    • Easily create basic rosters
    • Free solution

    Cons

    • Very basic rostering functionality
    • Optimal use requires some familiarity with Google Sheets

    Pricing

    Contact vendor for price Trial: Yes Free Plan: Yes

13. 

    Humanity — Best for: Companies with a hybrid workforce

    Available on

    • Web
    • iOS
    • Android

    

    A flexible rostering tool for hourly employees, Humanity caters to a wide range of industries including healthcare, retail, hospitality, and manufacturing.

    Humanity’s rostering app offers solid functionality. From the app’s centralized platform, you can review employee availability as well as create, edit, and check rosters. Real-time budgeting and analytics tools help you to avoid overscheduling (and overspending) on labor costs.

    The interface is designed with an emphasis on usability for both employees and managers. So it should be quick and easy for your staff to familiarize themselves with the app’s functionality and use it to organize their shifts.

    Learn more about Humanity

    Key Features

    • Automated and forecasted rostering
    • Custom templates
    • Factors in state and local regulations
    • Integrates with HCM platforms like BambooHR, Oracle, and Workday

    Pros

    • 24/7 customer support available
    • Can create custom rostering rules

    Cons

    • Range of features can be overwhelming
    • No pricing available on website

    Pricing

    Contact vendor for price Trial: Yes Free Plan: No