Planday Alternatives: 10 Best Scheduling and Workforce Tools for 2025

Looking for a better way to schedule your team? You're not alone. Planday works well for basic shift planning, but plenty of businesses are exploring alternatives to find better pricing models, different feature sets, or tools that fit their specific industry needs.

Whether you're comparing options for the first time or ready to make a switch, we've tested the top alternatives to help you find the right fit. This guide covers what each tool offers, who they're built for, and how to choose based on your team size and industry. Let's find you the perfect match.

Why businesses are switching from planday

Planday is solid scheduling software, but here's what makes teams shop around:

• Looking for different pricing models. Planday charges per user (starting around €2.99-€4.99 per user monthly in Europe). For growing teams, flat-rate pricing like Homebase's $59.95/month per location for unlimited employees can be more predictable and budget-friendly.
• Wanting all-in-one platforms. Some businesses prefer tools that bundle scheduling with payroll, hiring, and HR compliance in one place—reducing the number of apps to manage and integrations to maintain.
• Seeking industry-specific features. Restaurants might need tip tracking and labor-vs-sales reporting. Healthcare facilities need credential tracking. Field service teams want GPS verification. Generic scheduling tools don't always nail these specialized needs.
• Preferring different mobile experiences. While Planday offers mobile access to scheduling, time tracking, and reporting, some teams prefer platforms with different mobile interfaces or offline capabilities.
• Exploring free plans. Planday offers a trial period, but some alternatives like Homebase and When I Work provide free forever plans for small teams—helpful when you're testing the waters or running a tight budget.

Good news: there's no shortage of strong alternatives. Let's look at what to prioritize as you compare options.

What to look for in a planday alternative

Not all scheduling tools are built the same. Focus on features that'll actually make your life easier, not just check boxes on a feature list.

Scheduling capabilities that actually save time:

• Auto-scheduling based on availability and labor budgets
• Recurring shifts so you're not rebuilding the same schedule every week
• Shift templates for common patterns like opening, closing, or weekend coverage
• Open shift posting where your team claims available shifts themselves
• Manager approvals for shift swaps without you playing referee

Time tracking that works everywhere:

• Multiple clock-in options (mobile, desktop, kiosk, POS integration)
• GPS verification to confirm your team is on-site
• Automatic timesheet generation for payroll export
• Break tracking with compliance reminders
• Overtime alerts before employees hit expensive threshold hours

Business intelligence you'll actually use:

• Labor cost tracking against sales targets
• Visual dashboards with at-a-glance insights
• Schedule forecasting based on historical data
• Department-level reporting to spot inefficiencies

The right fit for your industry:

• Restaurants need: Tip tracking, labor vs. sales reporting, section assignments, split shift handling
• Retail needs: Seasonal hiring tools, shift swapping for last-minute changes, sales integration
• Healthcare needs: Credential tracking, 24/7 scheduling, fatigue management, compliance features
• Field services need: GPS tracking, mobile-first tools, location-based clock-ins
• Multi-location businesses need: Centralized control, location-specific permissions, consolidated reporting

Best planday alternatives in 2025

We researched the top 10 alternatives to see how they stack up. Here's what you need to know about each one:

• Homebase gets 4.6 out of 5 stars on Capterra with a free plan for up to 10 employees. The Plus plan runs $56 per location monthly for unlimited employees. Best for small businesses wanting scheduling, time tracking, and optional payroll in one place.
• Deputy rates 4.6 out of 5 stars with per-user pricing. Built for multi-location businesses needing advanced scheduling and compliance tracking.
• When I Work scores 4.5 out of 5 with a free plan option. Perfect for small teams wanting a simple, intuitive interface.
• 7shifts earns 4.7 out of 5 stars with per-location pricing. Purpose-built for restaurants with tip tracking and labor cost management.
• Connecteam rates 4.8 out of 5 with a free plan for small teams. Best for field teams needing GPS tracking and mobile-first tools.
• Shiftboard gets 4.3 out of 5 stars with custom pricing. Designed for healthcare and complex operations requiring credential tracking and shift bidding.
• Quinyx scores 4.5 out of 5 with enterprise pricing. Built for large retail chains and restaurant groups needing AI forecasting.
• Sling rates 4.5 out of 5 stars with affordable pricing options. Best budget-friendly option for basic scheduling needs.
• Findmyshift gets 4.3 out of 5 stars with simple pricing. Lightweight solution for micro businesses needing just the basics.
• TimeForge scores 4.2 out of 5 with per-user pricing. Built for restaurant chains needing sales forecasting and labor management.

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Best planday alternatives: Detailed reviews

Let's dig into what makes each alternative worth considering—and where they shine.

Homebase: Best all-in-one alternative for small businesses

Built specifically for small businesses with hourly teams, Homebase combines scheduling, time tracking, team communication, and optional payroll in one platform.

• Rating: 4.6/5 on Capterra (1,122+ reviews)
• Pricing: Free Basic plan for up to 10 employees at one location. Plus plan is $56 per location monthly for unlimited employees. All-in-One plan is $96 per location monthly. Payroll is available as an add-on with paid plans.
• Best for: Restaurants, retail stores, salons, clinics—any business with 5-100 hourly employees

What sets Homebase apart:

• Free plan includes scheduling, time clock, and team messaging for up to 10 employees
• Per-location pricing instead of per-user fees (more predictable for growing teams)
• Optional payroll add-on with automatic tax filing, payroll tax management services, and direct deposit payroll on paid plans
• Automated timesheets that generate from clock-ins for easy payroll export
• Tip tracking for restaurant teams
• Hiring and onboarding tools in the same platform
• Compliance alerts for break rules, overtime, and labor laws
• Unlimited employees on paid plans

One business owner who switched from manual tracking told us: "Before Homebase I was manually tallying up my team's work hours and entering them into payroll, crossing my fingers I hadn't made any mistakes. Now our entire team logs in and out quickly and easily with the Homebase app, and all I have to do is send their hours to my payroll program with the click of a button."

• Worth noting: Payroll is a paid add-on, not included in the free plan. Advanced reporting requires Plus or higher tiers. Best suited for teams under 200 employees.
• Mobile app: Excellent. Full-featured iOS and Android apps with 4.8+ star ratings. Employees can view schedules, swap shifts, clock in/out, and message teammates.
• Integrations: QuickBooks, Square, Toast, Clover, Gusto, and 70+ POS and payroll systems

Why choose Homebase: Flat-rate per-location pricing is more predictable than per-user models as you grow. You get scheduling, time tracking, communication, and optional payroll all in one place.

Deputy: Best for mid-sized and multi-location businesses

Deputy handles complex workforce management with scheduling, compliance tracking, and labor analytics across multiple locations.

• Rating: 4.6/5 on Capterra (761+ reviews)
• Pricing: Per-user monthly pricing (contact Deputy for current rates)
• Best for: Multi-location businesses, retail chains, hospitality groups with 50-500 employees

Standout features:

• Advanced auto-scheduling with AI-powered shift recommendations
• Demand forecasting based on historical sales data
• Kiosk mode with facial recognition for secure clock-ins
• Task management integrated directly with shifts
• Break compliance with automatic reminders
• Award interpretation for labor compliance (particularly strong internationally)

Worth noting: Per-user pricing can add up for larger teams. Steeper learning curve for advanced features. Some users report occasional mobile app syncing issues.

Why choose Deputy: Better for complex operations with multiple locations, strong compliance features, sophisticated labor forecasting.

When I Work: Best for small teams wanting simplicity

When I Work offers intuitive scheduling and time tracking with straightforward pricing and a generous free plan.

• Rating: 4.5/5 on Capterra (1,000+ reviews)
• Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans use per-user pricing (contact for current rates)
• Best for: Small teams (5-30 employees), restaurants, retail shops, startups

Standout features:

• Free plan option (unlike Planday's trial-only approach)
• Super intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
• Shift marketplace where employees pick up available shifts
• Automatic shift reminders via text, email, and app notifications
• Employee self-service for availability and shift swaps

Worth noting: No built-in payroll. Limited reporting on free plan. Fewer advanced features than Deputy or Homebase.

Why choose When I Work: Great for teams prioritizing simplicity and ease of use. Free plan helps you test before committing to paid features.

7shifts: Best for restaurant and hospitality teams

Built exclusively for restaurants, 7shifts understands FOH, BOH, and bar staff management with restaurant-specific features.

• Rating: 4.7/5 on Capterra (1,500+ reviews)
• Pricing: Per-location pricing for unlimited users (contact for current rates)
• Best for: Restaurants, bars, cafes, quick-service establishments

Standout features:

• Labor cost percentage tracking in real-time against sales
• Tip pooling and tip reporting (critical for restaurants)
• Manager logbook for shift handoffs and daily notes
• Sales forecasting integration with POS systems
• Team communication with @mentions
• Labor compliance for restaurant-specific regulations

Worth noting: Restaurant-focused features don't translate to other industries. Pricing can be higher for single-location businesses compared to some alternatives.

Why choose 7shifts: Purpose-built for restaurants with tip management, better labor forecasting, and deep POS integrations for hospitality.

Connecteam: Best for mobile and field teams

Connecteam is mobile-first for deskless workers, combining scheduling, communication, training, and task management in one employee app.

• Rating: 4.8/5 on Capterra (400+ reviews)
• Pricing: Free plan for small teams. Paid plans scale with team size (contact for current rates)
• Best for: Construction crews, field services, delivery teams, cleaning services, mobile workforces

Standout features:

• GPS tracking and geofencing for field workers
• Digital forms and checklists for job completion
• Training and onboarding courses with quizzes
• Push notifications for urgent updates
• Time clock with job site verification

Worth noting: Less robust scheduling than Homebase or Deputy. No built-in payroll. Can feel feature-heavy for simple needs. Best suited for field teams rather than stationary businesses.

Why choose Connecteam: Superior mobile experience, excellent for field teams, includes training and task management beyond just scheduling.

Shiftboard: Best for complex operations and healthcare

Shiftboard handles sophisticated scheduling needs with credential tracking, compliance management, and advanced shift bidding.

• Rating: 4.3/5 on Capterra (200+ reviews)
• Pricing: Custom pricing based on organization size and needs
• Best for: Healthcare facilities, 24/7 operations, manufacturing, call centers

Standout features:

• Credential and certification tracking with expiration alerts
• Shift bidding and auction system
• Union rule compliance and seniority management
• Fatigue management to prevent overwork
• Complex shift patterns (rotating, on-call, split shifts)

Worth noting: Steeper learning curve. Custom pricing requires sales conversations. Overkill for small businesses with simple scheduling needs. Interface feels less modern compared to newer platforms.

Why choose Shiftboard: Excellent for credential tracking, better for healthcare and 24/7 operations with complex requirements. Check directly with Shiftboard regarding specific compliance certifications your organization requires.

Quinyx: Best for enterprise and multi-location chains

Quinyx is a workforce management platform with advanced AI-powered forecasting designed for large enterprises.

• Rating: 4.5/5 on Capterra (150+ reviews)
• Pricing: Custom enterprise pricing based on organization size
• Best for: Large retail chains, restaurant groups, multi-location enterprises

Standout features:

• AI-powered demand forecasting
• Optimization engine for shift coverage
• Strong European labor law compliance features
• Multi-language support
• Advanced analytics and BI dashboards

Worth noting: Enterprise pricing is out of reach for small businesses. Complex setup requires dedicated admin time and implementation support. Originally European-focused, so may have stronger features for EU compliance than US-specific needs.

Why choose Quinyx: Better for large enterprises needing sophisticated forecasting, excellent for multi-location scalability with 50+ locations.

Sling: Best budget-friendly option

Sling provides straightforward scheduling and basic time tracking at competitive prices for businesses on tight budgets.

• Rating: 4.5/5 on Capterra (600+ reviews)
• Pricing: Affordable per-user pricing with free plan option (contact for current rates)
• Best for: Small restaurants, retail stores, service businesses on budgets

Standout features:

• Affordable pricing with core features
• Color-coded scheduling interface
• Built-in team messaging
• Shift trading between employees
• Labor cost tracking

Worth noting: Basic reporting compared to more advanced platforms. No payroll functionality. Limited integrations. Mobile app has fewer features than desktop version.

Why choose Sling: More affordable than many alternatives, simpler interface, good for very small teams with straightforward scheduling needs.

Findmyshift: Best lightweight solution

Findmyshift offers no-frills scheduling for businesses wanting basic shift planning without overwhelming features.

• Rating: 4.3/5 on Capterra (100+ reviews)
• Pricing: Simple pricing structure with free plan for smallest teams (contact for current rates)
• Best for: Very small businesses, nonprofits, volunteer organizations

Standout features:

• Simple, clean interface
• Quick setup (under 10 minutes)
• Color-coded staff calendar
• Availability tracking
• Easy export for payroll

Worth noting: Very limited features compared to comprehensive platforms. No time clock functionality. Basic reporting only. Minimal integrations.

Why choose Findmyshift: Much simpler if you only need basic scheduling, lower cost for micro businesses, quick to learn and implement.

TimeForge: Best for restaurants with labor management focus

TimeForge combines scheduling, time tracking, and sales forecasting with a focus on labor cost optimization.

• Rating: 4.2/5 on Capterra (150+ reviews)
• Pricing: Per-user pricing (contact for current rates)
• Best for: Multi-unit restaurants, franchise operations

Standout features:

• Sales forecasting with historical data analysis
• Labor budget management
• Applicant tracking system
• Tip distribution and reporting
• Employee performance tracking

Worth noting: User interface feels dated compared to newer platforms. Some users report mobile app usability issues. Customer support response times can vary.

Why choose TimeForge: Strong labor forecasting, applicant tracking included, works well for franchise restaurant operations.

Which Planday alternative fits your business?

Here's how to match your business type with the right tool.

By Industry:

• Restaurants & hospitality: Homebase leads with scheduling, tip tracking, and labor forecasting at per-location pricing. 7shifts works great if you want purpose-built restaurant features like recipe-based planning and deep POS integrations. Deputy handles multi-location restaurant groups well.
• Retail: Homebase works for seasonal hiring with unlimited employees per location. Deputy excels at demand forecasting for peak shopping periods. When I Work offers simple shift management that's perfect for retail environments.
• Healthcare: Shiftboard handles credential tracking and complex scheduling patterns. Deputy offers strong 24/7 scheduling features. Always verify specific compliance certifications directly with vendors based on your requirements.
• Field services: Connecteam is built mobile-first with GPS tracking and job site verification. Homebase offers location-based clock-ins with good mobile features.
• Multi-location: Deputy provides centralized control with location-specific permissions. Homebase charges per location (not per user) with unlimited employees. Quinyx scales best for enterprise chains with 50+ locations.

By team size:

• Micro teams (1-10 employees): When I Work offers a free plan. Homebase gives you a free plan for up to 10 employees. Findmyshift works for very small teams needing just basics.
• Small businesses (10-50 employees): Homebase delivers good value with per-location (not per-user) pricing. Sling keeps costs down if budget is tight. When I Work offers straightforward features that scale.
• Medium businesses (50-200 employees): Deputy brings advanced features like AI scheduling and strong compliance. Homebase works great with unlimited employees per location on paid plans. 7shifts is perfect if you're running restaurants.
• Enterprises (200+ employees): Quinyx handles enterprise AI forecasting and multi-language support. Shiftboard manages complex operations like hospitals or manufacturing. Deputy scales for multi-location management.

Make the switch without the stress

Migrating from one scheduling tool to another doesn't have to derail your operations. Here's your playbook:

• Step 1: Define your must-haves. Document what your team actually uses daily, what's missing, and what would make their jobs easier.
• Step 2: Trial 2-3 contenders. Most alternatives offer free trials. Test simultaneously with real employee names and have managers use them for a full week to get honest feedback.
• Step 3: Export your current data. Before switching, download your employee roster, historical schedules (at least 6 months for forecasting), time tracking data, and any reports you'll need for compliance. Save as CSV files locally and in cloud storage.
• Step 4: Set up your new system. Most alternatives offer onboarding support. Homebase includes setup assistance and data import help. Import your employee roster first, then configure locations, departments, roles, and pay rates.
• Step 5: Run systems in parallel. Week 1: Post schedules in both systems for comparison. Week 2: Have employees clock in via the new system while tracking hours in both. Week 3: Make the new system primary, keep the old as backup. Week 4: Full cutover.
• Step 6: Train your team. Schedule a 30-minute training for managers. Send walkthrough videos to employees (most tools provide these). Create a one-page cheat sheet with clock-in steps and shift swap processes.

Common pitfalls to avoid:

❌ Switching mid-pay period (causes payroll chaos)
✅ Switch at the start of a new pay period

❌ Not training employees first (causes confusion and errors)
✅ Send video tutorials before go-live date

❌ Losing historical data (needed for trends and compliance)
✅ Export and save everything before canceling

FAQs about Planday alternatives

What is the best free alternative to Planday?

When I Work and Homebase both offer free plans. Homebase's free Basic plan includes scheduling, time clock, and team communication for up to 10 employees at one location. When I Work also offers a free plan with scheduling and time tracking features.

Can I transfer my employee data from Planday to another system?

Yes. Export your employee roster, schedules, and time tracking data from Planday. Most alternatives accept CSV imports during setup, and many offer free migration assistance to help transfer your data cleanly.

Which alternative is best for restaurants?

Homebase and 7shifts both work great for restaurants. Homebase offers tip tracking, labor forecasting, and per-location pricing. 7shifts is purpose-built specifically for restaurants with recipe-based labor planning and deep POS integrations.

What's the cheapest Planday alternative?

Several alternatives offer free plans including Homebase (up to 10 employees) and When I Work. For paid plans, pricing varies by features and team size—compare per-user vs. per-location pricing models to find the best fit for your budget.

Stop wrestling with scheduling

Here's why small businesses choose Homebase:

1. Predictable pricing. Pay per location, not per user. At $56/month per location for unlimited employees on the Plus plan, you won't get surprised as you grow.
2. Actually free plan. Try scheduling, time clock, and team communication with up to 10 employees at $0. No trial period—it's free as long as you need it.
3. All-in-one simplicity. Scheduling, time clock, team communication, and optional payroll in one app—less juggling between tools.
4. Built for hourly teams. Features designed for restaurants, retail, salons, and service businesses, not generic enterprise software.
5. Easy payroll export. Automated timesheets make sending hours to your payroll provider simple (or add Homebase Payroll for fully integrated processing).

As one rancher told us: "I love the simplicity and the time tracking and the payroll system itself. It is so much easier than anything I've used in the past. I've run payroll from sitting on a horse moving cattle."

Over 100,000 small businesses trust Homebase to manage their hourly teams. Join restaurants, retail stores, salons, clinics, and service businesses who've made work radically easier.

Get started with Homebase for free. No credit card required. Set up in under 10 minutes. Your team will thank you.