The best free employee scheduling software provides web-based and mobile options that you can use to create, manage, and publish staff schedules. Aside from helping you keep costs down and streamline and digitize scheduling processes, it should also have a clean interface, provide access to user support, allow integrations with other tools, and have robust reporting tools.
We evaluated 13 solutions, and our top free employee scheduling software picks are as follows:
| Provider | Best for | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Homebase | Best overall | Best free all-in-one option for one-location teams. |
| 7Shifts | Restaurants | Restaurant-friendly scheduling with strong shift tools. |
| Connecteam | HR features | Scheduling plus onboarding, training, and employee comms. |
| ZoomShift | Seasonal teams | Simple scheduling for fluctuating staffing needs. |
| SocialSchedules | Hospitality & retail | Position-based scheduling with compliance tools. |
- Free Employee Scheduling Software Compared
- Homebase: Best Overall Free Employee Scheduling Software for Small Businesses
- 7shifts: Best for Restaurants Needing Simple Scheduling & Time Clocking Solutions
- Connecteam: Best Employee Scheduling with HR Capabilities
- ZoomShift: Best for Businesses with Off-peak Schedules
- SocialSchedules: Best for Hospitality, Retail & Service Companies That Assign Shifts by Position
- How to Choose a Free Employee Scheduling Software
- Free Employee Scheduling Software Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Bottom Line
Free Employee Scheduling Software Compared
| Our Rating | Free Plan Limits | Paid Plans Monthly Pricing Start at | Multi-location Scheduling | Third-party Integrations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 4.50/5 | One location, up to 10 employees | $24/location | Included in higher tiers | Payroll, job boards, business tools, and POS |
| Visit Homebase | Read Our Homebase Review | ||||
 | 4.19/5 | One location, up to 15 employees | $29/location for up to 30 employees | Costs extra | POS and payroll |
| Visit 7Shifts | No Review Yet | ||||
 | 4.05/5 | U14-day free trial up to 10 employees | $29/employee for the first 30 users + $0.8 for additional users | Costs extra | Payroll and business tools |
| Visit Connecteam | Read Our Connecteam Review | ||||
 | 4.04/5 | Up to 20 users | $2.5/active member | Costs extra | Payroll |
| Visit ZoomShift | No Review Yet | ||||
 | 3.84/5 | Up to 10 employees | $15.99 | Costs extra | Accounting, POS, payroll |
| Visit SocialSchedules | No Review Yet | ||||
Homebase: Best Overall Free Employee Scheduling Software for Small Businesses
Homebase is recommended for:
- Businesses with a few workers in one physical location because it is free for one location with up to 10 employees.
- US-based small businesses because of its full-service payroll option that syncs with its time tracking features available in all US states.
- Companies with field employees that need time-keeping and HR tools because of its GPS locator and HR features, like job board posting, applicant tracking, or performance management.
The best thing about Homebase’s free plan is that it’s feature-rich. Apart from scheduling and time tracking, it has in-app chat messaging to communicate with team members. Its higher tier pricing has hiring tools that can help you create branded careers pages and access popular job boards. Of all the providers on this list, only Homebase and 7shifts have basic recruiting features.
Homebase got perfect scores for reporting and security and almost perfect scores for scheduling software functionality and ease of use. However, Homebase took a hit in pricing since it didn’t allow users to purchase the scheduling subscription separately from other products.
- Free plan with robust time-tracking and scheduling tools for businesses with one location and up to 10 employees
- In-house payroll option that can be added to any plan
- Per-location pricing scheme can make it costly for businesses with multiple sites
- Online schedule builder and shift manager: Homebase offers a drag-and-drop functionality that includes shift preferences and availability. It has a library of schedule templates that can be used to create daily, weekly, and monthly schedules. One of Homebase’s standout features (not found in 7shifts or SocialSchedules) is its auto-scheduling, which will allow you to create a duplicate schedule.
- Recruiting tools: Homebase provides basic tools for recruiting candidates. You can post your open jobs on job boards, like Indeed and ZipRecruiter. Additionally, you can track applicants right from your dashboard, add screening questions to your job posts, and store documents such as staff forms.
- Employee time tracking: Homebase has digital timesheets that allow for tracking employee time, as well as a time clock app for computers, tablets, POS devices, and smartphones. Unlike SocialSchedules, your employees can use pin code-based time-ins/outs. Additionally, for employees who work in the field, Homebase offers a GPS locator so you can tell where your employees are when they clock in and out.
- Offline mode: In case Wi-Fi is down, Homebase will record the time-ins/outs and sync these later to the virtual clock once the internet connection is restored.
- Free plan: While Homebase’s free plan is limited to only one location, it can schedule up to 10 employees like 7shifts and SocialSchedules.
Basic Plan – Free
- Covers one location and up to 10 employees
- No-cost plan includes:
Paid Plans
Three plans (Essentials, Plus, and All-in-One); fees range from $24 to $96 per location monthly; premium tiers include budgeting and labor cost controls, PTO policies and accruals tracking, and onboarding tools. It offers a 20% discount when you opt to pay annually.
Add-on services
- Payroll ($39 per month base fee plus $6 per active employee per month)
- Access to HR advisors and resources (custom-priced for non-All-in-One plan subscribers; free for All-in-One subscribers)
7shifts: Best for Restaurants Needing Simple Scheduling & Time Clocking Solutions
7shifts is recommended for:
- Large restaurants and restaurants with franchises due to its features that include health screening, task lists, and manager logbooks.
- Retail, amusement parks, and other businesses that hire minors as it has tools for setting work-hour limitations.
- Businesses that require close supervision and paper trails as its manager logbook and task management features help keep records, track trends, and uncover issues.
7shifts offers a cloud-based platform to help you efficiently manage staff schedules and track time. For its free “Comp” plan, you are granted access to its simple scheduling and time clock solutions. This includes staff scheduling notifications, shift trading, PTO requests, basic reporting, staff availability tools, and mobile app access. It is also limited to one location and 15 employees. You have to upgrade to a paid plan if you require multi-location scheduling and additional user seats.
7shifts got scores of 4+ out of 5 for scheduling software functionality, popularity, reporting, and ease of use. It got its lowest score for pricing since, like Homebase and SocialSchedules, it doesn’t offer a separate scheduling solution.
- Offline option in time tracking
- Discounts for restaurant franchises or groups with multiple business locations
- Tip pooling tool
- Customized scheduling: 7shifts provides an online schedule builder with drag-and-drop functionality that can be customized to fit your staff’s needs and departments. You can use schedule templates to create next week’s schedule, as well as track shift swaps and notifications.
- Manager logbook: While Homebase and SocialSchedules both offer a manager logbook, 7shifts stands out due to its default setting of restaurant operations categories, such as customizable shift notes and daily operations (customer complaints, maintenance issues, employee management, and employee concerns).
- Integrations with third-party software: 7shifts integrates with an impressive 23 POS systems (top-ranked for the restaurant industry) and 13 payroll software services. Additionally, it integrates with a training solution software (ExpandShare) and HigherMe, a hiring app specifically designed for restaurants and retail.
- Mobile time clock apps: With the app, employees must provide facial recognition to clock in (preventing buddy punching). A geolocation feature is built in to prevent employees from clocking in before reaching their destination.
- Health screening questions: Similar to Homebase, employees who are clocking in via 7shifts are asked a series of health-related questions to ensure your staff’s and patrons’ safety.
“Comp” plan: Free; covers one location and 15 employees; comes with basic scheduling and time tracking tools, including:
- Free mobile app
- Time clock
- Staff scheduling and notifications
- Shift trading
- Staff availability
- Staff engagement dashboard
- Basic reporting
- Hiring and applicant tracking
- Employee health check
Paid plans: Three options (Essentials, Pro, and Premium) with monthly fees that cost anywhere from $29 for up to 30 employees to $98 for unlimited employees. You can also save 10% with annual billing for 7shifts.
Add-ons:
- Employee Onboarding (US only): $2.99 per onboarding package sent
- Operations Overview: $6.99
- Task Management: $12.99
- Manager Logbook: $14.99
- Tip Management: $36.25
Connecteam: Best Employee Scheduling with HR Capabilities
Connecteam is recommended for:
- Businesses with high turnover rates due to its features that include onboarding, training, and checklist functions.
- Businesses that need robust employee communications and management tools due to its task lists, quiz tools, and other communications features.
Although Connecteam’s free plan is suitable for teams of 10 employees or fewer, it gives access to all its hubs and features. You get all the features, including HR tools, for free. These features include training, onboarding, and recognition tools. It also acts as a repository where you can store all your important documents and employees’ files.
In our evaluation, Connecteam scored 4.05 out of 5 on our rubric. It had perfect marks for expert review, popularity, reporting, and ease of use. It took a hit for security and scheduling functionality as it doesn’t have shift-swapping features and multiple login options.
- Real-time reporting
- Self-service portal
- Multiple time clocks for different time zones
- Push notification features
- Kiosk station: Connecteam is the only provider on this list with this feature, which allows multiple employees to clock in and out using the same company device.
- Automatic clock-out: This is a unique Connecteam feature that automatically logs out an employee after a specified number of hours worked, preventing unauthorized overtime.
- Timesheet duplication: Like Homebase, this feature replicates previous timesheets, saving time and reducing the need for manual data entry.
- HR features: Connecteam, unlike the other providers on this list, has HR capabilities. These features help in employee onboarding, training, and engagement.
Connecteam’s free plan gives you access to all hubs but is limited to only 10 employees. After this, you can choose from its three paid plans: Basic, Advanced, Expert, and Enterprise.
- Basic Plan: $29/month for the first 30 users + $0.8/additional user per month
- Advanced Plan: $49/month for the first 30 users + $2.5/additional user per month
- Expert Plan: $99/month for the first 30 users + $4.2/additional user per month
- Enterprise: Custom quote
Connecteam gives an 18% discount if you pay annually.
ZoomShift: Best for Businesses with Off-peak Schedules
ZoomShift is recommended for:
- Businesses with few employees in multiple locations: ZoomShift has a per-employee pricing scheme, which is more cost-effective than its competitors
- Businesses with seasonal highs and lows: You can put Zoomshift on hold during off seasons and still retain your information
Like 7Shifts and Homebase, ZoomShift caters to businesses that have multiple locations and those that experience off-peak seasons. However, unlike Homebase and 7Shifts, ZoomShift does not place limitations on the number of employees that can use it. With ZoomShift’s free plan, you have access to the software’s scheduling and communication tools, as well as automatic reminders and shift confirmation. Its paid plans, on the other hand, give you access to multi-location scheduling, PTO tracking, multi-shift assignments, break and PTO tracking, geofencing, and more.
ZoomShift got a perfect score for its scheduling functionality and expert review score. It also got a fairly high rating for its popularity and reporting capability. It got a lower score for its security because it does not have multiple sign-in options (fingerprint, pin code, badge) like 7Shifts and Homebase.
- Per-person pricing
- Break management and tracking
- Training videos
- Payroll reporting
- Migration assistance and premium support
- Personalized onboarding
- Employee schedule: Like all the other providers on this list, ZoomShift helps you create and manage employee schedules easily. This includes setting up shifts, assigning employees to specific times, and adjusting schedules as needed.
- In-app messaging: Like Homebase, ZoomShift has this feature in its free plan. The rest of the providers have it in their higher-tiered plans. With its in-app messaging, it’s easier to communicate important updates and shift changes to team members.
- Automatic reminders: Only ZoomShift has automatic reminders in its free plan. With this feature, employees receive notifications about upcoming shifts, important deadlines, or any time-sensitive information.
- Shift confirmation: Only Connecteam and ZoomShift have this feature for free. Shift confirmation allows employees to confirm their availability for upcoming shifts, allowing you to plan schedules more effectively and avoid last-minute changes.
ZoomShift has two paid plans after its free Essentials plan. Unlike the other providers on this list that use a per-location pricing scheme, ZoomShift uses per-employee pricing, which is ideal for businesses that have few or seasonal employees.
Its paid plans are the Starter plan at $2.50/active member per month and the Premium plan at $5/active member per month. ZoomShift offers a 20% discount if you opt for annual billing.
SocialSchedules: Best for Hospitality, Retail & Service Companies That Assign Shifts by Position
SocialSchedules is recommended for:
- Restaurants and hospitality businesses because of the labor rules, and shift swapping.
- Small businesses with single locations because its free plan offers basic scheduling with a notification tool and on-site clock-in/out.
- Highly regulated industries and locations since it tracks certifications and flags when a training session or recertification is due.
With SocialSchedules (formerly OpenSimSim), you get cloud-based employee scheduling software with certification and compliance tools. It has features like labor rules, certifications tracking, and shift swapping, and the ability to set pay rates and hour limits makes it an excellent option for retail and hospitality businesses. Its free plan has limited features where you can create schedules and track employee time for up to 10 staff—provided they belong to the same department and work in a single location.
SocialSchedules earned perfect scores for reporting and popularity. It scored 4.88 out of 5 for scheduling software functionality and earned 4 out of 5 for ease of use. However, SocialSchedules scored low for pricing, for not providing a standalone scheduling option. It also scored low for security because of its limited clock-in options and geofencing capability limited to its higher tier.
- Free plan for one location
- Paid plans at $15.99–$39.99 per location monthly
- Free and paid plans include a time kiosk
- Certification management available in Premium plan
- Installation support available at additional fees
- Free trial of all its features for 14 days
- Schedule maintenance: SocialSchedules also has an online schedule builder with drag-and-drop functionality. It assists in tracking staff availability (including PTO management) and allows schedule planning by position. Additionally, you can create shifts for off-site addresses and remote staff.
- Compliance tools: SocialSchedules has the most robust compliance tools in this guide. It helps you to remain compliant with labor and wage laws in your state by using rule-setting, alerts, and tracking features.
- In-app messaging: You have the ability to send private and group messages through SocialSchedules, which includes unlimited chat history. You can send out schedules, approve shift swaps, and send and receive time-off requests. You can also set disclaimers (messages) that your employees must read and acknowledge before they can clock in/out.
- Availability management: You can manage your employee’s schedule availability right through the app and make necessary changes, including days off, times available, and locations preferred. Employees can create availability sets showing when they can work, and that availability can be set to repeat weekly.
- Day notes: Another helpful feature that only SocialSchedules has is for managers to leave day notes for employees, so they know which areas or locations they are working in. You can also lock days so employees can’t change shifts or take certain days off.
Basic: Free; includes one location, one department, up to 10 employees, and cloud storage of 28 days. Features include:
- Desktop and/or mobile apps
- Scheduling
- In-app management
- Availability management
- Time off requests
Paid plans: Starter ($15.99 per location, per month); Premium ($39.99 per location, per month); Enterprise (Custom priced); get up to 20% discount when you opt for annual billing
Setup assistance:
- Ruby package ($149 per location)
- Sapphire package ($299 per location)
How We Evaluated Employee Scheduling Software
How to Choose a Free Employee Scheduling Software
Choosing the right free employee scheduling software can greatly enhance workplace efficiency. When picking out the best option, you should make sure that it:
Integrates with Your Tech Stack
The software you choose should seamlessly integrate with the tools your company is already using. This means it should complement your existing payroll, HR, and project management software without requiring a lot of changes to your infrastructure. You can do this by checking APIs, plugins, or built-in integrations that connect with your current tools.
Is Easy to Use
User-friendliness is essential in any software, especially if it will be used across different levels of your organization. A system that is easy to use can significantly boost Choose a platform that has an intuitive interface and that requires minimal training. Look for software with clear navigation, straightforward features, and helpful user support like training manuals or videos.
Has Access Controls
Effective employee management software should provide tiered access controls that safeguard sensitive information while allowing employees the autonomy to view and update their personal records. This includes timesheets, contact information, and benefit details. Make sure the software supports role-based access levels to ensure that information is both secure and appropriately accessible.
Has Customizable and Downloadable Reports
The ability to customize and download reports is crucial for monitoring various aspects of business operations, including performance metrics, payroll, attendance, and more. Ensure that the software allows you to generate specific reports that can help in making informed decisions. Customizable reports can adapt as your business grows and its needs evolve.
Has Multi-state Options
If your business operates in multiple states or countries, your management software should be able to handle different employment laws, tax codes, and compliance issues. Check for features that support regional variations in legislation to manage your workforce legally and efficiently across different jurisdictions.
Has Leave Management
The software should include a comprehensive leave management system that allows employees to apply for time off, view leave balances, and managers to approve requests easily. This system should also help in planning and tracking absences without manual intervention, reducing errors, and ensuring compliance with local labor laws.
Has Excellent Customer Service
Even the best software can encounter issues, so excellent customer support is essential. Look for a software provider that offers prompt and reliable customer service. Support options should include multiple channels like email, phone, and live chat. Additionally, consider providers that offer extensive resources, such as FAQs, video walkthroughs, and detailed documentation.
Free Employee Scheduling Software Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What limitations does a free employee scheduling software have compared to free versions?
Free versions of employee scheduling software often have limitations, such as restricted functionality, fewer customization options, limited user access, and caps on the number of employees or schedules you can manage. Additionally, support might also be limited to basic online resources rather than dedicated customer service.
How secure is free scheduling software?
While free software might offer basic security features, they may not always provide comprehensive data encryption, regular security updates, or advanced compliance features. We recommend checking the provider’s security credentials, data handling policies, and user reviews to ensure they meet your business’s security and privacy requirements.
Bottom Line
Employee scheduling software helps you create and provide work schedules for your staff, ensuring that you’re well-equipped during your business’ peak hours. Free cloud-based scheduling solutions often have communication and messaging tools to let employees swap work shifts and stay in touch. Although not free, some employee scheduling software will provide your business with additional features at an affordable cost. When determining which tool is right for you, you have to consider the size of your business, the number of employees, and any other factors that affect your scheduling needs.
