The Best Employee Scheduling Software For Small Business List
Here’s a shortlist of the best employee scheduling software for small business:
- monday.com
Best schedule visualization tool for small teams
- Buddy Punch
Best online time clock for small businesses
- ClockShark
Best for field service or construction businesses
- Calendly
Best free meeting scheduler for small business owners
- Zoho People
Best free cloud-based scheduling app for small business owners
- Hubstaff
Best time tracking software for remote teams
- Homebase
Best scheduling software for all-in-one team management
- Skedulo
Best scheduling automation engine
- When I Work
Best employee shift scheduling software for shift trading features
This is the ultimate list of the best employee scheduling software for small business in 2023. It contains the 10 best employee scheduling software along with bonus employee scheduling apps for small businesses. I also cover a couple of FAQs related to employee scheduling software solutions. Overall, this article will help small business owners save time by quickly comparing the top employee scheduling software available and selecting the right one for their business.
One of the most challenging aspects of being a small business owner is the administrative burden of managing employee schedules. For example, if you have only one employee it might be relatively easy to remember when he or she is available for work but if you have several then keeping track of who is available and who isn’t can be incredibly difficult.
Luckily, there are several employee scheduling software programs that can help you manage your employees’ schedules with ease. Companies that take the time to implement an employee scheduling system stand out for their people-focused culture (accommodating healthcare leaves, flexible shifts, etc.) and employee productivity. This is because when you schedule operations geared towards leveraging your employee’s skills and needs, you end up with a highly motivated workforce. According to data, almost 95% American workers are happy to track their time. The reasons for this can be the systemization of workforce management leading to accurate compensations and leave accommodations to name a few.
In this article, I will share the 10 best employee scheduling software for your business.
Employee Scheduling Software For Small Business: Comparison Criteria
What do I look for when I select the best employee scheduling software for a small business? Here’s a summary of my evaluation criteria:
- User Interface (UI): Is it clean and attractive? Is the interface straightforward? Is it free of confusing options that can bog down a small business owner?
- Usability: Is it easy to learn and master for a small business owner? Does the company offer good tech support, user support, tutorials, and training? For a small business, scheduling should be easy to implement from the get-go.
- Integrations: Is it easy to connect with other tools? Any pre-built integrations? How smoothly does the tool work with other products/add-ons in the market to fulfill small business needs? How does it work with top payment and invoicing apps to streamline employee payments? Does it work out of the box with top team communication apps?
- Value for $: How appropriate is the price for the features, capabilities, and use case? Is pricing clear, transparent, and flexible? Is it budget-friendly for a small business? How fast can one expect to get results from it? Do they help in keeping labor costs low?
Employee Scheduling Software For Small Business: Key Features
Here are some of the key scheduling features that employee scheduling software should have:
Real-Time Data
Does the employee shift scheduling software show real-time data to the minute? Does the shift scheduling software offer data-syncing across desktop and mobile devices? Accuracy of time data is critical when you are a small business paying hourly rates. Data syncing via desktop and mobile apps (both iOS and Android) is needed to maintain synchronization of efforts and getting information on the go.
Alerts And Notifications System
Does the employee shift scheduling app have email alerts/SMS reminders and push notifications system to keep the team up to speed, no matter where they are? This kind of messaging mechanism is important for a fully integrated small business.
Tracking Tools
Does the tool have time tracking tools? Time tracking is an important functionality to improve productivity as it monitors the amount of time an employee takes in finishing a particular task. As a manager, you can easily detect any lags and compare it to previous timesheets, thus taking actions to optimize the output.
Shift Swapping And Shuffling
Does the employee scheduling software allow shift swapping and shift shuffling between employees? Does it recommend candidates based on open schedules and assist in shift shuffling? Does the tool automatically update all the concerned teams about the shift shuffle and swap? Shift shuffling makes for a more flexible workforce management. So if an employee no-shows or calls in sick, you can shuffle the shift and assign some other capable team member their slot. In the same way, employees can swap shifts between themselves based on their availability. This leads to higher efficiency as your workforce is utilized optimally.
Timesheet Reporting And Analytics
Does the software have timesheet reporting including billable hours, overtime, and logged time? Does the product give you analytics that help you make informed decisions? Based on timesheet reporting, a small business owner is able to calculate payroll and send correct invoices. It also gives you precise information on the output of your team.
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Overviews Of The 10 Best Employee Scheduling Software For Small Businesses
Here’s a brief description of the employee scheduling tools on my list, showing what each does best with screenshots to showcase some of the features.
Wrike
Small businesses often have limited resources; efficient software helps them make the most of their existing resources by streamlining scheduling and task management processes. Wrike is an employee scheduling and task management software that helps small businesses create and manage employee schedules, assign tasks to employees or entire teams, and plan future projects precisely and efficiently. It allows users to set up notifications to be alerted when tasks are complete, or due dates are approaching. Wrike's dashboard offers a visual representation that makes tracking progress easy and ensures tasks are completed on time. The platform provides integrated communication tools so managers can communicate with employees directly within the app without using multiple services or platforms. This makes it easier for managers to provide clear instructions regarding shifts and any changes that may arise in real time. Additionally, employees can check their shift details directly from the app or via email notifications whenever they need to update their availability or schedule changes.
Wrike's employee scheduling feature allows managers to schedule shifts quickly and easily while providing visibility into each team member's availability. Managers can access reports on current employees' hours worked and projected hours for upcoming weeks or months. This makes it easy to plan and ensure everyone has the necessary coverage when needed. Employees benefit from having access to real-time data about their tasks which allows them to quickly identify areas where additional assistance is needed or deadlines may need to be adjusted. Wrike's analytics feature provides insight into how long specific tasks take to complete and which team members perform differently than others. This visibility into performance helps supervisors make informed decisions about utilizing their staff's skillsets to optimize productivity and efficiency across all business departments.
monday.com
Best schedule visualization tool for small teams
monday.com’s flexible Work OS system makes it easy for users to organize and track any process through their customized data dashboards. Their system comes with 200+ templates, including a weekly work schedule template, that can be adapted to your business needs. All of their data dashboards can also be visualized in a variety of formats with just one click, including a calendar view or Gantt chart format.
Monday.com is a straightforward and low-cost way to streamline your scheduling process. You can even include automation to notify your staff as soon as a new schedule is posted. Another helpful feature is the ability to share the schedule in “read-only” mode, so you can ensure no alterations are made. You can also search schedules for unique details or employee names, add customized labels, or break schedules down into as many groups and subgroups as you need.
To further enhance your planning processes, monday integrates with a wide range of other communication and productivity tools including Excel, Google Calendar, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Zapier, and others.
Pricing for monday.com starts at $8 user/month. They also offer a 14-day free trial, as well as a free forever plan with limited features for a maximum of two users.
Buddy Punch
Best online time clock for small businesses
Buddy Punch is a web-based time clock and scheduling software. Their simple, user-friendly, and intuitive app interface empowers your employees instead of forcing them to learn a new, complex workflow just to punch in/out of work. Your employees can view their current time card, request time off, submit a claim to correct a punch-in error, or even submit their time card for approval—all without ever leaving the app.
Buddy Punch’s key features work to keep your team accountable and honest. Through GPS tracking, you can stay on top of your staff’s location whenever they clock in/out of work. Some additional features include facial recognition and photos on punch, which run a biometric scan of your employees’ faces to verify who is attempting to punch in/out. The interface has been built to ensure easy navigation and ease of use, with drag-and-drop schedule creation and the ability to create repeating/recurring shifts.
Buddy Punch integrates with QuickBooks, ADP, Gusto, Paychex, Paylocity, PayPlus, SurePayroll, and Workday. With a paid Zapier account, you’ll have access to thousands of other apps and tools.
Buddy Punch costs from $3.49/user/month plus a $19/month base fee for their Standard time and attendance package. For enterprise organizations with over 200 employees, you can request a free quote. They also offer a 14-day free trial too.
ClockShark
Best for field service or construction businesses
ClockShark is an employee scheduling software with timesheets and time tracking for field services and construction businesses. Employees can clock in and clock out from their smartphones and all job costing data is recorded within the app so you can access it for simple payroll and invoice processing. You have multiple options for employees to access ClockShark: by web browser, mobile app, or even a ClockShark 'kiosk' using a tablet device. You can leverage facial recognition tools and individual PINs to ensure the utmost security no matter how you choose to access the software.
Crew management is simple with ClockShark's work scheduling calendar. You can create and assign shifts, color-code entries, and drag-and-drop items to make changes quickly. Notifications will prompt affected parties in real-time if their shift is altered in any way (canceled, shortened, swapped, etc.). ClockShark also has GPS and geofencing capabilities baked in so you can see where and when people are checking in.
Overall, ClockShark is a must-have employee scheduling software for field service or construction businesses to streamline their timesheet-to-payroll workflows.
ClockShark integrates with QuickBooks, Sage 100 Contractor, Xero, ADP, Paychex, and other apps.
ClockShark costs from $20/month base fee + $3/user/month and comes with a 14-day free trial.
Calendly
Best free meeting scheduler for small business owners
Calendly is a free scheduling software for small businesses that helps you manage your staff schedule. The software is both mobile (iOS and Android) and browser-based, meaning you can book appointments anywhere you have access to the internet. With Calendly, you can create a calendar and share it with clients. You can customize your availability to any time-of-day or day-of-the-week (or remove available slots to show that you are a busy person!).
Overall, Calendly is simple to use and implement with no feature bloating. With the free version, you can schedule unlimited one-on-one appointments. The pro plan comes with additional features like appointment reminders. Customer support for the pro plan is available via email.
Calendly integrates with Gmail, Zoom, Slack, Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, HubSpot, Paypal, Intercom, Stripe, GoToMeeting, Google Analytics, Mailchimp, Active Campaign, Drip, ClickSend SMS, Twilio, and dozens of other apps. You can also integrate with hundreds more tools using a paid plan through Zapier.
Calendly is free to use for 1 calendar. Paid plans cost from $8/month and come with a 14-day free trial.
Zoho People
Best free cloud-based scheduling app for small business owners
Zoho People is a cloud-based scheduling solution. It includes time tracking and project management tools. It’s easy to use with customizable dashboards and drag-and-drop functionality. It automates and simplifies all the tedious and repetitive HR tasks that can bog down a small business owner. The product allows you to streamline the hiring process from a single location.
You can collect and consolidate attendance data from multiple sources and cut down mistakes due to manual entries. You have the ability to fully customize schedules, conduct leave management by leave types, and create timesheets with ease. There is also a feature for employee queries that can be used to better integrate employees with the project at hand. The product has automated mail alerts and intelligent workflow configuration built-in. The product integrates with AdobeSign, Zapier, QuickBooks, and more. Support is by email and chat. There is also an extensive knowledge base available.
Zoho People costs from $1.25/user/month and comes with a 30-day free trial.
Hubstaff
Best time tracking software for remote teams
Hubstaff is a time tracker that allows you to see how many hours your employees are working. It also lets you keep a track of how much of your time is spent on various projects. All this data is analyzed through reports on Hubstaff’s dashboard. This product is best suited for small business owners with its pocket-friendly pricing.
Hubstaff also includes screenshots and activity levels. It tracks employees’ time spent on projects, tasks, and meetings, thus letting managers see where time lags are happening in real-time. Hubstaff integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, and payroll software like ADP and Gusto. Support is available via email, chat, and a quick start guide.
Pricing starts at $7 per month for their basic plan and comes with a 14-day free trial.
Homebase
Best scheduling software for all-in-one team management
The Homebase team scheduling software is mainly used by small businesses such as small stores, beauty salons or fitness facilities, and other service providers. The platform provides an exhaustive set of features that let you run your HR tasks from start to finish, including hiring and onboarding, scheduling, time tracking, team communication, and more.
Homebase allows you to create work rosters easily from schedule templates, and then make changes on the fly as required. You can build smart work schedules and forecast your labor costs.
Employees can always get their up-to-date work schedule using the free mobile apps, or they can get the information via text or email. Homebase’s scheduler automatically calculates overtime, subtracts breaks, and alerts you to schedule conflicts.
You can also integrate your sales data and forecasts, so you can build your schedule around your labor targets.
Homebase has a free plan you can use with an unlimited number of employees but fewer advanced features. This replaces a free trial. Their paid plans start at $20/month/location.
Skedulo
Best scheduling automation engine
Skedulo is a cloud-based software with modules for scheduling and dispatching, shift management, communication including virtual meetings, and reporting. Their smart optimization engine can automate schedule building by comparing shift requirements to employee availability, required skill sets or job qualifications, and even travel time.
Skedulo lets you add recurring or unique events in a simple calendar interface. The calendar also gives you the ability to view by project, client, or project type. You can also set up an alarm for a specific time. Skedulo integrates with Quickbooks, Xero, and other major accounting providers. It also integrates with Google Drive and DropBox. Support is available via email and chat.
Skedulo offers customized pricing upon request.
When I Work
Best employee shift scheduling software for shift trading features
When I Work is a software that helps small business owners stay on top of their schedule. It has a wide variety of features, such as a calendar to track your appointments and a task list for managing your to-dos. There is a press-to-start time clock integrated that allows you to manage your team members and track their hours. The employees can easily collaborate on shift trades, manage their availability, and also submit time-off requests. The dashboard is simple and tailor-made for quick actions. You can also customize the dashboard according to your needs.
When I Work has an option for easy bulk upload of the company directory for quick onboarding. You can send messages to employees with reminders and updates. When I Work works out of the box with Calendly, Acuity Scheduling, TSheets, and more. Support is available via email and chat. There is also an extensive knowledge base with training videos and templates to support the onboarding journey.
Paid plans start at $2 per user with an option for a 14-day free trial.
Need Expert Help Selecting The Right Calendar & Scheduling Software?
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It only takes a minute to submit your requirements and they will give you a quick call at no cost or commitment. Based on your needs you’ll receive customized software shortlists listing the best-fitting solutions from their team of software advisors (via phone or email). They can even connect you with your selected vendor choices along with community negotiated discounts. To get started, please complete the form below:
Employee Scheduling Software For Small Business Summary
Tool | Free Option | Price | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 14-day free trial | From $9.80/user/month | Visit Website | |
2 | monday.com Best schedule visualization tool for small teams | 14-day free trial + freemium plan available | From $10/user/month | Visit Website |
3 | Buddy Punch Best online time clock for small businesses | 14-day free trial | From $3.49 - $4.49/user/month + $19/month base fee | Visit Website |
4 | ClockShark Best for field service or construction businesses | 14-day free trial | From $20/month base fee + $3/user/month | Visit Website |
5 | Calendly Best free meeting scheduler for small business owners | 14 days free trial | From $8/month | Visit Website |
6 | Zoho People Best free cloud-based scheduling app for small business owners | 30-day free trial | From $1.25/user/month | Visit Website |
7 | Hubstaff Best time tracking software for remote teams | 14-day free trial | From $7/user/month | Visit Website |
8 | Homebase Best scheduling software for all-in-one team management | Freemium version available (unlimited employees) | From $20/month (payroll add-on is $6/user/month + $39/month) | Visit Website |
9 | Skedulo Best scheduling automation engine | Not available | Offers customized pricing upon request | Visit Website |
10 | When I Work Best employee shift scheduling software for shift trading features | 14-day free trial | From $2/user/month | Visit Website |
Other Employee Scheduling Software For Small Business Options
- ezClocker
Best GPS-enabled time tracking software
- ABC Roster
Best for employee and shift constraint management
- 7shifts
Best employee shift scheduling software for the restaurant industry
- BambooHR
Best applicant tracking system for small businesses
- Connecteam
Best for drag-and-drop scheduling and real-time shift updates
- Sage HR
Best employee leave management for small businesses
- injixo
Best workforce management app for call centers
- Shiftboard
Best employee shift-scheduling software for mission-critical
- TrackSmart
Best online attendance software for freelancers
- EZnet Scheduler
Best appointment scheduler app for automotive industry
Related List of Tools: 10 Best HRMS For Small Business In 2023
Employee Scheduling Software For Small Business: FAQs
Before we conclude, I wanted to address and discuss some FAQs related to employee scheduling software for small businesses.
What Is The Best Free Employee Scheduling App?
There are many options you can go for while choosing the best free employee scheduling app. Some top options are Monday.com, 7Shifts, and OpenSimSim.
We've even come up with a list of the 10 Best Free Employee Scheduling Software In 2023 and you can check it out right here!
What Do You Think About This Employee Scheduling Software for Small Businesses?
Now tell me your opinion and thoughts. Anything that I missed that you think has great potential? Let me know about it in the comments section.
And if you're interested in a more comprehensive solution for your organization such as an ERP system, here's our list of the 10 Best ERP Systems For Small Businesses.
Also, if you liked the article, it would be awfully kind of you to give it a share on social media (that sounded so Victorian!). Your social network will appreciate you for sharing such valuable insights. Who knows, maybe you build your next million-dollar relationship from there?
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