Restaurant staff scheduling software: what to compare
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The short answer
Restaurant staff scheduling software lets you build the weekly schedule on a screen, share it with your team's phones and handle swaps and time off in one place. Prices differ a lot. On 2 November 2026 Sling listed a free plan for up to 30 users. When I Work started at US$2.50 per user per month, and Homebase listed US$0 for one location with up to 10 employees. 3 2 1
What scheduling software does for a restaurant
A schedule tells each person which shifts they work. Paper and spreadsheets do that job, but every change means reprinting, texting or calling people. Scheduling software keeps one live copy that staff can see on their phones.
The makers list similar basics. Sling's free plan includes shift scheduling, time-off requests, available shifts and private messaging. 3 When I Work says its plans include "In-app team messaging" and "OpenShifts and shift swapping". 2
Some tools also track time and costs. Sling's Premium plan lists "Labor cost management" to "compare against sales". 3 That is extra, so check which plan holds it. Costs matter on the accounting side too, and our guide to accounting software for construction shows how makers list job-level profit tools. Businesses that send crews to customers' sites have a separate kind of tool, covered in our field service management software guide.
Prices on four makers' pages
All prices below were read on each maker's own pricing page on 2 November 2026, in US dollars. Plans change, so check the page before you decide.
Homebase listed Basic at "$0" per location per month "for 1 location, up to 10 employees". Essentials was "$30" per location per month with unlimited employees. Plus and All-in-One were listed at "$70" and "$120" per location per month. The page has an Annual and a Monthly switch and doesn't say which one these figures show, so check the billing term on the page. 1
When I Work listed Essentials at "$2.50" per user per month, Pro at "$5" and Premium at "$8". The page doesn't state a billing period for these prices. Its page says time tracking can be added as a separate switch. 2
Sling said "Shift scheduling with Sling is free for up to 30 users." Premium was listed at $2.00 per user per month billed monthly, and Business at $4.00. 3
7shifts describes itself on its pricing page with the label "Restaurant HR Platform", and the page offers "3 months of Payroll free". The pricing page we could read didn't show plan prices in its text, so we haven't listed any. Check its page for current plans. 4
Per user or per location: which suits a small restaurant?
Per-user pricing grows with every hire. A team of 25 on When I Work's Essentials plan would be 25 times US$2.50 per month, or US$62.50, before any extras. That is simple arithmetic on the price listed on 2 November 2026, not a quote. 2
Per-location pricing works differently. Homebase lists Essentials with "unlimited employees" at a set price per location, though its Basic plan is limited to 1 location and 10 employees. 1
Work out your own headcount and number of sites on each page's calculator or plan table before comparing.
Features worth checking before you sign up
Tools that look alike on the first screen differ further down. Ask these questions on each maker's page and during any free trial.
- Does the plan with the features you need cost more? Homebase lists "Advanced scheduling" under Essentials and an "AI-powered Scheduling Assistant" under Plus. 1 - Can staff swap shifts and pick up open ones from a phone? When I Work lists "OpenShifts and shift swapping". 2 - Does it connect to your point of sale or payroll? Homebase lists "Point-of-sale integration" on Basic, and When I Work lists "Payroll and POS integrations". 1 2 - Does it handle tips? Homebase sells a Tip Manager add-on at "$25/month per location". 1
Which pay and overtime rules apply to your staff is a question for your accountant or the Department of Labor, not for the software's marketing page.
Free plans and trials
Free plans are a low-risk way to start. Homebase's Basic plan is limited to one location and 10 employees. 1 Sling's free plan covers up to 30 users, and it also offers a 15-day free trial. 3 When I Work says its free trial gives "complete access to everything" for 14 days. 2
We haven't used any of these products. Treat the trial as your own test: build next week's schedule in it before you move your team over.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best restaurant staff scheduling software?
No page here can say that. It depends on your headcount, number of locations and which features you need. Compare the plans in the prices section above, then try one free plan or trial with your real schedule.
Is there free restaurant employee scheduling software?
Some makers list free plans. On 2 November 2026 Sling listed free shift scheduling for up to 30 users, and Homebase listed a $0 Basic plan for 1 location with up to 10 employees. 3 1
Does scheduling software pay my staff?
Not by itself. Some makers add payroll as a separate product. Homebase, for example, lists payroll as an add-on. 1 Check with your accountant on how your pay runs should work.
Sources
- Official Homebase Pricing, Homebase. Checked 2 November 2026.
- When I Work Pricing, When I Work. Checked 2 November 2026.
- Sling Scheduling Software Pricing, Sling. Checked 2 November 2026.
- 7shifts Plans & Pricing, 7shifts. Checked 2 November 2026.