9 Best Retail Employee Scheduling Software in 2022

The retail industry is one of the most competitive industries in today’s society. With big-box stores, e-commerce giants and small businesses all trying to compete for your money, finding a place on the store shelf can be difficult. Retailers are using innovative software programs to help them stay ahead of their competition. Here are some examples:
The 9 Best Retail Employee Scheduling Software in 2022 。

The “employee scheduling software for small business” is a tool that allows employers to schedule their employees in advance. It also includes other features such as the ability to track employee hours and the ability to send out reminders.

The finest retail employee scheduling software allows managers to easily build solid schedules and distribute them (along with any modifications) with staff in this high-turnover business. It also aids in the recruiting and training of staff, as well as the planning of labor based on previous company success. Retailers want software that is simple to use and reminds employees to check in and out on their cellphones or POS systems.

We looked at 18 scheduling programs with a range of features and selected the top nine for merchants.

• Best overall retail scheduling software is Homebase.
• Deputy: Best for integrating with point-of-sale, payroll, accounting, and forecasting software and tools.
• Sling is best for small businesses with less than ten workers.
• 7shifts is the best option for businesses with several locations.
• Findmyshift is the best option for NGOs.
• SocialSchedules: Ideal for shops with part-time or second-job workers.
• ZoomShift: Ideal for shops that are only open for a portion of the year.
• Humanity is the best option for corporations looking to save labor expenditures.
• Connecteam is ideal for businesses that need extensive staff tasking and training.

Are you a novice when it comes to staff scheduling? Learn the fundamentals by reading our guides.

Comparison of the Best Retail Employee Scheduling Software

Homebase: Retail’s Best Overall Scheduling Software

Homebase

4.83 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE

What We Enjoy

• Time clocks are included in the Plan that is completely free.
• For the location-based charge, you may have an unlimited number of workers.
• Interface that is Simple to use
• Even with the Plan that is completely free, you can hire tools.

What Isn’t There

• If you have a lot of sites and just a few staff in each, by-location pricing is more costly.
• Calendar, photo-sync, and other functions in the mobile app have bugs.
• Only in higher plans can you take a break from tracking.

Pricing at Homebase

• Free trial for 14 days
• Basic (Unlimited): 1 location, unlimited workers, scheduling, time clocks, messaging, and recruiting
• All in Free Plus team communication, performance monitoring, and remote tools ($19.95/month/location)
• All in Essentials Plus labor costs, time off limitations, PTO monitoring, and permissions ($49.95/month/location)
• All in One ($99.95/month/location) includes All in Plus plus onboarding, employee papers, HR, and compliance.

In terms of scheduling software, Homebase is at the top of our list. In our review of the finest general scheduling software, we awarded it a 4.4 out of 5 star rating, and in this guide, we gave it a 4.83 out of 5 star rating. It rates high because, even in the free edition, it provides good scheduling and time clock capabilities, and it extends beyond scheduling to cover compliance, recruiting, and some basic HR operations. Overall, it’s a comprehensive but simple-to-use program for both small and big businesses. Furthermore, its location-based pricing allows for infinite users.

Homebase received the highest possible grade for scheduling software features, and its tools make it a great option for stores. The scheduling system is simple to use and includes forecasting capabilities so you can plan your labor around expected highs and lows in foot traffic and revenue.

The time clock may be used on a mobile device, a tablet, or at a point of sale, and it combines data into time sheets that make payroll straightforward. You may add comments and tasks to your shift alerts so that staff know what they need to perform each shift. You may give duties and compensation rates to individuals who work in numerous departments, shops, or jobs as required.

Homebase has excellent tools for scheduling your store’s employees. (Image courtesy of Homebase)

Features of Homebase

• Forecasting: Many schedulers (such as Deputy or Sling) interface with your POS to get data that may be used to anticipate labor vs sales. The Budget Forecast Toolbar from Homebase goes much farther. It may take into account the weather prediction as well as the proportion of labor expenditures that you wish to offset against sales. It predicts by department, allowing you to create separate calendars for your Outdoors and Home Goods departments. It connects to your POS to obtain sales data, and you may average sales over the previous two weeks for a given day, or manually enter sales.
• Most of the providers on this list offer restricted Plan that is completely frees, but Homebase’s Plan that is completely free includes all of the essential features, including an online schedule creator, shift trading, templates, and the opportunity to see and authorize time off. It also includes some forecasting and recruiting capabilities. It has employee communications as well as the ability to create timecards for payroll. It’s a good place to start or if you just need a simple scheduler.
• Scheduling: The Plan that is completely free allows you to design templates, take into account availability and time off requests, and schedule open shifts. The pricier plans include automatic scheduling, as well as state-specific laws for breaks and overtime (unlike the other applications on our list). You may also add remarks to each shift. Advanced forecasting and labor pricing capabilities, as well as fraud-prevention features like geofencing and automated clock-outs, are available in the commercial editions. You may also create PTO policies and different salary rates with the Plus and All-In-One plans.
• Employee communication: The majority of communication options are included in premium programs. Announcements, scheduling notes, automatic reminders, and warnings, such as when workers clock in late, are examples of these. Employees may inquire for shift swapping by messaging each other or their team. A management logbook is included in the Plus plan for exchanging shift reports, prospective concerns, suggestions, and more. Check out Findmyshift for a comprehensive range of communication options in a Plan that is completely free.
• Clock-in and communication options are included in the smartphone app. On iOS, it has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 with over 29,400 reviews, while on Android, it has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 with roughly 14,350 votes.
• HR features and integrations: Homebase’s app makes it simple to conduct employee performance reviews, authorize time off requests, and see staff availability, among other things. Advanced compliance assistance for breaks and other labor rules, HR experts, and labor law notifications are all included. Homebase (like 7shifts) also includes recruiting tools. Connecteam comes close to matching the flexibility of the other schedulers on our list.
• User-Friendliness: Users give Homebase excellent scores for both the desktop and mobile versions. They say it’s easy to set up and use. In addition, Homebase offers customer support live via chat, phone, or email, and help guides and video tutorials. Only a few scheduling software applications have live support, usually via chat. Real-world users rated it an average of 4.57 out of 5 across multiple user review sites.

Read our Homebase review to learn more.

Deputy: Best Retail Employee Scheduling Software for Integrations & Forecasting

Deputy

4.64 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE

What We Enjoy

• For shops with a limited number of employees on schedules, there is a free option (only in the United States) and a discounted fee.
• Excellent client service
• Ability to auto-schedule and predict
• App with a lot of positive feedback

What Isn’t There

• Plans that are less expensive either time clocks or scheduling
• Only the Enterprise plan includes forecasting.
• There are only 100 shifts each month on the Plan that is completely free, which has restricted features.

Pricing by Deputy*

• 31-day free trial
• Starter (free – exclusively in the United States): 100 shifts per month, 100 time sheets per month, PTO management, and newsfeed
• Starter Plus unlimited shifts and timecards, auto-scheduling, payroll integration, tasking, reporting, switch shift, performance, and time clock ($4.50/user/month)
• Flexi ($2/active employee/week, 50 cents/inactive employee/week): Same features as Premium; best if <50% of employees are active at a time
• Premium Plus sophisticated demand planning and analytics, training, and location processes (Enterprise (Custom)).
• Unlimited shifts, auto-scheduling, PTO management, newsfeed, and tasking for just $2.50 per user every month
• Unlimited time sheets, payroll connectivity, POS integration, PTO management, and newsfeed tasking are all available for just $2.50 per user per month with Time and Attendance.

*A monthly minimum of $10 is required.

Deputy is a well-liked software for good reason. Because of its flexibility to manage numerous locations and responsibilities, it received a 3.98 out of 5 rating in our general scheduling software guide. We enjoy the forecasting tools, which include analytics, that assist merchants calculate minimum shift requirements. The system also features a larger number (about 40) and more diverse set of integrations than the others on our list, as well as an API for creating your own.

Retail managers and staff may easily arrange and maintain shifts using its scheduling and time clock capabilities. The rule-making feature assists you in complying with labor regulations, such as those governing minors, and may notify you when individuals are scheduled for overtime or closings. Forecasting and shift analysis help you ensure you have the best labor. Shift notes allow you to assign tasks to assist staff fulfill requirements, while forecasting and shift analysis help you guarantee you have the best workforce. You may also keep track of pay expenditures to avoid losing money on labor.

Deputy received a 4.64 out of 5 rating in this assessment. Larger companies may find the by-employee pricing plan more costly, but it provides great auto-scheduling and forecasting options. It does have a monthly minimum expenditure, but it’s just $10, unlike the majority of the cards on our list.

On both the desktop and mobile platforms, Deputy has a lot of useful features for managers. (Image courtesy of Deputy)

Features of a Deputy

• Forecasting: Deputy’s forecasting capabilities make it simple to anticipate personnel requirements based on sales, deliveries, appointments, or bookings, as well as any signals you design. Deputy analyzes the data to assist you estimate the minimal staffing for a shift, while Homebase informs you the cost-benefit of the workforce you scheduled. It allows you to schedule employees at the appropriate level for your requirements.
• Scheduling: Deputy’s Scheduling Software include drag-and-drop shifts, template creation, and rules for break times, work hour restrictions for minors, time off, breaks, overtime, and more. Once you set up the rules and employees, the auto-schedule will create a schedule to meet the rules, availability, and position requirements. The time clock includes geofencing. Managers can also see who’s on shift, on break, and late. It uses the time punches to create time sheets for managers to approve and syncs them with your payroll software.
• Employee communications: Deputy, like other scheduling applications, has a social-media-style chat feature that allows you and your staff to communicate updates, make comments, and collaborate. It does, however, provide read notifications, so you can see who has received the message. Shift trades are available, and only suitable individuals will be accepted by Deputy.
• Deputy’s mobile app has received a lot of positive feedback, with few concerns and no clear trends. It received a 4.8 out of 5 rating from around 2,500 users on iOS and a 4.6 out of 5 rating from approximately 10,700 users on Android. It’s worth noting that it received the fewest complaints concerning bugs.
• HR features and integrations: While many schedulers will produce time sheets, Deputy simplifies payroll by allowing you to set up salary calculations based on rate, role, and overtime. Deputy allows you to track schedule changes, compute the needed predictability pay, and get employee approval for Fair Workweek compliance. It has roughly 40 programs that it interfaces with, ranging from point-of-sale to business software, and it offers a REST API for establishing your own connections. Integration was mentioned in a few user reviews as a problem.
• User-Friendliness: Real-world users gave Deputy an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Employees especially liked how easy it was to swap shifts with the app and use the time clock. There were a couple of complaints about the software being slow to load. If you need help, you can find videos, a good selection of how-to articles, and unlimited 24/7 year-round chat support.

Check out our Deputy review.

The Best Retail Employee Scheduling Software for Small Businesses is Sling.

Sling

4.45 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE

What We Enjoy

• Plans that are both free and affordable
• Simple to use
• synchronize with external calendars
• Per plan, there are no limits on the number of sites or staff.

What Isn’t There

• Shif swaps are not available in the free version.
• Auto-scheduling is only available on the most costly plan.
• In the free edition, there is no time clock.

Pricing for Slings

• Shift templates, timetables, and alarms are all free, as are shift availability, time off requests, news sharing, and mobile access.
• Plan that is completely free + mobile time clock, time sheets, early clock-in prevention, shift swaps, messaging, budgeting, overtime tracking, Google calendar sync ($2/user/month): Premium ($2/user/month): Plan that is completely free + mobile time clock, time sheets, early clock-in prevention, shift swaps, messaging, budgeting, overtime tracking, Google calendar sync
• Premium + auto-assigning, kiosk time clock, reports, salary support, no-shows, late arrivals, task management, dedicated account manager ($4/user/month): Premium + auto-assigning, kiosk time clock, reports, salary support, no-shows, late arrivals, task management, dedicated account manager

Although Sling is a good scheduling application for larger stores, its by-employee price point (the cheapest on our list) makes it an especially good choice for stores with fewer than 10 employees, particularly those with multiple locations. It offers strong Scheduling Software, especially for task lists, and has a mobile time clock in its easy-to-use app.

Employee scheduling and management options in Sling allow you manage your employees’ schedules, keep compliant with labor regulations, track overtime, and create tasks for routine activities like opening. It also interfaces with a variety of POS systems. You may use any device to create a time clock kiosk, monitor hours, and communicate with workers. Overall, it simplifies the operation of a shop.

In our review, it received a 4.45 out of 5 rating, with a flawless score in reporting and high marks in price and features. If it had live phone help and an offline option, it would have received a better rating.

For small eateries, Sling provides great scheduling and communication options. (Image courtesy of Sling)

Features of the Sling

• Sling has a task management feature that follows SMART management theory to help you create tasks that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. While Connecteam, SocialSchedules, and Homebase have lists, Sling has a task management feature that follows SMART management theory to help you create tasks that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. You may create task lists for routine tasks such as openings, closings, and putting up fresh displays. Then you may allocate these tasks to individuals or teams, who will get feedback from the management after they are finished. Create and store task templates for subsequent usage if it’s a recurrent activity.
• Scheduling: You can build schedules for various locations and store them as templates to make subsequent schedules a snap, much as with other Scheduling Software. The scheduler keeps track of unavailability hours, such as minors’ restricted hours, and informs you if you book someone when they are unable to work. The program can automatically allocate shifts depending on availability and qualifications thanks to the Business plan. People may clock in and out from their phones using the time monitoring software, which incorporates geofencing and restrictions on clock-ins and automated clock-outs.
• Employee communications: Unlike the other companies on our list, Sling does not offer text messaging. Instead, it uses Sling messaging and an interactive news feed to communicate with employees. You may use this feature to communicate news such as a new policy or a sales strategy. Employees may use the app to exchange shifts, get reminders for forthcoming shifts, and clock in and out.
• Sling is one of the better-rated mobile applications, with minimal complaints and a general reputation for being simple and trustworthy. It received 4.7 out of 5 stars from 22,500 users on iOS and 4.7 out of 5 stars from 4,500 users on Android. It, like Deputy, has had extremely few recent problem reports.
• HR features and integrations: Sling, like other schedulers, converts time tracking data into time sheets, which managers may approve and send to your payroll system or as an XLS or CSV file. Unlike most other applications, however, Sling’s mobile app also allows you to monitor payroll reports. Although it may not have as many connectors as Deputy or 7shifts, it does work with Gusto, Square, Shopify, ADP, and a few other services.
• User-Friendliness: Managers and employees said Sling is Simple to use and gave it a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars, which is about average for those on our list. The illustrated how-to articles and video tutorials make it easy to learn, but support is only by email.

Check out our Sling review.

7shifts is the best retail employee scheduling software for businesses with many locations.

7shifts

4.42 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE

What We Enjoy

• Simple to use
• Plan that is completely free
• Additional features are available on a case-by-case basis.
• Overtime regulations and compliance

What Isn’t There

• Employees are restricted by the plans.
• Lower-level designs include fewer features.
• A scheduled callback is used for live help.

Pricing at 7shifts

• Free trial for 14 days
• Comp (free): Up to 10 workers, one location, scheduling, time off, time clock, team chat, recruiting tools, and employee engagement monitoring
• Appetizer ($19.99/month/location): Up to 20 workers can be compensated, time sheets can be edited, multiple salaries may be paid, SMS alerts can be sent, POS connection can be done, and reporting can be done.
• Entrée ($43.99/month/location): Appetizer plus up to 30 workers, schedule templates, labor budget and sales projections, PTO/break/overtime monitoring, and read receipts are all available.
• Entrée Plus unlimited workers, weather, stations, and sophisticated budgeting, labor alerts, manager log book, payroll, and compliance tools ($76.99/location/month)
• Gourmet (Custom): The Works, plus an overview of operations, a machine learning auto-scheduler, and job management.

If you have a high-turnover workforce or need to manage schedules for numerous locations, 7shifts is a good option. It’s billed per location, same as Homebase, but it’s limited to a certain number of workers per plan. However, its features, such as the ability to plan individual appointments and compare data across many businesses, make it worthwhile.

While built for restaurants, we think 7shifts’ feature set and pricing also make it a great choice for retail. 7shifts integrates with over 25 POS systems, including Revel, Square, and Clover. Its hiring function lets you set up job ads, manage candidates, and save information, making it a great tool for this high-turnover industry. The scheduling and time clock are Simple to use for employees of any experience. If 7shifts is too “restauranty” for you, however, consider Homebase.

In our review, it received a 4.42 out of 5 rating, with high ratings in price and Popularity and 4+ ratings in the other three areas. Its lack of auto-scheduling on lesser plans and minimal live phone assistance hampered it.

When compared to manual scheduling, 7shifts may save you time and money. (Image courtesy of 7shifts)

Features of 7shifts

• Multilocation tools: The scheduling option allows you to establish separate timetables for each location, which is useful if you have a downtown shop but a mall kiosk. Managers and HR personnel have access to one or more locations that you specify. The Operations Add-On makes it simple to compare sales, labor, and employee engagement statistics across various locations so you can decide where to focus your time and resources.
• 7shifts’ rules-based scheduling monitors work-hour constraints, overtime laws, and other factors to help you construct the ideal plan. Unlike Deputy or Homebase, 7shifts only offers auto-scheduling as part of its most expensive package (Gourmet). When Wi-Fi is unavailable, 7shifts’ free time clock app collects punches to update the system later. To avoid time fraud, you may define rules to prohibit early clock-in, add geofencing, or use picture clock-ins. Managers have the ability to alter if someone misses a punch.
• Employee communications: Using the app, employees may seek shift swaps or time off. They can also adjust their availability, which is useful if you’re hiring college students. Managers can simply approve time off requests and alter the schedule. The app provides shift and clock-in reminders, as well as the ability to send out messages for workplace activities such as training or news such as an approaching sale. Only a few apps (such as Deputy) support videos, and this is one of them. There’s also a management logbook, which allows managers to interact between shifts, document difficulties, raise issues, and keep track of the store’s history.
• 7shifts’ mobile app is no longer buggy, and there are minimal complaints. It received a 4.8 out of 5 rating from about 900 users on iOS and a 4.7 out of 5 rating from approximately 3,380 users on Android. For both Android and Apple, this is one of the highest.
• HR integrations and functions: The rule-making process allows you to stay in compliance with federal and state labor regulations while also satisfying your own industry standards. Missed or late shifts are reported, and managers may examine and alter time sheets. You may also conduct feedback questionnaires after each shift to ensure that issues are identified before they become serious. It interacts with 14 payroll systems, including QuickBooks, Gusto, and ADP, in addition to POS connectors, making payroll simpler. Deputy has nearly the same number of integrations as Deputy, but they are more diverse.
• User-Friendliness: Users across multiple review sites gave it an average of 4.69 out of 5 stars, the highest rating of those we reviewed. Managers and employees loved the Interface that is Simple to use and praised the customer support team—notable, considering support is only available by ticket. 7shifts has videos and illustrated how-to articles.

Check out our 7shifts review.

Findmyshift: Nonprofits’ Best Retail Employee Scheduling Software

Findmyshift

4.16 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE

What We Enjoy

• Plan that is completely free
• Every strategy includes all tools.
• App with a lot of positive feedback
• Charities get a discount.

What Isn’t There

• It’s possible that team-based pricing will build up.
• The number of persons who can attend is limited by the plans.
• Text messaging is not included in the price.

Pricing for FindmyShift

• Free trial for 90 days
• 5 team members, 1 manager, 1 week of historical data, 1 week of future planning, and 3 weeks of on-screen editing are all free.
• Starter ($25 per team each month): 20 team members, 1 manager, 1 year of historical data, 3 months of future planning, and a 6-week on-screen editor
• Business ($40/team/month): 100 members, 100 managers, 5 years of historical data, 1 year of forecasting, and a 20-week on-screen editor
• Enterprise ($70/team/month): 300 team members, 300 managers, ten years of historical data, three years of forecasting, and a 52-week on-screen editor

– Text message bundles are available for purchase.

*25% Charities get a discount.

*Special pricing for >300 team members on a single team

We like Findmyshift for charitable organizations with retail stores because of the hefty discount it offers: 25% off any plan. The Plan that is completely free is among the most limited, but the Free trial for 90 days gives you ample time to test out the platform. We found the interface older but Simple to use, but if you’re the kind of person who prefers to do everything on a spreadsheet, you’ll probably like its interface. Unlike the others on our list, which open windows into shifts, Findmyshift lets you type directly on the schedule and use a drop-down editor to make changes. It lacks auto-scheduling but does have templates, rules, and drag-and-drop editing.

Earning a score of 4.16 out of 5 in our evaluation, Findmyshift is not as feature-rich as most of the software in this guide (particularly with regards to compliance) and does not offer customizable reports. However, it got perfect marks in pricing and would have scored perfectly in User-Friendliness if not for some integration limitations.

To modify items, use the right-click menu on the calendar. (Image courtesy of Findmyshift)

Features of FindmyShift

• Findmyshift’s schedules function in a similar way to a spreadsheet, allowing you to freely enter in hours and breaks. However, you may also drag and drop cells and alter them using a drop-down menu. It offers templates, but There will be no auto-scheduling., like Connecteam. Employees may request shift changes immediately on the schedule, allowing management to assess the impact on the day quickly. Actual work hours are also recorded and preserved as time sheets on the schedule. Like 7shifts, the free time clock app offers an offline option. It also notifies supervisors if an employee arrives late, early, or not at all. (Alternatively, have Findmyshift clock out workers at the time you choose.) Photo clock-ins may be set up to prevent buddy punching, and clock-in can be done by mobile or online.
• Employee communications: The application supports automatic push, shift reminder, email, and text alerts; however, SMS notifications are an add-on that must be paid in bulk. Other schedulers in this tutorial use their applications to communicate rather than text. There’s a team board where you may communicate with your colleagues and conduct discussions.
• Findmyshift’s mobile app isn’t as well-liked, with 4.4 out of 5 stars from roughly 25 reviews on iOS and 4.9 out of 5 stars from about 380 votes on Android. The number of glitch reports was around average.
• HR features and integrations: You can handle time off requests directly on the calendar, including marking the type—this functionality is not available in any other program on our list. The rule-making tool ensures that you adhere to federal and state labor standards regarding breaks and overtime compensation. The time clock generates time sheets and allows you to compare the number of hours worked to the number of hours planned. It also includes labor forecasting capabilities. It can transfer data to Findmyshift’s schedule and time sheets whether you use an independent timeclock or one that comes with your POS. While it is not as complex as Deputy or Homebase, it still has a lot to offer.
• User-Friendliness: Findmyshift earned a solid average of 4.6 out of 5 stars across multiple user review sites. It has a nearly perfect score for User-Friendliness, with standouts like live phone support, an offline mode for when Wi-Fi is down, and a simple interface. You can find videos and illustrated how-to articles on its website.

Best Retail Employee Scheduling Software for Part-Time Employees is SocialSchedules.

SocialSchedules

3.96 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE

What We Enjoy

• Plan that is completely free
• Compliance with labor laws requires the use of tools.
• Scheduling on the go
• Manager logbooks are included in paid programs.

What Isn’t There

• On the basic plan, storage is limited.
• In the basic plan, there is no time clock.
• Users complain about bugs in mobile apps.

Pricing for SocialSchedules

• Free trial for 14 days
• Basic (Free): 10 employees, 1 location, mobile app, scheduling, messaging, availability, and PTO management
• Basic Plus unlimited employees, multiple locations, overtime monitoring, and management logbooks ($15.99/month/location)
• Starter Plus time and attendance, POS/payroll connection, labor law compliance, certification management, advanced reporting ($39.99/month/location)
• Custom (Enterprise): A dedicated support contact, a bespoke API, unique reports, and custom features

Not every business can afford to hire full-time workers at a decent salary. Because they meet the fluctuating demands of a part-time worker, student, or even a full-time worker with regular engagements, we prefer the availability features of SocialSchedules—particularly the option to define numerous availability settings. It also provides robust compliance tools, certification monitoring, and a strict enforcement policy.

It made our list of the best restaurant staff scheduling software, and many of the features that earned it a high rating there also apply to retail. Begin with tools that allow you to design a timetable that your staff can rely on. Then, to avoid having all of your cashiers clock out at the same time, establish obligatory food and rest intervals. Manage time theft using clock-in guidelines, and ensure that your staff are aware of when they are scheduled to work and what they are expected to do during their shift.

Scoring 3.96 out of 5 in this evaluation, its Plan that is completely free and free trial boosted it in our pricing criteria. It took a hit for reports not being customizable and lack of Scheduling Software based on store traffic and sales.

With templates and locked days, you can rapidly create a shift plan. (Image courtesy of SocialSchedules)

Features of SocialSchedules

• While other applications on our list enable workers to specify availability, SocialSchedules is the only one that allows them to build several availability sets with their own start and finish dates. This is a useful tool for shops that employ students or part-time employees who have several jobs and may have erratic schedules. The lock-down feature allows you to freeze a schedule so that no one booked for that day may take time off, such as on Black Friday.
• SocialSchedules includes templates and editability, much like the other Scheduling Software on the list. Set the rules in the SocialSchedules program to comply with federal and state requirements regarding overtime, breaks, and work hours. These settings will be remembered even when auto-scheduling. You can view sales patterns with a POS software connection, which may help you plan personnel based on demand.
• You may give workers their schedules and advertise available shifts via employee communications. Employees may accept shifts or seek trades using the app. Individual and group conversations are available for making announcements, and a manager’s logbook is available for recording receipts, exchanging photographs, and importing documents. Managers, like 7shifts, may issue push alerts and get read receipts.
• Mobile app: The app received a 4.5 out of 5 rating from 470 users on iOS and a 4.1 out of 5 rating from 380 users on Android. This is an average rating for the goods on this list; there have been some complaints of bugs.
• Managers may manage certificates, whether it’s health requirements for individuals selling food or delivering medical supplies, or training for the items your firm specializes in, using HR functions and integrations. While both Deputy and Connecteam monitor compliance, the certification tool stands out. You may run reports to evaluate how your employees are doing, whether it’s how effectively they follow closing processes or whether they’re taking breaks when they’re supposed to. These may be retained as evidence of adherence to labor regulations. You may also approve time cards and upload them into your payroll program using the app.
• User-Friendliness: Users on average gave it 4.51 out of 5 stars across multiple user review sites, which is typical for this kind of app. Managers said it was much better than Google Calendar or Excel and easier to use than QuickBooks Time or When I Work. You’ll find illustrated how-to articles on the website and can reach a live person via chat—although they may email you a reply. The Enterprise plan offers dedicated live support, and there are set-up services available.

Take a look at our SocialSchedules review.

Best Retail Employee Scheduling Software for Seasonal Stores is ZoomShift.

ZoomShift

3.93 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE

What We Enjoy

• Shops that are only open for a season might put ZoomShift on hold.
• Included are a time clock, time sheets, and payroll reports.
• Syncing your calendar with a third-party application
• Employees may use this tool to express their wish to work additional shifts.

What Isn’t There

• No Plan that is completely free
• Live assistance is limited.
• There are no integrations.

Pricing for ZoomShift

• Free trial for 14 days
• Schedule, availability, time off, shift cover requests, time sheets, time clock, payroll report, automated reminders, calendar app sync ($2.50/user/month)
• Starter + overtime warnings, shift regulations, time sheet rules, GPS time clock, and activity records ($5/user/month)
• Premium + priority support, white label, sub-account administration, API access, Enterprise (Custom)

Like Findmyshift, ZoomShift is one of the simplest retail scheduling software solutions to make our lineup, although it scored higher for Scheduling Software and reporting. It has a unique pricing plan that makes it great for seasonal stores such as ski shops, college bookstores, and stores or kiosks that open only during high tourist seasons. When your store is shut down, you can put your account on hold and not pay for those months. All the information is saved so that it’s easy to start up again. Only Deputy’s Flexi Plan comes close to allowing for seasonal highs and lows.

It took a hit in our scoring because it lacks POS integrations, except through API, and has no Plan that is completely free. Moreover, its compliance features are not as robust as, say, Homebase and Deputy. However, users love the simplicity of it. It scored a 3.93 out of 5 in our evaluation.

Graphics on the calendar indicate availability and readiness to take up shifts. (Image courtesy of ZoomShift)

Features of ZoomShift

• Employee availability: The in-schedule availability tags are a useful feature that we didn’t find in any of the other schedulers on our list. If an employee is unavailable, a thumbs-down appears, making it simple to avoid scheduling them. What makes this system special is that if an employee wishes to work an additional shift, they may use a thumbs-up to indicate their availability. Other applications can deal with unavailability, but none include the “willing-to-work” functionality.
• Scheduling: Apart from the availability feature, ZoomShift functions similarly to other applications in terms of templates and copying. It can also handle various shifts for members of the team. It does not, however, provide auto-scheduling, unlike the majority of the products on our list. However, it has a labor forecasting tool and integrates with Google Calendar, iCal, and Outlook. The time tracker is built-in, making time sheets simple to complete. You may use the app to configure clock-in/out regulations and geofencing, as well as monitor missed shifts and late arrivals.
• Employee communications: The instruments for employee communication are simple: email workers schedules, offer available shifts, and enable employees to exchange shifts. It notifies management when employees work overtime or break shift regulations (like clocking in early), Event announcements, group discussions, and direct communications are all available. It does not enable you to publish videos, unlike 7shifts.
• Users gave this app the lowest rating on our list, with 2.9 out of 5 stars from roughly 50 reviews for iOS and 4.1 out of 5 stars from about 200 votes for Android. The software is simple, according to users, and there have been complaints of bugs.
• ZoomShift, unlike the majority of the tools on our list, does not provide many predefined reports and instead allows you to create your own. You can approve timesheets and generate payroll reports, which you can save as CSV or XLS files and import into a payroll platform. API integrations are only available with the Enterprise Plan. Consider Deputy for the finest integrations.
• User-Friendliness: Users across several user review sites score it at 4.56 out of 5, which is high for software general, but just over average for the software on our list. Small businesses liked it best, saying that it was simple to use but gave them all the tools they needed. Larger businesses said it needed additional features. (If that’s you, look at Homebase.)

Take a look at our ZoomShift review.

Humanity: The Most Cost-Effective Retail Employee Scheduling Software

Humanity

3.92 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE

What We Enjoy

• Effective compliance tools
• App with a lot of positive feedback
• Make regulations around time off.
• Live chat assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a

What Isn’t There

• Monthly spending must be at least $80.
• No Plan that is completely free
• Integrations are limited.

*Humanity Pricing*Humanity Pricing*Humanity Pricing*Humanity

• Free trial for 30 days
• Scheduling, admin dashboard, shift switch, PTO management, mobile, SMS alerts ($3.50/user/month)
• Starter + auto-scheduling, compliance, labor costing, reports, certifications, time clock with GPS, payroll export, policies ($5 per user/month)

*At least $80 each month

Customized regulations, auto-scheduling, and a platform that changes with labor laws are all part of Humanity’s toolkit (something we saw only with Homebase). It touts its cost-cutting capabilities, such as demand-based scheduling, auto-fill technology, labor pricing, and a conflict engine, to help you get the most out of your employees.

Despite its desire to save you money, it charges a $80 monthly minimum, which is the most on our list. As a result, the Classic Plan is the most cost-effective option.

Humanity had a strong showing in tools and User-Friendliness criteria and got a perfect score in reporting. Some reasons that prevented it from scoring higher than 3.92 out of 5 are the lack of a Plan that is completely free and offline mode.

Humanity’s UI is colorful and simple, and it works well on all platforms. (Image courtesy of Humanity)

Characteristics of Humanity

• Cutting labor costs: It, like Deputy, has great forecasting capabilities that it considers when scheduling. Staffing is matched to foot traffic, sales predictions, and other criteria using demand-based scheduling. The auto-fill feature is excellent, yet it only comes with the more costly plans. It takes into consideration labor rules (which are already set in the system), certificates, leave, and availability. In terms of functionality, Deputy’s forecasting integration and 7shifts’ machine learning come close.
• Humanity’s scheduling features include templates, drag-and-drop capabilities, and warnings, which help you avoid scheduling employees for overtime, back-to-back shifts, and clopenings. Managers might advertise available shifts if there is an unexpected rise in business. Humanity comes with a built-in time clock, as well as GPS geofencing and a picture feature to prevent buddy punching.
• Employee communications: Humanity’s communication tools are fairly standard. Employee schedules may be distributed, shift alerts can be created, and time off requests can be managed. While workers might swap shifts, you can establish guidelines to guarantee that the replacement has the necessary credentials. Other applications on our list need managers to review this before to approval.
• Mobile app: Humanity’s app scored the highest ratings among users. It earned 4.9 out of 5 with about 28,300 reviews for iOS and 4.4 out of 5 with around 7,300 votes for Android. Both employees and users rave about the functionality and User-Friendliness. Unfortunately, the Android score went down since our July 2021 update, given reports of glitches.
• Humanity offers a small number of connectors compared to the rest of the software on our list, and they are mostly for payroll or human capital management (HCM) rather than POS. Humanity’s standards ensure that you follow state laws regarding work hours, break frequency, time between shifts, and maximum hours worked (Homebase and Deputy also track local scheduling laws). It also has guidelines for predictive scheduling.
• User-Friendliness: Users on third-party user review sites gave Humanity an average of 4.3 out of 5. This is good for software in general, but lower than most of the scheduling solutions on our list. Users say it’s Simple to use but requires some time to learn all the tools. Unlike most of the software on our list, Humanity offers 24/7 year-round live chat support.

Connecteam: Best Retail Employee Scheduling Software for Employee Tasking & Training

Connecteam

3.86 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE

What We Enjoy

• Super Simple to use
• Track your training and certificates.
• Plan that is completely free
• Delegation of tasks

What Isn’t There

• There is no live assistance available.
• There will be no auto-scheduling.
• Integrations are limited.

Pricing for Connecteam

• Free trial for 14 days
• Track time, manage calendars, communicate, allocate work, and teach your staff for free. The maximum number of users is 50.
• Basic, 50 users ($47/month + 60 cents/user/month): Free + reports, GPS, unlimited jobs, payroll integration, communications includes media, filter days for >30 days
• Advanced, 50 users ($95 per month plus $1.80 per user per month) Basic plus geofencing in the time clock, smart groups, templates, complex settings, customization, and sophisticated filtering are all available.
• Expert ($191 per month for 50 users Plus $3.60 per user per month): Advanced location tracking with breadcrumbs, bespoke reports, automatic limits, in-app links, onboarding, and multibranch/multilocation management are all available.
• Account manager, better security, API, customizing, and branding are all included in the Enterprise (Custom) package.

Connecteam was not the highest-rated scheduling software on our list, but its communication, delegation, and training options convinced us that it deserved to be included. Retailers utilize the platform to automate tasks such as opening and closing checklists, as well as end-of-day cash reporting, by integrating online checklists into their calendars. (Managers may see checklists as tasks are accomplished in real time.) Employees are also kept informed and may interact with one another thanks to the technology.

It also works well for teaching and enforcing standards, onboarding new staff, and more since it allows you to attach data, images, and voice recordings to tasks and subtasks, as well as develop bespoke courses. Of course, it includes scheduling, time clocks, and time sheets, all of which may be used to calculate payroll. Unless you have a high number of workers, the pricing begins at $47 per month, making it more costly than competing scheduling tools. It’s worth considering if you have a high-turnover staff or need to educate personnel on new items.

It scored a 3.86 out of 5 in our evaluation, boosted primarily by the strength of its Scheduling Software. It could have scored higher if it had less expensive paid plans and an offline option for when Wi-Fi is down. It also reserves customizable reports for its highest-tier plan.

Positions and remarks may be added to shift assignments. (Photo courtesy of Connecteam)

Features of Connecteam

• Connecteam’s task tools wowed us, going above and beyond the normal alerts and group or individual discussions. Create checklists that workers may add to as they complete tasks. These adjustments are visible to managers in real time. This is specific to the software we’ve looked at. Subtasks are often included in advanced plans. You may also upload files, images, and voice recordings, as well as create forms. It’s a terrific software for onboarding new staff and ensuring that all of the tasks associated with opening and closing a business are completed appropriately. Sling’s job lists are impressive, but Connecteam stands out.
• Templates for shifts or weekly schedules, copy-and-paste and drag-and-drop capabilities, notes, tasks, and GPS tagging are all available in Connecteam. It also allows you to offer available shifts to staff and notifies you whether or not a shift is accepted in real time. Employee PIN numbers may be used to set up a time clock kiosk, or workers can clock in using their mobile app. Geofencing may be tied to a task, client, or project through the mobile app. This is also more than the other programs on our list provide.
• Connecteam provides push alerts for clock-ins and shift reminders, as well as automatic follow-ups, schedule adjustments, and other features. Employees may seek shift swaps and vacation time, which management can grant or deny on the moment. It also has group and individual text messaging options. So that someone at the warehouse can’t join the payroll chat and someone who is fired is instantly deleted from the group, group chat may be set up with conditions for membership. Attachments are allowed. It also allows you to construct surveys and live polls to keep an eye on the company’s pulse, as well as establish communication channels with HR or senior management for when workers need to provide more confidential feedback.
• Its Android app scored 4.4 out of 5 stars with around 900 votes, while its iOS app received 4.1 out of 5 stars with roughly 190 reviews. Following an upgrade, there were several concerns concerning loading times and difficulties. These aren’t as excellent as some of the other applications on our list, but they’re still nice. Furthermore, the app contains a variety of training options, allowing workers to get training from anywhere.
• HR features and integrations: Connecteam’s time sheets highlight the most critical aspects of payroll management, such as breaks, overtime, and notifications when an employee exceeds a daily work hour restriction. It also has excellent training capabilities, including the option to develop bespoke courses, which is a terrific way to bring your staff up to speed on new goods or processes. You may also utilize the tools to onboard new staff. Employees may refer friends for employment, complete out forms, recognize corporate regulations, and more, just as they can on Homebase. You may also build a library on Connecteam, where you can store the employee handbook, catalogs, sales tips, films on how to recognize a shoplifter, and anything else your employees may need to access fast or study in detail.
• User-Friendliness: Connecteam doesn’t have an auto-scheduler like Homebase or Deputy, but it does offer templates, copy-and-paste, and automatic reminders that make it easy to set up schedules and keep employees aware of their shifts. Users gave it terrific reviews for its Interface that is Simple to use, saying employees of any age and skill were able to use the app.

Take a look at our Connecteam review.

How Did We Pick the Best Retail Employee Scheduling Software?

To select the finest retail scheduling software for workers, we started with the basics: a reasonable pricing, scheduling templates, and time clocks that made punching in and out simple.

We picked systems with mobile and desktop apps, management and employee tools, and robust communication capabilities. Then we looked at features that are useful in the retail business, such as labor law restrictions (including those for minors), staff availability creation, and shift swapping capacity. We also searched for solutions to assist with recruiting, onboarding, training, and checklists in high-turnover businesses.

After in-depth evaluation, Homebase earned the highest marks with 4.83 out of 5. A popular scheduling software for many industries, its Plan that is completely free makes it ideal for mom-and-pop stores needing just the basics, while its hiring tools help you when finding replacements.

Click through the headings below to see our complete assessment criteria for the best retail scheduling software.

25%

Functionality of Scheduling Software

30% of the overall score

Nearly all the payroll software we considered offered transparent pricing on their websites, although a few had custom pricing for their enterprise plans. Some had minimum monthly spends. We favored those with a Plan that is completely free, even with limited features or a reduced number of employees. Homebase and Findmyshift had perfect scores.

25% of the overall score

We examined the breadth of options available, including auto-scheduling, forecasting, and templates. We also evaluated technologies that allow managers and workers to communicate with one another, such as for shift shifting. Homebase received a perfect score, while Connecteam came in second with a score of 4.75 out of 5.

10% of the overall score

We prioritize real-world user feedback, which comes from people who use the product in a variety of settings throughout months and years. As a result, “Popularity” considers the amount and quality of user reviews found on trustworthy third-party sites such as Capterra, G2, and TrustRadius. For comments concerning bugs in the mobile app, we subtracted points. While most of the apps we tested had user ratings of at least 4.5, Deputy stood out with a flawless popularity score.

10% of the overall score

Reports are necessary not just for payroll, but also for forecasting sales vs expenditures and maintaining records to demonstrate compliance with labor regulations. We took into account the amount of reports available as well as their customizability. Homebase, Deputy, Sling, and ZoomShift all received a perfect score of five out of five.

25% of the overall score

Interface, customer service, online instructions, and dedicated assistance all contribute to this score. None of the programs received a perfect score, however Homebase comes the closest with a 4.75 out of 5 rating.

*Percentages based on total score

Conclusion

Retailers have several issues, ranging from scheduling part-time and full-time employees to maintaining training and compliance. The finest retail scheduling software not only makes it simple to assign and trade shifts and manage time off, but it also allows for one-on-one or group contact with employees, keeps track of assignments and compliances, and more, as well as charging by the employee or by location. As you make your selection, think about the price vs. the features.

Overall, we found Homebase to be the greatest value for money, particularly if you just have one site. Its technologies make scheduling simple, and consumers love the mobile app. Begin using Homebase for free right now.

Pay a visit to Homebase

The “employee schedule maker” is one of the best retail employee scheduling software in 2022. The software allows users to create and manage schedules for multiple employees.

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