7 Best Retail Staff Scheduling Software That’ll Fix Your Shift Struggles

November 13, 2025

7 Best Retail Staff Scheduling Software That’ll Fix Your Shift Struggles-feature image

Shift scheduling in retail is a hard nut to crack. From checking employee availability, planning shift swaps, making up for last-minute absences, and managing labor costs, managers have their hands full at all times.

These tasks, if left unattended, can cause serious stress for over 70% of hourly workers, adversely affecting their productivity and retention. This is where the need for retail staff scheduling software arises. For with the right tool at your disposal, this chaos can very easily be converted into order, saving one headache at a time.

For the unversed, retail scheduling software is a business tool that automates employee scheduling for retail stores by helping managers create fair schedules and letting staff view shifts, swap, or request time off. Many of these solutions include time tracking and payroll features as well, further reducing errors.

Let’s learn more about them in this blog and while at it, also look at the 7 best specimens of the said software that you can rely on if automated employee scheduling is what you sought.

What is Retail Staff Scheduling Software?

Retail staff scheduling software is an employee scheduling software that automates shift assignments and notifications, tracks hours worked, and integrates with payroll systems. In doing so, it helps retail managers plan, assign, and monitor employee shifts almost instantaneously. This, so they can focus more on running their stores than just managing schedules.

It also keeps communication smooth with in-app messaging and shift swap requests. Employees too can track their schedules, request time off, or find coverage using retail employee scheduling apps on their smartphones.

Benefits of Retail Employee Scheduling Software

Manual scheduling wastes managers’ time and leads to conflicts when employees’ availability isn’t clear or shifts are unfair. Labor costs can also spike without accurate tracking. Retail staff scheduling software brings the following benefits…

A mind map diagram titled Retail Staff Scheduling Software: Features and Benefits shows three main branches. The left branch labeled Software Options lists Homebase, Deputy, Connecteam, When I Work, Sling, 7shifts, and QuickBooks Time. The right branch labeled Key Features includes shift scheduling, time tracking, and communication tools. The bottom branch labeled Benefits highlights faster schedule creation, conflict avoidance, and labor cost control. The branches are color-coded: pink for software options, orange for key features, and red for benefits.

Faster schedule creation and updates
Avoiding schedule conflicts and missed shifts
Monitoring labor costs and preventing unnecessary overtime
Transparent communication to boost employee satisfaction
Easy time tracking for accurate payroll
Compliance with labor laws on hours and breaks

Comparison of the Best Retail Staff Scheduling Software

Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of the top retail staff scheduling software to help you choose the one that best fits your business needs.

Software	Free Plan	Key Features	Ideal For
Homebase	Yes	Drag/drop scheduling, payroll	Small to medium retail stores
Deputy	No	AI scheduling, compliance tracking	Multi-location retail chains
Connecteam	Yes	Scheduling with operational tools	Teams needing all-in-one
When I Work	Yes	Simple scheduling, messaging	Small to medium teams
Sling	Yes	Labor budgeting, communication	Budget-conscious retail stores
7shifts	Yes	Labor cost tracking, shift templates	Hourly retail staff
QuickBooks Time	No	Time clock, payroll sync	QuickBooks payroll users

The 7 Best Retail Staff Scheduling Software in 2025

The best retail staff scheduling software (free and paid) are all listed below for your convenience…

1. Homebase

Homebase is a widely used retail staff scheduling software designed to make shift planning and time tracking simple for retail managers. It offers tools to create, edit, and share employee schedules quickly, with GPS-verified time clocks and automated labor cost alerts.

Homebase’s retail employee scheduling app helps workers swap shifts, ask for time off, and stay connected, making it a popular choice for retail stores of all sizes looking to improve their employee scheduling.

Key Features of Homebase:

Offers intuitive drag-and-drop schedule builder
Provides employee time clock with GPS verification
Supports shift swapping and time-off requests
Alerts managers with automated overtime and labor cost notifications
Includes team chat and announcements for internal communication
Integrates with popular payroll providers like Square, Gusto, and QuickBooks
Offers hiring and onboarding modules
Provides real-time labor cost and sales dashboard
Supports custom workflows and employee questionnaires via API
Allows mobile access for scheduling, messaging, and time tracking

Homebase Pros & Cons

Pros

Offers free plan for small teams
Has a simple setup and user-friendly interface
Provides mobile apps for both employees and managers
Enables real-time labor cost management
Includes payroll, tax collection, and payment features
Supports compliance and regulatory needs

Cons

Limits some advanced features to paid tiers
Experiences occasional sync delays between mobile and desktop
Restricts resending invites to employees in some cases
May misalign schedules if availability is not properly set
Can feel cluttered if only a few features are needed

Homebase Pricing & Plans:

Plan	Price
Basic	$0/location/month (up to 10 employees)
Essentials	$24/location/month (unlimited employees)
Plus	$56/location/month (unlimited employees)
All-In-One	$96/location/month (unlimited employees)

2. Deputy

Deputy is a scheduling software that supports multi-location retail businesses by automating employee scheduling and time tracking. It features AI-driven shift suggestions to optimize shift coverage and reduce conflicts, making employee scheduling for retail faster and more accurate.

The software, as such, allows retail managers handle attendance, compliance, payroll integration, and communication all in one platform.

Key Features of Deputy:

Offers AI-based auto-scheduling and demand forecasting
Supports drag-and-drop schedule creation
Provides shift swapping and real-time availability tracking
Tracks attendance with biometric and mobile time clocks
Ensures labor law compliance with alerts and reporting
Includes team communication via messaging and news feed
Integrates with payroll, HR, and POS systems
Provides mobile apps for iOS and Android
Supports leave management and employee onboarding
Offers custom access levels and location hierarchies in Pro plan

Pros

Optimized for multi-location and shift-based businesses
Reduces scheduling conflicts with AI suggestions
Provides extensive time and attendance tracking
Delivers user-friendly mobile and web interfaces
Improves labor cost control with forecasting tools

Cons

Can be expensive for larger teams
Requires setup time for complex scheduling needs
Offers limited phone support; mostly chat/email-based
May have push notification issues on some devices

Deputy Pricing & Plans:

Plan	Price
Lite	$5/user/month
Core	$6.50/user/month
Pro	$9/user/month

3. Connecteam

Connecteam is an all-in-one retail staff software solution combining employee scheduling with operational management tools, task assignments, and training features. It helps retailers plan shifts while managing daily duties and employee engagement through surveys and communication tools.

Connecteam

Starting Price

$ 35.00

Key Features of Connecteam:

Supports shift planning with instant notifications
Provides time clock with GPS and geofencing
Offers task lists, checklists, and digital forms for operations
Enables two-way team communication via chat, polls, and surveys
Includes employee training and onboarding modules
Provides custom reporting dashboards and auto-reports
Integrates with payroll tools like QuickBooks and Google Calendar
Allows mobile access for scheduling, clock-in/out, and form submissions
Supports conditional fields and automated workflows
Offers biometric app lock and two-factor authentication in higher tiers

Pros

Combines scheduling, communication, and operational tools
Supports training alongside staff scheduling
Delivers well-designed mobile experience for field teams
Suitable for large teams needing centralized coordination
Provides alerts for overtime and compliance tracking

Cons

Might be complex if only scheduling is required
Its price increases with added features and higher user count
Lacks built-in payroll processing; requires manual export
Doesn’t support collaborative forms or shared calendars for time-off

Connecteam Pricing & Plans:

Plan	Price
Basic	$29/month
Advanced	$49/month
Expert	$99/month
Enterprise	Get in touch with the Techjockey team to get a quote

4. When I Work

When I Work is a retail staff scheduling software designed to make shift planning and team communication easy for small and medium retail businesses. It provides easy drag-and-drop shift scheduling, shift swapping, time clock, and messaging features bundled in a user-friendly app.

Key Features of When I Work:

Supports drag-and-drop scheduling with templates
Provides shift swapping and real-time availability tracking
Offers mobile time clock and attendance tracking
Includes team messaging and announcements
Sends automated shift reminders and confirmations
Integrates with payroll and POS systems
Allows multi-location scheduling and labor forecasting
Provides scheduling rules and role-based permissions
Supports time-off requests and callout reporting
Offers API access and SSO in premium plans

Pros

Has a user-friendly interface
Enables fast schedule creation and sharing
Improves communication and shift flexibility
Offers mobile apps for scheduling and clock-in/out

Cons

Limits HR and payroll functions in free plan
Provides payroll integration only in paid tiers
May lack advanced reporting in lower plans
Requires manual setup for complex scheduling rules

When I Work Pricing & Plans:

Plan	Price
Single Location or Schedule	$2.50/user/month
Multiple Locations & Schedules	$5/user/month

5.Sling

Sling offers free employee scheduling to help businesses create, manage, and share employee shifts while controlling labor costs. It features shift swapping, coverage requests, team messaging, and labor budget tracking all bundled in an easy-to-use retail employee scheduling app.

Key Features of Sling:

Supports shift scheduling with notifications and templates
Allows shift coverage sharing and swap requests
Provides labor cost tracking and budgeting tools
Includes team messaging and announcements feed
Sends alerts for shift changes, overtime, and no-shows
Offers mobile and kiosk time tracking options
Manages PTO, sick call-outs, and time-off requests
Integrates with calendar apps and payroll systems
Provides reporting tools for hours worked and wages earned
Supports geofencing and clock-in restrictions

Pros

Offers free plan for up to 30 users
Provides cost alerts to prevent overspending
Includes simple employee communication tools
Delivers desktop and mobile apps for scheduling and messaging
Improves labor forecasting and compliance

Cons

Requires paid plan for advanced reports and analytics
Interface may feel crowded for large teams
Lacks built-in payroll processing; requires export

Sling Pricing & Plans:

Plan	Price
Free	$0
Premium	$1.70/user/month
Business	$3.40/user/month

6. 7shifts

7shifts is a retail staff scheduling software designed for hourly workers with features like customizable shift templates, shift swapping, and detailed labor cost reporting to boast. It includes easy PTO management and employee communication tools, making it an ideal shift scheduling app for workforce management in retail businesses of all sizes.

Key Features OF 7shifts:

Provides scheduling templates for quick shift creation
Includes time clock with shift timers and compliance alerts
Tracks labor costs and budgeting in real time
Supports PTO tracking, shift swapping, and availability requests
Offers built-in team chat and announcements
Integrates with payroll, POS, and tip management systems
Provides manager logbook and task management tools
Supports mobile access and employee self-service
Offers labor forecasting and compliance warnings
Includes onboarding and document storage in premium plans

Pros

Designed for hourly retail and restaurant employees
Provides deep labor cost insights and forecasting
Supports easy communication and scheduling templates
Enables PTO tracking and shift trades
Offers mobile apps for managers and

Cons

Limits payroll integration to premium plans
Is not very beginner friendly
Can experience delayed notifications on mobile
Requires manual setup for complex permissions

7shifts Pricing & Plans:

Plan	Price
Comp	$0 for single location and up to 15 employees
Essentials	$39.99/user/location (up to 30 employees)
Pro	$79.99/user/location (unlimited employees)
Premium	$134.99/user/location (unlimited employees)

7. QuickBooks Time

QuickBooks Time (formerly TSheets) is a time tracking and scheduling app that integrates closely with QuickBooks accounting software. It helps retail managers schedule shifts, track time with GPS verification, and export hours seamlessly to payroll.

QuickBooks Time

Starting Price

$ 20.00

Key Features of QuickBooks Time:

Provides GPS-verified employee time clock
Supports schedule creation and automated shift alerts
Manages PTO, sick leave, and absence tracking
Exports payroll data seamlessly to QuickBooks Online
Generates real-time attendance and labor reports
Includes mobile app, time kiosk, and geofencing tools
Offers photo attachments and timesheet signatures
Tracks mileage and project progress with activity feeds
Integrates with payroll, HR, and accounting systems
Allows customizable reports and alerts for overtime

Pros

Integrates tightly with QuickBooks payroll and accounting
Provides accurate employee time tracking across devices
Supports mobile and desktop accessibility
Delivers helpful labor, attendance, and project reports
Improves payroll efficiency and reduces manual entry

Cons

Offers basic scheduling compared to specialized apps
Adds cost with larger teams due to per-user pricing
Limits customization of exported reports
May experience occasional app crashes or slowdowns

QuickBooks Time Pricing & Plans:

Plan	Price
Time Premium	$10/month
Time Elite	$20/month

Conclusion

All in all, the right retail staff scheduling software can help you tame shift chaos and keep your team happy. So, what are you waiting for? Get your hands on the best retail staff software today itself and eliminate those shift struggles once and for all. Remember, we, at Techjockey, are just a ping away!