Deputy alternatives in 2025

June 28, 2025
11:10 pm

7 min read

Running a small business isn’t easy—especially when it comes to tracking employee hours and managing schedules. That’s where platforms like Deputy come in. It offers tools to build rosters, track attendance, and manage time off manager efficiently. But Deputy isn’t the right fit for everyone. Smaller teams, such as local cafes or retail stores, might find its settings too detailed or its features more than they need. Some businesses may also prefer a solution that bundles in payroll, team messaging, or broader HR features under one roof. To help you find a better match, we’ve put together a list of top alternatives to Deputy—highlighting their key features, pricing, and real user feedback so you can choose the best fit for your business.

The top 10 Deputy alternatives

Time Off Manager 365 – Best for simplified time-off tracking and leave management

Homebase – Best all-in-one solution for small businesses

When I Work – Best for small, very simple operations

QuickBooks Time – Best for variety of integrations

Skedulo – Best for healthcare workers

Connecteam – Best for monitoring mobile teams

ZoomShift – Best for seasonal businesses

7shifts – Best for restaurant scheduling

Sling – Best for global teams

OpenSimSim – Best for basic needs

A simple way to manage your hourly workforce.

Keep your team aligned with an intuitive, all-in-one app built for everyday operations.

Time Off Manager 365 – Top pick for easy leave tracking and team coordination

Time Off Manager 365 simplifies leave management for businesses that find Deputy too complex. Designed with ease in mind, this platform focuses on making time-off tracking, approvals, and policy management effortless for both managers and employees. It’s ideal for teams who want to stay organized without juggling multiple tools.

Unlike Deputy, Time Off Manager 365 is purpose-built for tracking absences, offering features like automated leave accruals, self-service time-off requests, real-time calendars, and policy customization. It also includes a web-based interface that makes it easy for teams to manage time off from anywhere. Employees can request leave, check balances, and view approvals—without emails or manual back-and-forth. For small businesses that want a smarter, simpler way to handle time off, Time Off Manager 365 is a standout choice.

Smarter Scheduling for Small Teams

Creating a schedule that works for everyone—while keeping operations running smoothly—is no small task. Between employee preferences, shift coverage, and compliance concerns, things can quickly get complicated. That’s why tools like Time off Manager 365 and Deputy are popular—they help automate much of the process. With these apps, you can:

Auto-generate shifts based on availability, budget, and role needs

Save and reuse schedule templates for recurring weeks

Enable team members to manage swaps or request covers on their own

But where Time off Manager 365 shines is in its simplicity. Its user-friendly interface and one-click scheduling make it ideal for smaller teams that don’t want to wrestle with a steep learning curve. Even better, Homebase includes essential scheduling features in its free version—making it accessible without added costs.

Leave Management Made Simple with Time Off Manager 365

Keeping track of hours and attendance is critical—not just for payroll accuracy, but also for maintaining fairness and transparency. Time Off Manager 365 focuses on tracking employee availability, leave usage, and time-off balances with precision. Instead of juggling spreadsheets or toggling between tools, managers get a clear, real-time view of who’s in, who’s off, and how much leave is left.

While Time Off Manager 365 is built primarily for absence management, it seamlessly connects with your teams and outlook, helping you keep records accurate and up to date. Automatic leave deductions, clear scheduling calendars, and real-time absence logs help prevent errors and save valuable time for managers and HR teams

Simplify Payroll Without the Extra Headache with Homebase

Managing payroll can be a big burden for small business owners—especially when there’s no accountant on the team. That’s where a solution like Homebase comes in. It handles everything from wage calculations to tax withholdings, helping you pay your team accurately and on time.

Homebase includes built-in payroll capabilities, so you won’t need to invest in or learn an entirely separate system. But if you’re already using a payroll provider like Gusto or QuickBooks, you can integrate them easily. This gives you the flexibility to keep what works while still streamlining scheduling, time tracking, and payments all in one place

HR Support and Compliance Tools Built for Small Teams

Most small businesses don’t have the resources for a full-time HR professional—but that doesn’t mean they’re immune to the risks of non-compliance. That’s why Homebase offers on-demand access to certified HR experts who can guide you through sensitive issues like employee discipline, policy creation, or legal questions around terminations.

In addition to expert advice, Homebase equips you with tools that help keep daily operations compliant. You’ll get real-time alerts if team members are nearing overtime limits, reducing the risk of unintentional violations. Plus, the built-in document manager keeps track of expiring employee certifications or contracts—so you’re always one step ahead, not scrambling at the last minute.

Pricing Homebase

One of Homebase’s key advantages is its flexible free tier, which offers basic scheduling, time tracking, and team communication tools for a single location at no cost. Beyond that, Homebase provides three paid subscription options:

Essentials at $24.95 per month, unlocking enhanced scheduling, time tracking, and communication features.

Plus for $59.95 per month, adding hiring functionalities, PTO management, and access controls by department.

All-in-One priced at $99.95 per month, including HR compliance support, employee onboarding tools, and labor cost monitoring.

Payroll services are available as an add-on for $39 monthly, plus $6 per employee. Additionally, customers who choose annual billing upfront receive a 20% discount compared to the monthly payment plan.

A simple solution to manage your hourly workforce.

Keep your team connected and organized with our intuitive, all-in-one employee management app.

When I Work – Ideal for small teams with straightforward scheduling needs

When I Work is a cloud-based platform that combines employee scheduling, time tracking, and communication features to help streamline team coordination. Users often highlight its user-friendly interface and simple setup, making it quick to adopt within any business. The pricing model is especially attractive for small teams, as it charges a modest fee per employee—making it a budget-friendly choice for businesses with just a few staff members. However, as your team grows, these per-user costs can increase, potentially making it less cost-effective for larger organizations.

Features

Scheduling: Easily assign shifts and duties to your team members, and track task completion through digital checklists within the When I Work app.

Time Tracking: Employees can clock in and out directly from the app, with hours automatically logged into timesheets. Labor cost controls help you monitor overtime and restrict additional shift pickups.

Communication: Stay connected by messaging the whole team, specific groups, or individual employees instantly.

Pricing

When I Work provides two subscription options:

Standard Plan: Priced at $2.50 per employee each month, with optional add-ons for time tracking and early payout features available for an additional $1.50 per employee.

Advanced Plan: Costs $6 per employee per month, with the same optional add-ons available at $2 per employee.

QuickBooks Time – Ideal for businesses seeking extensive integration options

QuickBooks Time (previously called TSheets) is an employee management tool developed by Intuit. One of its biggest advantages is seamless synchronization with Intuit’s suite of products, such as accounting software, payroll services, and payment platforms. Beyond Intuit’s ecosystem, QuickBooks Time also connects effortlessly with a wide range of other popular business applications, making it a versatile choice for organizations seeking strong integration capabilities.

Client relationship management (CRM) systems

Information and database management

Online retail and eCommerce platforms

Billing and invoicing solutions

Business intelligence and analytics tools

Logistics and shipping services

Features

Scheduling: Assign shifts or tasks tailored to your business needs, easily update schedules, and send notifications to keep your team informed.

Time Tracking: Allow staff to punch in and out via the app, while monitoring who’s on the clock and their real-time location during shifts.

Project Management: Track and compare projected hours and costs against actual performance to evaluate project status and efficiency.

Pricing

QuickBooks Time offers two subscription tiers:

Premium Plan: Starts at $20 monthly, with an additional charge of $8 per user each month.

Elite Plan: Priced at $40 per month, plus $10 per user monthly.

Keep in mind that other QuickBooks services, such as payroll and accounting, are offered separately and require additional fees.

Skedulo: Ideal Solution for Healthcare Professionals

Skedulo is designed with healthcare managers in mind, offering smart scheduling that matches employees to tasks based on their location, availability, and expertise. This helps healthcare providers quickly deploy the right staff to urgent situations like medical emergencies or mental health support. Unlike many other platforms, Skedulo also supports designating team members as ‘on call,’ ensuring your workforce is always prepared for unexpected demands.

Features:

Scheduling: Automatically allocate shifts by considering employees’ skills, availability, and distance. Efficiently manage urgent dispatches and track employee status through a clear pipeline view.

Communication: Facilitate seamless communication with instant messaging and virtual meetings, thanks to integrations with Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

Pricing:
For detailed pricing information, you’ll need to get in touch with Skedulo directly.

Connecteam: Best for Managing Mobile Workforces

Connecteam is designed to support businesses with employees on the move. It offers precise tracking of staff locations, enabling you to monitor travel times and mileage effectively. This is especially helpful for industries like delivery services and construction, where optimizing routes and minimizing unnecessary stops can save time and costs.

For larger organizations, Connecteam provides a broader suite of tools compared to many Deputy alternatives. Its HR & Skills hub includes features such as employee training programs, interactive quizzes, and rewards management, helping you engage and develop your team all within one platform.

Features

Scheduling: Allocate tasks based on customers, locations, or projects, and give employees the option to pick up available shifts themselves.

Time Tracking: Allow staff to clock in and out from any location with the app, while GPS verification ensures accurate recording of hours and whereabouts.

Training and Assessments: Develop personalized training programs complete with quizzes to evaluate employee understanding and skills.

Incentives: Reward team members with tokens for excellent work, which they can redeem for gift cards and other perks.

Pricing

Connecteam provides a free plan that includes essential features for teams with up to ten users. For more advanced needs, they offer several paid tiers tailored to different business hubs:

Basic: $29 per month, offering core functionalities

Advanced: $49 per month, with enhanced features

Expert: $99 per month, for comprehensive capabilities

Enterprise: Custom pricing designed for large organizations requiring unlimited access and specialized solutions

ZoomShift – Perfect for businesses with fluctuating, seasonal staffing needs

ZoomShift offers a flexible approach to subscription billing that’s perfect for seasonal businesses. When your busy period only lasts part of the year, paying for software year-round can feel wasteful. With ZoomShift, you have the option to pause your subscription or temporarily deactivate employee accounts during slow seasons. This way, businesses like ski lodges, summer festivals, or beachside venues can reduce costs by only paying for the service when it’s actively needed.

Features

Scheduling: Streamline shift planning with customizable templates and empower employees to manage their own schedules.

Time Tracking: Track employee work hours accurately using the ZoomShift time clock available on both desktop and mobile devices.

Pricing

ZoomShift offers three subscription options:

Starter Plan: $2 per employee each month, ideal for smaller teams.

Premium Plan: $4 per employee per month, with additional features and support.

Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing tailored for larger organizations, especially those with more than 100 employees.

7Shifts – The top choice for scheduling in the restaurant industry

7Shifts is tailored specifically for the restaurant industry, offering features that address its distinct needs. This flexible employee management platform helps you handle complex scheduling demands and manage tip pooling in a way that fits your team’s preferences and regulations. Whether you operate a single location or a chain with multiple dining areas and departments, 7Shifts allows you to organize staff schedules efficiently by role, zone, or venue—making it an excellent choice for foodservice businesses.

Features

Scheduling: Assign shifts with detailed controls by role, location, and other factors, while using analytics tools to forecast staffing needs.

Time Tracking: Enable staff to clock in with photo verification or geofencing to ensure precise attendance records.

Hiring and Onboarding: Manage job postings, track applicant progress, and oversee new hires through their initial onboarding period.

Communication: Stay connected with your team using built-in chat, announcements, and SMS messaging features.

Pricing

7Shifts offers a free plan that supports teams of up to 30 employees. Beyond that, there are three paid options:

Entree Plan: Priced at $34.99 monthly, covering up to 30 employees and 50 locations.

The Works Plan: Available for $76.99 per month, also capped at 30 employees and 50 locations but with expanded features.

Gourmet Plan: At $150 per month, this plan removes limits, allowing unlimited employees and locations.

Sling: Ideal for Managing Global Teams

Sling helps you schedule and monitor employee hours across various time zones with ease. Its standout feature is the World Clock, which displays each team member’s local time, making it simple to assign shifts without worrying about scheduling someone during their off-hours. This is especially helpful for remote teams spread across different countries, ensuring smooth coordination regardless of time differences.

Features:

Scheduling: Easily create and adjust schedules based on each employee’s local time zone.

Time Tracking: Employees can clock in through the mobile app or a desktop kiosk, providing flexible options for attendance logging.

Team Communication: Send messages to individuals, specific groups, or the entire team, ensuring relevant communication without unnecessary noise.

Task Management: Build role- or shift-specific checklists and get notified when tasks are completed.

Pricing:
Sling offers a free plan with essential features, plus two premium tiers:

Premium: $2 per employee per month, including advanced features like geofencing, labor cost monitoring, and time tracking.

Business: $4 per employee monthly, adding leave management and detailed reporting capabilities.

OpenSimSim – Perfect for businesses seeking straightforward, no-frills scheduling

OpenSimSim stands out with some of the most affordable pricing among Deputy alternatives. If budget constraints are a priority, this platform could be a good fit. It offers a free plan and lower entry costs compared to many competitors, while still providing essential features like employee management and team communication. However, it supports fewer integrations than other options, making it more suitable as a short-term solution for startups or small businesses rather than a scalable choice for expanding companies.

Features

Scheduling: Easily assign shifts or reuse saved schedule templates, then notify employees through the OpenSimSim app when their schedules are published.

Time Tracking: Convert tablets into clock-in kiosks or let employees punch in and out using the mobile app for convenience.

Communication: Engage with your team using both group and private messaging to share updates or check in directly.

Pricing

OpenSimSim offers a free plan for single locations with up to ten employees. Beyond that, there are three paid tiers:

Starter: $15.99 per location monthly, supporting up to two locations, with features like shift confirmations and day blocking.

Premium: $39.99 per location per month, covering five departments and including advanced time tracking and compliance tools.

Enterprise: Custom pricing for unlimited locations, designed for larger organizations with extensive needs.

Which Deputy Alternative Is Best for Your Small Business?

While Deputy is a popular employee management platform, it may lack key features such as integrated payroll and streamlined communication tools. Its complexity can also be overwhelming for smaller businesses that need a straightforward solution. If you’re searching for an alternative that simplifies workforce management without sacrificing functionality, Time Off Manager 365 stands out as the ideal choice. Time Off Manager 365 offers an easy-to-use interface designed with small businesses in mind, eliminating the hassle of complicated setups or lengthy training. It covers all the essential features you need, including employee scheduling, time tracking, communication, payroll integration, and compliance management. With Time Off Manager 365, you can confidently manage your team and streamline operations, knowing the software is built to support your business every step of the way.

Conclusion

When exploring Deputy alternatives, it’s important to find a solution that fits your business size and needs without added complexity. Among the options, Time Off Manager 365 stands out as the best choice, offering a user-friendly platform with comprehensive features for scheduling, time tracking, payroll, and communication—all tailored to help your business run smoothly.