7shifts is the best restaurant scheduling software for most restaurants in 2026, and Homebase is the best pick for a single location on a budget. 7shifts is built only for restaurants and adds labor compliance, forecasting, and tip tools as you move up its plans, while Homebase’s Basic plan schedules up to 10 employees at one location for free.
Other teams have other needs. Deputy handles multi-location groups and labor rules well. Sling has a free plan for up to 30 users and low per-user pricing, and Connecteam adds shift checklists and chat. HotSchedules, from Fourth, fits chains that want scheduling tied to sales data and a wider back office.
Before you buy, check which plan includes the features you need. Time clocks, tip tools, and compliance alerts often sit on higher tiers or cost extra, so a full-service restaurant rarely pays the starting price.
Our top pick
7shifts
Built only for restaurants, with a free plan and room to grow.
Quick picks
Best overall
Best on a budget
Best for multi-location groups
Best free plan for larger teams
Best for restaurant chains
How we ranked these tools
We scored each tool on five criteria: fit for its intended buyer, depth of features, pricing and value, ease of use, and support. We gave extra weight to restaurant-specific needs: shift swaps, time clocks, POS connections, tips, and labor law compliance. We based the scores on vendor documentation, published pricing, and public user reviews. We did not accept payment for placement. Prices reflect published rates as of October 2026, so confirm the current price with the vendor.
The 6 best restaurant scheduling tools
1. 7shifts
Best for restaurants of any size
Our rating4.7 / 5
Starting price$39.99 / location / month
Free planYes (up to 15 employees)
7shifts is a scheduling and labor platform made only for restaurants. Managers build schedules, staff swap shifts and message each other in the app, and the time clock ties hours to the schedule. The free Comp plan covers one location with up to 15 employees. Essentials starts at $39.99 per location per month for up to 30 employees, and annual billing saves 10%. Labor compliance starts on Pro, and tip management is a $49.99 monthly add-on, so a full setup costs more.
Pros
- Built only for restaurants
- Free plan for one small location
- Per-location pricing suits large crews
Cons
- Compliance tools start on the Pro plan
- Tip management costs extra
Key features
- Schedule builder
- Shift trading
- Time clock
- Team messaging
2. Homebase
Best for single locations on a budget
Our rating4.6 / 5
Starting price$24 / location / month (billed annually)
Free planYes (up to 10 employees)
Homebase combines scheduling, time tracking, hiring, and team messaging for small businesses, including independent restaurants. The Basic plan is free for one location with up to 10 team members and includes scheduling, time tracking, messaging, and POS integrations. Essentials costs $24 per location per month on annual billing ($30 monthly), and Plus is $56 billed annually. Payroll is an add-on at $49 a month plus $6 per active employee. It serves every kind of small business, so it has fewer restaurant-only features than 7shifts.
Pros
- Generous free plan
- Scheduling, time clock, and hiring together
- Optional built-in payroll
Cons
- Fewer restaurant-specific features
- Payroll costs extra
Key features
- Schedule builder
- Time clock
- Team messaging
- Hiring tools
3. Deputy
Best for multi-location restaurant groups
Our rating4.5 / 5
Starting price$5 / user / month
Free planFree trial
Deputy is a workforce platform for shift-based businesses, including restaurant groups with several locations. It covers scheduling, time and attendance, and labor law compliance, and its auto-scheduling builds rosters from demand and staff availability. Lite costs $5 per user per month, Core $6.50, and Pro $9. Monthly plans carry a $30 minimum per invoice, and Lite and Core come with a free trial. Per-user pricing gets expensive for restaurants with many part-time staff.
Pros
- Strong labor compliance tools
- Auto-scheduling
- Works across many locations
Cons
- Per-user pricing adds up with large crews
- $30 minimum on monthly plans
Key features
- Auto-scheduling
- Time and attendance
- Compliance alerts
- Shift swaps
4. Sling
Best for teams that want a free plan with room to grow
Our rating4.4 / 5
Starting price$1.70 / user / month (billed annually)
Free planYes (up to 30 users)
Sling is a straightforward scheduling app with one of the most generous free plans around, covering up to 30 users. Premium costs $1.70 per user per month on annual billing ($2 monthly), and Business costs $3.40 billed annually ($4 monthly). Paid plans include a 15-day free trial, and annual plans bill only for active users. Sling is a general scheduling tool, so restaurant-specific features such as tip management are not its focus.
Pros
- Free for up to 30 users
- Low per-user pricing
- Annual plans bill only active users
Cons
- Not built specifically for restaurants
- Advanced features need the Business plan
Key features
- Shift scheduling
- Team messaging
- Time clock
- Labor cost tracking
5. Connecteam
Best for teams that want scheduling plus shift checklists
Our rating4.3 / 5
Starting price$29 / month (billed annually, first 30 users)
Free planYes (up to 30 users)
Connecteam is an all-in-one app for frontline teams that combines scheduling with time tracking, in-shift task lists, chat, and training. Its free plan covers up to 30 users with a single schedule. The Basic Operations Hub costs $29 a month on annual billing ($35 monthly) for the first 30 users, plus $0.80 for each extra user. Advanced, at $49 a month billed annually, adds repeating shifts and templates. A 14-day trial needs no credit card. It is not built only for restaurants, so tip tools are not part of it.
Pros
- Flat price for the first 30 users
- Task lists attached to each shift
- Trial without a card
Cons
- Free plan allows only one schedule
- No restaurant-specific tip tools
Key features
- Shift scheduling
- In-shift task lists
- Team chat
- Time clock
6. HotSchedules
Best for restaurant chains
Our rating4.2 / 5
Starting priceCustom pricing
Free planNo
HotSchedules, part of Fourth, is a long-standing scheduling tool for restaurant chains and multi-unit operators. It builds schedules from sales and labor data, flags labor law issues with predictive scheduling tools, and supports digital tip payouts and early wage access. It syncs with POS systems such as Toast, Oracle Micros, and NCR Aloha. Fourth does not publish prices, so you request a demo for a quote. Smaller restaurants will find simpler, cheaper options above.
Pros
- Built for multi-unit operators
- Predictive scheduling compliance tools
- Broad POS integrations
Cons
- No public pricing
- More than a single restaurant needs
Key features
- Sales-based scheduling
- Labor law alerts
- Digital tip payouts
- POS integrations
Compare the top restaurant scheduling tools
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7shifts | Restaurants of any size | $39.99 / location / month | Yes (up to 15 employees) | 4.7 |
| Homebase | Single locations on a budget | $24 / location / month (billed annually) | Yes (up to 10 employees) | 4.6 |
| Deputy | Multi-location restaurant groups | $5 / user / month | Free trial | 4.5 |
| Sling | Teams that want a free plan with room to grow | $1.70 / user / month (billed annually) | Yes (up to 30 users) | 4.4 |
| Connecteam | Teams that want scheduling plus shift checklists | $29 / month (billed annually, first 30 users) | Yes (up to 30 users) | 4.3 |
| HotSchedules | Restaurant chains | Custom pricing | No | 4.2 |
How to choose restaurant scheduling software
Match the pricing model to your crew size
Per-location and per-user pricing favor different restaurants. A single location with 25 staff pays $39.99 a month on 7shifts Essentials, but $125 a month on Deputy Lite at $5 per user. A crew of eight looks very different, so run the numbers for your headcount.
Confirm the POS connection
Scheduling against sales data only works if the tool reads your POS. Check that the vendor lists your exact POS, and ask whether sales sync automatically or need a manual export.
Know your local scheduling laws
Some cities and states require advance notice of schedules and pay for last-minute changes. If you operate in one, pick a plan with compliance alerts, such as 7shifts Pro, Deputy, or HotSchedules.
Frequently asked questions
What is restaurant scheduling software?
Restaurant scheduling software builds staff schedules, shares them on employees’ phones, and handles shift swaps and time-off requests. Most tools also include a time clock and team messaging, and some connect to your POS to schedule against sales and track labor cost.
How much does restaurant scheduling software cost?
Several tools have free plans for small teams. Paid plans start at $1.70 per user per month on Sling and $5 on Deputy. Homebase starts at $24 per location per month, Connecteam at $29 a month for 30 users, and 7shifts at $39.99 per location. HotSchedules quotes on request.
Is there free restaurant scheduling software?
Yes. 7shifts offers a free Comp plan for one location with up to 15 employees. Homebase’s Basic plan is free for one location with up to 10 team members, and Sling is free for up to 30 users. Each free plan limits features, so check before you commit.
Do you need scheduling software that connects to your POS?
It helps a lot. A POS connection lets the tool compare labor cost to sales in real time and build schedules around busy periods. 7shifts, Homebase, and HotSchedules all list POS integrations, so check that the vendor lists your exact POS before you sign.
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