However, there is one thing they all share: the need for organizational tools, in particular, scheduling software.
Without the help of scheduling software, it is impossible for a business – of any size – to operate successfully. This involves managing absences, shift rescheduling, remote working arrangements, and meetings.
Despite understanding all the benefits of scheduling software, it can be somewhat overwhelming to find the right one for your small business.
However, this is where we come in.
Let’s get straight into it.
Product Reviews
Luckily for you, we have outlined all the best scheduling software for small businesses – taking into consideration features, user-friendly interfaces, and popularity.
With this in mind, let’s get straight into 5 of the best scheduling software for small businesses.
1. Connecteam
Our Take
The best thing about connecteam’s scheduling software is that it is scalable and easy to use – this allows you to add more features when you require them.
With the help of this software, you can drag-and-drop all your scheduling requirements, as well as various other features, including flags of unavailability, warming so workers don’t exceed overtime caps, and repeating shifts.
Plus, employees are also able to make simple shift swaps, reject a shift they are unable to attend to, and claim any open shifts.
| Best For | All-in-one team management app |
| Price | Click to reveal |
Besides scheduling, Connecteam also provides users with engagement and communications tools, too. This includes company-wide internal quiz tools, chat channels, and a linked organization chart and directory.
There are also features that support descriptive task lists – allowing you to add attachments and sub-tasks, and various task management tools, too.
Connecteam was built for remote teams and a desk-less work environment, as such, they are available on tablets, mobile, and desktop devices.
This makes it an ideal choice for various different industries, including restaurants, retail, construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and field services.
Prices for this scheduling software start at $39/month. That said, they offer a 14-day free trial. Plus, a freemium plan is available, albeit, with limited features.
Pros
- Available on a range of devices.
- Scalable.
- Easy to use.
Cons
- Lacks integration range.
2. Wrike
Our Take
Since small businesses are often limited when it comes to resources; having efficient software that can be implemented to make the most out of your current resources is ideal.
Here, you should be able to streamline your business’ existing task management processes and schedules. With the help of Write you’ll be able to manage tasks and employee schedules.
In addition to this, you’ll be able to assign to different employees, or even entire departments, and plan for future projects with ease and efficiency.
You’ll be able to establish user notifications and be alerted when a specific task is completed – or when you’re approaching a deadline.
Moreover, Wrike’s dashboard provides you with a comprehensive visual representation – allowing you to easily track progress and ensure all tasks are completed on schedule.
Here, integrated communication tools are implemented – allowing direct communication between managers and employees, without having to use various platforms or services.
| Best For | User Interace |
| Price | Click to reveal |
This is not only easier for managers – allowing them to provide employees with quick and precise instructions regarding any changes to shifts in real-time – but it means employees know what they are doing and can get stuck into work.
Likewise, your employees can easily check their shift details directly from the software or using email notifications and can update any schedule changes or availability, too.
Here, the employee scheduling features enable managers to easily and quickly make modifications to schedules by looking into each team member’s availability.
Moreover, through this feature, managers can access reports regarding employees’ working hours and required hours for upcoming months and weeks.
This all comes together to create an easy scheduling system whereby everyone has access to everything they need.
For instance, employees can benefit from the real-time data tool which allows them to identify any areas that require extra assistance or further adjustments.
Furthermore, their analytics features enable insight into the amount of time it takes a specific task to be completed – highlighting the performance of each individual employee.
This enables supervisors to make informed decisions when it comes to utilizing the skills of their staff for the most effective and productive results across departments.
Pros
- Manage tasks and employee schedules.
- Managers can access employee working hour reports.
- Organized updates and notifications.
Cons
- Some users have noted a steep learning curve.
3. Monday.com
Our Take
Through a customized data dashboard, users are able to track and organize their progress thanks to Monday.com’s flexible Work OS system.
Here, you’ll find over 200 different templates. This includes a weekly work schedule template that can be modified to suit your business’s needs.
Plus, each data dashboard can be visualized using various formats with only one click, this includes a Gantt chart or a calendar view format.
In addition to this, Monday.com is a low-cost and straightforward approach to streamlining all your scheduling requirements too.
| Best For | Task Management |
| Price | Click to reveal |
Plus, you can even add automation to notify your employees of new schedules. Another helpful feature is to transform some tasks into ‘read-only’ mode – this ensures no alterations are made.
Moreover, you can search schedules for specific employees and unique details, allowing you to add different schedules and customized labels into as many groups as you like.
To enhance your experience further, Monday.com integrates with various productivity and communication tools, including Google Calendar, Microsoft Teams, Excel, Zapier, Outlook, and many more.
The price starts at $8 per user per month. That said, they offer a free 14-day trial, and a forever plan with limited features, although this is only available for two users.
Pros
- 200+ templates.
- Various integrations.
- Easy to use.
Cons
- Interface clutter.
4. Homebase
Our Take
This software is typically used by small businesses, including small beauty stores, fitness facilities, small stores, and other service providers.
The platform itself provides you with plenty of features to run your business, including running HR tasks from start to finish, such as team communication, scheduling, time tracking, hiring and onboarding, and much more.
In addition, they allow you to easily create work rosters with the help of templates, as well as make any changes at any time when required. You can also forecast your labor costs and build smart work schedules (for more AI forecasting software, read here).
| Best For | Employee Management |
| Price | Click to reveal |
Using the free mobile apps, employees can always be ensured they are up-to-date on their work, as well as receive information through email or text.
The Homebase scheduler automatically provides users with calculated overtime, alerts to schedule conflicts, and subtracts breaks.
Likewise, you can also choose to integrate your forecasts and sales data – allowing you to easily build your schedule around your labor targets.
Homebase’s free plan provides users with unlimited employee capabilities, however, there are fewer advanced features.
Their paid plans start at $20/month depending on location.
Pros
- Roaster templates.
- Mobile app.
- Free options.
Cons
- Notifications could be more punctual.
5. Buddy Punch
Our Take
Buddy Punch is a web-based scheduling and time clock software.
This user-friendly, simple, and intuitive interface enables them to achieve all their tastes without having to worry about learning how to use a new workflow.
Your employees can request time off, view their current time card, submit a time card for approval, or even submit a claim to correct a punch-in – all of this can be achieved without having to leave the app!
These features combine to allow your employees to remain honest and accountable.
Plus, GPS tracks ensure you know your employee’s location at all times, as well as when they clock in/ out for work.
| Best For | Time Tracking |
| Price | Click to reveal |
Additional features include facial recognition and photos on punch which is used to biometrically scan your employee’s faces to see who is trying to punch in/out.
This interface guarantees ease of use and simple navigation – allowing you to create drag-and-drops schedules, as well as establish recurring/ repeating shifts.
Moreover, you can integrate this software with a range of applications, including ADP, QuickBooks, Paylocity, Paychex, SurePayroll, PayPlus, and Workday.
Likewise, with the paid Zapier account, you’ll be provided with access to thousands of different tools and apps.
Prices start at $3.49/user/month on Buddy Punch – plus a $19/month base for their attendance and Standard time package.
For those larger organizations with over 200 employees, you can request access to a free quote. That said, they offer a free 14-day trial, too.
Pros
- User-friendly.
- Simple.
- GPS tracking.
Cons
- Uploading pictures on the app can be frustrating.
Buyer’s Guide
When it comes to choosing the right scheduling software for your business, unfortunately, it isn’t as easy as picking a random package and implementing it into your business.
Instead, you need to consider all the different features and how this will look in your organization – making sure you choose the one that has everything you’re looking for.
Below, we have outlined everything you need to look out for when choosing the perfect scheduling software for your business. Our evaluation criteria includes:
- Usability – Does the software provide your company with user support, tech support, training, and tutorials? Is the software easy to navigate and learn without holding your employees back? When it comes to small businesses, you’ll want something that allows you to implement these changes from the get-go and get back to business.
- User-interface (UI) – There are a few different questions you should ask yourself about the user interface to make sure it is right for you. These include: is it straightforward? Is it attractive and clean? Is it free from any confusing options that can hold your small business down? If the answer is yes to all these questions, then you have found the right one.
- Value for money – When it comes to the cost, are you getting everything and more out of it? For instance, what use cases, features, and capabilities are you provided with? Moreover, you’ll want to ensure how flexible, clear, and transparent the pricing is. Is it the right, budget-friendly option for your small business? Likewise, how fast can you expect to see results and do they ensure that your general labor costs are kept down?
- Integrations – You’ll want to determine whether or not the software is easy to connect with other tools, too. For instance, are there pre-built integrations included? Does it work smoothly with other add-ons/ products available on the market to fulfill all your small business requirements? Does it work well with various invoicing apps and payment methods to ensure your employees are receiving streamlined payments? Can it work with other out-of-the-box communication techniques?
These are all questions you should be asking yourself before you embark on purchasing scheduling software for your small business.
Key Features
Below, we have outlined some key features that every scheduling software should offer. These include:
Notification And Alert Systems
In order to maintain a fully integrated small business, you’ll want to ensure that all your communications methods and mechanisms work well.
For instance, does your employee shift scheduling app provide SMS/ email alert reminders as well as push notifications to ensure your employees stay up to date regardless of where they are?
Real-Time Data
You’ll want to determine whether or not the specific scheduling software provides you with real-time data to the precise minute.
Moreover, does it provide you with data-syncing across mobile and desktop devices?
When it comes to small businesses paying their employees at an hourly rate, the accuracy of time is essential.
In order to maintain your synchronization efforts, you’ll want to ensure that data synching through mobile apps and desktop devices is up to date – organizing all the information you receive.
Swift Shuffling And Swapping
In addition, you’re going to want employee scheduling software that allows you to shuffle and swap between employees for optimal efficiency.
For instance, does it recommend which members to choose based on assist and open schedules in shift shuffling?
Moreover, you’ll want something that informs all your employees about this swap and shift shuffle, too.
The result is a more flexible workforce management system.
Therefore, if an employee did not show up for some reason or calls in sick, you can shuffle the shifts to assign a different employee to the slot.
In the same regard, this would allow employees to swap shifts based on their individual availability and requirements. This leads to a more effective and efficient workforce.
Tracking Tools
Another important factor is tracking tools – this helps to enhance functionality and improve your team’s productivity since it takes into account the amount of time it takes for each individual to complete a particular task.
Therefore, you’ll want to ensure that your software provides access to time-tracking tools.
This is especially important for managers since you can easily detect any lags as opposed to timesheets which can be troublesome – from here, you can take the result action for the best results.
Timesheet Analytics And Reporting
You’ll want to ensure that your timesheet reporting enables you to make overtime, logged time, and billable hours changes.
Moreover, in order to do this, does your product provide you with analytics to make an informed decision?
With the help of timesheet reporting, a small business owner can calculate payroll and send the invoices necessary. Moreover, it also provides you with the correct information for your team.
Frequently Asked Questions
When you have never worked with a specific software, you are bound to have questions. Therefore, we have provided a detailed answer to one of the most asked questions, below.
What Is Scheduling Software?
If you’re unfamiliar with scheduling software, essentially, it allows companies to align their business calendars, organize their appointments, and automate their meetings all in one place.
Moreover, with the assistance of scheduling software, you can easily assign shifts to work around a specific employee’s schedule, ensure that everyone is on the same page, and rearrange meetings if required.
As your business starts to grow in size, it becomes increasingly more difficult to manage client meetings and employees’ schedules.
This is why many businesses will employ scheduling software to ensure that all their appointments and schedules are streamlined.
For instance, in the next few years, it is anticipated that the global market for employee scheduling software will double from $307.1 million to $683.9 million in 2027.
Companies such as Verizon and Ace Hardware are already making the most out of such software – using it to improve their company’s efficiency, this isn’t hard to see why!
Therefore, whether you’re operating a small business or a large organization, you can certainly benefit from employee scheduling software.
Final Thoughts
More and more businesses are going online. As a result, you will need scheduling software that will keep up with the times.
When it comes to small businesses, it is important to ensure that all your employees know what they are doing at all times – with the help of scheduling software, this should be easier than ever.
