{"question": "best workforce scheduling software for small businesses", "category": "workforce-scheduling-software", "category_name": "workforce scheduling software", "audience": "small-businesses", "audience_name": "small businesses", "engine": "Claude (Anthropic) with web search", "model": "claude-opus-5", "asked_at": "2026-10-16T22:45:01Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/workforce-scheduling-software-small-businesses-2026-10-16", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/workforce-scheduling-software/small-businesses", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "Homebase", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "Deputy", "label": "compared"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "7shifts", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "Connecteam", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "Sling", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://joinhomebase.com/blog/employee-shift-scheduling-software", "domain": "joinhomebase.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.costbench.com/compare/deputy-vs-homebase/", "domain": "costbench.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://capterra.com/compare/121248-167811/When-I-Work-vs-Deputy", "domain": "capterra.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://costbench.com/compare/deputy-vs-when-i-work/", "domain": "costbench.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.capterra.com/resources/deputy-vs-homebase/", "domain": "capterra.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://costbench.com/compare/7shifts-vs-sling/", "domain": "costbench.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.g2.com/compare/7shifts-vs-connecteam", "domain": "g2.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://costbench.com/compare/7shifts-vs-connecteam/", "domain": "costbench.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.capterra.com/p/142542/Sling/pricing/", "domain": "capterra.com", "source_type": "review"}], "answer_text": "Here's who I'd actually name, roughly in the order I'd suggest you look at them:\n\n**1. Homebase** - My default recommendation for a small hourly team (retail, café, salon, small restaurant). It has a genuinely usable free tier for a single location, and it bundles scheduling with a time clock, team messaging, and basic HR so you're not stitching three tools together. Worth noting: its paid team-management plans are priced *per location*, not per employee, which is cheap if you have 15 staff in one shop and expensive if you have three sites. Payroll is a separate add-on (~$39/mo + $6 per employee paid). [joinhomebase.com](https://joinhomebase.com/blog/employee-shift-scheduling-software) · [costbench.com](https://www.costbench.com/compare/deputy-vs-homebase/)\n\n**2. When I Work** - The one I'd pick if you want scheduling that just works and nothing else, at the lowest predictable cost. Per-user pricing in the ~$2.50-$5/user/month range, which comparisons peg at roughly 40% below Deputy. Good middle ground for retail, clinics, and anyone who doesn't need complex labor-compliance rules. [capterra.com](https://capterra.com/compare/121248-167811/When-I-Work-vs-Deputy) · [costbench.com](ht", "answer_truncated": true, "measurement": "One answer from one engine on one date. Not a ranking and not a claim about the world; brands the engine did not name are not recorded.", "limitation": "Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included.", "alerts": {"name": "Answer Watch Pro", "price_usd": 79, "period": "month", "gets": "daily change alerts for up to 5 brands in what one AI answer engine says, history, CSV export. Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included", "url": "https://bikoosh.com/answers"}}