{"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": "2026-10-18T23:13:27Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/workforce-scheduling-software-small-businesses-2026-10-18", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/workforce-scheduling-software/small-businesses", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "Homebase", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "Connecteam", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "G2", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "7shifts", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "Deputy", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "UK", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "Sling", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"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://www.g2.com/compare/7shifts-vs-connecteam", "domain": "g2.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://costbench.com/compare/deputy-vs-when-i-work/", "domain": "costbench.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.g2.com/products/sling/reviews", "domain": "g2.com", "source_type": "review"}], "answer_text": "The honest answer depends mostly on your industry, but here's who I'd actually name, in order:\n\n**1. Homebase** - my default recommendation for a small hourly team (retail, café, salon, small restaurant). Free tier covers scheduling and time clock for one location, and it bundles payroll, hiring, and basic HR so you're not stitching three tools together. Pricing runs $0-$120/month per location rather than per user, which is a real advantage once you're past ~15 people. Weak spot: multi-location gets expensive, and the free plan is genuinely bare. ([pricing comparison](https://www.costbench.com/compare/deputy-vs-homebase/))\n\n**2. When I Work** - pick this if you want scheduling and nothing else, done cleanly. Roughly $2.50-$5/user/month, among the cheapest credible paid options, and the mobile app is the one employees complain about least. Best for retail, clinics, and any team without complex break/overtime rules. ([Capterra comparison](https://capterra.com/compare/121248-167811/When-I-Work-vs-Deputy))\n\n**3. Connecteam** - best for deskless and field crews (cleaning, construction, landscaping, security). GPS clock-in, task assignment, and team chat in one app, free for up to 10 use", "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"}}