Deputy vs Planday Comparison
Deputy
Starting at $3.50
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Deputy is a powerful time-saving software that streamlines business schedules and operations. It offers budget-friendly staff scheduling options based on team availability, with instant notification through its applicati…
Planday
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Planday is employee scheduling software built specifically for small business owners. The software allows to easily update hourly staffing needs across the entire business including employees, groups, schedules, time off…
Deputy leads on user satisfaction with a 4.3-star rating across 218 reviews.
Deputy vs Planday — at a glance
| Feature | Deputy | Planday |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 |
| Reviews | 218 | 240 |
| Starting price | $3.50 | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Employee Scheduling Software | Employee Scheduling Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS |
| API | Available | Available |
| Support modes | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | SOC 2, GDPR |
| Data residency | US | US |
Key differences between Deputy and Planday
- Pricing: Deputy starts at $3.50. Planday pricing is not publicly listed.
- User satisfaction: Deputy scores higher with a 4.3-star average.
- Deployment: Deputy supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Planday supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
Deputy vs Planday — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Employee Scheduling Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for medium businesses needing simple, real-time employee scheduling and time tracking.
- You manage a 50-500 employee retail, hospitality, or healthcare team.
- You want real-time roster and labor cost updates to control budgets.
- You need an easy-to-use platform with built-in communication for shift coordination.
- Your business requires deep payroll processor integrations or advanced customization.
- You need extensive tiered support or highly customizable workflows.
Best for small to mid-sized businesses needing simple, efficient employee scheduling.
- You manage a 50-1000 employee operation in hospitality, retail, or healthcare.
- You want easy schedule updates, time off tracking, and labor cost reporting.
- You value responsive customer support and a user-friendly, low-complexity setup.
- Your business requires advanced messaging or team communication features.
- You need seamless integration with external calendar systems like iCal.
Deputy: Best for medium businesses needing simple, real-time employee scheduling and time tracking. Planday: Best for small to mid-sized businesses needing simple, efficient employee scheduling.
Description | Deputy is a powerful time-saving software that streamlines business schedules and operations. It offers budget-friendly staff scheduling options based on team availability, with instant ... Read More about Deputy | Planday is employee scheduling software built specifically for small business owners. The software allows to easily update hourly staffing needs across the entire business including ... Read More about Planday |
|---|---|---|
Entry Level Pricing |
|
|
Free Trial Availability | ||
Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 50-500 employeesMedium Business | 50-500 employees501-1,000 employees |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Where each option fits best
See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.
Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.
Key strengths
- Streamlined Scheduling: With Deputy, managers can easily create and adjust employee schedules in real-time. This not only saves time but also ensures that staffing levels meet operational demands, enhancing overall productivity.
- Enhanced Communication: The platform fosters better communication among team members through its built-in messaging system. We can keep everyone informed and aligned, reducing misunderstandings and improving team cohesion.
- Accurate Time Tracking: Deputy offers robust time tracking features that allow employees to clock in and out from their smartphones or desktops. This means no more manual timesheets—just accurate data that simplifies payroll processing for administrators.
- Streamlined Scheduling: With Planday, managers can easily create and adjust employee schedules in real-time, ensuring that staffing levels are optimized without the hassle of manual adjustments. You’ll appreciate how this saves time and reduces scheduling conflicts.
- Enhanced Communication: Planday fosters seamless communication between team members and management. Your employees can receive updates, swap shifts, and ask questions directly through the platform, which cultivates a more engaged and informed workforce.
- Powerful Analytics: Leverage Planday’s robust reporting tools to gain insights into labor costs, employee performance, and attendance trends. You can make data-driven decisions that enhance operational efficiency and ultimately improve your bottom line.
Best fit
- 50 to 500 employees
- Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, and Manufacturing
- Typical users encompass Operations Managers, HR Professionals, Shift Supervisors, and Team Leaders
- 50 to 1,000 employees
- Hospitality, Retail, Healthcare, and Construction
- Operations Managers, Shift Supervisors, HR Managers, and Team Leaders
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- Users may seek alternatives to Deputy if they find its pricing structure to be higher than expected, especially for small businesses or startups with tight budgets that require cost-effective workforce management solutions.
- Some organizations might require more advanced features, such as extensive reporting or integration capabilities with other software, which they find lacking in Deputy, prompting them to explore other platforms.
- Businesses with specific industry needs, like healthcare or manufacturing, may look for alternatives that offer tailored functionalities that better align with their unique operational requirements and compliance standards.
- Users may seek alternatives to Planday if they require more customizable scheduling options, allowing for tailored workflows that better fit their unique business needs and employee preferences.
- Some businesses might find Planday's pricing structure less favorable, prompting them to explore cost-effective solutions that provide similar functionalities without compromising on features.
- Companies with specific industry requirements may look for alternatives that offer specialized tools or integrations, ensuring seamless operations within their existing systems and processes.
Software Demo
Demo |
|---|
Need a second opinion?
Get shortlist help from a software advisor
Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.
How do Deputy and Planday Compare on Features?
Total Features | 11 Features | 10 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Deputy and Planday on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
Pricing Option | ||
|---|---|---|
Starting From |
|
|
Pricing Plans |
| |
Pricing Page |  |  |
Other Details
Organization Types supported |
|
|
|---|---|---|
Platforms Supported |
|
|
Modes of support |
|
|
API Support |
|
|
Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
|---|---|---|
HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
GDPR | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🇺🇸 US |
Deputy User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights Deputy's ease of use and efficiency in scheduling and time tracking, tempered by concerns over support and integration limitations. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights Planday's ease of use, helpful support, and effective scheduling features, tempered by some usability and integration limitations. What buyers like
Common complaints
|
Pros and Cons |
|
|
Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
| Negative Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
List of Customers
Customers |  HubSpot  ACE Hardware  Harper |  Best Western  ELLARY’S GREENS  International SOS |
|---|
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  7 Screenshots | No screenshots available. |
|---|---|---|
Videos |  4 Videos |  3 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Deputy and Planday in 2026
Alternatives |
|---|
Add another option to compare side by side
Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.Compare similar software options
Related Blogs and Articles for Employee Scheduling Software
Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, Deputy or Planday?
- Deputy edges out the other on user ratings (4.3 vs 4.1). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Deputy and Planday offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Deputy and Planday offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Deputy vs Planday?
- Deputy starts at $3.50. Planday starts at Contact for pricing.
- What are the top alternatives to Deputy?
- Top alternatives to Deputy include Findmyshift, Planday, Schedule it, TrackSmart Scheduling, ScheduleBase.
- What are the top alternatives to Planday?
- Top alternatives to Planday include 7shifts, Findmyshift, TrackSmart Scheduling, eSchedule, MakeShift.