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Deputy vs When I Work Comparison

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Deputy

4.3(218 reviews)

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…

When I Work

4.5(308 reviews)

Starting at $2 /User

  • Individuals
  • Large Enterprises

When I Work is an easy-to-use time and labor management solution that helps small businesses turn time tracking into a productive, value-added activity for their business by giving them the information they need to reduc…

When I Work leads on user satisfaction with a 4.5-star rating across 308 reviews.

Deputy vs When I Work — at a glance

FeatureDeputyWhen I Work
Rating4.3 / 54.5 / 5
Reviews218308
Starting price$3.50$2 /User
Free trial Yes No
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessIndividuals, Large Enterprises, Medium Business
CategoryEmployee Scheduling SoftwareTime Tracking Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOSSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modes24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, OnlineBusiness Hours, Online
CertificationsSOC 2, GDPRSOC 2, GDPR
Data residencyUSUS

Key differences between Deputy and When I Work

  • Pricing: Deputy starts at $3.50, while When I Work starts at $2 /User.
  • Free trial: Deputy offers a free trial; When I Work does not.
  • Target audience: Deputy is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while When I Work targets Individuals and Large Enterprises.
  • User satisfaction: When I Work scores higher with a 4.5-star average.
  • Deployment: Deputy supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; When I Work supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.

Deputy vs When I Work — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

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.

Deputy - Employee Scheduling Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert
When I Work - Time Tracking Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Deputy

Best for medium businesses needing simple, real-time employee scheduling and time tracking.

Choose if
  • 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.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your business requires deep payroll processor integrations or advanced customization.
  • You need extensive tiered support or highly customizable workflows.

When I Work

Best for small to medium businesses needing simple, mobile-friendly shift scheduling.

Choose if
  • You manage teams in hospitality, retail, or healthcare with 10-500 employees.
  • You want an intuitive, easy-to-use interface that saves time over spreadsheets.
  • You need robust mobile app features for shift swaps and real-time notifications.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your organization requires complex multi-department scheduling with advanced configurations.
  • You need immediate, live customer support rather than ticket-based assistance.

Deputy: Best for medium businesses needing simple, real-time employee scheduling and time tracking. When I Work: Best for small to medium businesses needing simple, mobile-friendly shift 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

When I Work is an easy-to-use time and labor management solution that helps small businesses turn time tracking into a productive, value-added activity for their business by giving them the ... Read More about When I Work

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $3.50
  • Starts from $2

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

9.5/10

9.4/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

Best Company Size

50-500 employeesMedium Business
10-500 employeesSmall to Medium Businesses
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.

Strengths

Key strengths

Deputy

  • 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.

When I Work

  • Streamlined Scheduling: With When I Work, you can effortlessly create and manage employee schedules in real-time. This means fewer scheduling conflicts and a more organized workforce, allowing you to focus on what really matters—growing your business.
  • Enhanced Communication: Our platform fosters clear communication between managers and staff. You’ll appreciate the instant notifications and updates that keep everyone on the same page, reducing misunderstandings and enhancing team cohesion.
  • Employee Empowerment: When I Work places control in the hands of your employees. They can easily swap shifts, request time off, and view their schedules anytime, anywhere—empowering them to take charge of their work-life balance.
Best fit

Best fit

Deputy

  • 50 to 500 employees
  • Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, and Manufacturing
  • Typical users encompass Operations Managers, HR Professionals, Shift Supervisors, and Team Leaders

When I Work

  • 10 to 500 employees
  • Hospitality, Retail, Healthcare, and Food Service
  • Shift Managers, Store Managers, HR Coordinators, and Operations Managers
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

Deputy

  • 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.

When I Work

  • Users may seek alternatives to When I Work due to its pricing structure, as some businesses find it less budget-friendly compared to other scheduling tools that offer similar features at a lower cost.
  • Organizations requiring advanced reporting and analytics might consider alternatives, as When I Work’s reporting features may not meet the needs of those seeking in-depth insights into workforce performance and trends.
  • Teams with specific integration needs may look for alternatives if they find that When I Work does not seamlessly connect with their existing software solutions, leading to inefficiencies in workflow management.

Software Demo

Demo

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How do Deputy and When I Work Compare on Features?

Total Features

11 Features

10 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

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Get Quote

Compare Deputy and When I Work 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

      • $3.50
      • $2

      Pricing Plans

      • Scheduling

        • Unlimited shifts/month

        • Employee Scheduling

        • Auto-Scheduling

        Show more +

      • Time & Attendance

        • Unlimited timesheets/month

        • Timesheets

        • Payroll Integration

        Show more +

      • Premium

        • Unlimited shifts/month

        • Unlimited timesheets/month

        • Employee Scheduling

        Show more +

      • Browse all pricing plans
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      Deputy pricing
      When I Work pricing

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Freelancers
      • Individuals
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Freelancers
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Mobile - Windows
      • Mobile - BlackBerry
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Mobile - Windows
      • Mobile - BlackBerry
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Available
      • Available
      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

      ISO 27001

      ✗ No

      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

      316

      88

      6

      5

      18

      249

      68

      26

      4

      3

      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

      • Ease of use
      • Real-time scheduling updates
      • Time tracking accuracy

      Common complaints

      • Customer support challenges
      • Integration and customization limitations

      Buyer sentiment

      Users generally praise When I Work for its ease of use, mobile app capabilities, and time-saving scheduling features, though some express concerns about limited app functionality and customer support.

      What buyers like

      • Ease of use
      • Mobile app functionality
      • Time savings in scheduling

      Common complaints

      • Limited advanced features on mobile
      • Customer support responsiveness

      Pros and Cons

      • Simplifies scheduling and payroll with real-time roster and cost updates

      • User-friendly interface that is easy to use for scheduling

      • Efficient time tracking and timesheet management

      • Lack of notifications causing unconfirmed shifts and unclaimed hours

      • Frustrations with integrations, setup issues, and language barriers in support

      • Highly user-friendly and intuitive interface for easy scheduling and navigation

      • Excellent mobile app functionality for managing schedules and shift swaps on the go

      • Significant time savings over traditional scheduling methods like spreadsheets

      • Mobile app lacks some advanced functionalities compared to desktop version

      • Limited live customer support, primarily ticket-based

      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

      HubSpot

      ACE Hardware

      ACE Hardware

      Harper

      Harper

      No Customers information available.

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      Unavailability 1

      7 Screenshots

      Scheduler Homepage

      1 Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      4 Videos

      video-0

      2 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Deputy and When I Work in 2026

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      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 When I Work?
      When I Work edges out the other on user ratings (4.5 vs 4.3). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Deputy and When I Work offer a free trial?
      Deputy offers a free trial. When I Work does not.
      What is the starting price of Deputy vs When I Work?
      Deputy starts at $3.50. When I Work starts at $2 /User.
      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 When I Work?
      Top alternatives to When I Work include Homebase, StaffTimerApp, WhenToWork, Sling, Schedule it.

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