HotSchedules vs MakeShift vs Homebase Comparison
HotSchedules
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Free Trial
- Individuals
- Large Enterprises
HotSchedules is the easy-to-use employee scheduling software needed to coordinate work shifts, create staff schedules, send message to staff, and track employee hours. HotSchedules takes all of the hassles out of employe…
MakeShift
Starting at $2 per employee per month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
MakeShift is an employee scheduling and communications platform that focuses on shifting schedules, on-the-fly shifts, and secure communication between business and employees. It records employee's time check-in& -out ti…
Homebase
Starting at $0 / location / month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Homebase is a comprehensive time-tracking software developed by experienced people managers to enhance team collaboration and efficiency. It simplifies employee time tracking, scheduling, and payroll management, reducing…
HotSchedules leads on user satisfaction with a 4.3-star rating across 941 reviews.
HotSchedules vs MakeShift vs Homebase — at a glance
| Feature | HotSchedules | MakeShift | Homebase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | — | 4.4 / 5 |
| Reviews | 941 | — | 131 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | $2 per employee per month | $0 / location / month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No | No |
| Best for | Individuals, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Employee Scheduling Software | Employee Scheduling Software | Employee Scheduling Software |
| Integrations | 8+ apps | — | 11+ apps |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Browser Based (Cloud) |
| API | Available | — | Available |
| Support modes | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online | Online | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | — | — | SOC 2, GDPR |
| Data residency | US | US | US |
Key differences between HotSchedules and MakeShift
- Pricing: MakeShift starts at $2 per employee per month. HotSchedules pricing is not publicly listed.
- Target audience: HotSchedules is built for Individuals and Large Enterprises, while MakeShift targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
- Deployment: HotSchedules supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows; MakeShift supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
Compare HotSchedules vs MakeShift vs Homebase — and walk away knowing which one fits.
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
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Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for streamlined employee scheduling in hospitality and retail sectors.
- You manage medium-sized hospitality or retail teams needing simple shift coordination.
- You want easy mobile access to schedules and shift management on the go.
- You need a user-friendly interface for shift swaps, time-off requests, and notifications.
- Your team requires free mobile app access due to budget constraints.
- You need advanced group communication features like group chats for team collaboration.
Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
Best for simple, streamlined scheduling and payroll in small to mid-sized teams.
- You manage retail, hospitality, or food service teams with up to 500 employees.
- You need an easy-to-use platform for shift scheduling, time tracking, and payroll integration.
- You want built-in team communication tools like chat boards to improve collaboration.
- Your organization requires highly advanced schedule customization beyond basic features.
- You have complex scheduling needs that demand a more intuitive and flexible interface.
HotSchedules typically suits Individuals and Large Enterprises. MakeShift tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.
Description | HotSchedules is the easy-to-use employee scheduling software needed to coordinate work shifts, create staff schedules, send message to staff, and track employee hours. HotSchedules takes ... Read More about HotSchedules | MakeShift is an employee scheduling and communications platform that focuses on shifting schedules, on-the-fly shifts, and secure communication between business and employees. It records ... Read More about MakeShift | Homebase is a comprehensive time-tracking software developed by experienced people managers to enhance team collaboration and efficiency. It simplifies employee time tracking, scheduling, ... Read More about Homebase |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability |
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Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.7/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | |||
Best Company Size | 50-500 employeesMedium Business | — | 1-50 employees51-500 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 HotSchedules, managers can effortlessly create and manage employee schedules in minutes, ensuring optimal staffing levels while reducing the risk of overstaffing or understaffing. You’ll find that our intuitive interface makes it easy to adjust shifts on-the-fly, fostering a responsive workforce.
- Enhanced Communication: HotSchedules improves team communication by providing real-time updates and notifications. Employees receive shift reminders and can easily request time off or swap shifts, minimizing misunderstandings and ensuring everyone is on the same page.
- Data-Driven Insights: Our robust reporting features equip you with actionable insights into labor costs, employee performance, and scheduling patterns. You'll be able to make informed decisions that enhance operational efficiency while keeping your budget in check.
No key benefits available yet.
- Streamlined Communication: Homebase fosters seamless communication among team members, allowing managers to send updates and receive feedback in real-time. You’ll find that keeping everyone on the same page has never been easier.
- Efficient Scheduling: With Homebase, scheduling shifts is a breeze. The intuitive interface enables you to create schedules quickly, reducing the headache of manual planning. Your team will appreciate the clarity and predictability in their work hours.
- Time Tracking Made Simple: Say goodbye to manual time sheets! Homebase offers robust time tracking features that help you monitor employee hours accurately, ensuring compliance and simplifying payroll processing.
Best fit
- 50 to 500 employees
- hospitality, restaurants, food service, and retail
- roles like Restaurant Managers, Shift Supervisors, HR Managers, and Operations Directors
No best-fit guidance available yet.
- 1 to 500 employees
- Retail, Hospitality, Food Service, Healthcare, and Construction
- Managers, Shift Leaders, HR Personnel, and Business Owners
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- Users may seek alternatives to HotSchedules due to high subscription costs, especially smaller businesses or startups that require budget-friendly scheduling solutions without compromising functionality.
- Some users might find HotSchedules' user interface less intuitive, prompting them to explore alternatives that offer a more user-friendly experience and better onboarding support for new employees.
- Organizations with unique scheduling needs might look for alternatives that provide more customizable features, allowing them to tailor the software to their specific operational requirements.
No alternatives guidance available yet.
- Users may seek alternatives to Homebase if they require more advanced scheduling features or integrations with other software, as some businesses have unique operational needs that Homebase may not fully address.
- Companies with larger teams or more complex workforce management requirements might find that Homebase lacks scalability, prompting them to explore solutions that better accommodate growth and diverse employee roles.
- Businesses prioritizing robust reporting and analytics tools may look for alternatives, as Homebase’s reporting capabilities might not meet the depth of insight required for informed decision-making.
Software Demo
Demo |  MakeShift has not given any software demo yet If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us |
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How do HotSchedules, MakeShift and Homebase Compare on Features?
Total Features | 11 Features | 7 Features | 32 Features |
|---|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare HotSchedules, MakeShift and Homebase 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.
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Pricing Page | Pricing information not available |  |  |
Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | — | ✗ No |
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HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
GDPR | — | — |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | — | — |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | — | — |
Data Encryption | — | — |
Audit Logs | — | — |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🇺🇸 US |
HotSchedules vs MakeShift User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | No reviews available for the product | ||
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Rating Distribution | |||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Users generally praise HotSchedules for its ease of use, effective scheduling, and communication features, though some report app stability issues and limited communication options. What buyers like
Common complaints
| What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of scheduling, communication features, and payroll integration, tempered by some interface usability concerns. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Integrations
Integration with other apps | No Integration information available. |
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List of Customers
Customers |  Pizza Hut  KFC  Taco Bell |  Jenis  Virgin  Alberta Health Service |  Antique Taco  Woodhouse  Souvla |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  7 Screenshots |  4 Screenshots |
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Videos |  3 Videos | No videos available. |
Alternatives
Alternatives |
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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, HotSchedules or MakeShift?
- HotSchedules edges out the other on user ratings (4.3 vs -1.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do HotSchedules and MakeShift offer a free trial?
- Yes, both HotSchedules and MakeShift offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of HotSchedules vs MakeShift?
- HotSchedules starts at Contact for pricing. MakeShift starts at $2 per employee per month.
- What are the top alternatives to HotSchedules?
- Top alternatives to HotSchedules include Homebase, 7shifts, Findmyshift, TrackSmart Scheduling, eSchedule.
- What are the top alternatives to MakeShift?
- Top alternatives to MakeShift include Homebase, ShiftBase, Findmyshift, TrackSmart Scheduling, eSchedule.