MakeShift vs HotSchedules vs Homebase Comparison
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…
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…
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.
MakeShift vs HotSchedules vs Homebase — at a glance
| Feature | MakeShift | HotSchedules | Homebase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | — | 4.3 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Reviews | — | 941 | 131 |
| Starting price | $2 per employee per month | Contact for pricing | $0 / location / month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Individuals, Large Enterprises, Medium 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 | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Browser Based (Cloud) |
| API | — | Available | Available |
| Support modes | Online | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | — | — | SOC 2 |
| Data residency | US | US | United States, Canada |
Key differences between MakeShift and HotSchedules
- Pricing: MakeShift starts at $2 per employee per month. HotSchedules pricing is not publicly listed.
- Target audience: MakeShift is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while HotSchedules targets Individuals and Large Enterprises.
- Deployment: MakeShift supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; HotSchedules supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows.
Compare MakeShift vs HotSchedules 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.
Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
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.
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.
MakeShift typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. HotSchedules tends to fit Individuals and Large Enterprises better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.
Description | 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 | 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 | 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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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.0/10 | 9.5/10 | 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
No key benefits available yet.
- Simplified Scheduling: With HotSchedules, managers can easily create and manage employee schedules in minutes, maintaining optimal staffing levels while reducing the risk of overstaffing or understaffing. The intuitive interface makes it simple to adjust shifts as needed, building a responsive workforce.
- HotSchedules improves team communication by providing real-time updates and notifications. Employees receive shift reminders and can request time off or swap shifts, reducing misunderstandings and keeping everyone informed.
- Data-Driven Insights: Our reporting features give you actionable insights into labor costs, employee performance, and scheduling patterns. You'll be able to make informed decisions that improve operational efficiency while keeping your budget in check.
- Streamlined Communication: Homebase allows smooth communication among team members, letting managers send updates and receive feedback in real-time. Keeping everyone on the same page is easier.
- Efficient Scheduling: With Homebase, scheduling shifts is easy. The intuitive interface lets you 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 reliable time tracking features that help you monitor employee hours accurately, maintain compliance, and simplify payroll processing.
Best fit
No best-fit guidance available yet.
- 50 to 500 employees
- hospitality, restaurants, food service, and retail
- roles like Restaurant Managers, Shift Supervisors, HR Managers, and Operations Directors
- 1 to 500 employees
- Retail, Hospitality, Food Service, Healthcare, and Construction
- Managers, Shift Leaders, HR Personnel, and Business Owners
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
No alternatives guidance available yet.
- Pricing starts at $99/month for small teams — businesses under 20 employees often switch to Deputy or When I Work for lower-cost options
- Interface requires 3–5 clicks for common tasks like shift swaps; competitors like Zip Schedules complete the same actions in 1–2 clicks
- Scheduling rules are preset and difficult to modify for industries with non-standard shifts (healthcare, retail with split shifts, on-call rotations)
- 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 MakeShift, HotSchedules and Homebase Compare on Features?
Total Features | 7 Features | 11 Features | 32 Features |
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Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare MakeShift, HotSchedules 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 | — | — |
ISO 27001 | — | — |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | — | — |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | — | — |
Data Encryption | — | — |
Audit Logs | — | — |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🇺🇸 US |
MakeShift vs HotSchedules 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 | What buyers like
Common complaints
| 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
| 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 |  Jenis  Virgin  Alberta Health Service |  Pizza Hut  KFC  Taco Bell |  Antique Taco  Woodhouse  Souvla |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  4 Screenshots |  7 Screenshots |
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Videos | No videos available. |  3 Videos |
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, MakeShift or HotSchedules?
- 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 MakeShift and HotSchedules offer a free trial?
- Yes, both MakeShift and HotSchedules offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of MakeShift vs HotSchedules?
- MakeShift starts at $2 per employee per month. HotSchedules starts at Contact for pricing.
- What are the top alternatives to MakeShift?
- Top alternatives to MakeShift include Homebase, ShiftBase, Findmyshift, TrackSmart Scheduling, eSchedule.
- What are the top alternatives to HotSchedules?
- Top alternatives to HotSchedules include Homebase, 7shifts, Findmyshift, TrackSmart Scheduling, eSchedule.