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Planday vs Shiftboard Comparison

Last updated:

Planday

4.1(240 reviews)

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…

Shiftboard

4.4(341 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Shiftboard is a web-based employee scheduling software solution that comes fully loaded and ready to go. Updated and maintained by Shiftboard Inc., it's the only scheduling system that doesn't require any technical knowl…

Shiftboard leads on user satisfaction with a 4.4-star rating across 341 reviews.

SpotSaaS Analysis

PlandayShiftboard

The core difference is that Planday is tailored for small to mid-sized businesses in sectors like hospitality and retail, while Shiftboard's specific target audience and industry applications are not provided. Ideal buyers for Planday are operations managers and HR professionals managing 50 to 1,000 employees, whereas Shiftboard's ideal buyer remains unspecified.

- Best for small to mid-sized businesses - Focus on employee scheduling - Ideal for hospitality, retail, healthcare, and construction - Supports operations managers and HR professionals - Facilitates easy schedule updates and time off tracking - Labor cost reporting capabilities

- Specific target audience not provided - Industry applications not listed - Pricing information unavailable - Company size details not specified - Features and functionalities unclear - Ideal buyer remains undefined

Planday vs Shiftboard — at a glance

FeaturePlandayShiftboard
Rating4.1 / 54.4 / 5
Reviews240341
Starting priceContact for pricingContact for pricing
Free trial Yes Yes
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryEmployee Scheduling SoftwareEmployee Scheduling Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOSSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modes24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online
CertificationsSOC 2, GDPR
Data residencyUSUS

Key differences between Planday and Shiftboard

  • User satisfaction: Shiftboard scores higher with a 4.4-star average.
  • Deployment: Planday supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Shiftboard supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.

Planday vs Shiftboard — 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.

Planday - Employee Scheduling Software
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Talk to an expert
Shiftboard - Employee Scheduling Software
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Talk to an expert

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Planday

Best for small to mid-sized businesses needing simple, efficient employee scheduling.

Choose if
  • 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.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your business requires advanced messaging or team communication features.
  • You need seamless integration with external calendar systems like iCal.

Shiftboard

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

Planday typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. Shiftboard 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

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

Shiftboard is a web-based employee scheduling software solution that comes fully loaded and ready to go. Updated and maintained by Shiftboard Inc., it's the only scheduling system that ... Read More about Shiftboard

Free Trial Availability

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

9.7/10

Not Available

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

Best Company Size

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.

Strengths

Key strengths

Planday

  • 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

Best fit

Planday

  • 50 to 1,000 employees
  • Hospitality, Retail, Healthcare, and Construction
  • Operations Managers, Shift Supervisors, HR Managers, and Team Leaders
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

Planday

  • 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

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How do Planday and Shiftboard Compare on Features?

Total Features

10 Features

7 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

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Get Quote

Compare Planday and Shiftboard 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

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      Planday pricing
      Shiftboard 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
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • 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

      HIPAA

      ✗ No
      ✗ No

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✓ Yes

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🇺🇸 US
      🇺🇸 US

      Planday User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      205

      40

      3

      3

      22

      45

      21

      2

      0

      1

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      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

      • Ease of use
      • Customer support responsiveness
      • Reporting and payroll efficiency

      Common complaints

      • Performance issues on mobile
      • Limited external calendar integration

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyer sentiment is positive across 69 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction.

      What buyers like

      • No technical knowledge required
      • Web-based accessibility
      • Streamlines communication

      Common complaints

      • May lack advanced features
      • Limited customization options
      • Can be overwhelming for new users

      Pros and Cons

      • User-friendly interface that simplifies schedule planning and communication

      • Responsive and helpful customer support team

      • Robust reporting tools that streamline payroll and labor cost management

      • Occasional lagging and loading issues, especially on mobile devices

      • Limited integration with external calendar applications

      • Eliminates the need for technical setup.

      • Enhances communication between staff and management.

      • Streamlines the hiring process with ease.

      • May not offer advanced scheduling features.

      • Customization options are limited.

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      List of Customers

      Customers

      Best Western

      Best Western

      ELLARY’S GREENS

      ELLARY’S GREENS

      International SOS

      International SOS

      AAA

      AAA

      Randstad

      Randstad

      UPMC

      UPMC

      Media and Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      video-0

      2 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Planday and Shiftboard 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, Planday or Shiftboard?
      Shiftboard edges out the other on user ratings (4.4 vs 4.1). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Planday and Shiftboard offer a free trial?
      Yes, both Planday and Shiftboard offer a free trial.
      What is the starting price of Planday vs Shiftboard?
      Planday starts at Contact for pricing. Shiftboard starts at Contact for pricing.
      What are the top alternatives to Planday?
      Top alternatives to Planday include 7shifts, Findmyshift, TrackSmart Scheduling, eSchedule, MakeShift.
      What are the top alternatives to Shiftboard?
      Top alternatives to Shiftboard include ShiftBase, 7shifts, Findmyshift, TrackSmart Scheduling, MakeShift.

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