Shyft vs Planday vs Homebase Comparison
Shyft
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Shyft helps businesses schedule employees, following workplace laws. This scheduling software is ideal for employee schedules that often change, or for businesses with multiple shifts. This software streamlines the entir…
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…
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…
Shyft leads on user satisfaction with a 4.5-star rating across 11 reviews.
Spotsaas Analysis
ShyftPlandayHomebase
The core difference between Shyft and Planday lies in Shyft's focus on complex, legally compliant scheduling for larger teams, while Planday offers a straightforward solution for small to mid-sized businesses. Ideal buyers for Shyft are those managing retail or hospitality teams with dynamic shifts, whereas Planday is suited for operations in hospitality, retail, or healthcare seeking efficient scheduling.
- Best for complex, multi-shift scheduling - Includes built-in compliance with workplace laws - Targeted at larger enterprises (50-500 and 500+ employees) - Ideal for retail or hospitality sectors - Supports dynamic shift changes - Suitable for sales and business development roles
- Best for simple, efficient employee scheduling - Designed for small to mid-sized businesses (50-1000 employees) - Focuses on hospitality, retail, healthcare, and construction - Offers easy schedule updates and time off tracking - Provides labor cost reporting features - Ideal for operations and HR management roles
Shyft vs Planday vs Homebase — at a glance
| Feature | Shyft | Planday | Homebase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Reviews | 11 | 288 | 131 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing | $0 / location / month |
| Free trial | No | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Employee Scheduling Software | Employee Scheduling Software | Employee Scheduling Software |
| Integrations | — | — | 11+ apps |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | 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, GDPR | SOC 2 |
| Data residency | US | US | United States, Canada |
Key differences between Shyft and Planday
- Free trial: Planday offers a free trial; Shyft does not.
- User satisfaction: Shyft scores higher with a 4.5-star average.
- Deployment: Shyft supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Planday supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
Compare Shyft vs Planday 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 complex, multi-shift employee scheduling with legal compliance.
- You manage retail or hospitality teams with frequently changing shifts.
- You need built-in compliance with workplace laws in scheduling.
- You require flexible shift swapping, time-off requests, and real-time communication.
- Your business is very small with fewer than 10 employees and simple schedules.
- You have fixed schedules without shift-based work or need straightforward tools.
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.
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.
Shyft: Best for complex, multi-shift employee scheduling with legal compliance. Planday: Best for small to mid-sized businesses needing simple, efficient employee scheduling.
Description | Shyft helps businesses schedule employees, following workplace laws. This scheduling software is ideal for employee schedules that often change, or for businesses with multiple shifts. This ... Read More about Shyft | 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 | 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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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.8/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.7/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | |||
Best Company Size | 50-500 employees500+ employees (large enterprises) | 50-500 employees501-1,000 employees | 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 Communication: Shyft improves team collaboration by providing a centralized platform for real-time messaging and document sharing, so everyone stays informed regardless of location.
- Flexible Scheduling: Managing shifts takes time and coordination. With Shyft, you can quickly create, modify, and manage schedules, letting your team request swaps and time off easily. This promotes work-life balance.
- Data-Driven Insights: Shyft gives managers powerful analytics tools that track employee performance and scheduling trends, allowing informed decision-making that drives operational efficiency and improves productivity.
- Streamlined Scheduling: With Planday, managers can quickly create and adjust employee schedules in real-time, maintaining optimized staffing levels without manual work. This saves time and reduces scheduling conflicts.
- Better Communication: Planday lets team members and management communicate smoothly. Your employees can receive updates, swap shifts, and ask questions directly through the platform, creating a more engaged and informed workforce.
- Powerful Analytics: Use Planday's reporting tools to gain insights into labor costs, employee performance, and attendance trends. You can make data-driven decisions that improve operational efficiency and your bottom line.
- 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
- 50 to 500 employees
- Martech, SaaS, Consulting, and Revtech
- Sales Managers, Account Executives, Business Development Representatives, and CRM Administrators
- 50 to 1,000 employees
- Hospitality, Retail, Healthcare, and Construction
- Operations Managers, Shift Supervisors, HR Managers, and Team Leaders
- 1 to 500 employees
- Retail, Hospitality, Food Service, Healthcare, and Construction
- Managers, Shift Leaders, HR Personnel, and Business Owners
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- Users might seek alternatives to Shyft if they require a more comprehensive platform that integrates seamlessly with existing systems for enhanced operational efficiency and productivity.
- Some individuals may find Shyft's pricing structure less competitive and look for cost-effective solutions that still meet their needs without compromising on features or performance.
- Users experiencing limitations in customer support or user experience with Shyft may explore alternatives that offer more robust assistance and intuitive interfaces to facilitate smoother operations.
- 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.
- 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
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How do Shyft, Planday and Homebase Compare on Features?
Total Features | 9 Features | 10 Features | 32 Features |
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Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Shyft, Planday 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 | — | ✓ Yes |
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HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
GDPR | — | ✓ Yes |
ISO 27001 | — | — |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | — | ✓ Yes |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Encryption | — | ✓ Yes |
Audit Logs | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🇺🇸 US |
Shyft vs Planday User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | 4.5 (based on 11 reviews) | ||
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Rating Distribution | |||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights Shyft's flexibility and communication features, though limited reviews and pricing opacity are noted concerns. 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
| 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. | No Integration information available. |
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List of Customers
Customers |  Walmart Canada  Anthropologie  Buffalo Wild Wings |  Best Western  ELLARY’S GREENS  International SOS |  Antique Taco  Woodhouse  Souvla |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  2 Screenshots | No screenshots available. |
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Videos |  3 Videos |  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, Shyft or Planday?
- Shyft edges out the other on user ratings (4.5 vs 4.5). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Shyft and Planday offer a free trial?
- Planday offers a free trial. Shyft does not.
- What is the starting price of Shyft vs Planday?
- Shyft starts at Contact for pricing. Planday starts at Contact for pricing.
- What are the top alternatives to Shyft?
- Top alternatives to Shyft include Homebase, 7shifts, Shiftboard, Findmyshift, Planday.
- What are the top alternatives to Planday?
- Top alternatives to Planday include Homebase, 7shifts, Findmyshift, TrackSmart Scheduling, eSchedule.