Is there a free alternative to Deputy?

Yes, 3 free alternatives exist to Deputy: Homebase, Shifton, Findmyshift. These tools offer free plans or trials that cover core Employee Scheduling Software functionality for small teams and startups.

Last updated: July 30, 2026

9.5

SpotScore

Top 10 Deputy Alternatives 2026

Streamline scheduling and simplify business operations.

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User Ratings

4.46

(Based on 381 reviews)

Trusted by 2M+ software buyers annually.

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Main Features

Automated Scheduling
Compliance Tracking
Drag and drop Builder
Employee Portal

Pricing

Starts from $3.50
Free Trial available

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Deputy is a Employee Scheduling Software platform with a user rating of 4.5★ based on 381 reviews. Teams looking for alternatives typically need better pricing flexibility, easier deployment, or a closer feature fit for their specific use case. Below you'll find 10 vetted Employee Scheduling Software alternatives ranked by user rating, with filters to narrow by pricing, platform, and features — so you can find the right fit for 2026.

Deputy vs Top Alternatives at a Glance

Side-by-side comparison of pricing, user rating, and free trial availability to help you decide faster.

Tool	Best For	Pricing	Rating	Free Option
Deputy Current	Employee Scheduling Software	$3.50	4.5 ★	✓ Yes
Homebase	Employee Scheduling Software	$0	4.4 ★	✓ Yes
Shifton	Employee Scheduling Software	$0.50	4.8 ★	✓ Yes
Findmyshift	Employee Scheduling Software	$21	4.5 ★	✓ Yes
Staffcloud	Employee Scheduling Software	—	4.3 ★	✗ No
Planday	Employee Scheduling Software	Free trial	4.5 ★	✓ Yes

Why Teams Look for Deputy Alternatives

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.
Users experiencing challenges with the user interface or customer support may consider alternatives to Deputy, seeking platforms that provide a more intuitive experience and responsive assistance when issues arise.

Why Reviewers Recommend These Deputy Alternatives

Certainly! Here’s a summary of why users might switch from Deputy to each alternative:
Findmyshift: Users often switch to Findmyshift for its competitive pricing and straightforward user interface, which simplifies employee scheduling without sacrificing essential features. The platform also offers robust reporting tools, enhancing performance insights.
Planday: Many users find Planday appealing due to its seamless integration capabilities with payroll systems and other HR tools, which streamline operations. Its flexible pricing model and user-friendly design make it an attractive alternative for businesses seeking efficiency.
Schedule it: Users are drawn to Schedule it for its exceptional ease-of-use and customizable scheduling features that cater to various industries. Additionally, its affordability compared to Deputy can be a significant factor for budget-conscious businesses.
TrackSmart Scheduling: TrackSmart Scheduling attracts users with its simple interface and excellent customer support. The platform's cost-effective plans combined with effective tracking and reporting features make it a viable option for those seeking value.
ScheduleBase: Users appreciate ScheduleBase for its intuitive design and straightforward scheduling processes. The platform's affordable pricing and strong focus on employee communication often lead businesses to make the switch from Deputy.
eSchedule: eSchedule is favored by users for its comprehensive features at a lower price point, particularly in managing shift swaps and availability requests. Its strong emphasis on user experience enhances operational efficiency, making it a preferred choice.
MakeShift: Users often migrate to MakeShift due to its unique mobile-first approach, allowing managers and employees to manage schedules on-the-go easily. The competitive pricing and enhanced communication features further support this transition.
StaffAny: StaffAny stands out for its real-time scheduling updates and ease of use, appealing particularly to fast-paced businesses in need of quick adjustments. The platform’s integration with payroll systems also enhances its attractiveness.
MySchedule.com: MySchedule.com attracts users with its straightforward pricing structure and powerful scheduling tools that cater to both small and large teams. The ease of collaboration among staff members is another compelling reason for the switch.
SocialSchedules: Users gravitate towards SocialSchedules for its social media-like interface that fosters team engagement and communication. Its affordability paired with powerful scheduling capabilities makes it a favorable alternative for many businesses.
In summary, factors like pricing, performance enhancements, ease-of-use, and integration capabilities significantly influence users' decisions to switch from Deputy to these alternatives

Which Deputy Alternative Is Right for You?

If you need a free or low-cost option: Homebase — offers a free plan or trial suitable for small teams.
If user satisfaction is your top priority: Soon — holds the highest user rating (5.0★) among Deputy alternatives.
If you want a mid-range option: Sling — sits in the middle of the list by rating and may fit teams with mixed requirements.

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A step-by-step employee scheduling software migration checklist so you can move off Deputy without losing data or momentum.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Stuck on something? We're here to help with all the questions and answers in one place.

What are the best alternatives to Deputy for Employee Scheduling Software?

The top-rated alternatives to Deputy for Employee Scheduling Software are Soon (5.0★), eSchedule (4.8★), Shifton (4.8★). Compare all 10 alternatives side-by-side above.

What should I look for when choosing a Employee Scheduling Software alternative?

When evaluating alternatives to Deputy, prioritize: Employee Timeclock, Shift Swapping, Staff Notification, Workforce Forecasting, Employee Portal, transparent pricing, free trial availability, and integrations with tools you already use. Use the filters above to compare by feature, budget, and team size.

Which Employee Scheduling Software tools are best for small businesses?

For small businesses, the best Employee Scheduling Software tools are Tanda, Planday, Homebase. Look for affordable per-seat pricing, quick setup (under 1 day), no long-term contracts, and strong onboarding support to reduce time-to-value.

How does Deputy pricing compare to its alternatives?

Deputy starts from $3.50. Many alternatives offer similar functionality at different price points — some with free tiers, others with more flexible per-seat pricing. Use the filters above to narrow by budget.

How difficult is it to migrate from Deputy to an alternative?

Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Deputy is integrated into your workflows. Most alternatives offer data export/import tools and dedicated onboarding support. We recommend narrowing to 2–3 options, running a free trial, and checking each vendor's migration guides before committing.

Is Deputy better than its top alternatives?

Deputy has a rating of 4.5. 6 alternatives — including Shifton and Findmyshift — rate higher. The right choice depends on your workflow, team size, and budget.

About the reviewer

Rajat Gupta

Rajat Gupta is the founder of Spotsaas. Over the past two years, he has reviewed 2,000+ tools across CRM, HR, AI, and finance — applying hands-on product research and a background in commerce and the CFA program to evaluate software through a business and ROI lens. His goal: help teams make software decisions they won't regret.

Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

Homebase

Streamline team collaboration with Homebase.

Top 10 Deputy Alternatives 2026

Deputy vs Top Alternatives at a Glance

Shifton

Effortless team management that saves time and money.

Findmyshift

Efficient scheduling made simple and accessible.

Staffcloud

Streamline your staff management effortlessly.

Planday

Effortlessly manage schedules for a streamlined business.

Sling

Effortlessly manage schedules with smart software.

eSchedule

Efficiently manage schedules with ease.

Soon

Maximize productivity. Minimize overtime. Improve retention.

Shyft

Effortless scheduling for a better work-life balance.

WhenToWork

Effortlessly manage your workforce with WhenToWork.

Why Teams Look for Deputy Alternatives

Why Reviewers Recommend These Deputy Alternatives

Which Deputy Alternative Is Right for You?

Switching from Deputy? Get the migration checklist

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

About the reviewer

Why Teams Look for Deputy Alternatives

Why Reviewers Recommend These Deputy Alternatives

Which Deputy Alternative Is Right for You?

Switching from Deputy? Get the migration checklist

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

About the reviewer

Top 10 Deputy Alternatives 2026

Deputy vs Top Alternatives at a Glance

Homebase

Streamline team collaboration with Homebase.

Shifton

Effortless team management that saves time and money.

Findmyshift

Efficient scheduling made simple and accessible.

Staffcloud

Streamline your staff management effortlessly.

Planday

Effortlessly manage schedules for a streamlined business.

Sling

Effortlessly manage schedules with smart software.

eSchedule

Efficiently manage schedules with ease.

Soon

Maximize productivity. Minimize overtime. Improve retention.

Shyft

Effortless scheduling for a better work-life balance.

WhenToWork

Effortlessly manage your workforce with WhenToWork.

Why Teams Look for Deputy Alternatives

Why Reviewers Recommend These Deputy Alternatives

Which Deputy Alternative Is Right for You?

Switching from Deputy? Get the migration checklist

Compare alternatives to these tools too

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

About the reviewer

Why Teams Look for Deputy Alternatives

Why Reviewers Recommend These Deputy Alternatives

Which Deputy Alternative Is Right for You?

Switching from Deputy? Get the migration checklist

Compare alternatives to these tools too

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

About the reviewer