Even your small business can suffer from painstakingly large issues like buddy punching and time theft. 

When you have limited resources, every payroll inaccuracy takes an even bigger toll on your business, especially as using dated methods (such as pen and paper) leaves so much room for human error. That means, you’re likely to pay an even heftier balance at the end of each payroll period. 

However you can reduce those unnecessary costs at payroll processes by more than half, simply through using one of these automated time clocks for small business options we’ve recommended below. With an automated time clock app, inputted time can be trusted and kept to the second. 

Our Top 3 Time Clocks for Small Businesses: 

1. Connecteam – Best all-in-one time clock for small businesses that ensures accurate payroll.

2. Time Doctor – Uses analytical reports to redirect project managers in a positive direction.

3. TimeCamp – Good for tracking employees in real-time and to keep distractions aside.

What to Look For in the Best Time Clock for Small Businesses

“Good, better, best”, as they say. 

Well, a time clock that keeps time would be good. A time clock that automates checking in/out would be better. Leaving all of the above, and the following list, would be the best time clock. A time clock app that goes the extra mile to ensure accuracy is the number one priority. 

• Automated time clocking
• Smooth error-free payroll
• Buddy punching and time theft solutions
• Time marked to the very second
• No confusion; transparency on all ends
• Intuitive 
• Customizable and flexible
• The option to request vacation days, overtime hours, and sick days

Now onto the list of 7 best time clocks that can make the daily operations and management of your small business much easier.

The Best Time Clocks for Small Businesses in 2022

Who, what, where, when, and why? Your time tracking and payroll questions can be addressed and solved through the Connecteam all-in-one app solution, loved by over 36,000 businesses, and counting, this is our top recommended time clock for small businesses!

When are your employees clocking in/out? You’ll know to-the- second. With clock in and clock out time stamps from the second your employees clock in and out from their own smartphone device, you’ll be rid of buddy punching and time theft for good. This fix produces accurate timesheets, and in turn makes payroll a (highly accurate) breeze. 

Where are your employees located? With the GPS breadcrumbs feature, you have a general overview of your employees’ work trail from the start of the day. As an added layer of security, you, the admin, can create a geofence of where your remote workers can and cannot clock in/out from, as well as a time limit for clocking in before their shift. 

Who is assigned to a shift? Who is late to their shift? Who is on sick leave, vacation, or absent? Get automatic notifications with every action: if a shift is unclaimed up to 30 minutes before it starts – you’ll know about it. If someone’s clocked in later to a shift, you’ll see a notification pop up. . With a push of a button, employees can clock in from their phone, can ask for time off, and can communicate on a built in-chat for needed help. 

What is causing shift overlap? What shifts are still unclaimed? The shift scheduler flags any overlaps. It’s a smart tool that allows you to approve inputs or lock them for any unforeseen changes. It’s super dynamic, allowing you to attach extra information for employees, such as notes, images, files to shifts, checklists and more. 

Why haven’t you tried out the Connecteam app yet? With a free-forever plan and a 14-day free trial of all paid plans, your business is begging for some digital delegation! 

Key Features

• Automated reminders set to clock in and out

• A chat communication tool built into the time clock feature

• Admin power to approve sick or vacation dates

• Export timesheets for accounting purposes

• Add informative pictures, videos, or notes to specific shifts

• Schedule and/or limit shift assignments based off specific hours 

• Geolocation tracking while employees are clocked in

Pros and Cons

• Seamless experience from timesheet to payroll with digitized time clocking

• Short and sweet setup time of under 2 minutes

• Intuitive and user-friendly interface 

• Award-winning, highly responsive customer support

• Setting preferences are customizable to your business’ specifications

• No third-party platform integration available, however these are in the works

Pricing 

• Premium plans capped at $29/month for the first 30 seats

• Free Trial: 14-day free trial

• Free-for-life plan: For up to 10 users, without limitations

Finding the needle in the haystack is possible with Time Doctor, another of our recommended time clocks for small businesses. By tracking time based on client, project workflow, or even the task itself, you can find where inefficiencies are. The goal of this extremely analytical approach to a time card system is to help managers do their job well, giving them  factual data that provides help as to how to redirect when need be. It shows employees where their strengths and weaknesses are. As a whole, the organization can then be substantially more productive online. Time Doctor is great because it integrates with 60+ other online applications that you may already be using for task management. 

For whom?  

This is for hybrid workers or remote workers looking for online tools. This is for enterprises or even small to large businesses. This is for those who work heavily on projects and would like to compare, contrast, and improve on the clients and tasks they have completed in the past. This includes industries such as: ad agencies, consulting firms, outsourcing companies, and more. 

Key Features

• Descriptive and number driven summary reports

• Automated time clock/reminders for timely work

• Analytics are visible from your dashboard

• Each employee can be measured individually 

• Screenshot capabilities

Pros and Cons

• Real-time analytics results in real-time productivity

• Supports a hybrid work environment 

• Digitized coach to reassess where work can be improved 

• Time is used not for attendance purposes but more so to gauge how successful workers are during the day

• Screenshots need to be manually turned on and workers can forget to do so. 

Pricing

• Basic Plan: $7.00 per user/month

• Free Trial: Yes,14-day trial

• Free-for-life plan: No

Timecamp is a digital time punch clock, measuring time spent on computer related tasks that are specific to projects, so could also potentially be used as one of the time clocks for small businesses we’ve recommended. It quantifies time and gauges how you can optimize your employee schedules in a more money and time friendly manner. The time system tracks your employee’s performance in real time so that the work comes first and employee distractions are put to the side. 

For whom?

Those who manage projects or freelancers who have projects of their own. This is for those who spend their work hours accomplishing their daily activities on a computer and need to calculate how time online can be better utilized. 

Key Features

• Available for desktop and mobile devices

• Clear detailed project reports

• Budgeting chart graphs for profitability

• Track’s performance

• Automated timesheet approvals 

Pros and Cons

• Can distinguish between billable and non-billable hours 

• Eliminates distractions through complete automation

• Not as feature filled without third party integrations

• Costly when you upgrade

Pricing

• The basic plan called essentials: $7.00 per user/month 

• Free Trial: Yes, 14-day trial 

• Free-for-life plan: Yes 

Clockify’s functionality is straight to the point; you title your chosen task, tag it, label it under a chosen project, and then start the timer. Once you’ve completed the task and you’d like to finalize the process, you press the stop button and from there you are able to quantify it as billable or non-billable as a payroll solution. On the dashboard you have the option to view your individual time marks (kind of like an online time punch clock) on projects or the other option is to see it from the general view of your entire team. At the end of all this, invoices can be made using all of this information together. 

For whom?  

This is a helpful digital time card system tool for project managers. Whether you are a freelancer, or a large business, this is made for everyone in your organization. 

Key Features

• Compare and contrast project tracked hours

• Differentiate between billable and non billable hours

• Calculate time off, set time attendance, and break times for payroll

• Visual of progress through calendar view or charts on dashboard

Pros and Cons

• Information is synced online making it fully accessible 

• Super easy sign-up process

• Can repeatedly use old templates/save new ones

• Clock feature is manually started and stopped

• Difficult to backtrack and edit clock time stamps

Pricing

• Basic Plan: $4.99/user per month

• Free Trial: Yes,7-day trial

• Free-for-life plan: Yes 

Tick is a time clocks for small businesses solution that works in real-time and catches overtime before it turns into a time budgeting problem for the business’ expenditures. After each task time card clock is submitted, it rounds up the time spent in relation to what is needed to fully complete the project and then with that you’re kept up to date on productivity at every stage, instead of just the final stage. Tick is set to the mobile phone or computer desktop without hassle and pairs well with other project managing software such as Asana, Trello, and Basecamp. 

For whom? 

For businesses who have noticed they are not maximizing their output of time and are losing money for this main reason. This is for freelancers or SMB looking to manage projects with profitability and budgeting in mind; this is to keep money and time in check. 

Key Features

• Time clock

• Timesheet templates turned to invoicing 

• Running timer that breaks up time within each task

• Single page view of all time reports (expandable for more detail)

Pros and Cons

• From beginning to end oversight of projects

• For ALL devices; apple watch, iOS or android, chrome extension, desktop or mobile. 

• Tedious to edit previous time entries

• Hard to personally connect with their outdated interface

Pricing

• Pricing plans for Tick are based on the number of projects you’re working on. The lowest tier is for 10 projects at $19/month. Largest package is unlimited and the price is $149/month. Check their website for the in-between pricing deals. 

• Free Trial: Yes, 30-day trial. 

• Free-for-life plan: Yes (limited to 1 project)

Jibble was made with both the in-office and remote workers in mind. For those in-office, a single device (tablet or any other similar device) can be turned into a kiosk for the entire workplace. With facial recognition and/or pin codes, not only does this digital time clock software speed processes up, but it also works to ensure each clock-in is by the rightful “owner”. For employees out in the field, turn your own mobile phone into your very own pocket time punch clock. With geofencing and GPS capabilities business owners can ensure there are proper restrictions in place to keep everything honest outside the office. Lastly, everything is easy to monitor from afar; overtime, late arrivals to shifts, breaks, and overlapping scheduling. 

For whom? 

For those looking to use complex AI systems to get trustworthy employee timekeeping. This is for small to large businesses that are from all industries and are a mesh of both in-office and remote working. Industries could include manufacturing, food & beverage, education agencies, office- site based companies, and more. It’s for those looking to dump manual work and looking to automate timesheets for insightful reports. 

Key Features

• AI verification for time clocking (i.e. facial recognition)

• Tablet setup as office kiosk

• Uses GPS for attendance of remote workers 

• Alerts are detailed from the day, week, and month of everything

Pros and Cons

• Quickened check in/out process

• User friendly layout 

• Automated timesheet app solution

• Pricing isn’t transparent (not even listed)

• Customization limitations with the free version that they promote

Pricing

• Basic (Premium) Plan: $2.50 per user/month

• Free Trial: Yes, 14 day trial 

• Free-for-life plan: Yes 

The digital time card system on Homebase is accessible on any device. Because of this, each employee that clocks in/out using homebase will be individualized through a personalized pin code. Shifts are easy to manage from afar; business owners are able to set an alert for late show-ups, and can additionally message or remind employees in scenarios of such. Clock-ins can be verified through GPS or photos. 

For whom?

Meant for those who manage their workers on an hourly basis and want to stay compliant. Those industries could include restaurants, retail stores, beauty salons, etc. 

Key Features

• Free and automated time clock

• Additionally, it tracks vacation times, Paid Time Off, and overtime.

• Uses GPS or photos to ensure trust 

• For payroll purposes it identifies and corrects errors.

Pros and Cons

• Free online time clock feature

• Easy to use interface

• According to customers: bugs with time clock when there are multiple locations

• Not compatible with all/many third party service providers

Pricing

• The basic plan called essentials: $19.95 per location/month 

• Free Trial: Yes 

• Free-for-life plan: Yes (for 1 location only)

Compare the Best Time Clocks for Small Business

Summary

Monthly Price

Free Trial

Free Plan

An all-in-one online timekeeping solution. Ideal for deskless industries and people working remotely. Affordable pricing for small to large businesses and everything in between.

10 employees: $0

20 employees: $29

50 employees: $39

Yes, 14- day trial

Start Free

Yes, up to 10 seats

Uses data analytics to pinpoint work lags and to create a more efficient workflow whether it’s in terms of client, project, or task itself. Available for a hybrid of in-office and remote work.

 

10 employees: $70
20 employees: $140
50 employees: $350

Yes, 14-day trial

No

Without having to manually press start or stop buttons, time camp operates in the background to avoid any distractions while it measures your work productivity. For all SMB looking to save money and time.

 

10 employees: $70
20 employees: $140
50 employees: $350

Yes, 14-day trial

Yes

Easy to use and straight forward. Label your job task, set the clock to start, and after completion manually press stop. Set work as billable or non-billable from a single page view.

 

10 employees: $49.90
20 employees: $99.80
50 employees: $249.50

Yes, 7-day trial

Yes

Tick works alongside your progression through work projects. Instead of just providing a final report on time budgeting, it consistently gives feedback at in-between stages of progress.

As noted above, Tick is priced per project not per user.

10 Projects:
$19/Month

30 Projects:
$49/Month

60 Projects:
$79/Month

Unlimited:
$149/Month

Yes, 30-day trial

Yes

Jibble focuses on artificial intelligence to provide a full proof trustworthy time clock system. It is something that can be used as a kiosk in-office or can go out of bounds with a mobile phone. For SMB.

10 employees:
$25
20 employees:
$50
50 employees:
$125

Yes, 14 day trial

Yes

Homebase allows managers to overlook operations from afar. Alerts can be set for late or no show-ups to shifts. Automated time clock that is verified through GPS or photo. Best for SMB, remote or based in-office.

 

Per location, not per user.

1 Location:
$19.95

10 Locations:
$199.50

30 Locations:
$598.50

50 Locations:
$997.50

Yes, 14-day trial

Yes (for 1 location only)

Summary

An all-in-one online timekeeping solution. Ideal for deskless industries and people working remotely. Affordable pricing for small to large businesses and everything in between.

Monthly Price

10 employees: $0

20 employees: $29

50 employees: $39

Free Trial

Yes, 14- day trial

Start Free

Free Plan

Yes, up to 10 seats

Summary

Uses data analytics to pinpoint work lags and to create a more efficient workflow whether it’s in terms of client, project, or task itself. Available for a hybrid of in-office and remote work.

 

Monthly Price

10 employees: $70
20 employees: $140
50 employees: $350

Free Trial

Yes, 14-day trial

Free Plan

No

Summary

Without having to manually press start or stop buttons, time camp operates in the background to avoid any distractions while it measures your work productivity. For all SMB looking to save money and time.

 

Monthly Price

10 employees: $70
20 employees: $140
50 employees: $350

Free Trial

Yes, 14-day trial

Free Plan

Yes

Summary

Easy to use and straight forward. Label your job task, set the clock to start, and after completion manually press stop. Set work as billable or non-billable from a single page view.

 

Monthly Price

10 employees: $49.90
20 employees: $99.80
50 employees: $249.50

Free Trial

Yes, 7-day trial

Free Plan

Yes

Summary

Tick works alongside your progression through work projects. Instead of just providing a final report on time budgeting, it consistently gives feedback at in-between stages of progress.

Monthly Price

As noted above, Tick is priced per project not per user.

10 Projects:
$19/Month

30 Projects:
$49/Month

60 Projects:
$79/Month

Unlimited:
$149/Month

Free Trial

Yes, 30-day trial

Free Plan

Yes

Summary

Jibble focuses on artificial intelligence to provide a full proof trustworthy time clock system. It is something that can be used as a kiosk in-office or can go out of bounds with a mobile phone. For SMB.

Monthly Price

10 employees:
$25
20 employees:
$50
50 employees:
$125

Free Trial

Yes, 14 day trial

Free Plan

Yes

Summary

Homebase allows managers to overlook operations from afar. Alerts can be set for late or no show-ups to shifts. Automated time clock that is verified through GPS or photo. Best for SMB, remote or based in-office.

 

Monthly Price

Per location, not per user.

1 Location:
$19.95

10 Locations:
$199.50

30 Locations:
$598.50

50 Locations:
$997.50

Free Trial

Yes, 14-day trial

Free Plan

Yes (for 1 location only)

What Are Small Business Time Clock Apps?

Time clock apps are referred to by many names: a time tracker, an employee attendance keeper, punch clocker, etc., but they are all the same. They all are a digital way of keeping tabs on employees at “punch-in” and “punch out.” Through automation, this is a software that keeps time to the second and makes it easy for managers to streamline scheduling, export timesheets, and then put payroll into motion. 

How Do Time Clocks for Small Businesses Work?

Time clocks for small businesses are all geared to automate timekeeping. They are built to work as a substitution for the manualized versions that can often result in time theft. Time clock apps can either be downloaded directly to your employees’ phones, or to a kiosk device that is installed at the job site. Employees hit a button to start the timer when they start their shift and end the timer when they finish.

For employees on the go, geofencing capabilities add another level of accuracy to your timesheets. When you active a geofence, employees can only clock in once they are actually physically at the job site. You can even stop the time clock automatically once people leave a geofenced area. 

The Benefits of Time Clocks for Small Businesses Solutions

Time clocks are more than just a time card system. Digital time clocks, for small businesses especially, can positively impact your future business growth, budgeting, and the harmony that is important to maintain between you and your employees. 

The benefits you can be sure to see roll into your business are these and more: 

• You will be assured of accurate and precise employee time-logged hours with an automated, to-the-second time clock.
• Take the guesswork out of your employees’ activity on their work route through geofence and GPS breadcrumb integration. 
• Your accountant will have error-free payroll with a digitally transferred timesheet that is tidy and accurate to the second. 

How much do time clocks for small businesses cost? 

Pricing of time clock apps can range, but unfortunately, a majority fall on the more expensive side. Many time clock apps charge on a per-user basis, which can add up very quickly.

We believe Connecteam is the best choice as a time clock for small businesses for exactly this reason. With a fixed asking rate of  $29 per month for the first 30 users, you won’t need to sweat the cost of time tracking. Even when you need more seats, Connecteam is one of the most affordable options on the market.

Frequently Asked Questions about Time Clocks for Small Businesses 

I thought time clocks are only useful for large businesses, should I invest in one?

Time clocks, like Connecteam, are for all businesses of shape or size. The need to clock in/out, calculate monthly payroll, and to be on top of where work could be better utilized doesn’t just go out the window when you’re a smaller team. Time clocks are a software tool that works to delete human error in order to save you more money at the end of the day. Without the mess and confusion of inaccuracy, timesheets and the process of payroll will also become a weight lifted off the shoulders. 

Is time theft really costing my small business that much?

Yes, in fact according to the APA, as the service sector continues to dominate the 21st century economic landscape, payroll expenses have resulted in a 50% makeup of total operating expenses. Time theft is an easy game to play in today’s world but it is also an easy fix with today’s software technology, like Connecteam that provides both geofencing and breadcrumb technology. Without having to deal with time theft and buddy punching, this sort of accuracy will keep your business on budget. 

What role does automation play in the best time clocks for small businesses?

In a movie, automation would be the leading role. As the leading role of time clocks, every other moving part of timekeeping is dependent on the success of automation. Other moving parts would include timesheets, payroll processes, and employee attendance that unmasks time theft or buddy punching. For a small business like yours, every cent counts and every second is crunch time. The American Payroll Association specifies that costs at payroll processes are avoidable by 80% through the principle of automation. With automation, everything is kept to the very second and in turn keeps your money correct to the very penny. 

Now a question for you: doesn’t that sound like something worthwhile?

The Bottom Line On Time Clocks for Small Businesses

Unproductive work hours are masked until the checks come out and you, the business owner, have to pay a substantially large bottom line. If there is something learned and uncovered from all this information, it’s that although this is a dominant problem of the service labor industry, there are also solutions out there to take the worries away. With Connecteam you can keep time compliantly and hit the peak of your productivity by having all work hours digitally cataloged to the second. Incentivizing and motivating employees to be their most efficient and in turn compensate your workers fairly for those seconds. Happy employees equal happy customers. With increased customer satisfaction that all comes back to the main point and purpose: an overall successful business. Finding the best time clock for your small business will change way more than one sector of your company and luckily enough now you have 7 time clocks for small businesses to choose from and a recommended best time clock option, Connecteam, above that can finally save you time and money to put aside to better use. 

Run Your Business Like Clockwork

The post 6 Best Time Clocks for Small Businesses 2026 (In-Depth Comparison) appeared first on Connecteam.

It’s fair to expect your employees to be as productive as possible at their job. After all, a strong work ethic stems from those who pay attention to the details of a job’s tasks. 

True, but the thing is, once repetition, distraction, and exhaustion start kicking in, even the brightest worker will hit moments of forgetfulness and error. It’s only human. 

So, as a business owner, you need to find a safety net to catch those unavoidable, potential mistakes from time to time.  

The best way to do so is to adopt a to-do list app that will keep your business’ tasks managed and in order. Cut the uncertainty, lack of proper communication and transparency for sharper execution with one of the following best to-do list apps for your business. 

In a Hurry? The Best To Do List App for Businesses in 2023

Connecteam’s quick tasks feature, all-in-one solution is our choice as best to-do list app for your business; it provides full connectivity from creation to execution of your task management. 

Getting your employees on the same page will require more than just a checkbox next to some checklist items. With Connecteam you’ll have: 

Management’s Benefits:

• One-off tasks at your disposal to schedule (quickly on the go or at your desktop!)
• Online checklists and tasks attached to shift that sends you real-time reporting via notifications
• Field managers, that are under your supervision, can create their own team tasks without being an admin
• Oversee the quality of work at any point of the workday
• Built-in chat for 2-way communication if or when extra instruction is needed
• Reminder notification and task completion statuses 
• Seperate to-do list from the job-scheduler, that can be consistently altered, changed, and updated

Employee Benefits:

• Open communication with management for appropriate supervision (ask questions when work goes unexpectedly). 
• Have all the needed information in regards to specific jobs with attached files, due dates, special instructions, or even subtasks, in one place
• Can immediately report when they’ve completed the job 
• Stronger collaboration because managers are available from the beginning to the end of the workday.

If you’re pressed for time but looking to get an idea of the other best to do list apps for small businesses and large ones as well, quickly check out the comparison table displayed below.

What to Look For in the Best Business To Do List App

With no pun intended, if there was ever a time to keep a to-do list of the do’s and don’ts for what you should look out for in your to-do list app, now would be the time.  

We all know there are a million and one scenarios that can either make or break your day at work. That said, it would make most sense to find a to-do list app that will account for every and any scenario on the job. It needs to support the unexpected by keeping both you and your employees organized, in the know, and on task (without too much effort, of course!). 

• Notification center to keep everyone updated
• Distinction between to-do listing and tasks
• Tasks should have subtask capabilities for detailed instructions
• Tags to organize the different work categories
• Availability of dashboard and mobile settings 
• Transparency and complete full visibility of work progress
• Set recurring tasks that happen frequently 
• Overdue task alerts for both management and employees

Now you can look through the options yourself. Here are our final 9 best to do list apps for small businesses to large businesses that will keep you company on task (like the way it should always be!).

The 10 Best To Do List Apps for Businesses of 2023

For your convenience, we’ve separated the different types of to do list apps into a few categories: 

Business task management

Project management

Personal management

What is a business task management to-do list app?

For you who runs a business and has employees all over the board, it’s important to maintain an awareness and out of the dark. With tasks within tasks themselves, businesses and employees within the business, are in need of structure that can keep everything running smoothly. This is also for business owners who are trying to catch up with the hybrid workforce that has taken over since Corona hit. 

Connecteam has  everything you’re absolutely in need of in a to-do list app. What does that include? 

Well, as an all-in-one solution, Connecteam provides more than just quick tasks and to-do lists (check out the features below), but with its simplified interface and simplistic approach, it simultaneously keeps everything straightforward. 

Connecteam’s task management is meant to drive the work day without a hitch, and that is why it is loved by 36,000+ consumers internationally.

Tasks, Subtasks, and Relevant Knowledge 

Individual tasks, group tasks, or subtasks are separate, however they can all be filled with the same information. This includes deadlines, description of job or task, commentary, and to add even more information: images and files. 

On your end, this is a stress-free way of keeping everything in order. Keep everything fully transparent, while also having set proof and reassurance that everything has been taken care of. There’s absolutely no room for human error!

So, once you’ve classified everything and have attached all relevant material, you can assign employees individually or even in bulk. You’ll see when your employees have viewed it and also when they’ve completed the task.  

One-Off Tasks vs Recurring Tasks vs Ongoing Tasks

Instructions can reoccur or they can be marked as a one-off task. For recurring tasks, you have the freedom to make it daily, weekly or monthly. Additionally, with ongoing tasks, you can set a task to continue over a few days, setting an end date. 

Overdue Tasks (Reminders & Notifications)

The Overdue feature is purely about keeping tabs on your employees without having to keep count or a personal checklist, yourself, for who’s on track or not. Once tasks are overdue, you’ll be automatically notified and from that point, you have the option to change the due date, remind your employee that they have not finished their task, or you can even delete, archive, update, or mark as “done” if it no longer requires attention.  

2-Way Communication

With a built-in chat feature, employees can message you directly from the task screen itself. Although your subtasks and detailed information should keep everyone feeling confident and comfortable at their job, there always comes a time when the unpredictable occurs. To keep the communication line open, avoid any guessing games, and to avoid any incomplete work, employees have the freedom to chat with you at all times of the work day. 

Organization (i.e. tagging)

Tagging is a tiny detail of the entire task management system, but it works wonders for organizational purposes. In order to sort and filter through the created lists, you are able to find tasks by location of task, department within your company, and all the different projects on file. 

Everything is manageable through the dashboard on your computer and also on the mobile phone. To run a business and manage the jobs, tasks, to-do lists along with it, requires constant oversight; there’s no telling what part of the day will call for it more. This is why Connecteam makes it accessible for both you and your employees, at all times.

For whom?

Connecteam is for business owners looking for a to-do list app that will help manage their business from afar. If you have deskless employees, this is an app that gives you a clear overview of all your employees and their progress throughout the workday. Its features make task management easier, however it is also a completely customizable app that gives you control as to what is incorporated into your business structure or not. 

Key Features

• Create tasks and then assign

• Real-time updates

• Oversight of execution

• Reminders and notifications for all team members

• One page view for each task

• Channel of communication built in task management

• Customizable checklists, forms, reports, etc.

• Automation for repetitive tasks

Pros and Cons

• Exceptional customer service

• Communication line is open at time of work

• Management can lead in real-time because oversight is live

• All relevant information is coupled together

• No room for misunderstanding or error

• 3rd party integrations to come soon 

Pricing 

• Premium plans starts at $29/month for the first 30 users, more seats available

• Free Trial: 14-day free trial

• Free-for-life plan: Yes, for up to 10 users

WorkFlowy is for those with jobs and project workflows. It’s an app for to do list items that need to be broken down into tasks, notes, and projects. Available on the desktop, as a web application, or on-the-go mobile app, this is a drag and drop to-do list app. Available on the desktop, as a web application, or on-the-go mobile app, this is a drag and drop to-do list app that makes it easy to add tasks. Although this is primarily meant for note taking, this application can also take your tasks and duplicate them, provide links to share, and export even as a document in itself. 

For whom?

Those who would like to keep their notetaking and bulleted to-do lists simple and to the point. Because it can be shared with those who are not workflowy users, this could be extremely beneficial to those who work for remote teams and need better management or those who are freelance and need to send clients their work progress or share ideas. 

Key Features

• Expand and collapse bulleted notes

• Backlinks automatically created for future reference 

• Nesting tool to grow ideas

• Tags for easy identification

• Identical copies for updates

• Global search right from interface

Pros and Cons

• You can collaborate or share with folks who don’t have a workflowy account (unlimited)

• Works quickly even with endless files and images 

• Niche for those who have notes that needs organizing 

• Does not integrate with 3rd party applications 

• Customizations are only meant for PRO accounts

Pricing

• Basic Plan: $4.99 per month

• Free Trial: 7-day free trial

• Free-for-life plan: yes, with a monthly bullet list limit and 100MB file limit. 

Microsoft To-Do is cloud-based and therefore a task management application that works day to night, on the go (mobile) or at your desktop. Because it is part of 365, this is a platform that connects to all the other Microsoft programs such as Outlook Tasks. Inputted tasks are broken down into more digestible steps, with included due dates and reminders to keep focus. This is something you can send and share with colleagues to keep those you need to, in the loop. 

For whom? 

Microsoft To-Do is for those who already have a 365 account and would like to sync all their other Microsoft accounts alongside this solution. For business owners who are constantly on the move and need both mobile and desktop. However, for those looking to plan their employees’ tasks, this would not be an efficient solution; it’s more so a personal business management application. 

Key Features:

• Personalized daily planner

• Cloud-based 

• Shareable to-do lists

• Due dates and reminders 

• Attach files 

• Repetitive task option 

Pros and Cons:

• Free version for everyone

• Easy to learn system with its minimalistic approach

• Extremely short list of features

• Shareable tasks yet updates aren’t transparent to other viewers 

• If you don’t have Outlook e-mail then this software isn’t all that exciting (very similar to a reminder app at the end of the day)

Pricing:

• Basic plan: Completely free

• Free-trial: Free plan (no need)

• Free-for-life: Yes (however more applicable to those who already use Windows)

What is a project management to-do list app?

For those whose day’s work revolves around projects for clientele, these to-do list apps would be of best use. This is for those who work on computers whether it be freelancers, graphic designers, etc. this is to bring ideas together and bring those to a productive end goal.  

A perfect work schedule is only possible when people are on target. With Asana, actionable tasks become a part of a larger project or it is of its own entity and in need of sub-tasks, which is also possible. Once this task is turned into what you’re looking for as a project manager or as a team member, everything can be shared and from then on the updates are shared as well. Asana does not limit your style and layout view preferences with the 4 options it gives at view. List view, board view, calendar view, or timeline view, the world is almost your oyster. 

For whom?

Asana is crafted for small to large project-based businesses with its focus on project building and shareable actions. However, this does not exclude a “one-man show” with its pricing that caters to both the individual and team-oriented worker in mind. It keeps remote people engaged and everyone on the same page. 

Key Features:

• Full overview of project

• Custom rule settings

• Forms for work requests

• 50+ project templates

• Management has approval of project tasks 

• Important tasks are flagged differently

Pros and Cons: 

• Removes bottleneck with transparent supervision and forms

• Flexible and customizable interface

• Costly premium based plans 

• Shareable tasks yet updates aren’t transparent to other viewers 

• Art based projects wouldn’t qualify for this tool (design and creatives)

Pricing:

• Premium plan: $13.49 per user/month

• Free-trial: 30-day trial (for paid plans)

• Free-for-life: Yes (not with all possible features)

Jira maximizes what you and agile teams can deliver through its strong internal communication and organization system. Jira is also a project management to-do app software that fundamentally supports any way you choose to structure work. It provides the option for starting templates or building custom workflows. Once this is built it uses automation rules (of your choosing) to keep everything running smoothly. With reports that analyze progression within the team, you’re given more knowledge through more visibility. Jira is all about improving. 

For whom?

Jira is geared towards employee management for those who code or work with developers. With its terminology and its parent company being Atlassian, this is for those who are looking to break up work within a team to accomplish the end goal together. This is for large groups of people instead of those who work alone. 

Key Features:

• Roadmaps to visual project timeline

• Full-view of devop progress

• Kanban and scrum board flexibility

• App integration (3,000+ apps)

• Real-time reporting (12 different formats)

• Agile tutorials available 

Pros and Cons:

• Supports timelines that are constantly changing

• Flexible with layouts and working styles

• Expensive pricing

• Needed knowledge of coding to understand how it operates

• No reminder notification tools

Pricing: 

• Basic plan: $7.50 (avg) per user/month

• Free-trial: 7-day trial period

• Free-for-life: Yes (free, up to 10 users)

Evernote is an app for to do list items that will keep your ideas alive. This is a project based to-do list app for tasks in relation to project goals; both team and solo work projects. It organizes relevant key meeting notes, your idea bubbles, important relevant documents, dates and deadlines, and (of course) to-do lists into what Evernote calls a “notebook”, per project, right from your desktop. This improves staff communication, keeps teams in line with one another, keeps the details of your projects in a safe place, and keeps you on task. 

For whom?

Evernote is perfect for freelancers or project-based companies who work in teams day-in day-out. For those looking to start something new and need to follow tasks that will develop leadership remotely and an achievement of those project goals. 

Key Features:

• Intuitive organization

• Implemented communication channels

• Tracks time for budgeting purposes

• Tracks time for budgeting purposes

• Visual charts of timelines

• Keeps track of tasks

Pros and Cons: 

• Free version for everyone

• Easy to learn system with its minimalistic approach

• Extremely short list of features

• Shareable tasks yet updates aren’t transparent to other viewers

• If you don’t have Outlook e-mail then this software isn’t all that exciting (very similar to a reminder app at the end of the day)

Pricing:

• Basic plan: Professional (solo): $10.99/month or Team Plan pricing: $14.99/month

• Free-trial: 14-day trial (for paid plans)

• Free-for-life: Yes (Limited to 2 devices, and not for team use. Only personal)

Trello is a management app that fixes the productivity in which your team works with the use of to-do lists and a management style that keeps everything moving forward. Trello is known for its kanban board approach; it’s meant to increase engagement. The cards on your screen are where you’ll find you are able to set deadlines, give feedback, and assign tasks to specific users. The command center is where status updates

For whom?

For remote workers who are looking to keep team collaboration while everything stays organized. This is for small to large businesses who work on computers to create projects. This is also purely kanban style, so this is for those that enjoy working with this type of layout.

Key Features:

• Automated task workflows

• Checklist on the card itself

• Sync cards with personal calendar

• Public link to share with other collaborators 

• Attach relevant files and images  

• Drag and drop cards

Pros and Cons:

• Makes idea brainstorming a breeze

• Ability to add images to the board makes it visual 

• Takes a long time to learn how to use

• No analysis or reports to improve efficiency

• Trello does not have it’s own calendar 

Pricing:

• Basic plan: $6.00 per user/month

• Free-trial: 14-day trial 

• Free-for-life: Yes (limitation to boards)

What is a personal management to-do list app?

Business owners are expected to be on top of their work life, but sometimes that results in a step back for the personal life. The personal management to- do list apps are meant to keep all you free and able to keep focus on work with the help of a checklist that reminds you of all the other to-do’s you have. 

Remember the Milk is for the busy people of the world. What does that mean? It’s a to-do list app that remembers everything you need to get done in order to take the overload off your brian. With Remember the Milk, you can make lists that are tagged, organized, and colored by your specification. Because it is in sync with all your devices (even including smart watches), it will never miss the chance to poke you; workplace productivity and nothing less at home.

For whom?

This is more of a personal to-do list app, in the sense that many who work don’t have a full grasp on their personal life in the hustle of their professional life. This is for those who find their to-dos get meshed into one messy pile and would like to untangle that mess. 

Key Features

• 100 designed themes to choose from 

• Share with others for faster completion

• Tagging and color coding

• Sorting filters for quick search

• Dropbox and Google Drive attachments 

• Mobile reminders

Pros and Cons

• Integrates with other popular 3rd party apps: evernote, alexa, gmail add on, twitter

• Takes privacy and security seriously

• No monthly plan available (you have to pay for the full year to get the pro version)

• Not user friendly 

• According to customers: the paid plan is just a simple to-do list (most wouldn’t be willing to pay for that)

Pricing

• Basic Plan: $39.99/ per year

• Free Trial: Yes

• Free-for-life Plan: Yes

Todoist offers itself off as both a business task management tool for teams and also a to-do list app for personal peace of mind. To keep you prepared and aware, Todoist focuses not only on the day, but the week ahead as well; this is particularly great for those with flexible work schedules and need more structure. It also has a unique smart schedule tool that provides interference as to how to better schedule your time in advance.  

For whom?

Todoist is primarily for those who need reminders for their personal life or their own company. The emphasis on scheduling makes it a to do list app for those who need to better manage their time through task management. Although this is a to do list app that can be shared with other users, it’s not practical for real business needs. This would suit freelancers and small businesses.  

Key Features

• Comments section

• Section off tasks with boards

• Keep notes, files, tasks in one place

• Favorites, recurring options, reminders

• Tracks milestones

• Email or SMS reminders

Pros and Cons

• Many project templates

• Smart keyboard shortcuts

• Free version is too limited to drive a business 

• No built-in chat that a business would need for urgent matters

• No gantt diagram

Pricing

• Basic Plan: $4.00 per user/ month

• Free Trial: 30-day free trial 

• Free-for-life: yes (limited projects, collaborators, filters, activity history spans 1-week only)

Google Keep is an app for to do list items that are used to purely keep track of your thoughts and to-do’s. This is done in the form of note keeping, list keeping, photos themselves, and even audio keeping. You are able to set reminders based on location. when you’re at that location, the to-do list will automatically pop open. If your to-do list is something you’d like to share, then send it away, and don’t bother with text. To scan through your lists, use the filter button and find it through search immediately. This saves time and hassle. 

For whom?

This is for those who want to simplify their to-do’s and need a simple interface to keep it clean. When you become too preoccupied with your professional life, the things to take care of back home are left on the back burner. Google tasks are for those with hectic work lives and need a way to keep their personal lives organized beyond what is on their Google Calendar.

Key Features

• Pin your important notes on top

• Grid vs list view option

• Reminder alerts

• Task tags

• Annotations capabilities 

• Both search and filter

Pros and Cons

• Super intuitive

• Has a voice command option for moments in need of an extra hand

• Simple to the extent that it doesn’t go beyond to-do list making

• No reports or charts

• According to customers it has lots of bugs

• Limited collaboration tools

Pricing  

• Basic Plan: Free

• Free-trial: No need

• Free-for-life: Yes (but, it’s based on megabite storage)

Quick Comparison of the Best To Do List Apps

Summary

Monthly Price

Free Trial

Free Plan

All-in-one online attendance tracking software. Alerts and requests for PTO, automates time clocking, and geolocation capabilities. Ideal for deskless industries. Affordable pricing for SMB.

10 employees: $0

20 employees: $29

50 employees: $39

Yes, 14 days.

Start Free

Yes, up to 10 seats.

Workflowy uses bulleted lists and sub-bullets, to make a nested list of to-dos. It’s easy to share even with those that are not a user of the software itself.

10 employees: $49.90

20 employees: $99.80

50 employees: $249.50

7-day trial.

Yes, but with limits.

Completely free and part of the 365 list. Microsoft is a to-do list app that is cloud-based and therefore available on any digital device. Connects to Outlook Tasks.

10 employees: $0

20 employees: $0

50 employees: $0

Free plan, no need.

Free plan

Asana keeps everyone on the team in the loop. Updates and the first share itself. This is a project task tool that has 4 different view options.

10 employees: $134.90

20 employees: $269.80

50 employees: $674.50

30-day trial (for paid plans)

Yes, with limited features.

Jira is for agile teams. This is a to do list app for developers or those who work with similar terminology. Has both customizable options and ready made templates.

10 employees: $75

20 employees: $150

50 employees: $375

7-day trial.

Yes (free, up to 10 users)

Evernote helps you collect all your ideas, tasks, to-dos to complete projects. It’s great for those who have team projects and have many discussions about them.

Team plan (min. 2 users)
10 employees: $149.90

20 employees: $299.80

50 employees: $749.50

14-day trial.

Yes (Limited to 2 devices, and not for team use. Only personal, not professional use)

Trello uses to-do lists and organizes tasks in order to improve productivity. Uses the Kanban board approach to organizing.

10 employees: $60

20 employees: $120

50 employees: $300

14-day trial

Yes (limitation to boards)

Remember the Milk is for those who are always on the run and need memos for both their personal and professional life. This syncs to all devices so that no matter which location, you’re notified.

ONLY per year option
$39.99/ per year

15-day trial for MilkSync Pro

Yes

Todoist is truly a mashup of professional and personal to-do list app use. This takes the worry out of forgetting to get everything done. This could be for busy business owners who need to manage their home lives as well.

10 employees: $40

20 employees: $80

50 employees: $200

30-day free trial

Yes (limited projects, collaborators, filters, activity history spans 1-week only)

Google Keep connects with all other google related platforms. This is an aesthetically pleasing simple to-do list app where you can make lists, tasks, images, and files.

Based on MB10 employees: $0

20 employees: $0

50 employees: $0

No need

Yes (but, it’s based on megabite storage)

Summary

All-in-one online attendance tracking software. Alerts and requests for PTO, automates time clocking, and geolocation capabilities. Ideal for deskless industries. Affordable pricing for SMB.

Monthly Price

10 employees: $0

20 employees: $29

50 employees: $39

Free Trial

Yes, 14 days.

Start Free

Free Plan

Yes, up to 10 seats.

Summary

Workflowy uses bulleted lists and sub-bullets, to make a nested list of to-dos. It’s easy to share even with those that are not a user of the software itself.

Monthly Price

10 employees: $49.90

20 employees: $99.80

50 employees: $249.50

Free Trial

7-day trial.

Free Plan

Yes, but with limits.

Summary

Completely free and part of the 365 list. Microsoft is a to-do list app that is cloud-based and therefore available on any digital device. Connects to Outlook Tasks.

Monthly Price

10 employees: $0

20 employees: $0

50 employees: $0

Free Trial

Free plan, no need.

Free Plan

Free plan

Summary

Asana keeps everyone on the team in the loop. Updates and the first share itself. This is a project task tool that has 4 different view options.

Monthly Price

10 employees: $134.90

20 employees: $269.80

50 employees: $674.50

Free Trial

30-day trial (for paid plans)

Free Plan

Yes, with limited features.

Summary

Jira is for agile teams. This is a to do list app for developers or those who work with similar terminology. Has both customizable options and ready made templates.

Monthly Price

10 employees: $75

20 employees: $150

50 employees: $375

Free Trial

7-day trial.

Free Plan

Yes (free, up to 10 users)

Summary

Evernote helps you collect all your ideas, tasks, to-dos to complete projects. It’s great for those who have team projects and have many discussions about them.

Monthly Price

Team plan (min. 2 users)
10 employees: $149.90

20 employees: $299.80

50 employees: $749.50

Free Trial

14-day trial.

Free Plan

Yes (Limited to 2 devices, and not for team use. Only personal, not professional use)

Summary

Trello uses to-do lists and organizes tasks in order to improve productivity. Uses the Kanban board approach to organizing.

Monthly Price

10 employees: $60

20 employees: $120

50 employees: $300

Free Trial

14-day trial

Free Plan

Yes (limitation to boards)

Summary

Remember the Milk is for those who are always on the run and need memos for both their personal and professional life. This syncs to all devices so that no matter which location, you’re notified.

Monthly Price

ONLY per year option
$39.99/ per year

Free Trial

15-day trial for MilkSync Pro

Free Plan

Yes

Summary

Todoist is truly a mashup of professional and personal to-do list app use. This takes the worry out of forgetting to get everything done. This could be for busy business owners who need to manage their home lives as well.

Monthly Price

10 employees: $40

20 employees: $80

50 employees: $200

Free Trial

30-day free trial

Free Plan

Yes (limited projects, collaborators, filters, activity history spans 1-week only)

Summary

Google Keep connects with all other google related platforms. This is an aesthetically pleasing simple to-do list app where you can make lists, tasks, images, and files.

Monthly Price

Based on MB10 employees: $0

20 employees: $0

50 employees: $0

Free Trial

No need

Free Plan

Yes (but, it’s based on megabite storage)

Frequently Asked Questions about To Do List Apps

1. Are there to-do list apps available for free download?

More than half of the to-do list apps we’ve listed are free for download, but the best to-do list app won’t be free. Considering price, features included within the pricing, and the ease of integration, our chosen best employee task management app is Connecteam. The premium plans are price-friendly, but if you’re determined to get a free download option, the Connecteam still offers the 7 main core features without additional charge.

There is a noticeable pattern that shows that the free downloadable to-do list apps are geared towards business owners like you who would like to simply organize their personal lives better so that it is in balance with work life. Creating balance in life is vital, and something everyone should put effort into, however if you’re looking for a realistic way to manage your business and you are in need of something that will legitimately connect you with your employees as they go through the average work day, then one of those free downloads won’t serve a real purpose. A to-do list app needs underhandedly boost morale and it can’t do that with something that doesn’t serve everyone involved. 

2. Are to-do list apps for both iPhones and Androids? Is one better than the other for to-do list apps, or does it work on both?

Although iPhones and Androids are apples and oranges, they are both fruits that every human can eat from. Let’s step away from that ridiculous analogy for a second, and get to the point. Although there are different apps and different function styles on iphones and androids, most to-do list apps will be available for both. Why? Considering many are cloud based and therefore even reachable on the web browser or desktop itself, most companies are aware that in order to reach everyone (and everyone is in need of a to-do list app) then having it in the download store for both iOS and Android makes everything at reach.

To-do lists are only of use when it’s accessible at all times; that in itself is an answer. It keeps employees engaged at all hours in this 21st century digitally filled world. The interface on the iOS and Android will be identical and navigate in the same way, plus or minus. Check out the other options to see which applications are for both or one or the other. 

The Bottom Line On To Do List Apps

A to-do list is a way to know what’s done and what needs doing. It’s a daily checklist that erases the clutter and slices through to the point. In this fast-paced world, to-do list apps can be used for numerous occasions and numerous reasons, all stemming back to both our personal and professional lives. Whether it be used for project management, for business management, or for personal organization such as a grocery list, a to do list app is the answer. Connecteam’s quick task tool is the best to do list app for small businesses and large businesses. With Connecteam, all work is accounted for and visible to you as a business owner. With to-do lists, instructions per each task on that to-do list, and specific notes attached along with it all, it’s almost impossible to work with error. This is a solution to having a two way street between you and your employees, for seamless work and complete team engagement.  

Complete Employee Oversight!

The post Top 5 Best Digital Employee ID Card Apps (In-Depth Comparison) appeared first on Connecteam.

Manual rostering without the help of roster apps can be one of the biggest drains on a manager’s time. Especially for larger teams, coordinating the moving parts of an employee roster—staff availability, labor law compliance, and budgets—is a complex and tedious task. 

It can also lead to errors. It’s almost impossible for one person to singlehandedly maintain an overview of an organization’s workforce and workstreams and how these come together on a roster. 

If you’re still maintaining a manual roster, consider these facts:

• Manual rostering leads to low ROI
• Managers lose 3.14 hours a week creating a manual roster
• Employees don’t have real-time visibility into their roster, which leads to low productivity and a disengaged workforce 
• Overstaffing and understaffing are common which leads to inflated payroll
• Without access to real data, managers can’t find a suitable and cost-efficient employee to cover roster changes
• The risk of not complying with labor laws is high

Luckily, there’s a simple solution for all of these issues—a rostering app. 

Rostering varies between industries and companies, so it’s vital to pick the right rostering app for your business’s needs. To help you out, in this article we look at the top 14 online employee rostering software solutions currently available. 

Our Top Picks

1. Connecteam: Best all-in-one online roster app
2. Homebase: Good for managing hourly workers
3. mHelpDesk: Good for automating assignments

What to look for in a roster app

When it comes to choosing the right rostering app for your organization, there are several things to take into account:

• Timesaving features, such as shift duplication: this makes rostering even more efficient, saving you both time and money
• Ease of use for both managers and employees: to encourage use, the app should be intuitive to navigate
• Centralized communication: managers and employees should be able to communicate easily with each other through the app
• The ability to use the app from a range of devices: employees need to be able to access their roster from anywhere at any time
• Integration with existing software: choosing an employee rostering software that automatically integrates with your existing HCM applications ensures a smooth transition and quicker uptake 

Identify which of these features are a priority for your organization to select the most appropriate rostering app. 

The Top 14 Online Roster Apps in 2022

Best for: All-in-one online employee rostering software solution
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android

We designed Connecteam’s user-friendly app to save you time and effort when it comes to roster planning and execution. Connecteam’s robust staff roster app helps you reduce labor costs, improve staff satisfaction, and avoid the risks of manually managing a roster.

Connecteam is a mobile-friendly and easy-to-use app with no training needed. The centralized dashboard brings together roster and shift information, including images and files, notes, maps, and shift tasks, and can be accessed on the go. Employees are automatically notified when a shift is published, edited, or canceled. And they always have direct and immediate access to the roster at any time, from anywhere.

Whether you’re a small business owner or an enterprise company, and regardless of the industry you’re in, we’ve made sure that Connecteam has you covered. 

Key Features

• Manage rosters by location, department, or job title

• Create weekly or monthly rosters with the click of a button

• Enjoy time-saving features such as templates, shift duplication, drag & drop shift management

• Communicate in real-time with your team through automatic notifications

• Use the planning table to highlight unavailability or signal if shifts exceed predefined limitations

• Add detailed shift information such as time, place, tasks, notes, and attachments

Pros & Cons

• Very easy to implement and use

• Pre-made templates

• Available in 11 different languages

• Free-for-life plan available that includes payroll integration

• Customer support currently only available via email

Pricing

• Starts at just $29/month for up to 30 users

• Free 14-day trial

• Free-for-life plan: For up to 10 users, without limitations

Best for: Managing hourly work
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android

Designed with hourly workers in mind, Homebase’s scheduling tool allows small businesses to create rosters according to sales and labor targets. 

With features such as auto-scheduling and templates, managers can optimize their available workforce. Homebase recognizes schedules need to remain flexible, allowing managers to adjust the roster and employees to update their availability any time and from anywhere. 

The app also includes a timesheet feature for tracking working hours, breaks, and overtime. It automatically calculates total hours worked, streamlining the payroll process. 

Managers can share rosters and communicate directly with employees via the app, including sending instant notifications.

Key Features

• Employees can access the roster from their smartphone, text messages, and email

• Automatic shift reminders

• Track staff availability, breaks, and overtime

• Integrates with Clover, Toast, and other online business tools

Pros & Cons

• User-friendly interface

• Integrates with payroll functions

• Limited features available with the free Basic plan

• Pricing can add up for businesses with multiple locations

Pricing

• Starts at $19.95/month per location

• Free 14-day trial

• Free Basic plan for one location

Best for: Small businesses in the field service industry
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android

mHelpDesk offers an all-in-one, end-to-end SaaS solution for businesses in the field service industry. Several of these tools include scheduling features ideal for generating and managing employee rosters. 

With a similar feel to Google Calendar and Outlook, mHelpDesk allows you to easily see your team’s availability, roster field technicians, automate assignment notifications, and view jobs and customer details. The app is designed to limit over or underbooking, maximizing your workforce’s efficiency. 

mHelpDesk aims to automate the repetitive processes common to many field service industries. Doing so can save your business time and money, especially when it comes to rostering and workforce management. 

Key Features

• Schedule recurring jobs and contracts

• “Assignment view” shows all open jobs and employee availability

• Color-coded view

• Integrates with Google Calendar

Pros & Cons

• Additional field service management tools are available

• Automatic staff reminders

• No pricing details available on the website

• Smaller businesses may not need the full suite of services

Pricing

• Contact a mHelpDesk representative for a quote

• Free 14-day trial

Best for: Restaurants
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android

7shifts is specifically designed to address the unique rostering needs of restaurants. A cloud-based solution, 7shifts simplifies your labor management through a single platform where you can manage availability, rosters, timesheets, and communication with your employees. 

The app automatically notifies employees of their upcoming shifts via text and email, as well as any changes to the roster, reducing the risk of any missed shifts. A “Shift Pool” also allows staff to swap shifts with management approval. 

What’s more, 7shifts paid plans offer labor budgeting tools so you can track your labor costs across the different sections of your restaurant. 

Key Features

• Intuitive drag-and-drop roster and templates

• Immediate notifications for overtime or labor compliance problems

• Approve or reject requests for time off or shift swaps

• Instantly calculate labor spending

Pros & Cons

• Quick and easy to set up

• Integrates with a wide range of business management apps, including Clover, CAKE, QuickBooks, and Toast

• Pricing can add up for restaurants with multiple locations

• Templates and budgeting tools are only available with paid plans

Pricing

• Starts at $34.99/month per location (up to 30 employees)

• Free 14-day trial

• Free plan for a single location

Best for: Small businesses
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android

When I Work is a roster app that helps managers track time off, manage shifts, and oversee employee availability. Designed to cut down time spent on scheduling, When I Work’s features also include a time clock and timesheets for managing attendance and breaks.

Employees can use the app to update their availability, request time off, and swap shifts. The app also alerts employees of any roster changes. 

When I Work has a clean interface that’s quick and easy to learn. When it comes to paying your employees, it integrates with several payroll SaaS applications and allows for payroll data to be exported.

Key Features

• Employee rostering and shift management

• Integrated online timesheets

• Time clock to allow remote workers to clock in and out

• Instant team messaging

Pros & Cons

• Clean, user-friendly interface

• Easily viewed on desktop and mobile devices

• Pricing model can be expensive for larger teams

• No free plan

Pricing

• Starts at $4/month per user

• Free 14-day trial available

Best for: Hospitality industry
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android

Fourth is a full-suite management software solution for the hospitality industry. It includes a range of workforce management features, including a scheduling tool formerly known as HotSchedules. 

This tool allows employees to centrally view their roster, request time off, swap shifts, and communicate with other team members. In turn, the app gives managers total visibility over what their employees are doing. 

One of the rostering app’s main features is a forecasting tool that assists managers to prepare accurate schedules and minimize overtime. Fourth also ensures rostering complies with both relevant labor laws and team availability. 

Key Features

• Forecasting tool

• Monitors labor law compliance

• COVID-19 health monitoring

• Integrates with other hospitality-focused apps, including Restaurant Manager, Toast, and Upserve POS

Pros & Cons

• Clean design

• Health-monitoring function useful for compliance with COVID-19 regulations

• Can take some time to learn features

• No pricing information on website

Pricing

• Contact Fourth for a quote

Best for: Larger, multi-location teams
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android

Sling is cloud-based rostering software suitable for businesses of all sizes. With each of Sling’s plans, there’s no limit to the number of employees, managers, or locations that can use the app, making it ideal for larger, multi-location teams. 

Via a centralized dashboard, managers can create team schedules and manage employee availability and requests for time off or shift changes. Managers and employees can also communicate via the app for real-time updates to the roster. 

Sling’s free basic plan gives users access to its scheduling and communication tools. For added features, such as time-tracking and labor reports, users need to subscribe to a paid plan. 

Key Features

• Task management

• Team messaging

• Scheduling templates

• Labor data reports

Pros & Cons

• Works across multiple locations

• Intuitive to learn

• Basic plan doesn’t include time tracking

• Fewer integrations than other employee rostering software solutions

Pricing

• Starts at $2/month per user

• Free trial available for paid plans

• Free basic plan

Best for: Microbusinesses and freelancers
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android

Google’s scheduling platform, Google Calendar, offers basic rostering functionality ideal for independent freelancers or very small teams. Google Calendar allows you to schedule meetings, appointments, and shifts with your team and provides reminders for upcoming events. 

With daily, monthly, or yearly views and a clean design, it’s easy to get an overview of your team’s availability and whereabouts. You can also create multiple calendars in the one Google account to manage your personal commitments alongside work. 

Google Calendar is completely free with a Google account. For increased calendar functionality, however, you’ll need to pay for a Google Workspace plans. 

Key Features

• Shift calendars

• Attach relevant documents to meetings or shifts

• Add events from Gmail directly to your Calendar

• Set reminders

Pros & Cons

• Free

• Intuitive to use, especially if you’re already familiar with Google apps

• Very basic scheduling functionality

• Not ideal for viewing a large number of calendars

Pricing

• Free

Best for: Businesses looking for full-service HCM software
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android

Paycor Scheduling (formerly Ximble) makes it easy to manage labor costs and boost team productivity by creating effective employee rosters. The rostering application can be used to create and optimize rosters, communicate with staff, and work on the move. 

Paycor’s modern, clean interface makes it easy to view rosters and employee availability. Employees can update their availability in real-time, minimizing the opportunity for missed shifts. These scheduling features streamline the roster-creation process while reducing the risk of errors. 

One tool within Paycor’s suite of HCM software, Paycor Scheduling, is a good option for businesses in need of a full-service solution, including payroll, talent management, and employee experience.

Key Features

• Team chat

• Automated breaks

• Auto-reminders

• Generate reports to understand hours and costs

Pros & Cons

• Plans can be customized with additional features

• Team chat allows staff and employees to communicate and share documents

• Pricing model can add up for larger businesses

• Can’t subscribe to scheduling features alone

Pricing

• Starts at $99/month + $5/month per employee for fewer than 50 employees

• Contact Paycor for pricing for 50+ employees

• Free set-up on all plans

Best for: Small to medium-sized businesses
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android

A well-known rostering solution, Deputy helps managers use their workforce efficiently, keep track of employee attendance, and comply with relevant labor laws. Deputy’s centralized dashboard allows employees to check their roster, claim and swap shifts, update their availability, and receive instant messages about the roster. 

A unique feature of Deputy is the ability to customize the dashboard to fit with your business’s branding. 

Deputy offers 24/7 support to users. It also has flexible pricing plans to suit your business’s needs and budget. Users can sign up for the scheduling app, the time and attendance app, or both.

Key Features

• Easily fill a roster based on employee availability, training, and cost

• Share the roster via desktop or mobile

• Find qualified replacements for shifts immediately

• Control costs based on data regarding wages and sales

Pros & Cons

• Built-in health check function minimizes disruptions due to COVID-19

• Time clock app can be integrated with payroll and POS systems

• Stand-alone scheduling tool

• Web app only available in English

Pricing

• Starts at $2.50/month per user

• Free 31-day trial

Best for: Businesses with complex scheduling
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android

Shiftboard’s SchedulePro and ScheduleFlex rostering applications are specifically designed for organizations with complex scheduling needs, such as those in mission-critical industries or with high-volume staffing. SchedulePro caters to product-centric businesses, while ScheduleFlex provides for service organizations with fluctuating staffing needs, for example, call centers. 

To do this, Shiftboard’s scheduling solutions are customizable and use AI to create efficient rosters. Team members are kept up to date in real time with email, message, and in-app notifications of roster changes. The apps also ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations, even when dealing with a large and flexible workforce.

Key Features

• Create a roster based on each department and location

• Use flex pools for last-minute changes

• Attach custom information for each user such as certifications and proficiencies

• Real-time communication with employees

Pros & Cons

• Auto-scheduling for efficient rostering

• Customize to suit your workforce’s scheduling needs

• No pricing details available on the website

• Calendar display could be clearer

Pricing

• Contact Shiftboard for pricing options

Best for: Integrations with 3rd party apps
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android

With scheduling and time tracking functionality, QuickBooks Time is a good solution for fully mobile workforces. Managers can generate rosters quickly and easily with features like drag and drop shifts and copying previous rosters. Via the app, managers can also track and approve employee time. 

QuickBooks Time integrates with over 50 other apps including Asana, Google Drive, and Dropbox. Existing QuickBooks users will easily adapt to the app’s interface. 

Key Features

• Schedule by shift or job

• Drag and drop shifts for quick roster creation

• Schedule integrates with time clock

• Add, edit, or change shifts on mobile app

Pros & Cons

• Geotechnology capabilities

• Can also be used to track employee mileage and expenses

• Support only available Monday–Friday

• Pricing model can add up for larger businesses

Pricing

• Starts at $10/month + $8 per user

• Free 30-day trial

Best for: Rostering on a budget
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android

While it’s technically not employee rostering software, Google Sheets is good for small businesses or freelancers with basic rostering needs and a limited budget. A free spreadsheet solution, Google Sheets increases rostering efficiency via its easy-to-use cloud-based platform. 

You can create a roster from scratch or access a range of free templates online, either in a single sheet for quick reference or across multiple employee-specific sheets. By sharing the roster in editing mode, employees can add comments or questions to it. 

Accessing Google Sheets is free for you and your employees. You simply need to create a Google Account, and you’re good to go.

Key Features

• Share sheets with employees via email

• Automatically saves additions and changes

• Built-in formulas, pivot tables, and conditional formatting options

• Pre-made templates for quick rostering

Pros & Cons

• Easily create basic rosters

• Free solution

• Very basic rostering functionality

• Optimal use requires some familiarity with Google Sheets

Pricing

• Free

Best for: Companies with a hybrid workforce
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android

A flexible rostering tool for hourly employees, Humanity caters to a wide range of industries including healthcare, retail, hospitality, and manufacturing. 

Humanity’s rostering app offers solid functionality. From the app’s centralized platform, you can review employee availability as well as create, edit, and check rosters. Real-time budgeting and analytics tools help you to avoid overscheduling (and overspending) on labor costs. 

The interface is designed with an emphasis on usability for both employees and managers. So it should be quick and easy for your staff to familiarize themselves with the app’s functionality and use it to organize their shifts. 

Key Features

• Automated and forecasted rostering

• Custom templates

• Factors in state and local regulations

• Integrates with HCM platforms like BambooHR, Oracle, and Workday

Pros & Cons

• 24/7 customer support available

• Can create custom rostering rules

• Range of features can be overwhelming

• No pricing available on website

Pricing

• Contact Humanity for a customized quote

• Free 30-day trial

What is employee rostering software?

A rostering app is a workforce management tool that allows you to electronically organize, manage, and communicate your employees’ roster using a single platform. You and your employees can use the app to schedule and swap shifts, track time, manage overtime, reconcile timesheets and payroll, and forecast labor costs. 

As these apps automate the rostering process, they save you the time and money otherwise spent on manually managing employee shifts. Most are cloud-based SaaS solutions that can be used on a desktop, smartphone, or tablet. 

How does a roster app work?

Roster apps usually combines a range of scheduling and communication features in a centralized dashboard. By logging into the platform, managers and employees can access each of these features. 

At a minimum, a roster application should allow managers to:

• Quickly view employee availability
• Create and update rosters
• View and approve time off and shift swap requests
• Communicate with employees

In turn, employees should be able to use a rostering app to:

• View their roster
• Request time off and shift changes
• Receive notifications of any last-minute changes to their roster
• Communicate with team members

Integrations with other SaaS applications such as payroll and POS systems are common features of most rostering apps that further streamline an organization’s HCM efficiency.

Why should I use a rostering app?

Switching from manual to automatic rostering saves you time and money while improving your employees’ engagement and productivity. 

Employee rostering software automates the scheduling process, reducing the time managers spend creating and managing rosters. It also allows for more accurate rostering when it comes to managing labor costs. Overall, this translates to a higher ROI for your organization. 

An effective roster app also minimizes the risk of errors. When done manually, rosters may include availability conflicts or fail to take into account labor laws and pay regulations. A software solution automatically takes these factors into account, reducing the risk of issues arising. 

Centralizing rostering in a single platform such as an app also increases visibility for employees. Empowering employees to view their roster in real-time and easily request shift changes or raise issues directly with their manager improves engagement and productivity. 

How much does a rostering app cost?

Several rostering apps charge a monthly fee, starting at around $19.95 and ranging up to $99. Most offer a range of plans that give users access to an increasing number of features. 

But be careful – some rostering solutions charge per user or location, either as a base pricing model or in addition to a standard monthly fee. This can add up quickly for larger businesses or those with multiple locations. And while there are free rostering apps available, they usually offer very basic functionality. 

Given the included features, we feel Connecteam’s rostering app represents excellent value. All of Connecteam’s transparent pricing plans include up to 30 employees as part of their monthly fee, with low fees for additional users. Starting at just $29/month, Connecteam is one of the most competitively priced rostering software solutions available. 

FAQs

What is the best rostering app?

As you might expect, we believe Connecteam is the best all-in-one employee rostering software solution. Its robust technology helps you create schedules and instantly share them with your team. With a user-friendly interface, we designed Connecteam to save you time, reduce labor costs, and improve productivity by streamlining your rostering process. 

Is there a roster app?

There is a range of roster applications available to suit your organization’s size, business needs, and budget. Most offer a free trial period so you can test the product before committing to one. Connecteam’s intuitive and easy-to-use rostering app is a good place to start.

How do you create a roster?

The best way to create a roster is by using an online rostering app. Not only does an app show you how to create one, but it also automates your rostering process, saving you time and money.

The Bottom Line on Online Rostering Software Solutions

Finding the right online rostering software solution is key to increasing management efficiency and the overall engagement of your employees. In addition to saving you a significant amount of time when compared with manual rostering, automating the process irons out issues such as availability conflicts, missed shifts, and labor law violations. 

With this in mind, Connecteam is one of the most comprehensive rostering apps available. With a user-friendly interface and transparent pricing plans, it’s an ideal solution for any business. 

The post 6 Best Employee Roster Apps for 2026 (In-Depth Comparison) appeared first on Connecteam.

Every single business owner knows how difficult and time-consuming the task of creating a well-rounded employee schedule is. And this responsibility is especially difficult when you’re stuck in the dark ages using pen and paper or manually adding hours on an Excel spreadsheet. 

What’s a quick, easy, and life-changing solution to all this? The answer to your problems is an employee scheduling app. But before getting into that, you should know just how much time is wasted on manual job scheduling:

• 3.14 HOURS lost every week by managers creating schedules via spreadsheets
• 20% OF TIME of a manager’s time is wasted
• 174% MORE TURNOVER is experienced due to errors associated with manual job scheduling
• 140 HOURS A YEAR are lost on manual job scheduling

This is why many managers are turning to an employee scheduling app solution. For one, it saves you, as a manager, more time and money. Not to mention, automating the scheduling process offers you consistent results, lessens mistakes, reduces costs, boosts productivity, and improves employee satisfaction. 

What To Look For In An Employee Scheduling App

A star employee schedule app will function differently than one that’s just average, and 

here’s how: 

• Functionality: flexibility to customize & save templates, drag & drop, alert notifications. 
• Cost: the point is to save money, not waste more of it. Find fixed pricing, not per user.  
• Scalability: for all SMB sizes, that can support growth without a change in operation. 
• Easy Integration: an intuitive all-in-one, that has everything you need in one place. 
• Customer Support: reachable at all times and has a top rating from customer reviews. 

11 Best Online Employee Scheduling Apps

With Connecteam’s all-in-one employee scheduling app, you can easily save time and money on schedule planning and oversight. In fact, Connecteam offers the most intuitive and easy-to-use schedule board that saves time and effort on planning and dispatching schedules. Its straightforward approach leaves no room for error on the recorded timesheets and the payroll that is processed from it. Additionally, payroll is simple and made to trust through its integration with QuickBooks and Gusto Payroll.

With Connecteam’s robust scheduling app, you can reduce labor costs, improve employee satisfaction, and avoid the chaos of ensuring a shift is covered. There’s even an in-app chat feature with a company directory so employees can easily reach anyone with just a click of a button if there are any scheduling issues or confusion. 

For whom?

Connecteam is ideal for setting shift schedules for frontline workers, small businesses, and large enterprises.

Key Features:

• Automated scheduling

• Automated notifications and reminders

• In app-chat

• Employee directory

• Drag & drop

• Customizable templates

• Recurring shifts

• Quick reference availability

• Access via desktop or mobile device

• Attach images, videos, files, notes, maps and shift-tasks

• Overtime notifications

• Real-time feedback

PROS & CONS

• Affordable pricing

• Requires little-to-no training to start using

• Easily manage the schedule of multiple sites & departments

• All-in-one solution for employee management and scheduling

• Quick response and helpful customer support

• Easy integration with QuickBooks and Gusto Payroll

• Free plan available for up to 10 users only

Pricing:

• Premium plans start at just $29/month for the first 30 users.

• Free trial: 14-day free trial

• Free-for-life plan: For up to 10 users, without limitations

mHelpDesk is very similar to Google Calendar and Outlook, but was designed especially for those in the field service business. A few core features of this work schedule app include: quickly see everyone’s availability, easily schedule field technicians, automated assignment notifications, view job, and customer details, and eliminate overbooking and underbooking. mHelpDesk can also integrate with Google Calendar, Home Advisor, and QuickBooks. 

For Whom?

mHelpDesk is meant to be used by growing or stable small to medium sized businesses.

Key Features:

• Quick reference employee availability

• Several integrations

• Automated features

• Appointment scheduling

PROS & CONS

• User friendly

• Responsive customer service

• Simplified billing and invoicing

• Slow loading times

• Some integrations don’t work very well

• Cannot remove old users

Pricing:

• Capterra notes that their pricing starts at $169/user per month.

• Free trial: 14-day free trial

• Free-for-life plan: No

When it comes to scheduling, Shiftboard has a few features that can be highly beneficial when you have hourly workers. For example, automated scheduling, schedule distribution, shift swapping, push notifications, two-way texting, mobile clock in and out, and more. In addition, Shiftboard can integrate with numerous software solutions such as Oracle, Dropbox, ADP, Paycor, and more. 

For whom?

Shiftboard is optimal for the healthcare, manufacturing, and staffing industries. 

Key Features:

• Automated scheduling

• Budgeting and budget forecasting

• Calendar management

• Applicant and candidate management

PROS & CONS

• Good variety of features and tools

• Good for managing complex employee schedules

• Hard to use and requires training

• No training material or tutorials

• Some users complain the software looks old and outdated

Pricing:

• Unfortunately, to obtain a price quote you must request a demo with a sales representative.

• Free trial: No

• Free-for-life plan: No

TSheets, now Intuit QuickBooks, has similar features as most employee scheduling apps in the market. Schedule by shift or by job, use drag & drop, send notifications about shift changes, easily copy the previous week’s schedule and more. Receive alerts about overtime or missed shifts so you can reduce labor expenses. TSheets has a cool “Who’s Working” feature, so you can immediately see who is available for urgent jobs. 

For whom?

Tsheets, now QuickBooks, is mainly used by small businesses. 

Key Features:

• Accounting integrations

• Simple employee scheduling

• Budget tracking and forecasting

• Asset management and tracking

PROS & CONS

• Easy to use

• Good variety of features

• Lacking customer support

• User report many bugs

• Hard to get software up and running

• Can get expensive for large teams

Pricing:

• Tsheets Premium plan requires a $20 monthly base fee and an additional $8/user per month. The Elite plan requires a $40 monthly base fee and an additional $10/user per month.

• Free trial: 30-day trial free trial

• Free-for-life plan: No

With Homebase, it’s easy to drag & drop team schedules, make changes from your mobile phone, easily copy last week’s schedule, or use automatic scheduling (takes into account team availability and roles). Employees can simply update their availability or request shift trades, which is sent to management for approval. Additionally, Homebase can total hours and overtime, plus it is capable of subtracting break times. Homebase also integrates sales data from Clover, Toast, Square, and more. 

For whom?

Homebase is ideal for small businesses.

Key Features:

• Schedule templates

• Automated scheduling

• Overtime alerts

• Availability tracking

PROS & CONS

• Easy to use

• Easy to track employee hours

• Less expensive plans lack important features

• Requires some training before use

• Setting availability is problematic

Pricing:

• Each plan charges per location instead of per user. The Essentials plan costs $19.95/month for unlimited users per location. The Plus plan costs $49.95/month for unlimited users per location. And the Enterprise plan costs $99.95/month for unlimited users per location.

• Free trial: 14-day trial.

• Free-for-life plan: Yes, with very limited capabilities.

When using Deputy, you really need to be tech-savvy and Deputy knows it – that’s why they request all of your pen and paper timesheets and scheduling ahead of time so that they can customize the work schedule app to meet your business needs. 

Some of their scheduling features include auto-scheduling with lunch and rest breaks. You can create, copy, or publish schedules, shift swapping, and shift replacements. Also, Deputy integrates the software with POS and HR systems like Gusto, Xero, QuickBooks, Lightspeed, and more.

For whom?

Deputy caters to the hospitality, retail, event, healthcare, construction, teaching, childcare, and security industries. 

Key Features:

• Automated scheduling

• Alerts and notifications

• Employee database

• Drag & Drop features

PROS & CONS

• Good time management feature

• Several integrations

• Some bugs and technical issues with breaks

• Difficult to use

• There are more features and functionalities on the iOS app as opposed to Android

Pricing:

• Pricing for the scheduling features costs $2.50/user per month. If you would also like the time and attendance features, then you must pay an additional $2.50/user per month. Their Premium plan costs $4.50/user per month. They do however offer special prices for non-profit organizations, charities, and community organizations.

• Free trial: 31-day trial free trial

• Free-for-life plan: No

Sling makes it easy to create employee schedules, manage time off, availability, and shift swapping. Schedule overtime, reduce absenteeism, and late arrivals, and you can also receive notifications of overlapping shifts or double-booking. Save scheduling templates so creating new ones is a breeze. 

For whom?

Sling is good for all business sizes and industries with shift work. 

Key Features:

• Employee directory

• Payroll reporting and management

• Alerts and notifications on overtime or double-booking

• Reporting and analytics

PROS & CONS

• Easy to use work schedule app

• Filter fields to view specific schedules

• Not great for large teams

• Private messaging

• Not the best user experience on the mobile version

Pricing:

• The Premium plan costs $2/user per month and the Business plan costs $4/user per month.

• Free trial: Yes

• Free-for-life plan: Yes

HotSchedules, now Fourth, has a simple interface that makes employee scheduling easier to manage. Employees can request to swap, release, or pick up shifts right from their mobile phone. As a manager, you have total visibility over this and can approve or deny the changes. From your POS system, you can receive labor and sales data which makes it simpler to create an accurate schedule. 

For whom?

HotSchedules, now known as Fourth, is good for the restaurant, retail or hospitality industries. 

Key Features:

• Automated scheduling

• Budgeting management and forecasting

• Employee management

• Employee database

PROS & CONS

• Easy scheduling feature

• Easy to use

• Lack of customer support

• Poor scheduling templates

• Frequent software updates

Pricing:

• Unfortunately, in order to get a price quote you will need to speak to a sales representative and request a demo.

• Free trial: No

• Free-for-life plan: No

When I Work is a good solution as it’s totally free for less than 75 employees and you aren’t limited to one company location. However, it doesn’t let you schedule weeks in the future so that’s something to be aware of. You can create a template so it’s easy to replicate the next week’s schedule. Use drag & drop options and see who is available and qualified for a shift. Management can send notifications on shift changes. In addition, everything can be managed from a desktop or mobile device. 

For Whom?

Best for small companies, non-profit, and multi-site businesses.

Key Features:

• Activity/social feed

• Automated employee scheduling

• Alerts and notifications on overtime and clocking in

• Employee database and management

PROS & CONS

• Easy to use and intuitive

• Works well for small teams and businesses

• Lack of customization

• Templates can be hard to use

• Hard to see entire schedule

• Lack of customer support

Pricing:

• When I Work’s Basic plan costs $2/month per user up to 100 employees only for scheduling and messaging. The Basic plan jumps to $4/month per user if you would like to include time tracking and attendance.

• Free trial: Yes

• Free-for-life plan: No

A few features on Jolt that can help with employee scheduling include schedule distribution, shift swapping, mobile access, messaging, reports, and an in-app time clock. Jolt makes it easy to achieve team accountability, compliance, and boost employee performance.

For whom?

Jolt is ideal for the food and beverage industry. 

Key Features:

• FDA compliance

• Employee scheduling

• Desktop and mobile access

• Time clock management

PROS & CONS

• Easy to use

• Good customer support

• Setting availability is hard to do

• Not able to request PTO or vacation days

• The app interface is not as good as the desktop

Pricing:

• Unfortunately, in order to receive a price quote you must schedule a demo with a sales representative.

• Free trial: No

• Free-for-life plan: No

Skedulo is a good scheduling software tool for a mobile workforce. It is intended to increase productivity and streamline day-to-day operations of employees who do not sit behind a desk. With Skedulo businesses can manage scheduling and dispatching, oversee their deskless employees through a mobile app, and analyze the data gathered by the app for reporting purposes. 

For whom?

Skedulo is made for mobile employees in the healthcare, real estate, or field services industries. 

Key Features:

• Alerts and notifications

• Automated scheduling

• Drag & Drop

• HIPAA compliant

• Employee database

PROS & CONS

• Good for appointment booking

• Can get a bit pricey as they charge by feature per user, per month.

• Is really only an ideal solution for the healthcare industry

Pricing:

• Skedulo is priced by feature. The scheduler feature costs $79/user per month and the Mobile worker feature costs $59/user per month.

• Free trial: No

• Free-for-life plan: No

Compare the Best Employee Employee Scheduling Apps

Summary

Monthly Price

Free Trial

Free Plan

An all-in-one solution for managing frontline teams, desk-less and remote teams. Affordably priced for any business size.

 

Start trial

10 employees: $0

20 employees: $29

50 employees: $39

14-day

Yes, up to 10 users

Ideal for field service industry. Quick reference employee availability, several integrations, and automated features.

 

10 employees: $1,690

20 employees: $3,380

50 employees: $8,450

14-day

No

Ideal for hourly workers. Automated scheduling, budgeting and budget forecasting, and calendar management.

 

Unfortunately, to obtain a price quote you must request a demo with a sales representative.

No

No

Mainly used by small businesses. Accounting integrations, simple employee scheduling, and budget tracking and forecasting.

 

10 employees: $100

20 employees: $180

50 employees:$420

30-day

No

Homebase is ideal for small businesses. Schedule templates, automated scheduling, and overtime alerts.

 

 

10 locations: $199.50

20 locations: $399

50 locations: $997.50

14-day

Yes, with very limited capabilities.

Deputy can be extremely difficult to use, which is why they customize a scheduling app specifically made for your business.

Based on the number of users implementing the scheduling feature ONLY

10 employees: $25

20 employees: $50

50 employees: $125

31-day

No

Sling is good for all business sizes and industries with shift work. 

 

10 employees: $20

20 employees: $40

50 employees: $100

Yes

Yes

HotSchedules, now known as Fourth, is good fit for the restaurant, retail or hospitality industries. 

 

Unfortunately, in order to get a price quote you will need to speak to a sales representative and request a demo.

 

No

No

Best for small companies, non-profit, and multi-site businesses.

Based on the number of users implementing the scheduling feature ONLY

10 employees: $20

20 employees: $40

50 employees: $100

Yes

No

Jolt is ideal for the food and beverage industry. 

Unfortunately, in order to receive a price quote you must schedule a demo with a sales representative. 

No

No

Skedulo is made for mobile employees in the healthcare, real estate, or field services industries.

Based on the number of users implementing the scheduling feature ONLY

10 employees: $790

20 employees: $1,580

50 employees: $3,950

No

No

Summary

An all-in-one solution for managing frontline teams, desk-less and remote teams. Affordably priced for any business size.

 

Start trial

Monthly Price

10 employees: $0

20 employees: $29

50 employees: $39

Free Trial

14-day

Free Plan

Yes, up to 10 users

Summary

Ideal for field service industry. Quick reference employee availability, several integrations, and automated features.

 

Monthly Price

10 employees: $1,690

20 employees: $3,380

50 employees: $8,450

Free Trial

14-day

Free Plan

No

Summary

Ideal for hourly workers. Automated scheduling, budgeting and budget forecasting, and calendar management.

 

Monthly Price

Unfortunately, to obtain a price quote you must request a demo with a sales representative.

Free Trial

No

Free Plan

No

Summary

Mainly used by small businesses. Accounting integrations, simple employee scheduling, and budget tracking and forecasting.

 

Monthly Price

10 employees: $100

20 employees: $180

50 employees:$420

Free Trial

30-day

Free Plan

No

Summary

Homebase is ideal for small businesses. Schedule templates, automated scheduling, and overtime alerts.

 

 

Monthly Price

10 locations: $199.50

20 locations: $399

50 locations: $997.50

Free Trial

14-day

Free Plan

Yes, with very limited capabilities.

Summary

Deputy can be extremely difficult to use, which is why they customize a scheduling app specifically made for your business.

Monthly Price

Based on the number of users implementing the scheduling feature ONLY

10 employees: $25

20 employees: $50

50 employees: $125

Free Trial

31-day

Free Plan

No

Summary

Sling is good for all business sizes and industries with shift work. 

 

Monthly Price

10 employees: $20

20 employees: $40

50 employees: $100

Free Trial

Yes

Free Plan

Yes

Summary

HotSchedules, now known as Fourth, is good fit for the restaurant, retail or hospitality industries. 

 

Monthly Price

Unfortunately, in order to get a price quote you will need to speak to a sales representative and request a demo.

 

Free Trial

No

Free Plan

No

Summary

Best for small companies, non-profit, and multi-site businesses.

Monthly Price

Based on the number of users implementing the scheduling feature ONLY

10 employees: $20

20 employees: $40

50 employees: $100

Free Trial

Yes

Free Plan

No

Summary

Jolt is ideal for the food and beverage industry. 

Monthly Price

Unfortunately, in order to receive a price quote you must schedule a demo with a sales representative. 

Free Trial

No

Free Plan

No

Summary

Skedulo is made for mobile employees in the healthcare, real estate, or field services industries.

Monthly Price

Based on the number of users implementing the scheduling feature ONLY

10 employees: $790

20 employees: $1,580

50 employees: $3,950

Free Trial

No

Free Plan

No

What Is An Employee Scheduling App?

Finances Online explains this in detail, “Employee scheduling software is a workforce and scheduling management platform that helps owners and managers administer their hourly workers. Automating the process of creating schedules produces consistent results, manages labor costs, increases productivity, and improves workforce satisfaction.” 

How Do Employee Scheduling Apps Work?

Each employee scheduling app will be different based on catered services, but the general idea of automated scheduling should be present. Once you pick your choice of software, you’ll generally be taken through a set of directions that are designed to make everything as seamless and easy as possible. You’ll set up control preferences for both you and your employees so that the employee scheduler app is customized to your liking. Preferences can include maximum hours worked per week, alert notifications, and claiming rights of shift openings. 

Once your daily, weekly, or monthly schedule is in order, you can clearly track everything, and if cancellations or other sudden changes come into the mix, you can use this software to quickly recover and update all relevant staff members.  

Why Should I Use Employee Scheduling Apps?

As mentioned earlier, approximately 140 hours a year are lost when manually taking care of job scheduling. Time is money. For this reason alone, you should switch to employee scheduling apps to have more spare time and money in your pocket. On another note, statistics show that manualized scheduling can hike up turnover, and that’s because when scheduling is in chaos, this can exhaust your entire team.  

Employee scheduling apps take the work out of your hands and maintain work hours that honor labor law, reduce overtime costs, and utilize your entire team so that work is dispersed equally and fairly. 

With software like this, the endless hours you normally have to put into reaching out to employees about availability, constantly re-doing print-out schedules or pen and paper ones, and sweating over calculating your timesheets, can all be redirected to more important aspects of your business. 

Benefits Of Using An Employee Scheduling App

The benefits of a staff scheduling app are endless, but we want to focus on the most important aspects that will directly impact you, as a manager.

Collaborative Scheduling Is Easy

Employees who have the power to set their own availability and manage shift trades are known as collaborative scheduling. Why does this matter? Because it allows managers to make sure that all shifts are covered and can approve time-off requests and input. When managers can share scheduling responsibilities with employees, they free up almost 80% of their time.

Remote Access

Virtually every single scheduling app for employees offers remote access so employees have full visibility and access to their schedule 24/7. By having instant access, employees can easily create a healthy work-life balance – catching mistakes or seizing open shifts that happen in a flash. This level of satisfaction helps lower the turnover rate and boosts employee happiness as they have control over the schedule. 

Avoid Overtime

It is important that you comply with labor laws because the Department of Labor regulatory requirements and litigation spending is growing. Seyforth Shaw, LLP also reported that workplace action settlements reached a startling total of $1.75 billion and the settlement value has tripled in 2016 for wage and hour litigation. 

Overtime errors are at the top of wage and hour litigation threats, moreover, for non-exempt employees, overtime is at 40 hours, and each week worked cannot be averaged over a two-week span. Therefore, overtime can’t be paid on the following week’s paycheck and you can’t exchange overtime for vacation time. That’s where an employee scheduling app makes life easier as it has alerts built in to prevent employees from working more than 40 hours a week. Some states also require you to provide a paid break and most apps have this feature programed as well. 

Better Communication

Miscommunication or lack thereof can lead to serious problems in the workplace, like employees quitting, poor customer service, and more. 

Forbes reported that two of the top five reasons that employees are so unhappy at work is because of communication issues. Using a scheduling app with built-in communication makes it easier for managers and employees to stay in touch by sharing updates instantly and filling open shifts quickly. 

More Efficiency

When you’re juggling more than a dozen tasks at any given minute, schedule changes can really throw the day out of whack. Especially when a lot of scheduling changes can happen when you’re not clocked in. With an employee scheduling app, you can schedule and track time while on the go! This way, you can manage schedules in real-time and can avoid headaches. Additionally, your team will receive schedule updates straight away on their mobile phone so they’re constantly kept in the loop – this is so much more efficient when it comes to tracking the workflow and you aren’t bombarding your employees with phone calls to discuss schedule changes.

Tax and Labor Compliance

Make sure the employee schedule app complies with state and local labor laws, like overtime and sick leave.

Reduce Employee No-Shows

Your employees have personal lives which means that unplanned emergencies can happen so it’s important to be prepared. Using an employee schedule app makes it easy to replace the employee at the last minute. 

Consistency

You can face serious backlash when you misplace, overlook or forget time off requests – doing so damages performance and morale. Online employee scheduling helps you stay on top of this as you receive all requests digitally and employees get notified as soon as you approve or reject the change.  

We strongly recommend an employee scheduling app that makes it easy to create, change, and publish schedules at the click of a button. Say goodbye to piles of spreadsheets, using online employee scheduling saves you time and money so you can focus on the bigger picture. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Employee Scheduling Apps

What can an employee scheduling app do for my company?

An employee scheduling app will definitely decrease the amount of time it takes you to schedule all your employees. In addition, it helps improve and increase employee productivity, provides management clear oversight, and reduces costs from human error. There should also be features that allow for employee collaboration and communication in real-time. 

Is an employee scheduling app a good fit for both small and large businesses or even those who have deskless or mobile workers?

Yes, an employee scheduling app is beneficial for both small and large businesses no matter what industry they are in. Furthermore, they’re a great way for companies that have deskless or mobile workers to schedule their employees! A robust employee scheduling app will provide management with complete oversight and control over all aspects of employee scheduling. Employee scheduling apps help small and large businesses alike save time and money when it comes to common scheduling issues and problems. 

Is a free employee work schedule app a good choice for my business?

This really depends on what the free plan includes and what features are provided. There are only a few scheduling apps for employees that are also an all-in-one solution to employee scheduling and management. One of them, Connecteam, is an all-in-one employee scheduling and employee management app that offers a free, unlimited plan for up to 10 users. 

To Sum Up Employee Scheduling App Solutions

As you are aware, scheduling employees can be a long and arduous process, especially if you’re still doing it by pen and paper. Not only can it be full of mistakes, but it’s hard to disseminate to employees, papers can be easily lost or misplaced, and it’s an inefficient and archaic process. 

In 2021, more and more companies of all sizes are making the technological jump to an employee scheduling app that helps streamline employee scheduling. Management can now focus on more important daily tasks as opposed to spending hours creating and executing a working schedule that fits all of your employees needs and wants.

In addition, when choosing a scheduling app for employees you should keep in mind the importance and benefits of an all-in-one digital solution. Even if scheduling is your main issue, there are so many other features such as communication, task management and training that an all-in-one solution provides and will definitely be an advantage to your business!

The post 6 Best Employee Scheduling Apps in 2026 (In-Depth Comparison) appeared first on Connecteam.

Paying your cleaning employees fairly and on time keeps them motivated, reduces turnover, and improves service quality.

Cleaning employees who aren’t paid well often work less, make more mistakes, and eventually leave for better-paying jobs.

But some cleaning business owners don’t know how much to pay their workers, and others consistently make incorrect or late payments.

Below, we explain how much to pay your employees and discuss the best payroll solutions for cleaning companies to ensure quick, accurate payments.

How Much Should I Pay My Cleaning Employees?

Most cleaning employees in the US earn between $16 and $18 per hour, depending on experience, location, and job type.

If you’re starting a cleaning business, understanding pay expectations early helps you set realistic pricing, budget for labor, and attract reliable staff from day 1.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for janitors and building cleaners in May 2024 was $17.27, while maids and housekeeping cleaners earned around $16 per hour (May 2023). Rates are typically higher in states like Hawaii, California, and Washington, where the cost of living is higher, and demand for commercial cleaning services is stronger.

How to determine the right pay rate for your cleaners

Once you know the general pay range, the next step is to calculate what works best for your business. Use these steps to find a fair and competitive rate for your team:

• Research local job postings in your city or region to understand current market rates. (For example, try searching “cleaning services in [city]” on Google.”)
• Adjust pay by cleaning type. Commercial, industrial, or post-construction cleaning can require special skills or training. As a result, it usually pays more than residential work. Use other cleaning services in your region as a benchmark. If the cost to the client is double, it’s probably because the pay is equally higher.
• Factor in experience and certifications. Senior cleaners or those with safety or specialty training can command higher pay—but they’re often worth it.
• Confirm local and state labor laws to ensure compliance with minimum wage, overtime, and paid break requirements. Your state’s .gov website (e.g., www.ca.gov or www.texas.gov) is a good place to find more information or get help.
• Balance wages with your profit margins to keep pay sustainable for your business. Good time-tracking and scheduling software makes this a lot easier.
• Review pay rates annually to stay competitive and retain skilled employees. Look at competitor rates, cost of supplies, demand for services, and the job market, then update wages accordingly. 

How Should I Pay My Cleaning Employees?

There are several different ways you can pay people, depending on the jobs you tackle, your team size, and contracts with customers. 

The 3 most common ways are hourly, fixed, and per job.

Some businesses also offer commissions or performance bonuses to reward upselling, reliability, or customer satisfaction. You can combine these models to stay flexible across busy and slow seasons.

Hourly 

Paying by the hour is the most popular way to compensate cleaners. It works well for small- to medium-sized cleaning companies that take on different projects and have varied needs. Before setting rates, review your cleaner job description so you can match pay to specific duties, skill levels, and cleaning environments.

Hourly pay has its pros and cons. It provides employees with predictable income and makes it easier for business owners to budget labor, but it doesn’t always reward efficiency. As Vic from Oak Bay Clean tells Connecteam, “The old model of hourly pay punished experienced cleaners for being efficient.”

That’s why some cleaning companies use a hybrid approach to balance fairness with productivity. Eli Barker, director of sales & marketing at Smart Cleaning LLC, explains his approach:

“Our goal from the beginning has always been to ensure our workers are getting paid not just a fair rate, but are able to actually make a living. We use a mix of hourly and per job pay based on what kind of job it is.”

This hybrid approach is great for ensuring fair compensation while motivating your workers during peak periods.

How it works 

You set an hourly pay rate for your employees and pay them based on the hours they work. 

For example, if a cleaner’s hourly wage is $17, and they’ve worked 100 hours this month, you can calculate their pay like this:

Total pay = Hourly rate x Number of hours worked in the month

In the above example, it’ll be $17 × 100 = $1,700 for the month. 

You can use the same formula to calculate pay for a day, week, etc.

Best practices 

Use a mobile time-tracking app

These apps let workers clock in and out of cleaning jobs easily from their phones. GPS tracking also lets you verify workers’ real-time locations so you know everyone is where they should be. 

Switch to digital timesheets

Look for apps that use time logs to create online timesheets for each employee, capturing their work hours, breaks, overtime hours, and more. You can use these to run payroll, saving the hassle of creating manual payroll reports and ensuring you pay workers accurately. 

Track productivity

Regularly review time reports to see how workers spend their hours and identify areas for improvement. For example, you might find that one cleaner consistently takes double the time to do the same jobs as others. They could be committing time theft or might need additional support to improve their speed.

Fixed salary 

You can also pay your employees fixed salaries. This pay structure is well-suited for larger cleaning businesses that serve clients with regular, predictable cleaning needs. 

How it works 

You pay workers a fixed salary and expect them to work a specific number of hours. For example, you might set an annual salary of $28,000 for 35 work hours per week.

Best practices

Establish clear expectations

Clearly define daily duties, performance expectations, and other goals to motivate your salaried employees. Additionally, track their progress on tasks and monitor customer feedback to ensure no one is slacking.  

Set competitive salaries

Employees who are paid well (i.e., at or above market rates) are more likely to be satisfied in their jobs and ensure quality in their work. 

Monitor workloads

When you don’t track hours, you might overlook overworked employees. Monitor your team’s workloads regularly and check in with them to ensure they have the support they need.

Per job or task

You can also pay your workers a fixed amount for each job or task completed, regardless of client fees or the time it takes. 

This model is good for companies that hire contractors or ad-hoc workers for specialized cleaning services with clearly defined outcomes and a predictable scope of work. It also lets you give clients a transparent quote upfront, which helps build trust. 

From the business side, Vic shared how he structures pay to balance fairness and performance: “We price jobs at a premium-but-accessible level (about 75–80% of the highest local competitor), then pay by the job—typically a 60/40 split to the cleaner. This rewards efficiency and ensures experienced pros can earn more.”

Together, these perspectives show why a per-job pay structure works best when it’s clearly defined, consistently managed, and linked to measurable outcomes.

How it works

You offer employees a pre-defined fee for completing a specific task or project. For example, you might pay workers $120 for standard residential carpet cleaning or $150 for commercial window washing, depending on size, location, and scope.

Best practices 

Ensure fair pay and quality of work

Ensure your employees’ pay reflects the time and effort required to complete the job, and as Axel mentioned, conduct quality checks to catch any mistakes workers could have made in a rush to finish tasks. 

Commissions

A commission-based model pays cleaners a portion of the customer’s fee. This works well for cleaning companies that want workers to upsell services. For instance, if your worker persuades a client to opt for an add-on cleaning service or better products, you and your worker benefit from additional income. 

How it works

For every cleaning job an employee completes, you offer them a percentage of the income you make from the customer. For example, say you’ve agreed to a 20% commission for each cleaner. If you bill a customer $500 for a cleaning job, your cleaner will earn 20% of that, or $100. 

Best practices

Ensure fair, transparent pay and quality of work

Clearly communicate how you calculate commissions and pay employees to avoid confusion or disputes. Also, ensure the commission structure fairly compensates workers for their time and contributions. Finally, review customer feedback regularly to ensure your workers aren’t rushing jobs or compromising the quality of the cleaning services you provide. 

Tie incentive pay to performance metrics beyond speed and upsells

Instead of focusing solely on how many upsells a cleaner completes, many business owners also reward reliability and consistency.

Brian Davis, CEO at Handy Rubbish, takes a comprehensive approach to incentive pay: “We have a mixed setup hourly for regular cleaning and per-job for specialist waste or clearance jobs. Bonuses are also linked to punctuality, customer satisfaction and targets for sustainability (such as zero contamination). This encourages both speed and quality, as it should.”

Benefits

While employee benefits aren’t a pay structure, you can use them alongside hourly or fixed salary payments. 

Consider offering health insurance, retirement benefits, and PTO (paid time off) to boost employee engagement. Businesses with lower budgets can offer flexible scheduling, training and development, and other non-monetary benefits to help workers feel valued and appreciated.

The Best Payroll Software for Cleaning Companies

Paying employees accurately and on time is essential, and payroll software can help you do this. Here are the best solutions for 2026.

Gusto

Good for startups and small businesses 

Gusto is one of the most popular cloud-based payroll, benefits, and HR management software solutions. Plans start at $49 per month plus $6 per employee per month.

Why we chose Gusto: Gusto provides all the essential tools for payroll processing. We like that the app is user-friendly, making it ideal for everyone—from business owners to office managers and cleaners. When we tested Gusto, we found the browser-based interface to be intuitive and easy to navigate, even for users without payroll experience.

Here are some of Gusto’s key payroll features. 

Payroll processing

Gusto lets you pay all your cleaning employees, regardless of their classification. You can set fixed salaries, hourly wages, bonus payments, and commissions, and create payment schedules with your preferred pay frequencies. 

Gusto automatically calculates and processes pay, ensuring employees receive pay on time. It also supports contractor payments, so you can pay your employees and 1099 contractors from a single platform. Additionally, you can pay international contractors from Gusto if you run a global business. 

Multiple methods of payment 

Your employees can receive their pay through direct deposit, check payments, or pay cards if required. However, it would be great if the platform supported credit card funding for payroll, which would help small businesses manage cash flow during slow periods.

Tax calculation and filing 

Gusto automatically calculates, pays, and files local, state, and federal payroll taxes on your behalf. This saves you the hassle of doing this manually and reduces the risk of errors and non-compliance. During testing, we found the tax setup process straightforward. Gusto walks you through each step and automatically updates tax filings when you run payroll.

Employee self-service 

Gusto offers an employee portal where team members can access their pay stubs, tax forms, and personal information. They can also use this portal to submit expenses. Once you approve these, they’re paid automatically. We also found it useful that workers can update their bank details, ensuring you always send pay to the correct account. 

The Gusto Wallet mobile app lets employees view paychecks, clock in and out, and even split their direct deposits between multiple accounts. This is perfect for workers who want to automatically save a portion of each paycheck.

Reporting, benefits administration, and more 

Gusto lets you create and download custom payroll reports. You can view data by employee, department, location, and even classification. Gusto also offers benefits administration, including healthcare, dental, life insurance, and retirement plans. 

While Gusto has plenty of great features, it lacks operations and communication tools that could make it an all-in-one workforce management app. 

Key features

• Payroll processing
• Contractor payments
• Tax calculation and reporting  
• Employee self-service

Pros

• Supports multiple modes of payment
• Lets you pay international contractors 

Cons

• Doesn’t support credit card payments
• Lacks operations and communications tools 

What users say about Gusto

As a user, I absolutely love how Gusto has streamlined the payroll process, making my job significantly easier.

Jessica R. Small Business Owner

Read review here.

The inability to add nicknames to bank accounts within Gusto’s platform has presented challenges in streamlining our financial management process.

Storm R. Small Business Owner

Read review here.

Paychex

Good for large companies

Paychex is a payroll, benefits, and HR management platform. Pricing is calculated via a quote-based pricing model. 

Why we chose Paychex: It offers powerful tools that simplify payroll processing for companies of all sizes. When we reviewed Paychex, we were impressed by how efficiently it processes payroll. You can run it in as few as 2 clicks once employee data and hours are entered. 

Here are its core payroll features.

Payroll processing

Paychex’s payroll services allow you to pay hourly or salaried employees and 1099 contractors. Paychex automatically calculates payroll, including wages, bonuses, and deductions. It pays employees weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, or monthly, depending on your needs. 

Multiple payment methods  

Paychex lets you pay employees via direct deposit, paper checks, or payroll cards, based on their preferences. There’s also an on-demand pay feature that lets employees access their earnings before payday. We found this a helpful option for workers who need early access to their pay.

Tax administration and compliance 

Paychex handles all payroll-related tax calculations, filings, and payments, including federal, state, and local taxes. We find it reassuring that Paychex’s compliance experts stay current on regulatory changes across all locations and ensure you remain compliant. For example, you can use Paychex’s experts to set up workers’ compensation insurance for your cleaners. 

Employee self-service tools 

Workers can use Paychex’s online portal to update their personal and banking details and find their tax forms, pay stubs, and benefits plans. Paychex’s mobile apps also allow users to access the portal from anywhere on their smartphones. We think this is particularly useful for cleaning companies where workers might not need or have laptops. 

Scalable plans 

Paychex offers several plans. While the first plan provides basic payroll features, the others offer advanced tools, reporting, and HR support. This way, you can easily upgrade plans as your company grows without changing your provider. 

Paychex also offers a limited 3-month free trial, including payroll, HR, time tracking, and benefits management with no credit card required. However, this promotion may vary by region or time period; users should confirm on Paychex’s official site.

Time and attendance integration

Paychex integrates with time and attendance systems to track hours worked, overtime, and leave information. For example, you can sync Paychex with Connecteam using 1-click integration, then run payroll in minutes right from your Connecteam app—and handle the rest of your workforce management tasks, too.

Key features

• Payroll processing
• Tax administration
• Compliance management 
• Employee self-service tools

Pros

• Can be accessed from anywhere
• Integrates with Connecteam for all-in-one workforce management 

Cons

• Reporting available only on advanced plans
• Has a learning curve and requires training

What users say about Paychex

Our small company is very happy with the overall service from Paychex. We are always able to get someone on the phone if we need assistance.

Jessica S. Small Business Owner

Read review here.

I did have one hiccup about withholdings from an employee’s paycheck. It took a while to fix, but Paychex eventually resolved it.

L.M. Small Business Owner

Read review here.

QuickBooks Online

Good for small- to mid-sized businesses 

QuickBooks Online is part of Intuit’s larger offering of accounting, billing, invoicing, time tracking, and other business tools. Pricing starts at $44 per month plus $6.50 per employee per month for the “Payroll Core” plan.

Why we chose QuickBooks Online: We love that QuickBooks’ payroll tool integrates with its accounting software, so you don’t have to manage them separately. 

Here are the features that make QuickBooks Online one of the best payroll software for cleaning companies. 

Automated payroll

You can set your team’s payroll to run automatically at your chosen pay frequency. QuickBooks Online will pay your workers’ hourly wages, fixed salaries, commissions, and bonuses on time. You can also pay employees through direct deposit; the system even offers same-day direct deposits. 

Taxes and benefits deductions 

QuickBooks Online also automatically deducts employee and employer payroll taxes, so neither you nor your workers need to worry about doing this manually. The best part, in our opinion, is that the platform offers tax penalty protection. QuickBooks pays up to $25,000 in fines for inaccurate tax deductions. 

Additionally, QuickBooks Online provides benefits administration support and auto-deducts contributions to healthcare or retirement plans from payroll. 

Workforce app and payroll reports

QuickBooks Online’s workforce app lets employees access their pay stubs and year-end tax documents online. You can use your admin account to generate detailed payroll reports, too. Customize these by employees, teams, and more to get the insights you need. 

Integrations

QuickBooks Online payroll integrates with its accounting software, helping you manage business finances and payroll from a single platform. The app also integrates with Connecteam for timesheet review and payroll accuracy.

It’s important to note that time tracking is available across all plans, but “track time only” users can’t access full daily or weekly timesheet views. This means managers may still need to review or finalize hours manually.

Key features

• Automated payroll
• Tax deductions
• Benefits administration
• Workforce app for employee self-service

Pros

• Offers tax penalty protection of up to $25,000
• Integrates with QuickBooks Accounting

Cons

• More expensive than some other payroll providers
• Limited time tracking features for certain users

What users say about QuickBooks Online

We use the software frequently, in fact on a daily basis because the features it has are just amazing. The customer support has been great as well.

B.A.I. Executive

Read review here.

Getting about was a bit complicated at first. But that’s the only downside I’ve encountered.

Sheena P. Trust Officer

Read review here.

FAQs 

How much should I pay a cleaner per hour?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for cleaners is between $16 and $18. Pay more for experienced workers or specialized cleaning tasks. Clients typically pay cleaning companies $50-$55 per hour, which covers wages, supplies, insurance, and other business costs.

How much do cleaners charge for 3 hours?

Most cleaning services charge between $150 and $165 for a 3-hour job, based on Thumbtack data. This total reflects both labor and overhead, not just wages. Prices may rise in high-cost cities or for deeper cleans.

How do I price my cleaning services?

Start by adding your labor costs, overhead, and profit margin. Most companies charge $25-$75 per hour per cleaner, depending on experience, cleaning type, and region. You can also set flat rates based on home size or job complexity to make pricing predictable for clients.

Bottom Line

Most cleaning businesses pay by the hour, set a fixed salary, or offer workers a commission for each job. Whichever payment structure you choose, you should match or exceed market rates, pay workers fairly for their skills and experience, and comply with local minimum wage and overtime laws. Clarity around pay is key to running a cleaning business successfully and keeping great employees long-term.

Use Connecteam to capture employees’ working hours, create timesheets, and integrate these with popular payroll platforms like Gusto, Paychex, and QuickBooks Online. This way, you can always pay your employees accurately and on time.

Get started with Connecteam for free today!

The post How Much Should I Pay My Cleaning Employees + Best Payroll Software for Cleaning Companies? appeared first on Connecteam.