TLDR
Match the tool to your workforce shape first. Hourly and shift-heavy teams (retail, hospitality, healthcare) need strong scheduling, mobile clock-in, and overtime alerts, while salaried or enterprise teams lean on forecasting, analytics, and deep HRIS integrations. Check which payroll and POS systems each vendor connects to natively before you shortlist.
Hourly, multi-location teams that need shift scheduling, accurate time tracking, and labor-law compliance in one system.
Workforce management software covers scheduling, time and attendance, forecasting, and labor compliance. The right fit depends heavily on whether you manage hourly shift workers, salaried staff, or a mix across many sites.
The biggest cost drivers are usually integration gaps and compliance mistakes. A tool that syncs cleanly with your payroll and POS, and that flags overtime or break violations automatically, pays for itself by cutting manual corrections and avoiding fines.
Weigh ease of setup against depth. A frontline team of 50 does not need enterprise forecasting, but a 5,000-person operation will outgrow a lightweight scheduler fast. Test the mobile experience, since that is where most hourly employees actually interact with the system.
best workforce management software Tools compared
Filter by what you care about. Every tool stays on the page.
| Tool | Price | Shift Scheduling | Time & Attendance | Demand Forecasting | Mobile App | Payroll Integration | Labor Compliance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) | Custom | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Workday | Custom | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deputy | From $5/mo | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| When I Work | From $2.50/mo | Yes | Limited | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rippling | Custom | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BambooHR | From $10/mo | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ADP Workforce Now | Custom | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Paycor | Custom | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Paylocity | Custom | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Homebase | From $0/mo | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 7shifts | From $0/mo | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Connecteam | From $0/mo | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Workforce.com | From $4/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sling | From $0/mo | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Limited | Limited |
| Humanity | Custom | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited |
Highlighted rows are featured placements. Competitor details are set by each platform, so confirm on their site before buying.
The 15 best best workforce management software tools
UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group)
CustomUKG combines the former Kronos and Ultimate Software products into a full HR, payroll, and workforce management platform. It is strong on advanced scheduling, labor forecasting, and compliance for industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and retail. The depth comes with a heavier implementation and a price point aimed at mid-market and enterprise buyers.
Pros
- Deep scheduling and labor forecasting for complex operations
- Strong compliance and labor rule handling
- Covers HR, payroll, and WFM in one suite
Cons
- Long, costly implementation
- Overkill for small teams
- Pricing is quote-only
Best for: Large enterprises with complex shift and compliance needs.
Workday
CustomWorkday is a cloud HCM and finance platform used by big companies to run HR, payroll, planning, and workforce management. It handles scheduling, time tracking, and labor planning alongside broader talent and finance functions. It is a serious investment that rewards organizations with the scale and budget to justify it.
Pros
- Unified HR, finance, and planning data
- Strong analytics and forecasting
- Scales to very large workforces
Cons
- Expensive and complex to deploy
- Quote-only pricing
- Too much for small businesses
Best for: Large enterprises wanting HR, finance, and WFM in one system.
Deputy
From $5/moDeputy focuses on making shift work simpler with scheduling, time clocking, and labor law compliance in one app. It uses AI to help build schedules and control labor costs, and it integrates with common payroll and HR tools. Pricing starts low per user, making it accessible for single-location and multi-location businesses.
Pros
- Easy, fast schedule building
- Built-in labor law compliance
- Affordable per-user pricing
Cons
- Payroll is via integration, not native everywhere
- Advanced features need higher tiers
Best for: Hourly and shift-based teams that need scheduling plus compliance.
When I Work
From $2.50/moWhen I Work is designed for hourly workers who are out on the floor or in the field, with easy scheduling, time tracking, and team messaging in one mobile app. It supports auto scheduling, multi-location setups, and overtime tracking. Pricing is low per user, and time tracking is an add-on to the base scheduling plan.
Pros
- Clean mobile experience employees adopt easily
- Low per-user cost
- Auto and multi-location scheduling
Cons
- Time tracking costs extra
- Lighter on forecasting and HR depth
Best for: Small to mid-size hourly teams wanting simple scheduling.
Rippling
CustomRippling ties HR, payroll, IT, and finance together on one platform, with scheduling and time tracking as part of its workforce management offering. Because everything shares one employee system, payroll and compliance updates flow automatically. Pricing is modular and quote-based, scaling with the apps you choose.
Pros
- Everything on one connected platform
- Automated payroll and compliance
- Modular, add what you need
Cons
- Quote-only pricing
- Can get expensive with many modules
- More than small shift teams need
Best for: Growing companies wanting HR, IT, and WFM unified.
BambooHR
From $10/moBambooHR is an HR-first platform covering employee records, hiring, onboarding, payroll, benefits, and performance. It includes time tracking and time-off management but is not built around shift scheduling. It suits businesses that want a tidy HR system of record more than a labor-scheduling engine.
Pros
- Strong HR records and reporting
- Easy onboarding and benefits admin
- Clean, friendly interface
Cons
- No real shift scheduling
- Forecasting is minimal
- Per-employee pricing adds up
Best for: SMBs needing core HR, payroll, and time-off management.
ADP Workforce Now
CustomADP Workforce Now pairs ADP's payroll and tax strength with time and attendance, plus a workforce management add-on for scheduling, labor forecasting, and leave management. It is well suited to companies that want payroll and compliance handled by an established provider. Pricing is quote-based and scales by headcount and modules.
Pros
- Reliable payroll and tax compliance
- Scheduling and forecasting via WFM add-on
- Scales across company sizes
Cons
- Quote-only pricing
- Interface feels dated to some
- Add-ons increase cost
Best for: Companies that want payroll-grade compliance with added WFM.
Paycor
CustomPaycor offers HR, payroll, talent, and workforce management in one HCM system aimed at small and mid-size businesses. Its workforce management covers scheduling, time tracking, and compliance, with AI assistance for routine HR tasks. Pricing is quote-based and tiered by features.
Pros
- Full HCM with payroll and WFM
- Scheduling and time tracking included
- Compliance support built in
Cons
- Quote-only pricing
- Setup can take time
- Best value needs higher tiers
Best for: SMB and mid-market firms wanting HR, payroll, and WFM together.
Paylocity
CustomPaylocity is an HR and payroll platform for mid-size businesses, with modules for time and attendance, scheduling, benefits, and employee engagement. Its workforce management tools handle shift scheduling and labor tracking alongside payroll. Pricing is quote-based and varies by modules and headcount.
Pros
- Strong payroll and HR core
- Good employee communication and engagement tools
- Scheduling and time tracking modules
Cons
- Quote-only pricing
- Forecasting is limited
- Aimed at mid-market more than tiny teams
Best for: Mid-size businesses wanting HCM with workforce management.
Homebase
From $0/moHomebase puts scheduling, time tracking, payroll, hiring, and basic HR in one app aimed at small hourly teams. The free Basic plan covers one location with up to 10 employees, and paid tiers add advanced scheduling and team communication. Payroll is an add-on available on any plan.
Pros
- Free plan for a single small location
- Scheduling, time clock, and payroll in one app
- Easy for small teams to adopt
Cons
- Per-location pricing grows with multiple sites
- Payroll costs extra
- Limited forecasting
Best for: Small hourly businesses wanting one affordable app.
7shifts
From $0/mo7shifts is built specifically for restaurants, covering scheduling, time clocking, labor compliance, tip management, and payroll. It helps operators plan shifts around labor targets and manage tips and team performance. There is a free starter tier, with paid plans adding advanced features.
Pros
- Purpose-built for restaurants
- Tip management and labor compliance
- Free tier to start
Cons
- Niche beyond food service
- Advanced features need paid plans
Best for: Restaurants and food service teams managing shifts and tips.
Connecteam
From $0/moConnecteam brings scheduling, time tracking, communication, and HR into one app built for deskless and frontline workers. It includes task management, forms, training, and chat alongside the core time and scheduling tools. The Small Business plan is free for up to 10 users, with affordable flat-rate paid tiers above that.
Pros
- Free for up to 10 users
- Scheduling, time clock, and chat in one app
- Flat-rate pricing, not per user on paid tiers
Cons
- Forecasting is limited
- Payroll relies on integrations
- Lots of modules can feel busy
Best for: Deskless and frontline teams wanting one combined app.
Workforce.com
From $4/moWorkforce.com focuses on workforce management for hourly teams, with scheduling, time and attendance, labor forecasting, and compliance. It emphasizes matching staffing to demand and controlling labor costs, with payroll integrations and some native payroll options. Pricing is typically quote-based with a low per-user starting point.
Pros
- Strong labor forecasting and demand matching
- Scheduling plus time and attendance
- Compliance and labor cost controls
Cons
- Pricing often requires a quote
- Geared to operations, lighter on broad HR
Best for: Hourly operations that want demand-based scheduling.
Sling
From $0/moSling, from Toast, is a scheduling tool for shift-based teams that includes time tracking, task management, and team messaging. It has a free tier and low-cost paid plans, making it approachable for small businesses. It leans toward scheduling and communication rather than deep payroll or forecasting.
Pros
- Free plan to get started
- Scheduling, messaging, and tasks together
- Low-cost paid upgrades
Cons
- Limited forecasting
- Payroll handled via integrations
- Fewer compliance tools than enterprise suites
Best for: Small shift teams wanting free scheduling and messaging.
Humanity
CustomHumanity is a scheduling platform that handles shift planning, availability, time tracking, and demand-based forecasting. It targets mid-size businesses that need more scheduling depth than basic apps offer, and it integrates with payroll and HR systems. Pricing is quote-based following its move under TCP Software.
Pros
- Solid demand-based scheduling and forecasting
- Availability and shift swap handling
- Integrates with payroll and HR tools
Cons
- Quote-only pricing
- Time tracking depends on configuration
- Less of an all-in-one HR suite
Best for: Mid-size teams needing forecast-driven scheduling.
How to choose a workforce management tool
Start with your dominant worker type. Hourly, shift-based teams should prioritize drag-and-drop scheduling, shift swapping, mobile clock-in with geofencing, and automated overtime warnings. Salaried and enterprise teams care more about labor forecasting, analytics dashboards, and connections to a broader HRIS.
List your must-have integrations before demos. Confirm native connections to your payroll provider (ADP, Gusto, Paychex), your POS if you run retail or restaurants, and your HR system. Native integrations beat CSV exports every time once you scale past a couple of locations.
Count your locations and employee headcount honestly, then pick a tool one tier above your current size. Migrating workforce systems mid-growth is painful, so build in room to expand.
Key features to look for
At minimum, expect shift scheduling, time and attendance tracking, PTO and leave management, and real-time labor cost reporting. For compliance, look for automatic break enforcement, overtime calculation by jurisdiction, and predictive scheduling support where local laws require it (several US cities mandate advance schedule notice).
Mobile matters more than vendors admit. Frontline employees rarely log in on a desktop, so test clock-in, availability updates, and shift swaps on a phone during your trial. Also check manager tools: approving swaps, filling open shifts, and spotting understaffing should take seconds, not minutes.
Implementation tips
Pilot with one location or department before a full rollout. Load real schedules, run a complete payroll cycle through the integration, and confirm the hours and overtime numbers match your current process exactly.
Budget time for employee onboarding. Adoption fails when staff cannot find their schedule or clock in reliably. Assign a manager champion per site, run short training sessions, and keep the old process running in parallel for one or two pay periods as a safety net.
Frequently asked questions
What is workforce management software?
It is a system that handles employee scheduling, time and attendance, labor forecasting, and compliance in one place. Many tools also include PTO tracking, shift swapping, and labor cost reporting, and they typically integrate with payroll and HR systems.
How is it different from HR software?
HR software (HRIS) centers on hiring, onboarding, benefits, and employee records. Workforce management focuses on the operational side: who works when, how hours are tracked, and whether staffing matches demand. Some platforms like Rippling and UKG combine both, while tools like Deputy and 7shifts focus purely on workforce management.
Which tools are best for hourly and shift workers?
Deputy, When I Work, Homebase, 7shifts (restaurants), and Connecteam are built for hourly, shift-based teams. They emphasize fast scheduling, mobile clock-in, shift swapping, and overtime alerts, and they set up quickly for small to mid-size businesses.
Do these tools help with labor law compliance?
Most calculate overtime automatically, enforce meal and rest breaks, and track hours for records. Stronger platforms support predictive scheduling laws (advance notice requirements in cities like Seattle, San Francisco, and New York) and flag violations before schedules are published. Always confirm coverage for your specific states and cities.
How much does workforce management software cost?
Pricing is usually per user per month, often ranging from a few dollars per employee for small-business schedulers to custom enterprise contracts for UKG and Workday. Watch for add-on fees for time tracking, forecasting, or payroll integration, and ask about implementation costs for larger deployments.
Can it integrate with my payroll system?
Yes, most connect natively to major payroll providers like ADP, Gusto, Paychex, and QuickBooks. Confirm the exact integration during your trial by running one full pay cycle, since the value is in syncing approved hours and overtime without manual re-entry.
How long does implementation take?
A single-location small business can be live in days with tools like When I Work or Homebase. Mid-market rollouts take a few weeks, and enterprise deployments with UKG or Workday can run several months due to integrations, data migration, and compliance configuration.
The bottom line
Small businesses juggling a handful of locations should start with Deputy or When I Work for fast setup; enterprises managing thousands of employees across regions should evaluate UKG or Workday for forecasting depth and compliance. Run a two-week pilot with real schedules and one full payroll cycle before committing.