RosterzenHow much gets automated
Deputy Core includes auto-scheduling. If your main pain is building a workable roster from coverage and worker rules, compare how much manual adjustment is still left after the first schedule is generated.
6 Deputy Alternatives in 2026
Compare the options by how much scheduling they automate, how pricing changes as your team grows, and whether you need a scheduling tool or a wider workforce platform.
Deputy alternatives at a glance
| Product | Best for | Starting price | Why consider it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deputy | Scheduling + time tracking | Core $6.50/user/month | Auto-scheduling, time tracking and wider workforce tools in one platform. |
RosterzenRosterzen | automatic roster creation | $39/month · up to 25 workers | Builds the roster for you and shows any gaps |
When I Work | hourly teams | From $2.50/user/month | Simple day-to-day scheduling for hourly teams |
Quinyx | large multi-site teams | Contact sales | Enterprise scheduling and workforce tools across many sites |
Rotageek | larger workforce planning teams | Contact sales | Scheduling tied closely to demand forecasting |
7shifts | restaurants | Per-location pricing | Restaurant-specific scheduling and operations |
Connecteam | deskless teams | $29/month · first 30 users (annual) | Scheduling plus broader deskless operations tools |
What to compare before switching from Deputy
How price scales
Deputy Core is priced per user. Rosterzen Starter is $39/month for up to 25 active workers, so the price difference becomes more visible as headcount grows.
How broad a system you want
Deputy covers a wider set of workforce tools. Some teams want that breadth; others mainly want the roster created quickly and reliably.
Rosterzen
automatic roster creation$39/month · up to 25 workersAny industry
Rosterzen takes availability, qualifications, locations, hours, rest rules and coverage requirements and turns them into a workable roster automatically.
Instead of starting from a blank calendar, you define what needs to be covered and who is allowed to work. Rosterzen builds the schedule and keeps any unfilled shifts visible so you know exactly what still needs attention.
Pricing is fixed by plan capacity rather than charged per user. Starter is $39/month for up to 25 active workers, Pro is $99/month for up to 100, and Business is $199/month for up to 500.
Good if you need
- Automatic roster creation
- Availability, qualifications and working rules
- Time & attendance
- EU data residency or self-hosting for enterprise
Worth knowing
A strong fit when scheduling itself is the main problem you want the software to solve. Enterprise deals can include EU data residency or self-hosting.
When I Work
hourly teamsFrom $2.50/user/month
When I Work combines employee scheduling, open shifts, shift swaps and team communication in a straightforward app for hourly teams.
Essentials includes auto-scheduling, multi-week scheduling and schedule templates. Pro adds more scheduling rules and permissions for teams that need tighter control.
Pricing is per user, starting at $2.50/user/month for Essentials and $5/user/month for Pro.
Good if you need
- Auto-scheduling
- Open shifts and swaps
- Multiple locations
- Team messaging
Worth knowing
Pricing rises with headcount. If advanced scheduling rules matter, compare the Pro tier rather than Essentials.
Quinyx
large multi-site teamsContact sales
Quinyx brings scheduling, time and attendance, absence management, compliance and payroll integrations into a larger workforce platform.
It is designed for organisations running workforce operations across many sites, regions and labour rules. Scheduling sits alongside attendance, analytics and broader workforce controls.
Quinyx does not publish a simple self-serve price, so buying is typically sales-led.
Good if you need
- Automated scheduling
- Time & attendance
- Compliance rules
- Multi-site operations
Worth knowing
Best suited to larger deployments where scheduling is one part of a wider workforce programme. Pricing is sales-led.
Rotageek
larger workforce planning teamsContact sales
Rotageek combines auto-scheduling with demand forecasting and labour planning for larger organisations.
Its auto-scheduling uses staff preferences, skills and labour rules, while forecasting and labour modelling help larger teams plan staffing against expected demand.
Rotageek does not publish a simple self-serve plan price, so evaluation is sales-led.
Good if you need
- Auto-scheduling
- Demand forecasting
- Skills and preferences
- Time & attendance
Worth knowing
A better fit for larger workforce-planning programmes than teams looking for a small self-serve scheduling purchase.
7shifts
restaurantsPer-location pricingRestaurants
7shifts is built specifically for restaurants, with scheduling, time clocking and restaurant-focused workforce tools.
Its product is organised around restaurant operations, including front-of-house and back-of-house staffing across one or many locations.
7shifts bills its main subscription per location, which can be attractive when many employees work at the same venue.
Good if you need
- Restaurant scheduling
- Time clock
- Multi-location restaurants
- Restaurant workflows
Worth knowing
The restaurant focus is the advantage if that is your industry; teams outside restaurants will usually want a more general scheduling product.
Connecteam
deskless teams$29/month · first 30 users (annual)
Connecteam combines job scheduling and time clocking with forms, tasks and other tools for deskless teams.
Scheduling is part of the Operations Hub rather than a standalone product, which can be useful if the same team also needs forms, tasks and mobile operations tools.
The Basic Operations plan starts at $29/month for the first 30 users when billed annually.
Good if you need
- Job scheduling
- Time clock
- Forms and tasks
- Deskless workforce app
Worth knowing
Useful when you want several frontline tools in one app. If automatic roster creation is the main requirement, compare the scheduling workflow closely.
Frequently asked questions
Why switch from Deputy?
The main reasons to compare alternatives are pricing model, how much of the roster is created automatically, and whether you want a broad workforce platform or a more focused scheduling product.
How does Rosterzen pricing compare with Deputy?
Rosterzen Starter is $39/month for up to 25 active workers. Deputy Core, which includes auto-scheduling, is $6.50 per user/month, or $162.50 for 25 users.
Does Rosterzen include time and attendance?
Yes. Time and attendance is included.
Create your first roster
Use your own team and shifts. No account required.