6 Best Schedule Making Apps for Small Businesses (In-Depth Look)
What factors should your business consider when choosing a scheduling making app? In our experience, there are 4 key factors:
- Factor #1: It should offer a vast array of scheduling features.
- Factor #2: It should expand beyond scheduling and offer accountability and payroll-related features.
- Factor #3: It should be easy to use for both employers and employees.
- Factor #4: There should be an outstanding customer service experience.
In this post, we’ll detail how Buddy Punch (our solution) shines in the above areas. Then, to help your business make a more informed decision, we’ll list five other schedule making apps.
Note: If you feel that Buddy Punch is the right choice for your company, sign up for a free trial or request a 1-on-1 demo.
Best Schedule Making Apps
1. Buddy Punch
Wide Array of Scheduling Features
Buddy Punch offers a wide array of scheduling features. No matter what your needs are, we likely have you covered!
Creating a Schedule for Your Team Is Easy and Intuitive (via Drag and Drop Functionality)
To create a schedule with Buddy Punch, simply:
1. Click on an empty area in the schedule:
2. Enter the relevant shift details (i.e., Assign to Jim Iverson every weekday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM).
3. Use our easy and intuitive drag and drop functionality to move shifts around (until you’re satisfied with the schedule).
4. Click on “Publish”.
What Happens Once the Schedule Is Published?
Once an employee’s shift is published, they can automatically receive an email and/or mobile push notification (however, you also have the option of publishing without notifications).
This is what an email notification would look like:
This is what a mobile push notification would look like:
Set Repeating Shifts
Buddy Punch makes it easy to set repeating shifts (rather than re-creating schedules from scratch each time).
For example:
- Linda’s shift will repeat every weekday from 9 AM to 3 PM.
- Bob’s shift will repeat once a week on Monday from 10 AM to 2 PM.
- Jordan’s shift will repeat on the first Tuesday of each month from 9 AM to 5 PM.
- And so on.
Employees Can Set Their Scheduling Availability
Our app makes it extremely easy and intuitive for staff to enter their available working hours.
Per the below image, this comes in handy when employers are planning the schedule.
Shift Trade Requests
Buddy Punch makes it easy for employees to send shift trade requests to one another (and if accepted, it can optionally be sent to an administrator for review).
Buddy Punch offers several scheduling alerts & reminders (click here to see the full list).
For example, team members who didn’t punch in within X minutes of their shift start could receive a mobile or email alert (which ensures greater accuracy come payroll time).
Other Scheduling Features
This is just the tip of the iceberg — discover the full range of scheduling features here. Again, no matter what your needs are, we likely have you covered!
Increase Employee Accountability & Make the Payroll Process More Efficient
Buddy Punch expands beyond scheduling. We also offer accountability and payroll-related features.
In terms of employee accountability, here’s a small sampling of what Buddy Punch offers:
- Photos on Punch: Review each employee’s photo at the time of their punch in and punch out.
- Geofencing: Limit punches to a certain location.
- IP Address Locking: Limit punches to in-office devices.
- Click here to see the full list of employee accountability features.
In terms of payroll, here’s a small sampling of what Buddy Punch offers:
- On Demand Payroll Reports: Export an Excel file with each employee’s regular hours, time off, overtime, and more (this replaces a notoriously manual and time consuming payroll process).
- Payroll Provider Integrations: Save time on payroll by integrating with QuickBooks, Workday, Paychex, and other popular software.
- Time Off Tracking: Employees can request time off, view a summary with available time off hours, etc.
- Click here to see the full list of payroll features.
Customers Love Buddy Punch’s Ease-of-Use and Outstanding Customer Service
As of writing, Buddy Punch has received 4.8 out of 5 stars on Capterra (based on 646 reviews).
We’re thankful that a common theme is Buddy Punch’s ease-of-use and outstanding customer service. These are areas that we place a major emphasis on.
Click here to see all of our Buddy Punch reviews on Capterra.
Sign Up for a Free Trial or Request a 1-on-1 Demo
If you feel that Buddy Punch is the right choice for your business, sign up for a free trial or request a 1-on-1 demo.
2. When I Work
As of writing, When I Work has received 4.5 out of 5 stars on Capterra (based on 886 reviews).
They offer a wide array of features, including but not limited to:
Here’s a review showcasing why they offer a solid schedule making app:
Click here to see all of When I Work’s Capterra reviews.
3. Sling
As of writing, Sling has received 4.6 out 5 stars on Capterra (based on 102 reviews).
They offer a wide array of functionality, including but not limited to:
- Employee Scheduling
- Time Clock
- Communication
- Task Management
- Labor Costs
- Multiple Work Locations
- Integrations
- And so on.
Here’s a review showcasing why it’s one of the best schedule making apps:
Click here to see all of Sling’s Capterra reviews.
4. Connecteam
As of writing, Connecteam has received 4.8 out of 5 stars on Capterra (based on 131 reviews).
They offer a wide array of features, including but not limited to:
- Employee Scheduling
- Employee Communication
- Employee Time Clock
- Employee Task Management
- Checklists & Forms
- Employee Training
- And so on.
Here’s a review showcasing why it could be a great schedule making app for your business:
Click here to see all of Connecteam’s Capterra reviews.
5. Homebase
As of writing, Homebase has received 4.6 out of 5 stars on Capterra (based on 803 reviews).
They offer a wide array of features, including but not limited to:
- Employee Scheduling
- Online Timesheet
- Time Clock
- Health & Safety Screening
- Team Communication
- HR & Compliance
- And so on.
Here’s a review showcasing why it’s one of the best employee scheduling apps:
Click here to see all of Homebase’s Capterra reviews.
6. Hubstaff
As of writing, Hubstaff has received 4.6 out of 5 stars on Capterra (based on 1192 reviews).
They offer a wide array of features, including but not limited to:
- Employee Scheduling
- Automated Payroll & Invoicing
- Online Time Reporting
- Employee Productivity Monitoring
- GPS Location Tracking
- And so on.
Here’s a review showing why it’s a great employee schedule making app:
Click here to see all of Hubstaff’s Capterra reviews.
Sign Up for a Free Trial of Buddy Punch or Request a 1-on-1 Demo
If you feel that Buddy Punch is the right choice for your business, sign up for a free trial or request a 1-on-1 demo.
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