Alternatives · Shift Scheduling
Nowsta alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the best Nowsta alternative for most people is Homebase (3.2 GPA), first in our ranking of shift scheduling apps. The best free one is Connecteam (3.2 GPA).
Nowsta compared with 5 alternatives: Deputy, When I Work, Connecteam, Homebase and Sling by Toast.
Nowsta's current pricing could not be confirmed from its own site. 3 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 2 more offer a free trial.
Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from
Black Friday: is there a Nowsta sale?
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| NowstaThis tool | Paid | No | Web, iOS, Android |
| Deputy | Free trial · from $5/mo | Trial only | Web, iOS, Android |
| When I Work | Free trial · from $2.50/mo | Trial only | Web, iOS, Android |
| Connecteam | Free plan · from $29/mo | Yes | Web, iOS, Android |
| Homebase | Free plan · from $24/mo | Yes | Web, iOS, Android |
| Sling by Toast | Free plan · from $1.70/mo | Yes | Web, iOS, Android |
How each one differs from Nowsta
Deputy
Shift scheduling, time clock and labor-law tools for hourly teams
- Deputy starts at $5 per user / month, billed annually (Lite).
- Deputy also covers auto-scheduling, payroll and time off.
- Deputy does not cover applicant tracking, which Nowsta does.
Suits: Hospitality, retail and healthcare employers scheduling hourly staff
When I Work
Staff scheduling with auto-fill, shift trades and an add-on time clock
- When I Work starts at $2.50 per user / month (Essentials, without time tracking).
- When I Work also covers auto-scheduling, team chat and time off.
- When I Work does not cover applicant tracking, which Nowsta does.
Suits: Restaurants, retail stores and call centers scheduling hourly staff
Connecteam
Employee app for shifts, time clock, chat and HR, free up to 10 users
- Connecteam starts at $29 per month for up to 30 users, billed annually (Operations Basic).
- Connecteam has a free plan, which Nowsta lacks.
- Connecteam also covers auto-scheduling, forms, team chat and time off.
- Connecteam does not cover applicant tracking, which Nowsta does.
Suits: Businesses with up to 10 staff that want a free all-in-one employee app
Homebase
Small-business scheduling, time clock and payroll, priced per location
- Homebase starts at $24 per location / month, billed annually (Essentials).
- Homebase has a free plan, which Nowsta lacks.
- Homebase also covers team chat, payroll, job board posting, employee records and time off.
- Homebase does not cover applicant tracking, which Nowsta does.
Suits: Single-location shops and restaurants with up to 10 staff, on the free plan
Sling by Toast
Free shift scheduling for up to 30 users, with paid time clock tiers
- Sling by Toast starts at $1.70 per user / month, billed annually (Premium).
- Sling by Toast has a free plan, which Nowsta lacks.
- Sling by Toast also covers tasks, auto-scheduling, team chat and time off.
- Sling by Toast does not cover applicant tracking, which Nowsta does.
Suits: Teams of up to 30 that want free scheduling and messaging
Limits worth knowing in Nowsta
- No prices are published; the site sends visitors to schedule a demo and the pricing address redirects to the home page.
- The site does not say which features (sourcing, payroll, vendor management) come with which package.
- The app listing found is named Nowsta Workers, aimed at the workers rather than managers.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Nowsta?
The alternatives to Nowsta in this directory are Deputy, When I Work, Connecteam, Homebase and Sling by Toast. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Nowsta.
Is there a free alternative to Nowsta?
Yes. Connecteam, Homebase and Sling by Toast have a free plan alongside paid ones.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 18, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.