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Alternatives · Shift Scheduling

Zip Schedules alternatives

As of Nov 13, 2026, the best Zip Schedules alternative for most people is Homebase (3.2 GPA), first in our ranking of shift scheduling apps. It's also the best free one. The catch, in its listing's words: "Basic plan, free for one location with up to 10 employees."

Zip Schedules compared with 6 alternatives: 7shifts, When I Work, Homebase, Sling by Toast, Schedulefly and 1 more.

Zip Schedules is a paid product, starting at $19 per location / month for 1-20 employees. 3 of the 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 3 more offer a free trial.

Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from

Black Friday: is there a Zip Schedules sale?

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
Zip SchedulesThis toolFrom $19/moNoWeb, iOS, Android
7shiftsFree plan · from $39.99/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
When I WorkFree trial · from $2.50/moTrial onlyWeb, iOS, Android
HomebaseFree plan · from $24/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
Sling by ToastFree plan · from $1.70/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
ScheduleflyFree trial · from $30/moTrial onlyWeb, iOS, Android
Snap ScheduleFree trial · from $450/yrTrial onlyWeb

Price against what you get

Zip Schedules starts at $19 a month for each person and scores 2.3 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. 2 of the 6 alternatives on this chart score higher and start lower: When I Work and Sling by Toast.

7shifts and Homebase score higher without starting lower.

Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged

C2.0B3.0A4.0$1$2$5$10$20$50$100$200More for lessCosts more, scores moreCosts less, scores lessCosts more, scores lessZip Schedules7shiftsWhen I WorkHomebaseSling by ToastScheduleflySnap Schedule

What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →

  • The best score at each price
  • Has a free plan
  • No free plan
The full chart of shift scheduling apps, and the best at every price

How each one differs from Zip Schedules

  1. 7shifts

    Restaurant scheduling, time clock, tips and payroll, per location

    • 7shifts starts at $39.99 per location / month, billed annually (Essentials).
    • 7shifts has a free plan, which Zip Schedules lacks.
    • 7shifts also covers team chat, payroll, time clock and applicant tracking.
    • 7shifts does not cover calendar and reports, which Zip Schedules does.

    Suits: Restaurants, cafes and bars scheduling front- and back-of-house staff

    7shifts vs Zip Schedules7shifts pricing and details

  2. 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 clock.
    • When I Work does not cover calendar and reports, which Zip Schedules does.

    Suits: Restaurants, retail stores and call centers scheduling hourly staff

    When I Work vs Zip SchedulesWhen I Work pricing and details

  3. 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 Zip Schedules lacks.
    • Homebase also covers team chat, payroll, time clock, job board posting and employee records.
    • Homebase does not cover calendar and reports, which Zip Schedules does.

    Suits: Single-location shops and restaurants with up to 10 staff, on the free plan

    Homebase vs Zip SchedulesHomebase pricing and details

  4. 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 Zip Schedules lacks.
    • Sling by Toast also covers tasks, auto-scheduling, team chat and time clock.
    • Sling by Toast does not cover calendar and reports, which Zip Schedules does.

    Suits: Teams of up to 30 that want free scheduling and messaging

    Sling by Toast vs Zip SchedulesSling by Toast pricing and details

  5. Schedulefly

    Restaurant staff scheduling priced by headcount, all features included

    • Schedulefly starts at $30 per month for up to 19 staff.
    • Schedulefly does not cover calendar, which Zip Schedules does.

    Suits: Independent restaurants that want simple scheduling without extra modules

    Schedulefly vs Zip SchedulesSchedulefly pricing and details

  6. Snap Schedule

    Employee scheduling with automated callouts for shift-based agencies

    • Snap Schedule starts at $450 per scheduler / year.
    • Snap Schedule lists no iOS and Android apps, which Zip Schedules has.
    • Snap Schedule also covers time clock.
    • Snap Schedule does not cover calendar, which Zip Schedules does.

    Suits: Utilities, public safety and long-term care operations

    Snap Schedule vs Zip SchedulesSnap Schedule pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Zip Schedules

  • Price depends on headcount per location: $19 up to 20 employees, $39 for 21 to 50, and custom above 50.
  • The pricing page does not mention a free trial.
  • The site's footer reads 2023, and its 404 page carries the name Altametrics, so check that the product is actively maintained.
  • No integrations are listed on the pages we read.
Zip Schedules pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Zip Schedules?

The alternatives to Zip Schedules in this directory are 7shifts, When I Work, Homebase, Sling by Toast, Schedulefly and Snap Schedule. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Zip Schedules.

Is there a free alternative to Zip Schedules?

Yes. 7shifts, 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 13, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.