Why employee scheduling apps matter in 2025
Choosing the right employee scheduling solution can drastically streamline workforce management, reduce administrative tasks, and help you track time accurately. With so many scheduling software options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why we analysed Google reviews for each top platform—focusing on features, support, and integration with labour laws. Below, we present the seven best apps in 2025, sorted by Google rating and review count.
How this analysis remains credible:
- Real Google reviews: We rely on genuine user feedback, not marketing hype.
- Transparent methodology: We checked themes like time clock reliability and time off requests handling.
- Balanced approach: You’ll see highlights and possible downsides for each tool.
- Up-to-date: Last updated 27 January 2025, capturing the latest user sentiments and platform enhancements.
What is an employee scheduling app and why it transforms your work life
An employee scheduling app is a management tool that helps businesses create, assign, and manage shifts in real time. Rather than juggling spreadsheets, managers can oversee open shifts, approve time off requests, and ensure compliance with labour laws—all from one platform. Employees can:
- View schedules on their phones
- Request time off at the tap of a button
- Use a time clock (often GPS-based) to track time accurately
- Receive immediate updates about shift changes
This software fosters efficient workforce management and a healthier work life balance.
How employee scheduling apps work: real-time scheduling explained
These solutions provide a central dashboard where managers handle everything from drag-and-drop shift scheduling to reviewing time off requests. Employees get real-time notifications on the app or via push alerts. Many apps integrate with payroll tools—automating timesheet data and controlling labor costs. Some include geofencing or GPS-based time clock tracking, ensuring staff clock in at the correct site.
Top benefits of scheduling software for labour cost control
- Reduced labour costs: Automated shift scheduling avoids overstaffing and excessive overtime.
- Streamlined communication: In-app chat and push notifications keep everyone aligned.
- Compliance with labour laws: Tools ensure breaks, overtime, and certifications remain up to standard.
- Efficient time off management: Submitting time off requests is quick for staff; managers can approve instantly.
- Better work–life balance: Employees see rosters in real time and can request changes or trade shifts easily.
- Seamless payroll integration: Sync with accounting software to handle timesheet data automatically.
Our user-focused method: how we chose these 7 scheduling apps
We didn’t test each feature ourselves; instead, we analysed real Google reviews to see which management tool features matter most to actual users. Below is a snapshot of the core features Google reviewers consistently mention:
| Core Feature | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Drag-and-drop scheduling | Allows quick reassigning of shifts without cumbersome spreadsheets |
| Auto-scheduling | Fills shifts based on staff availability, cutting down manual work |
| Shift swapping | Lets employees easily cover open shifts or trade shifts |
| Time off & PTO tracking | Simplifies how managers approve requests, ensuring enough staff remain on deck |
| Compliance & labour laws | Offers overtime alerts, break tracking, and certification management to avoid legal risks |
| GPS time clock | Enables accurate track time, especially for field-based staff |
| In-app chat | Centralises communication instead of juggling multiple messaging tools |
| Payroll integrations | Syncs timesheet data with accounting software, helping with controlling labor costs |
Why Deputy didn’t make the cut
You may have heard of Deputy, a well-known rostering solution. However, our list is based on analysing Google reviews, and we could not identify sufficient Google reviews for Deputy to rank it fairly against other platforms. Without enough user feedback to assess features like time off requests or GPS time clock, we decided to omit Deputy from our main roundup.
7 best employee scheduling apps (ranked by Google rating)
(Sorted from highest rating to lowest, using Google reviews as the primary data source.)
| App | Google Rating | Number of Reviews | Key Stand-Out Features | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MyTommy | 5.0/5 | 1 review | Very user-friendly, basic shift management | New or small teams wanting a lightweight solution |
| RosterElf | 4.8/5 | 111 reviews | Xero integration, budget tools, drag-and-drop rosters | Multi-location or shift-heavy businesses |
| ShiftCare | 4.7/5 | 176 reviews | NDIS/aged care focus, GPS time clock, compliance tools | Healthcare & support services |
| Evolia | 4.6/5 | 9 reviews | Mobile punch, easy scheduling, local phone support | Canadian SMEs needing straightforward management |
| Employment Hero | 4.2/5 | 352 reviews | HR & payroll suite, Fair Work compliance, onboarding | Mid-sized Australian companies |
| Connecteam | 4.0/5 | 34 reviews | All-in-one workforce management, GPS time clock, chat | SMEs wanting scheduling & strong comms |
| When I Work | 3.3/5 | 35 reviews | Mobile-first scheduling, GPS-based clock in/out | Teams that prioritise on-the-go updates |
Final thoughts: choosing the best employee scheduling app in 2025
Below is a summary table to help you compare each platform at a glance:
| App | Rating & Reviews | Standout Features | Real User Snippet | Summary of Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MyTommy | 5.0/5 (1 review) | Ease of use, basic scheduling | “Best employee scheduling app... couldn't fault it at all.” | - Small businesses wanting a no-frills solution - Lightweight, real-time scheduling - Minimal advanced features |
| RosterElf | 4.8/5 (111 reviews) | Xero sync, budgeting tools, great support | “Saved our business hundreds per month... user-friendly design.” | - Shift-heavy workplaces (hospitality, retail) - Xero integration - Reliable phone support |
| ShiftCare | 4.7/5 (176 reviews) | NDIS & aged care focus, GPS time clock | “Easy and efficient... interface is user-friendly, support is responsive.” | - Healthcare/home care - Strong compliance needs (NDIS) - Multi-client rosters with Xero invoicing |
| Evolia | 4.6/5 (9 reviews) | Mobile punch, local phone support, easy setup | “Amazing platform... got on the phone with me from Quebec for help!” | - Canadian SMEs - Quick learning curve - Local support with a free plan or trial |
| Employment Hero | 4.2/5 (352 reviews) | HR + payroll suite, Fair Work compliance | “A game changer... user-friendly platform with built-in processes.” | - Mid-sized Australian businesses - Need full HR + payroll + scheduling - Fair Work compliance out of the box |
| Connecteam | 4.0/5 (34 reviews) | GPS time clock, built-in chat, free plan | “Changed our lives! All in one super easy app.” | - SMEs wanting integrated scheduling & comms - Field-based teams (GPS time clock) - Free plan for up to 10 users |
| When I Work | 3.3/5 (35 reviews) | Mobile-first design, location-based clock in/out | “Brilliant app... has saved us so much time every week.” | - Teams on the go - Simple, mobile-oriented scheduling - Comfortable with chat support, minimal HR features |
Identify your must-have features—like advanced time clock controls, time off requests, or compliance with labour laws—to choose the best employee scheduling solution. Any of these apps can enrich your work life, help you manage open shifts, and reduce labour costs, but testing one or two with a free trial helps confirm the perfect fit for your organisation.
Additional scheduling resources
- RosterElf’s rostering features
- Best rostering system in Australia – RosterElf
- Best roster apps 2025 – Xero insights via RosterElf
- The ultimate guide to rostering apps – 10 must-have features (RosterElf blog)
- Connecteam’s analysis of online employee scheduling apps
- Connecteam’s list of online rostering software
- Most popular apps in Australia – Xero collection
- Deputy’s scheduling software overview (not in our ranking due to limited Google reviews)
- TechRadar’s guide to the best scheduling apps
These articles give you a broader sense of how employee scheduling fits into a modern workforce management strategy and can guide you in controlling labor costs while complying with labour laws.