Updated: September 30, 2026
How Much Does Employee Scheduling Software Cost in 2026?
Employee scheduling software can be free for a small team or cost hundreds of dollars per month as employee count, locations, time tracking, HR tools, payroll, communication, and compliance requirements increase.
Per Employee / User
or
Per Location
or
Fixed Package + Additional Users
Employee Scheduling Software Cost Calculator
Current Scheduling Software Pricing Examples
| Software | Pricing Example |
|---|---|
| Homebase Basic | $0 for one location, up to 10 employees |
| Homebase Essentials | $30/location/month |
| When I Work Essentials | $2.50/user/month |
| Deputy Lite | $5/user/month, subject to $30 monthly minimum |
| Connecteam Operations Basic | $29/month annual equivalent for first 30 users |
| Sling Premium | $2/user/month on monthly billing |
Per-Employee Pricing Example
Suppose scheduling software costs $2.50 per employee per month and you have 20 employees.
$50 × 12 = $600/year
Location-Based Pricing Example
Suppose software costs $30 per location per month and your business has three locations.
$90 × 12 = $1,080/year
What Can Increase Scheduling Software Cost?
Employee Count
Products charging per user become more expensive as the workforce grows.
Locations
Location-based platforms can be inexpensive for one large team but comparatively costly for a business operating many small locations.
Time Tracking
Some products include scheduling in an entry plan but charge more for clock-in, timesheets, GPS, or advanced attendance functionality.
Payroll
Payroll is often a separate subscription.
For example, Homebase currently lists payroll as a separate add-on after its promotional period at $49 per month plus $6 per employee paid.
For payroll-specific comparisons, see our Payroll Software Cost Guide .
HR Tools
Onboarding, documents, PTO administration, compliance resources, recruiting, and performance management can require higher tiers or separate HR subscriptions.
GPS and Geofencing
Businesses with field employees may require location-based clock-in controls, which can require higher plans.
Labor Forecasting
Demand forecasting, auto-scheduling, labor budgets, and optimization tools are generally associated with more advanced plans.
Related HR & Scheduling Resources
- Best Employee Scheduling Software
- How to Choose Employee Scheduling Software
- Payroll Hours Calculator
- Overtime Pay Calculator
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does employee scheduling software cost?
Pricing ranges from free plans to fixed monthly packages and per-user subscriptions. Costs depend heavily on workforce size, locations, time tracking, HR features, and payroll.
Is per-user or per-location pricing cheaper?
It depends on the business. A large workforce at one location may benefit from location-based pricing, while businesses with many small locations may prefer per-user pricing.
Is time tracking normally included?
Sometimes. Some providers include it in paid plans, while others place advanced time tracking in higher tiers or separate products.