How to Choose the Best Employee Scheduling App

Employee Scheduling App: How To Choose The Best One

When running a business, it can be easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks and forget about important things like employee scheduling. Setting a clear and organized schedule for your employees is one of the best ways to keep your business running productively and efficiently — so you really can’t afford to neglect this task! That’s where employee scheduling apps come in!

employee scheduling tasks on paper calendar

Luckily, there are a number of great employee scheduling apps available to help make the process easier. But with so many options to choose from, how do you know which one is best for your business? How can you be sure that the app you choose will actually help improve your scheduling process?

In this article, we’ll discuss the key factors to consider when choosing an employee scheduling app. We’ll also list a few of our favorite apps so that you have some solid recommendations to begin your search. Let’s get started!

What is an employee scheduling app?

If you are a forward-thinking business, or you are in charge of tracking many employees and their projects, you likely already use several workflow apps. Perhaps you use a time tracking app to keep tabs on hours, or payroll software to manage wages and deductions. If you don’t have an employee scheduling app, now is the time to consider adding one to your toolkit.

An employee scheduling app allows managers and team leaders to create and share shift schedules with employees. Employees can then view their schedule online or on their mobile device and easily request time off or swap shifts with coworkers.

The best employee scheduling apps offer features that allow businesses to:

  • Create and share schedules with employees
  • Track hours worked and overtime
  • Monitor absences and calculate paid time off (PTO)
  • Make changes to schedules on the fly
  • Export schedules to a calendar or spreadsheet
organized work desk with employee scheduling app on tablet

What to look for in an employee scheduling app

There are many employee scheduling apps on the market, but not all of them are created equal. The following is a list of some of the most important features to look for when choosing an app for your business.

Ease of use

In most companies, there are some employees who are extremely tech-savvy, some who struggle with technology, and others who sit somewhere in the middle. It is essential to choose an employee scheduling app that is easy to use for everyone — which means a user-friendly interface, intuitive design, and minimal jargon.

Customization

One of the benefits of using an employee scheduling app is that it can be customized to meet the specific needs of your business.

The app should allow you to create different schedules for different departments or locations, as well as specify the hours each employee is working. It should also be easy to add or delete employees, and to make changes to the schedule as needed.

Reporting features

Workflow apps are most effective when you can look back on past data to see how your business is performing. The best employee scheduling apps include detailed reporting features that allow you to track employee hours, overtime, absences, and more. This information can then be used to make strategic decisions about your business in the future.

Integration with other software

Many businesses use a variety of software programs to manage different aspects of their operation. When choosing a work scheduling app, make sure that it is compatible with the other software you are using. This will save you time and hassle trying to integrate different programs together.

Price

Of course, price is always a consideration when choosing any type of software. Employee scheduling apps typically range in price from free to around $50/month. However, there are a few that cost more than that, so be sure to compare prices before making a final decision.

employee meeting discussing management

How to find the best employee scheduling app

Now that you know what to look for in an employee scheduling app, it’s time to start shopping around! So where should you begin?

1. Sort out your priorities

The first step to finding your scheduling app is to assess exactly what your business needs. What are your must-haves? What features are non-negotiable for you and your team? What is your goal for using the app?

Once you know your priorities, you can start to rule out apps that don’t fit the bill. For example, if you need a mobile app that employees can use to clock in and out from their phones, then an app that only has a desktop version won’t work for you.

2. Do your research

Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to do some digging! Check out app reviews on sites like Google Play or the App Store to see how users rate different apps. Alternatively, you can ask your business contacts or social media followers which apps they recommend.

3. Try out some demos

Many app developers offer free demos or trials of their software, so take advantage of this! This will give you a chance to test out different apps and see how they work in practice. You can also ask the developers any questions you have about the app’s features.

employees testing out new employee scheduling app

4. Compare prices of employee scheduling apps

Not all employee scheduling apps are created equal, and this also goes for their price tags. So it’s important to do your research and compare the cost of different apps before you make a decision.

5. Read the terms and conditions

One thing to keep in mind when choosing an employee scheduling app is that not all of them are created equal when it comes to data privacy and security. So be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully before you sign up, and make sure you’re comfortable with how the app will use and store your data.

Day.io: the best employee scheduling app for your business

An all-round excellent app for employee scheduling is Day.io. It offers a broad range of features, is easy to use, and can be accessed from any device.

Creating schedules with Day.io is simple; you just need to enter the name and hours of each employee, and the app will automatically generate a schedule that fits. You can also use the app to manage leave requests and track employee hours.

One of the best things about Day.io is that it can be accessed from any device, so you can check your schedules on the go. The app also offers a range of helpful features, such as notifications when employees are due to work, and the ability to export schedules to PDF or Excel.

The app also features incredible time tracking functionality. You can track employee hours worked and see how much time has been allocated to each task or project. This is a great way to ensure that your team is working efficiently and meeting deadlines.

Day.io is an excellent choice for businesses of all sizes looking for an easy-to-use employee scheduling app. If you’re in search of a comprehensive solution that can be accessed from any device, then Day.io is the app for you!

alarm clock for timing

Employee Scheduling App: Final thoughts

Employee scheduling apps aren’t essential for success, but they can certainly make things a lot easier. By taking the time to research and compare your options, you can find the app that’s right for your business; just remember to test demos wherever possible and keep your specific needs in mind.

And, if you’re looking for a reliable scheduling app that also offers time tracking, project management, and integrations, look no further than our own app, Day.io. We’ll help you take the hassle out of employee scheduling so that you can focus on your business.