Compare your options for employee scheduling software and identify the features that matter to you. Read user reviews to determine whether HotScheules or Homebase is best for your restaurant.
Homebase: Best for small businesses with one physical location
Homebase is an excellent fit for small restaurant businesses with a single location. It offers free plans for up to 20 employees and essential features like time tracking, team messaging, and applicant tracking. It also provides robust payroll solutions and HR tools, making it ideal for managing hourly workers and simplifying compliance with labor laws.
HotSchedules: Essential for large and growing restaurants
HotSchedules excels in advanced scheduling precision, robust time tracking, and comprehensive communication features, making it ideal for larger enterprises needing detailed forecasting and scheduling capabilities. However, it requires additional tools for complete payroll integration and has less integrated HR support.
| HotSchedules | Homebase | |
|---|---|---|
| AI Sales forecasting | ||
| AI Labor Optimization | ||
| Built-in Compliance | ||
| Geo-fencing | ||
| Simple, transparent, and scalable pricing | ||
| No setup fees | ||
| POS Integrations | ||
| Timesheet Templates | ||
| Mobile apps for staff | ||
| Custom support when you need it | ||
| Manager Log Book | ||
| Free Time clocking app | ||
| Automatic Shift Reminders | ||
| Auto-Scheduler | ||
| Task-Management | ||
| Access to earned wages | ||
| Proof of pay stubs | ||
| Cloud-based | ||
| Android/IOS Mobile App | ||
| Support for Windows / Mac |
| Pros of Homebase | Cons of Homebase |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use: Many users highlight Homebase’s user-friendly interface, making scheduling straightforward and easy to edit. | Notifications: Users mention that notifications could be more punctual and sometimes there is a lag in refreshing the app. |
| Employee Flexibility: Employees can easily switch schedules themselves, with managers only needing to approve the changes. | Shift Management: Managers need to intervene for employees to pick up shifts outside their scheduled times, which could be more streamlined. |
| Adjustments: It’s simple to adjust incorrectly clocked hours or missed clock-outs, which is helpful for hourly employees. | Payroll Integration: Importing hours to payroll systems like QuickBooks Online can be tricky, particularly in separating normal hours from overtime. |
| Pros of HotSchedules | Cons of HotSchedules |
|---|---|
| Familiarity and Popularity: Over 1 million industry workers use HotSchedules, so many restaurant employees are already familiar with the platform. | Mobile App Cost: The mobile application requires an additional cost, which can be a consideration for budget-conscious operators. |
| Shift Flexibility: Managers can easily adjust schedules and employees can change their shifts without extensive paperwork, making it convenient for both parties. | Platform Speed: Some users have reported that the website can be slow and frustrating during peak times. |
| Mobile App: The mobile application keeps managers and employees aware of schedule updates and messages, streamlining communication. | Time Card Visibility: Unless your team uses the built-in WebClock feature for time tracking, managers cannot view employees’ current clock-in times until they clock out, which can be inconvenient for tracking breaks and shift times. |
| Centralized Information: All employee information, from availability to pay rates, is easily accessible in one place, simplifying management tasks. |
Labor forecasting accuracy increased by 20%, and Noodles & Company reduced labor spend by $4 million, further optimizing their operating model.
— Noodles & Company
Saved 30+ hours per week in back-of-house operations with HotSchedules forecasting and analytics solution
— Smokey Bones
Decreased scheduling time by 30% and simplified scheduling with HotSchedules
— Ford’s Garage
HotSchedules offers easy communication features, allowing quick updates about schedules and shifts to keep everyone informed efficiently.
The platform provides a smooth process for swapping and releasing shifts, which is ideal for staff looking for flexible working hours.
HotSchedules offers advanced scheduling features that enable managers to assign shifts based on employee roles and skill levels. This ensures that the right people are in the right positions, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in managing diverse teams.
HotSchedules uses AI-driven insights to optimize labor and improve operational efficiency, offering analysis and foresight beyond what Homebase provides.
Many of the largest restaurant chains trust HotSchedules for its reliable infrastructure, which ensures exceptional performance and continuous uptime.
Empower your managers by providing access to real-time sales data directly from your points of sale software. Gain visibility into every transaction to improve scheduling decision-making. Explore a list of HotSchediles integration partners, including industry leaders like Toast, Aloha, ADP and more.
Save time, reduce costs, and increase profitability with Fourth’s intelligent solutions.