Shifton vs. 7shifts: Decoding the Ideal Online Scheduler for Your Team

Effective workforce management is vital for ensuring operational efficiency and employee satisfaction. With the rise of digital solutions, companies are increasingly turning to specialized software to simplify scheduling, streamline communication, and optimise labour costs. Among the leading contenders in this space are Shifton and 7Shifts — two powerful platforms designed to meet the unique requirements of service-oriented industries. While both tools offer valuable features to enhance employee management, they cater to different markets and possess distinct functionalities. In this article, we will delve into a comprehensive comparison of Shifton and 7Shifts, exploring their key features, target audiences, and pricing structures to help you determine which solution is best suited for your organisation's needs. Whether you're a small café or a bustling restaurant chain, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each platform is essential for making informed decisions in workforce management.  

What is Shifton

Shifton is a comprehensive workforce management tool designed mainly for businesses in the service, retail, and hospitality industries. Its primary focus is on simplifying employee scheduling, enhancing time tracking, and improving team communication. With Shifton, managers can create and manage work schedules effortlessly, accommodating employee availability and preferences to foster a positive work environment. The platform allows employees to clock in and out via a user-friendly mobile app, ensuring accurate time tracking and reducing administrative workload. Moreover, Shifton features built-in communication tools that facilitate interaction among team members, allowing for efficient updates and collaboration. Additionally, Shifton provides reporting capabilities that offer insights into attendance, labour costs, and workforce productivity, enabling managers to make data-driven decisions. While it can be integrated with various HR and payroll systems, Shifton is particularly favoured by small and medium-sized businesses looking for an intuitive and affordable solution to streamline their workforce management processes.

What is 7Shifts

7Shifts is a powerful online workforce management platform specifically tailored for the food service and restaurant industry. It is designed to streamline employee scheduling, enhance communication, and optimise labour costs, making it an essential tool for restaurant managers and owners. One of 7Shifts' standout features is its advanced scheduling capabilities, which allow managers to create, adjust, and share shift schedules quickly and easily. Employees can access their schedules in real-time through a mobile app, enabling them to view and manage their shifts, request time off, or swap shifts with colleagues seamlessly. In addition to scheduling, 7Shifts includes essential tools for time tracking, enabling employers to monitor attendance accurately and minimise labour costs. The platform also features robust reporting tools, providing insights into labour metrics, sales, and staffing levels, which help managers make informed, data-driven decisions. Furthermore, 7Shifts promotes team communication via an integrated messaging system that helps foster collaboration among staff members. With its user-friendly interface and industry-specific features, 7Shifts is particularly favoured by restaurant operators aiming to improve their workforce management while enhancing employee engagement and satisfaction.

Shifton vs 7Shifts: Key Features

Both Shifton and 7Shifts are popular workforce management tools designed mainly for industries such as hospitality and retail. Here's a comparison of their key features:

Feature	Shifton	7shift
Employee Scheduling	Intuitive scheduling tools; automated shift notifications	Advanced scheduling; real-time access via app
Time Tracking	Mobile clock-in/out feature for accurate tracking	Comprehensive time tracking to monitor attendance and hours
Communication Tools	Different ways to support healthy communication	Integrated messaging for improved team collaboration
Reporting & Analytics	Attendance, labour costs, and performance reporting	Robust reporting tools to analyse labour metrics and sales data
Mobile Accessibility	User-friendly mobile app for managers and staff	Highly-rated mobile app for schedule viewing and communication
Integrations	Integrates with various HR and payroll systems	Integrations with POS systems and payroll software
Industry Focus	Versatile for retail, call centres and service-oriented businesses	Specifically designed for the food service industry

  In summary, while both Shifton and 7Shifts provide essential workforce management features, 7Shifts stands out with its restaurant-specific tools and robust functionality tailored for food service operations. Shifton, on the other hand, offers a versatile solution that can serve a broader range of industries. The choice between the two will largely depend on the specific needs and context of the business.

Shifton vs 7Shifts: Similarities

Both Shifton and 7Shifts are workforce management solutions designed mainly for industries such as hospitality and retail. They share several key features, including employee scheduling tools that allow managers to create and adjust schedules with ease. Each platform provides time tracking functionalities to monitor employee hours, enhancing payroll accuracy. Additionally, Shifton and 7Shifts incorporate communication tools that facilitate team interactions, enabling employees to stay informed about schedule changes and announcements. Both solutions also offer mobile accessibility, ensuring that staff can view schedules and communicate from their devices. Lastly, both Shifton and 7Shifts provide reporting and analytics capabilities to help managers assess labour metrics and improve operational efficiency.

Shifton vs 7Shifts: Differences

While Shifton and 7Shifts share several core functionalities, they have distinct differences that cater to their target audiences. Shifton offers a more generalised solution suitable for various industries, including retail and service-oriented businesses. In contrast, 7Shifts is specifically designed for the restaurant and food service sectors, offering features tailored to the unique needs of these industries, such as menu management and advanced labour forecasting tools. In terms of user experience, 7Shifts has a highly-rated mobile app focused on the restaurant environment, while Shifton's app serves as a more general tool for various workplace settings. Another difference lies in their reporting capabilities; 7Shifts provides deeper integrations with sales data, enabling more comprehensive staffing decisions that align with meal periods and busy hours. Furthermore, while both platforms offer integrations with HR and payroll systems, 7Shifts has a stronger emphasis on POS system integrations, which is crucial for restaurant operations.

Shifton vs 7Shifts: Pros and Cons

Shifton is suitable for various industries, including retail and service sectors, making it a flexible option for many businesses. The platform features an intuitive interface that simplifies the scheduling process and helps reduce manager workload. While versatile, Shifton may lack some specialised features that cater specifically to the needs of the food service industry. Compared to 7Shifts, Shifton's reporting and analytics capabilities may not provide the same level of detail related to labour costs and sales data. 7Shifts is designed specifically for the food service industry, offering features that align with the unique challenges restaurant managers face, such as sales forecasting and labour optimisation. The mobile app is highly rated for providing restaurant staff with real-time access to schedules, tips, and team communication. 7Shifts offers comprehensive reporting tools that help managers make informed decisions based on labour metrics and sales performance. Its specialised focus may make it less suitable for businesses outside of the food service sector. Some users report a steeper learning curve due to the depth of features and functionalities available.

Shifton vs 7Shifts: Pricing

Shifton offers a tiered pricing structure based on the number of employees and specific features utilised. While exact pricing details can vary, Shifton typically provides a more affordable plan for smaller businesses and may offer custom pricing for larger organisations. A free trial is often available, allowing businesses to test the platform before committing. 7Shifts operates on a subscription model with different pricing tiers based on the number of locations and employees. They offer a free plan for smaller teams with limited features, while their paid plans provide advanced functionalities such as forecasting, reporting, and integrations with POS systems. Pricing is typically competitive for the restaurant industry, providing good value for the depth of features offered.

5 Recommendations For Choosing Between Shifton vs 7Shifts

When deciding between Shifton and 7Shifts, here are five recommendations to help guide your choice:

1. Identify Your Industry Needs: Consider the specific requirements of your business. If you operate in the food service industry, 7Shifts may offer features tailored specifically to your needs, such as labour forecasting and POS integrations. If your business is more diversified, Shifton might be a better fit due to its versatility across various industries.
2. Evaluate Feature Sets: Take the time to assess the features each platform offers. Look for functionalities that are critical to your operations, such as advanced reporting, communication tools, and mobile accessibility. Make a list of must-have features and compare how each solution meets those needs.
3. Consider Ease of Use: The user interface and overall user experience are crucial for adoption among your team. Test out demos or free trials to get a feel for how intuitive each platform is for both managers and employees. A user-friendly solution can enhance productivity and minimise training time.
4. Assess Pricing Structure: Review the pricing plans for both Shifton and 7Shifts in relation to the features provided. Calculate the total cost based on the size of your team and any additional functionalities you may need. Consider whether the pricing aligns with your budget and offers sufficient value for the features included.
5. Seek Reviews and Testimonials: Research customer reviews and case studies from businesses similar to yours. Pay attention to feedback regarding customer support, reliability, and how well each platform has helped businesses streamline their operations. Learning from others' experiences can provide valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each solution.

By following these recommendations, you'll be better equipped to make an informed decision that aligns with your business needs and goals.

Ten Questions You Must Ask When Choosing Between Shifton vs 7Shifts

When evaluating Shifton and 7Shifts to determine the best fit for your business, asking the right questions can guide your decision-making process. Here are ten essential questions to consider:

1. What specific features are most critical to my business? Identify the functionalities that your team needs, such as scheduling, time tracking, labour forecasting, and reporting. Which platform provides these capabilities more effectively?
2. How does each platform cater to my industry? Given that 7Shifts is tailored for the restaurant industry, does it offer distinct advantages for my food service business compared to Shifton's more general approach?
3. What is the user experience like for both management and employees? Are the interfaces intuitive and easy to navigate? Consider asking for demos or trials to experience how each platform operates in real-world scenarios.
4. What is the pricing structure, and what do I get for my money? Review not just the basic subscription costs but also what features are included in each pricing tier. Are there additional charges for integrations or premium features?
5. How does customer support work for each platform? What kind of support does each company offer (e.g., email, live chat, phone support)? Are there resources like tutorials or a knowledge base available for user assistance?
6. Can I integrate this platform with my existing tools? Investigate the compatibility of both platforms with your current point-of-sale (POS) systems, payroll services, and any other software you use.
7. What kind of reporting and analytics are available? How robust are the reporting features? Does each platform provide insights that will help you make data-driven decisions about labour costs and scheduling?
8. Is there a mobile app, and how useful is it? Given the mobile nature of many employees in the food service industry, how accessible is the platform via a mobile app? What functionalities are available on the app?
9. What do current users say about their experience? Look for reviews or testimonials, particularly focusing on areas like user satisfaction, reliability, and overall performance. What are the common praises or complaints?
10. Is there a trial period or a money-back guarantee? Can I test the platform risk-free? Understanding the terms of trial periods can provide significant peace of mind before committing to a long-term subscription.

By considering these questions, you'll be better prepared to assess which solution — Shifton or 7Shifts — best meets the specific needs of your business.

Shifton vs 7Shift: Use Cases

Use Cases for Shifton:

1. Diverse Industry Applications: Suitable for businesses in retail, healthcare, logistics, and other sectors that require flexible scheduling and time-tracking.
2. Employee Self-Scheduling: Ideal for companies that want to empower employees to select and swap shifts easily.
3. Integration Needs: Effective for organizations that rely on a mix of software solutions and need flexibility in integrating with various management, CRM, or payroll systems.
4. Centralised Management: Beneficial for businesses operating multiple locations, as it offers centralised scheduling and management features.

Use Cases for 7Shifts:

1. Restaurant and Food Service Focus: Specifically designed for the restaurant industry, making it ideal for businesses that need tailored features like labour cost forecasting and tip tracking.
2. Team Communication: Facilitates efficient communication among staff, allowing for quick management of scheduling changes in fast-paced environments.
3. Employee Engagement and Retention: Offers tools for recognition and mobile accessibility to enhance employee engagement and retention in restaurants.
4. Integration with POS Systems: Excellent for food service establishments that need to streamline operations by integrating with popular POS systems to synchronise labour management with sales data.

Final Thoughts on Shifton vs 7Shifts: Which Is Best For Business

Choosing between Shifton and 7Shifts ultimately depends on the specific needs of your business.

• For Diverse Industry Applications: If your organisation falls outside of the food service sector and requires a flexible scheduling tool that can adapt to various operational needs, Shifton may be the right choice. Its capabilities in self-scheduling, integration viability, and centralised management make it suitable for a wide range of industries.
• For Restaurant and Food Service: On the other hand, if your primary focus is on running a restaurant or a similar establishment, 7Shifts is likely the better option. Its features are tailored to this sector's unique challenges, including labour forecasting, compliance support, and fast-paced communication among staff.

In conclusion, evaluate your specific operational requirements, industry context, and user preferences to make an informed decision. Both platforms offer distinct advantages, and selecting the one that aligns with your business goals will position you for better scheduling management and operational efficiency.