Empowering small businesses to succeed

Homebase vs 7shifts: Key Features

Homebase Key Features:

• Simple Scheduling That Works:
  Homebase simplifies schedule creation and management with its drag-and-drop tool. Managers can swiftly allocate shifts and adjust them as needed, while employees can view their schedules or request changes directly via the app. It’s all about maintaining smooth operations and avoiding confusion.
• Time Tracking Made Easy:
  Avoid messy timesheets. Homebase allows employees to clock in and out using a tablet or phone. The app tracks their hours automatically and syncs with payroll, saving small businesses from the headache of manual entries and ensuring accurate records.
• Built-In Payroll Integration:
  Homebase integrates with popular payroll systems like Gusto and QuickBooks. Timesheets are directly imported into the payroll system, eliminating manual data input and reducing errors. It’s a straightforward and efficient solution for businesses looking to streamline payroll.
• Tools for Hiring and Onboarding:
  If you’re in a constant hiring mode, particularly in retail and hospitality, Homebase supports you. You can post job openings, track applications, and manage onboarding—all from one platform.

7shifts Key Features:

• Scheduling Designed for Restaurants:
  7shifts is not just any scheduling tool—it’s crafted specifically for restaurants. It aids managers in creating schedules based on sales forecasts.
• Smart Labour Cost Management:
  By integrating with POS systems, 7shifts provides real-time updates on labour costs relative to sales.
• Team Communication in One Place:
  Instead of switching between apps and messages, 7shifts offers a built-in chat feature. Managers can dispatch updates, and employees can organise shift swaps or simply stay informed—all within the same app.
• Mobile Time Tracking:
  7shifts includes a mobile-friendly time clock. Employees clock in using their phones, and managers are able to approve timesheets before processing payroll. It’s simple, efficient, and saves considerable time for everyone.

Homebase vs 7shifts: Similarities

• Cloud-Based Convenience:
  Both Homebase and 7shifts operate on the cloud, so managers and employees can access schedules, track hours, or communicate with the team from any device, at any time.
• Scheduling Made Simple:
  Both platforms deliver tools for effortless creation and adjustment of shifts. Employees receive real-time updates and can easily request alterations or swaps, ensuring everything stays organised.
• Time Tracking Without Hassle:
  Employees clock in and out via phones or tablets, with hours logged automatically. Managers can review and approve hours promptly—no paperwork required.
• Payroll Integration That Works:
  Both tools connect with payroll systems like Gusto and QuickBooks, reducing errors and saving time in paycheck processing.
• Mobile Access:
  Their mobile apps allow employees to check shifts, swap them with colleagues, and communicate—all in one place, simplifying staying organised.

Homebase vs 7shifts: Differences

• Who They’re For:
  Comparing Homebase vs 7shifts, the former serves various industries such as retail and services. 7shifts is specifically designed for restaurants, providing tools tailored to hospitality.
• Hiring Tools:
  If you’re consistently hiring, Homebase offers job posting, application, and onboarding features. 7shifts omits these, focusing on operations instead.
• Labour Cost Management:
  7shifts excels with schedule planning based on sales and labour cost tracking, ideal for restaurants. Homebase keeps it simpler with fundamental tracking.

Homebase vs 7shifts: Pros and Cons

Homebase Pros:

• Offers a free plan, making it affordable for small businesses.
  
• Provides a wide range of features.
  
• Includes hiring and onboarding tools.
  
• Integrates well with payroll systems.

Homebase Cons:

• Lacks advanced labour cost optimisation features.

7shifts Pros:

• Tailored specifically for restaurants, offering industry-focused scheduling and labour management tools.
  
• Labour cost management assists in optimising scheduling based on sales data.
  
• User-friendly scheduling interface for restaurant teams.

7shifts Cons:

• No hiring tools, which limits its utility for businesses requiring employee recruitment support.
  
• Specialises in restaurants and is less suitable for businesses in other sectors.

Homebase vs 7shifts: Pricing

Homebase offers four plans as of the end of 2024—one free and three paid plans. The paid plans range from $25 to $100 per location, based on the features offered. 7shifts also provides four plan tiers, the first being free, with the paid options ranging from $35 to $150 per location.

All plans are available for a free trial.

5 Recommendations for Choosing Between Homebase vs 7shifts

1. Consider Industry-Specific Features. 7shifts is designed specifically for the hospitality sector. It provides tools for shift scheduling, labour cost optimisation, and team communication tailored to restaurant workflows. Homebase offers a broader range of features that cater to retail, healthcare, and professional services.
2. Hiring and Onboarding: If you are comparing Homebase vs 7shifts in terms of features for hiring, the former will definitely win.
3. Budget: Homebase offers a free plan with essential features, making it an excellent choice for businesses with limited resources.
4. Labour Cost Management: 7shifts integrates with POS systems to align staffing with sales forecasts, helping businesses cut unnecessary labour expenses.
5. Analyse Reporting and Insights: If your business relies heavily on data to make staffing and operational decisions, 7shifts offers robust reporting tools. Homebase provides easy-to-understand reports on employee hours, attendance, and payroll, making it a great option for small businesses that don’t require advanced analytics.

Ten Questions You Must Ask When Choosing Between Homebase vs 7shifts

1. Does my business operate in a specific industry like restaurants, or does it need a versatile platform for various sectors?
2. Are hiring and onboarding features critical to managing frequent staff changes?
3. How important is real-time labour cost tracking and optimisation for my operations?
4. What is my budget, and does the platform offer a free or cost-effective plan that meets my needs?
5. Do I need seamless payroll integration to streamline wage and compliance processes?
6. Would my team benefit from advanced scheduling tools tailored to restaurant workflows?
7. How essential is scalability to accommodate multi-location or industry-specific growth?
8. How well does the platform integrate with my existing POS or business management systems?
9. How customisable are the schedules and reports to fit my business’s unique needs?
10. Can the platform scale pricing based on the size of my team or number of locations?

Homebase vs 7shifts: Use Cases

Homebase Use Cases:

• Retail Stores. Imagine a small boutique juggling employee schedules, hiring seasonal staff, and ensuring smooth operations—all without missing a beat. That’s where in a contest Homebase vs 7shifts the former definitely wins.
• For Service-Focused Businesses. Think of a bustling cleaning service or a thriving beauty salon. Managing shifts and payroll can seem like an uphill battle—but not with Homebase.

7shifts Use Cases:

• Independent Restaurants. Picture a cosy diner with a tight-knit team. Keeping everyone informed and schedules optimised used to mean endless headaches—until 7shifts came along.
• Restaurant Chains: Works well for multi-location restaurant chains that require advanced scheduling, labour tracking, and communication tools.

Final Thoughts on Homebase vs 7shifts: Which Is Best For Business

Overall, 7shifts’ main distinction and advantage in the market is its specialised focus. If you have a restaurant, you can rely on it to have all the functions you need for it. If you have a business in another field, it makes more sense to consider Homebase.