Best hiring and scheduling software for restaurants

Restaurants hire often and schedule around changing covers, and the two are closely linked. Here is the one tool we would start with, and the alternatives worth comparing. Updated 2026-10-14.

Our top pick: 7shifts

Because it was built for restaurants, combining shift scheduling, team communication and hiring tools, so new hires flow straight into the schedule.

Our top pick

7shifts

Restaurant Scheduling, Payroll, and Retention tools in one app. Make team communication, tip management, and labor compliance easy.

Price: See pricing page (paid plans) · Free option: Free plan

Visit 7shifts

Alternatives worth a look

Homebase

Scheduling, time clock, payroll, and hiring for hourly teams.

Price: From $30 (paid plans) · Free option: Free plan ($0); 14-day trial

Visit Homebase

Indeed

Post jobs and find candidates on the Indeed job site.

Price: See site (page blocked) · Free option: See site

Visit Indeed

Sling

Sling is a free and easy to use employee shift scheduling and planning software that helps your business manage shifts and communicate with employees.

Price: $1.70/mo · Free option: Free plan

Visit Sling

Side by side

Tool	Price	Free option
7shifts (top pick)	See pricing page (paid plans)	Free plan
Homebase	From $30 (paid plans)	Free plan ($0); 14-day trial
Indeed	See site (page blocked)	See site
Sling	$1.70/mo	Free plan

What restaurants should check before choosing

Can you post jobs and onboard hires in the same tool?
Does it handle shift swaps and availability?
Does it connect to your POS for labor costs?

A common mistake

Hiring in one system and scheduling in another, which doubles admin for every new hire.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best hiring and scheduling software for restaurants?

Our top pick is 7shifts. Because it was built for restaurants, combining shift scheduling, team communication and hiring tools, so new hires flow straight into the schedule.

How much does 7shifts cost?

7shifts: See pricing page (paid plans). Free option: Free plan. Checked 2026-10-14; confirm on the vendor's site.

What should restaurants look for in a hiring and scheduling software?

Can you post jobs and onboard hires in the same tool? Does it handle shift swaps and availability? Does it connect to your POS for labor costs?

Are these rankings paid?

No. Picks are ranked by fit for the job. Sponsored placements are always labeled "Sponsored" and never change the order of our picks.