Restaurant staff scheduling software: free plans and trials
Free plans and free trials of employee scheduling and time-clock tools used by restaurants, each checked on the vendor's official pricing page. Free-plan caps (employees, users, locations) are shown so you can match them to your team size.
8tools checked
5with an ongoing $0 plan
3with a free trial only
2026-10-22last verified (UTC)
Not a ranking. Tools are listed in the order we checked them. Prices and limits change; confirm on the vendor page before buying.
Comparison table
| Tool | Type | Free plan / trial limits | Source | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homebase | Scheduling & time clock | Basic plan $0 for 1 location, up to 10 employees; basic scheduling, time tracking, POS integration; no credit card. | Official page for Homebase | |
| Sling | Shift scheduling | Free plan: shift scheduling for up to 30 users; 15-day free trial of paid plans. | Official page for Sling | |
| ZoomShift | Shift scheduling & time clock | Essentials plan $0, free up to 20 users; 14-day trial of paid plans, no card. | Official page for ZoomShift | |
| Connecteam | Scheduling, time clock & team chat | Small Business Plan free for up to 10 users. | Official page for Connecteam | |
| Square for Restaurants | Restaurant POS | Free plan with no monthly subscription; processing fees apply when you take a payment. | Official page for Square for Restaurants | |
| When I Work | Scheduling & time tracking | 14-day free trial. | Official page for When I Work | |
| Deputy | Scheduling & time clock | Free trial up to 31 days, no credit card. | Official page for Deputy | |
| Planday | Workforce scheduling | 30-day free trial, no credit card. | Official page for Planday |
Guides
- Best for free restaurant scheduling — Ongoing $0 plans, sorted by what they cap.
- Best for small teams (about 10 staff) — Free tiers that fit a single location with a small crew.
- Best for larger crews (11 to 30+ staff) — Free tiers with higher user caps, and trials for full systems.