When I Work vs ZoomShift

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Our analysts compared When I Work vs ZoomShift based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Employee Scheduling Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Product Basics

When I Work is a cloud-based platform that helps design, communicate and track work schedules for hourly workers. It replaces the hassle of spreadsheets and paper schedules with a user-friendly interface for creating and publishing schedules in minutes. You get features like drag-and-drop tools, schedule and timesheet templates, customizable automation, and reporting.

It offers built-in time tracking, communication tools and payroll integrations. Employees can clock in and out directly through the native app. They can also swap shifts and submit time-off requests from their profiles. It lets you access timesheets, identify labor cost trends and control overtime expenses.

Team messaging helps you coordinate staff members and avoid over or understaffing during peak seasons. While pricing varies based on company size and required features, the platform offers a free trial and multiple subscription tiers. This allows you to choose a plan that fits your budget and specific needs.

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Zoomshift helps small and mid-sized businesses manage workforce scheduling, time tracking and team communications. It offers user-friendly scheduling and shift planning tools to create, assign and handle employee shifts. You can use intelligent automation for time-consuming tasks such as assigning shifts, sending reminders and maintaining timesheets.

Additionally, Zoomshift provides time tracking and PTO management features. Employees can record their work hours using the built-in time clock functionality, ensuring accurate and reliable timekeeping data.

The system streamlines PTO management, allowing employees to submit and track time-off requests while helping managers review, approve or deny requests. This eliminates manual processes and reduces the risk of errors or disputes related to time and attendance.

The platform also includes features that enhance communication between employees and managers, such as announcements, notifications and messaging capabilities. Also, Zoomshift offers a robust mobile app that allows employees to access their schedules, submit time-off requests and communicate with their team remotely.

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$2.50/User, Monthly
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$2/User, Monthly, Freemium
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Tailored to your specific needs
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Windows
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Android
Chromebook
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Linux
Android
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Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
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On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Top-Ranked Scheduling Solution: When I Work stands out as a leader in employee scheduling, with an analyst rating of 85 in our research. This puts it alongside industry heavyweights like Deputy (87) and 7Shifts (86). It offers a comprehensive set of features, including scheduling, time tracking and team communications, all of which are ready to use immediately, reducing setup time.
  • Effortless Shift Management: Our research shows that When I Work offers 96% of tools for creating and managing employee shifts out-of-the-box. These include everything from creating recurring shift templates and customizing layouts to features like open shift bidding and automatic vacant shift assignment. You can also add feedback, task notes, swap shifts and receive automated reminders.
  • Powerful Mobile App: The mobile app keeps everything you need for streamlined scheduling at your fingertips. It offers mobile scheduling, time tracking, geofencing, customizable push notifications and built-in chat for easy team communication.
  • Seamless Integrations: When I Work scored 92 for integrations in our analysis, effortlessly connecting with a wide range of business tools. These include accounting solutions like QuickBooks Online, Google and Apple Calendars, HR and payroll software like Rippling and Gusto, Square POS systems, and integration platforms as a service (iPaaS) such as Zapier and Tray.io.
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  • Start Scheduling for Free: You can start scheduling up to 20 employees in one location with Zoomshift’s ‘Essentials’ plan for free. It supports group chats, shift and manager notes, and shift reminders.
  • Schedule From Anywhere: Zoomshift offers one of the most robust scheduling mobile apps, rated 100 by our analysts. It lets employees log attendance, track time, view and swap shifts, and chat with team members. Managers can use the app to edit schedules and timesheets, add shift notes, and track employee work hours and location using geofencing technology.
  • Manage Shifts Efficiently: According to our data, one of Zoomshift’s strongest suites is its shift management tools and capabilities, which got an 83 analyst rating. The platform's customizable shift layouts, recurring shift options and shift change notifications keep everyone informed and prepared for their upcoming shifts. Additionally, shift swapping and split shifts provide flexibility for both employees and managers, accommodating individual needs and last-minute changes.
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  • Employee Scheduling: Create work schedules in one click based on employee availability and eligibility. View team availability, manage time off and track shift trades from one place. Allow employees to pick up and trade shifts while boosting workplace efficiency and productivity. Schedule multiple teams across job sites while preventing unnecessary overtime.
  • Time and Attendance: Track attendance, time off and breaks while turning any internet-connected device into an online time clock. Integrate schedules to control costs while applying pay rules. Implement an online time clock with a GPS facility for uniform clock-ins and outs across devices. Let remote employees log in and out using any device while receiving attendance data in real time.
  • Timesheets: Record weekly attendance changes into timesheets while setting differential pay rates for multiple positions. Monitor labor costs while auditing time records with labor distribution reports. Audit and approve timesheets from mobile or desktop while preventing overtime before it happens. Configure paid and unpaid breaks on schedule and time clock.
  • Shift Planning: Plan, swap and approve shifts using a mobile or desktop while empowering teams to collaborate on schedules. Ensure cost-effective shift coverage while creating schedules that work for the entire team.
  • Scalability: Start with a single team or location and scale to multiple teams across geographical locations as per business growth. Schedule multiple teams across various job sites.
  • Push Notifications: Send important messages to the entire staff in one go. Employees get email and text alerts for missed logins or outs. Notify all employees when you update or create new schedules.
  • Geo Check-In: Use GPS tracking and live map views to ensure that employees log in from their designated job sites. Monitor field staff’s real-time location, eliminating the need for employees to update their locations constantly in the office.
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  • Schedule Management: Copy schedules, apply templates, sort and filter, incorporate variables like location and seasonal needs, assign employees to shifts and automatically create schedules.
  • Absence Management: You can track employee absences, time-off requests and PTO requests to facilitate vacation leave tracking and automatically update schedules.
  • Employee Self-Service: Employees can clock in and clock out for shifts directly using the employee portal. They can view timesheets and schedules, submit time-off requests, request shift swaps, and check total hours worked.
  • Integration: Use open API to integrate it with other HR solutions like payroll or workforce management systems and third-party applications such as Google Calendar.
  • Time Management: The platform helps track employee time, manage timesheets and export the information for payroll processing. Create blackout dates to prevent employees from requesting time off during busy times.
  • Employee Management: You can store staff information in an employee database while accessing relevant information like employee availability and shift duties that can be assigned to individual employees.
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Product Ranking

#3

among all
Employee Scheduling Software

#21

among all
Employee Scheduling Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

86
76
74
39
78
71
91
91
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Mobile Capabilities
Leave and Absence Management
Integrations and Extensibility
Security and Compliance
Shift Management
Mobile Capabilities
Leave and Absence Management
Schedule Management

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

When I Work
ZoomShift
+ Add Product + Add Product
Collaboration Employee Management Leave And Absence Management Mobile Capabilities Platform Capabilities Reporting And Analytics Schedule Management Security And Compliance Shift Management Time And Attendance Management 74 78 91 98 84 83 88 89 89 77 39 71 91 98 79 33 86 78 84 72 0 25 50 75 100
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88%
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89%
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83%
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Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

90%
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10%
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40%

User Sentiment Summary

Excellent User Sentiment 1454 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 124 reviews
90%
of users recommend this product

When I Work has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 90% when considering 1454 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

91%
of users recommend this product

ZoomShift has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 91% when considering 124 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

5.0 (11)
n/a
4.4 (286)
4.9 (20)
4.5 (1093)
4.5 (104)
4.4 (64)
n/a

Awards

When I Work stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

ZoomShift stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Intuitive and Efficient: Users appreciate the user-friendly interface and comprehensive features that centralize managing all scheduling needs from a single app.
Prompt Customer Support: Users report getting timely and helpful assistance from the vendor’s support team through live chat and email.
Enhanced Employee Experience: The app boosts staff productivity by offering them flexible tools to control their work schedules.
Improved Integration and Accessibility: Most users have had a positive experience connecting the platform with other necessary third-party tools.
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Ease of Use: Many users appreciate ZoomShift's simplicity and ease of use when creating and managing schedules. It's especially beneficial for businesses with frequently changing schedules.
Robust Mobile App: The mobile app allows employees to clock in and out, view schedules, and request shifts from their phones. This provides significant convenience for businesses with staff who are constantly on the move.
Cost-Effective: Several users mentioned that ZoomShift provides good value for money, especially considering its features and flexibility.
Time-Saving: The software simplifies scheduling and timesheet management, helping businesses save time with features like copying shifts, exporting schedules and setting reminders.
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Pricing and Transparency Issues: Users have complained about the vendor’s pricing practices, which include hidden costs and a lack of clear information before signing up.
App Glitches: Users reported issues with iPhone and Android apps, particularly with tasks like staff punch-ins and location tracking using the phone’s GPS.
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Limited Reporting: Users expressed the need for more robust reporting options, including access to older shift histories beyond just a few months.
Declining Customer Service: Users reported a decline in customer service quality over time, citing slow responses and a lack of attention to fixing bugs.
Lack of Advanced Features: ZoomShift lacks certain features, such as more customizable alerts and the ability to mark events without adding them to the schedule or integrating payroll processing into the app.
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According to the reviews, users praise When I Work’s user-friendly design and all-in-one features for scheduling and time tracking. The customer support team is another win — responsive and helpful via chat and email. However, the pricing structure is a point of contention for some users, with complaints about hidden fees and a lack of transparency before signing up.What truly set it apart was its affordability for small and medium businesses. The starter plan, costing just $1.50 per location per month, offers unlimited employee scheduling and auto-scheduling — features usually reserved for top-tier plans in competitors like 7Shift and Homebase.However, communication features are restricted. During testing, I could send individual and group messages, but there's no bulletin board or newsfeed functionality, and message read receipts are absent.Security is another concern. The platform lacks biometric clock-in options, opening the door to potential time theft through buddy punching. Additionally, it doesn’t support geofencing or GPS tracking. I couldn’t remotely track staff shifts to ensure they were following established procedures.Overall, When I Work offers a compelling solution for small and medium businesses with a user-friendly interface, robust features and a budget-friendly starter plan. However, be mindful of the pricing concerns and other limitations, which can be a problem for growing teams and businesses.

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Zoomshift is an economical scheduling and time tracking solution. It offers a free starter plan, and its paid plans start at just $1 per user per month. As a user, I found it to be a user-friendly and efficient tool, especially for smaller businesses.One of the first things I appreciated about Zoomshift was its intuitive interface. The platform is easy to navigate, with a clear and organized layout that makes it simple to find the features you need. The scheduling process is straightforward, allowing you to assign shifts and view the overall schedule in a calendar format. While it lacks drag-and-drop functionality, the smart calendar view provides a comprehensive overview of shift coverage over time.The most impressive aspect of Zoomshift is its mobile app, which is packed with features typically found in more expensive scheduling solutions. It includes time tracking, shift swapping, team chat, and even sophisticated options like geofencing and offline working.However, Zoomshift does have some limitations, particularly for larger enterprises. It lacks essential features like budgeting tools and cost tracking, which are crucial for making data-driven scheduling decisions. Additionally, it doesn't offer advanced features like automatic conflict alerts, embedded AI or automatic insights to optimize schedules.Overall, I found Zoomshift to be an excellent choice for small and medium businesses that need a simple and affordable scheduling solution. It's particularly well-suited for companies with 15 to 60 employees but can also handle larger teams of up to 150 employees. If you're looking for a user-friendly platform that offers essential features like time tracking, shift management and mobile accessibility, Zoomshift is definitely worth considering.

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Screenshots

Top Alternatives in Employee Scheduling Software


7shifts

Deputy

Findmyshift

Homebase

Humanity

OpenSimSim

Planday

Quinyx

ScheduleFlex

Shiftbase

Shiftboard

Sling

TimeForge

WhenToWork

ZoomShift

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