Head-to-head comparison

When I Work vs Deputy

Comparing When I Work and Deputy to help you pick the right Shift Scheduling Software for your needs.

Feature When I Work Deputy
Pricing Freemium Freemium
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Editorial rating ★ 4.1 / 5 ★ 4 / 5
Starting price $0up to 75 employees $031 days trial
Community votes 14 12

When I Work Pros & Cons

  • Free for up to 75 employees — genuinely useful for small businesses
  • Mobile-first design for employees to check schedules and request changes
  • Shift swap and open shift features reduce manager scheduling overhead
  • Integration with payroll systems for hours export
  • Free tier lacks time tracking — needs Standard plan
  • Less powerful for complex multi-location workforce management
  • Attendance features less robust than dedicated time-tracking tools

Deputy Pros & Cons

  • Strong multi-location support for franchise and enterprise operations
  • Labor law compliance automation for award interpretation
  • AI-powered demand forecasting for optimal staffing
  • Works across restaurants, retail, healthcare, and logistics
  • Per-user pricing more expensive than Homebase for large workforces
  • More complex than needed for simple single-location businesses
  • Award interpretation (Australia/NZ) more relevant outside US market

Verdict: When I Work vs Deputy

When I Work and Deputy both serve the Shift Scheduling Software category well, but suit different priorities. When I Work carries the stronger editorial rating (4.1 / 5), Based on community engagement, When I Work is currently the more widely adopted choice (14 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, When I Work or Deputy?
When I Work and Deputy use a similar pricing model (both freemium), so the cheaper choice depends on which specific plan tier and feature set you need rather than the base pricing model.
Is When I Work or Deputy rated higher?
When I Work has the higher editorial rating at 4.1 out of 5, compared to Deputy's 4 out of 5. This is Kreemhunt's own staff rating, not a public user aggregate — review the pros and cons below for specifics that matter to your use case.
Which platforms do When I Work and Deputy support?
When I Work is available on Web, iOS, Android. Deputy is available on Web, iOS, Android. Both tools cover a similar range of platforms.
Can I switch from When I Work to Deputy (or vice versa)?
Most shift scheduling software tools, including When I Work and Deputy, support data export in standard formats, making migration possible though rarely fully automatic. Expect to manually verify that custom configurations, integrations, and historical data transfer correctly, and budget time for the team to adjust to workflow differences between the two products.
Should I choose When I Work or Deputy?
When I Work and Deputy both serve the Shift Scheduling Software category well, but suit different priorities. When I Work carries the stronger editorial rating (4.1 / 5), Based on community engagement, When I Work is currently the more widely adopted choice (14 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.