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Head-to-head · Availability Management

Deputy vs Sling

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Deputy #3 in Availability Management 8.4/10 31-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Deputy
Sling #5 in Availability Management 8.1/10 Free plan · 15-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Sling

Deputy leads on 0 checks, Sling on 2, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDeputy · 8.4/10
  • Lowest starting priceSling · $2/user/mo
  • Free planonly Sling
  • Free trialboth

Deputy scores higher on our rubric for availability management: 8.4 against 8.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

Sling offers free plan; Deputy doesn't. Sling is cheaper to start at $2/user/mo against $5/user/mo.

Deputy is the better fit for businesses needing affordable workforce scheduling. Sling is the better fit for small teams seeking free shift scheduling.

  • Deputy fits best

    Businesses needing affordable workforce scheduling

  • Sling fits best

    Small teams seeking free shift scheduling

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Side by side

Feature Deputy 8.4/10 Visit ↗ Sling 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 8.1
Ranking #3 in Availability Management #5 in Availability Management
Best for Businesses needing affordable workforce scheduling Small teams seeking free shift scheduling
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $5/user/mo $2/user/mo (best)
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 31 days 15 days
Free trial length 31 days · no card needed 15 days
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Tickets, Docs · 24/7 Email, Live chat, Docs
Integrations 11 integrations 5 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Deputy 0/2 · Sling 0/2
Booking page Not checked yet Not checked yet
Availability rules Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Resource types Not checked yet Not checked yet
Calendar sync Not checked yet Not checked yet
Locations Not checked yet Not checked yet
Native integrations Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Collects availability and time-off requests alongside manager approvals.
  • Employees can claim open shifts, swap shifts, or offer them to others.
  • Integrates with payroll, HR, and point-of-sale systems.
  • Free plan includes scheduling, time off, available shifts and messaging
  • Supports availability, shift offers, swaps and automatic assignment
  • Connects with Toast, Square and other listed restaurant platforms
Cons
  • There is no free plan; paid plans start at $5 per user monthly.
  • Auto-scheduling and demand forecasting are listed under Core, not Lite.
  • Pro is needed for custom access levels and single sign-on.
  • The free plan is limited to 30 users
  • Time tracking and labor-cost management start on a paid plan
  • Business-tier features such as reports and PTO management cost more
Our verdict

Deputy brings scheduling and workforce management tools together for businesses with shift-based teams. Its features include employee availability submissions, time-off requests and approvals, open shifts, shift swaps, time tracking, and…

Read the review →

Sling is cloud-based employee scheduling software for businesses managing hourly and shift-based teams. Managers can build schedules, set recurring shifts, track availability, approve time-off requests, and publish open shifts for…

Read the review →
  1. DeputyAvailability Management 8.431-day trial
  2. SlingAvailability Management 8.1Free plan · 15-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Deputy — where it wins

    • Collects availability and time-off requests alongside manager approvals.
    • Employees can claim open shifts, swap shifts, or offer them to others.
    • Integrates with payroll, HR, and point-of-sale systems.

    Where it doesn't

    • There is no free plan; paid plans start at $5 per user monthly.
    • Auto-scheduling and demand forecasting are listed under Core, not Lite.
    • Pro is needed for custom access levels and single sign-on.

  • Sling — where it wins

    • Free plan includes scheduling, time off, available shifts and messaging
    • Supports availability, shift offers, swaps and automatic assignment
    • Connects with Toast, Square and other listed restaurant platforms

    Where it doesn't

    • The free plan is limited to 30 users
    • Time tracking and labor-cost management start on a paid plan
    • Business-tier features such as reports and PTO management cost more

More comparisons

All availability management comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026

Last updated · How we research and update