Recommended Free Tools
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For a small US business with one location and no more than 10 employees, Homebase Basic is the clearest free Deputy alternative: it costs $0 per location per month and includes basic scheduling and time tracking. Its limits mean it is not a like-for-like replacement for every Deputy team. If you need more employees, multiple locations, or different features, compare plans by the workflows and billing units you actually need.
What is the best free alternative to Deputy?
Homebase Basic is the best-supported choice when your team fits its free-plan limits: one location and up to 10 employees. Its official pricing page lists basic scheduling and basic time tracking on that tier. That combination makes it a closer match for Deputy’s core shift-planning and attendance use than a free plan that only covers scheduling. Homebase pricing.
“Free” does not automatically mean equivalent. A free option may cap locations or headcount, omit time tracking, or cover only a subset of a team’s current Deputy workflow. Check the exact plan terms before moving staff schedules or time records.
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Deputy’s US pricing page, accessed October 7, 2026, lists these monthly prices per user, excluding applicable taxes:
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- Made in USA - Proudly produced in Ohio by a Veteran-owned business
- 120 page Weekly Shifts Journal 8.5" x 11"
- Wire-O with Stunning Yellow Cover Design
- Pages include spaces for employee name, position, and daily schedule tracking
- Reorder SKU: LOG-120-7CW-PP-(WeeklyShifts)
| Deputy plan | US price |
|---|---|
| Lite | $5 per user per month |
| Core | $6.50 per user per month |
| Pro | $9 per user per month |
Deputy also states a $30 minimum monthly spend per invoice for monthly Lite, Core, and Pro plans, applicable from September 1, 2025. The pricing page advertises an introductory free option, but the reviewed US pricing information does not establish a permanent free Deputy plan. Deputy US pricing.
These are US prices. Deputy has a separate UK schedule in GBP and describes special pricing for charities, not-for-profits, and community organisations there; readers elsewhere should check their regional pricing and billing terms. Deputy UK pricing.
Free and lower-cost Deputy alternatives
Homebase: basic scheduling and time tracking for a small US team
Homebase Basic is listed at $0 per location per month for one location and up to 10 employees. Its included functions are described as basic scheduling and time tracking. The paid tiers listed on the pricing page are Essentials at $30 per location per month, Plus at $70, and All-in-One at $120; those tiers show unlimited employees. Confirm billing cadence and any promotions when requesting a quote. Homebase pricing.
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Choose it when a single-location team fits the cap and needs both scheduling and a basic time clock. If the team exceeds 10 employees or operates another location, do not assume the free tier will cover it.
Rank #3
- Made in USA - Proudly produced in Ohio by a Veteran-owned business
- This BookFactory Schedule log book tracks employee schedules by day and time
- There is a page to write down employee contact information; and the pages have lined sections for each day of the week
- This can even be used by an individual to track your own schedule for work or school
- Wire-O binding; 100 Pages ; Dimensions are 8.5" x 11" Reorder SKU: LOG-110-7CW-PP(Schedule-Log)
Connecteam: compare a small-team option against your needs
A Connecteam comparison output lists its Small Business plan as free in an illustrated 10-user setup. That does not establish universal eligibility or current plan details. Connecteam’s calculator lets users compare team size, locations, billing preference, and selected functions; its pricing and feature information was reviewed August 30, 2026, and it cautions that actual prices and availability can vary with promotions, taxes, terms, add-ons, seats, plan changes, regional pricing, or custom quotes. Treat the output as an estimate, then confirm terms with Connecteam. Connecteam pricing calculator.
Sling: free scheduling, but not a full time-clock replacement
A vendor-hosted comparison reports that Sling’s free plan includes scheduling, task lists and checklists, time-off requests, and private messaging for up to 30 users, but does not include time tracking. It may suit a team seeking schedule coordination rather than a full replacement for Deputy’s time-and-attendance workflow. Confirm current limits and features with Sling. Connecteam provider comparison.
7shifts: investigate for restaurant scheduling
Homebase’s 2026 alternatives guide describes a free 7shifts Comp plan for one restaurant location and advises checking the employee cap with 7shifts. It is worth considering for restaurant-specific scheduling needs, but verify current features, eligibility, and headcount limits directly. Homebase’s Deputy alternatives guide.
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When I Work appears in the vendor-hosted comparison set, but the reviewed materials do not establish it as a free option. Compare a quote for the plan and features your team needs, including any trial terms. Connecteam provider comparison.
Best Value
- ♚WEEKLY APPOINTMENT BOOK - January 2027 - December 2027, 2027 weekly hourly planner/appointment book (9" x 11") covers 12 months, hourly plan can help you to keep your life totally organized, perfect for staying focused and hit your goals.
- ♚PLAN YOUR DAY - One week per two page spread features one vertical column for each day. Schedule your day from 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. in 30 minute intervals from Monday to Sunday with ample ruled writing space, and the countdown of days can help you organize your whole year.
- ♚GUIDE YOUR WEEK - Each week has the past and the following month as reference for a easier long-term planning; priorities section help you to keep organized for the whole week with easier planning and tracking.
- ♚FEATURES - 9" x 11" Planning Pages | Reference Information | Yearly Overview | Holidays | 2027 Calendar | Strong Twin-Wire Binding | Julian Date | Premium Paper | Elegant Design | Colorful Monthly Tabs | Two-side Pocket
- ♚MAKES YOUR LIFE PRODUCTIVE - Perfect tool to make your life effective. Utilizing this 2027 weekly appointment book, you can stick down notes, ideas, meetings, appointments, etc. It would help to improve your time management skills and become a better version of yourself.
How to choose a replacement for your Deputy workflow
Before switching, write down what the team actually uses in Deputy. Compare each candidate on these points rather than choosing by a headline price:
- Team and location limits: How many employees and work sites are included, and what happens when you exceed them?
- Scheduling: Does the plan support creating and publishing schedules, shift swaps, and time-off requests at the level your managers need?
- Attendance: Is a time clock included? Can managers review timesheets and attendance, or is the plan scheduling-only?
- Work context: Does the mobile experience fit deskless staff, and are GPS-related functions included if you depend on them?
- Payroll connections: Does the candidate integrate with the payroll system you use, and is that integration included on the relevant tier?
- Billing unit and terms: Is the price per employee or per location? Check billing cadence, minimums, taxes, and whether the quoted amount is a promotion or estimate.
Connecteam’s calculator supports comparisons by team size, locations, billing preference, and selected functions. Its displayed information was reviewed August 30, 2026, and the vendor warns that prices and availability can vary; use it to shortlist options, not as a guaranteed quote. Connecteam pricing calculator.
Is a free Deputy alternative enough?
A free tier can be a practical fit if it covers the full workflow for the team’s size and location count. Homebase Basic is the strongest fit established here for a US business with one location, up to 10 employees, and basic scheduling plus time tracking. A scheduling-only plan such as Sling’s reported free tier is not a full time-and-attendance substitute. For restaurant teams, investigate 7shifts; for other team sizes or feature needs, verify eligibility and compare paid plans before switching.
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