Homebase vs ShiftNote

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Our analysts compared Homebase vs ShiftNote 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.

ShiftNote Software Tool

Product Basics

Homebase is a cloud-based solution that helps manage employee schedules, maintain timesheets and streamline payroll processes. Managers can create staff shifts using drag-and-drop scheduling tools and pre-built templates. They can also define rules to put schedules on autopilot for recurring tasks based on employee availability, skills and labor budget.

The platform is mobile-optimized and offers a native app for employees to view schedules, communicate, set preferences and trade shifts. You can use a POS system to track employee attendance and work hours or use the app to let staff log time from their phones. The platform maintains timesheets while integrating with payroll modules for wage calculation.

Verify employee identity and location with the built-in photo capture or GPS time clock functionality. Additionally, you can automate break tracking and overtime calculations to comply with shift worker regulations. It sends automatic alerts for employee absences or late logins while allowing managers to record daily summaries using the manager log.


Pros
  • Ease of setup
  • Efficient scheduling and time tracking
  • Robust mobile app
  • Cost-effective
Cons
  • Limited customization
  • Customer service issues
  • System update bugs
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ShiftNote is a cloud-hosted solution that offers a manager’s logbook to create shift notes electronically while accessing them from anywhere. The intuitive logbook simplifies communication between employees and managers.

Businesses can design and edit shifts online, create and assign tasks, send messages and share documents across locations. It significantly reduces the time spent in creating weekly or monthly schedules. An internal email structure helps delegate shifts and roles. Businesses can access accurate forecasts to prepare for possible customer influx.
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$24.95/Location, Monthly, Freemium
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Tailored to your specific needs
$34.95 Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
Small
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Small
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Large
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
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Live Online
Videos
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Live Online
Videos
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Email
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Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
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24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Start Scheduling For Free: Homebase allows you to schedule up to 20 employees in one location at no cost. You get basic scheduling tools, a time tracker and POS integration to manage employee shifts from anywhere.
  • Streamline Team Communication: The platform excels in collaboration tools, helping managers run their teams efficiently. It includes everything you need, from one-on-one chats and team messaging to a bulletin board, newsfeed and even read receipts. Plus, you can recognize outstanding employees with shout-out cards and appreciation notices.
  • Go Mobile: The Homebase mobile app boasts impressive ratings — 4.4 on the Play Store and 4.8 on the Apple Store. Managers can create open shifts for qualified employees to claim, while features like geofencing and time tracking improve overall control. The app informs everyone with push notifications for upcoming events and alerts employees about late logouts or missed breaks.
  • Create the Perfect Software Stack: According to our analysis, Homebase ranks exceptionally well for its integration and extensibility with third-party solutions. It allows you to easily import or export data in CSV or Excel format. You can connect it with popular solutions like QuickBooks Online, Rippling, Gusto and ADP. It offers a native payroll integration at a cost. You can access its API with partner integrations and design custom connections with any tool!
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  • Fast Scheduling: Use a duplication tool to repeat set shifts while expediting the scheduling process. Create new schedules using customizable templates while speeding up schedule-building processes. 
  • Streamline Communications: Use an internal email function to send prompt shift updates while establishing accountability. Inform teams about shift modifications using an internal messaging capability. 
  • Manage Multiple Locations: Scale it to manage multiple locations. Step in to resolve scheduling and other issues at any branch. 
  • Manage Leaves and Shift Swaps: Manage shift swaps and leaves while approving or rejecting the requests. Communicate decisions through appropriate channels. 
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  • Scheduling: Create, copy and save schedules that can be modified or reused later. View employee availability and time off requests, manage shift changes, and forecast labor costs.
  • Time Clock: Clock in and out from the web, a tablet or an integrated POS. The advanced subscription packages can prevent employees from clocking in early for their shifts and returning from breaks early. The time clock feature can also round time and allow for automatic clock-out.
  • Timesheets: Track clock-ins, breaks and overtime hours with online timesheets. Generate a daily summary of activities, track breaks and export timesheets to payroll, reducing time errors.
  • Team Communication: Send direct messages and broadcast messages to entire groups directly through the app.
  • Hiring: Streamline the hiring process by providing pre-written job descriptions, interview reminders and applicant tracking capabilities. Post open jobs to Craigslist and other job boards. Import new hires to the schedule automatically.
  • Reporting: Track and generate reports on labor costs as a percentage of sales, actual hours worked, employee performance and shift feedback summaries. The more advanced subscription plans also track labor costs by type and generate reports on the application programming interface, on-time arrival and other customized reports.
  • Drag-and-Drop Interface: Users can view and sort schedules by role, time period or employee hours with a drag-and-drop interface. Managers can also copy the previous week’s schedule and publish work changes directly through the mobile app.
  • HR and Compliance: Centralize employee information, eSign documents and send automated welcome packets for a smooth self-onboarding experience. Define clear PTO policies and approval workflows, set up black-out dates and define advance notice requirements for more control. The platform offers consultancy with external HR advisors for expert insights and policy reviews, helping comply with labor regulations.
  • Employee Benefits and Productivity Tools: Early access to earned wages allows staff members to avoid overdraft fees. Peer-to-peer recognition tools and automatic performance metric tracking help foster a productive environment. You can also gain valuable insights into employee sentiment through anonymous end-of-shift feedback.
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  • Shift Scheduling: Plan employee schedules while making shift changes as per staff availability and requests. Maintain schedules for multiple departments while modifying them according to needs. 
  • Task Management: Share and manage annual task calendars using an advanced task management module. Schedule tasks while monitoring workflow processes. 
  • Performance Management: Monitor employee performance using the stat tracking and key performance indicator function. Maintain staff schedules and digital logbook entries while arranging meetings for multiple branches. 
  • Sales Forecasting: Forecast sales using historical data to set weekly labor and operational budgets. Generate MIS reports to get detailed business insights. 
  • Event Calendar: Use the calendar view to get information on upcoming events while broadcasting company-specific events. Mark dates, leave comments and share with teams to keep everyone on the same page. 
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Product Ranking

#6

among all
Employee Scheduling Software

#41

among all
Employee Scheduling Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

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Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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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 100 87 91 93 61 50 88 83 86 74 0 25 50 75 100
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User Sentiment Summary

Excellent User Sentiment 1169 reviews
Great User Sentiment 8 reviews
91%
of users recommend this product

Homebase has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 91% when considering 1169 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

86%
of users recommend this product

ShiftNote has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 86% when considering 8 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

4.6 (13)
3.75 (1)
4.2 (108)
n/a
4.6 (1027)
4.4 (7)
4.1 (21)
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Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Homebase and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Collaboration. Homebase stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award
Collaboration Award

No awards.

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Ease of Setup and Use: Many users found Homebase easy to set up and navigate. The platform is intuitive, making it simple for both managers and employees to use.
Scheduling and Time Tracking: The platform simplifies employee scheduling, making it easy to create, modify and track schedules. It includes useful features like a time clock, timesheets and attendance tracking.
Integration with Other Tools: Users appreciated its integration with various payroll processors and POS systems.
Accessibility: You can access the software from various devices, including desktops, tablets and smartphones, enhancing flexibility for managers and employees on the go.
Cost-Effectiveness: Several reviews mentioned that the free basic plan suffices for smaller businesses, providing essential features without extra cost.
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Easy to Use: Users have praised ShiftNote's user-friendly interface, finding it easy to navigate and utilize for scheduling and communication purposes.
Improved Communication: The platform facilitates better communication among team members, allowing for seamless shift changes and updates.
Performance Tracking: ShiftNote enables managers to monitor employee performance, providing insights into attendance, punctuality, and overall efficiency.
Shift Swaps: Employees can easily request and manage shift swaps through the platform, streamlining the process and reducing scheduling conflicts.
Reporting Features: ShiftNote offers reporting functionalities, allowing managers to generate reports on various metrics such as labor costs, attendance, and scheduling efficiency.
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Undo and Modification Limitations: The lack of an undo feature can be problematic if accidental changes or deletions occur.
User Interface Issues: Some users found the new updates and interface changes cumbersome, with issues like light markings, lack of lines and frequent refresh rates. Others mentioned that the iPad app is not optimized and often mimics the mobile website, limiting its functionality.
Customer Support: Several reviews highlighted delayed responses from customer support and insufficient support hours, which can be challenging for businesses operating outside regular hours. Also, the platform heavily targets the U.S. market and offers limited support for international users.
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Limited Mobile App: The mobile app needs improvement, users say it could be more reliable and have more features.
Customization is Lacking: Users want more flexibility to customize reports and notifications to fit their specific needs.
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In my research, I was particularly impressed by the guided onboarding process. The intuitive setup allowed me to get the platform up and running within minutes, enabling easy scheduling without a steep learning curve. This ease of use also extends to onboarding employees.The auto-documentation request feature stood out to me. I could define the required documents for each employee, and the system automatically sent follow-up reminders. This automation significantly streamlined the process of maintaining up-to-date employee profiles with all the necessary paperwork.Homebase’s integration with other tools, such as payroll processors, accounting solutions and POS systems, is a huge plus. It saves time and reduces the hassle of manual data transfers, making the overall management process smoother. Additionally, the system can handle basic hiring, onboarding, payroll and compliance management, making it an all-in-one HR suite for small businesses.However, I encountered some drawbacks. One notable issue was the auto-scheduling feature. While the idea behind it is great, it proved complicated in practice and lacked customization options to meet my specific needs.Users have reported facing issues with the vendor’s customer support team. There were reports of delayed responses, and the support hours were insufficient for businesses operating outside regular U.S. business hours. Despite these issues, the platform’s cost-effectiveness, especially with the free basic plan, makes it a viable option for small and medium enterprises. It offers essential scheduling and time-tracking features without hidden costs and implementation complexities.

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Want to make a "shift" in how you manage employee scheduling? ShiftNote is generally well-received by users for its user-friendly design, effective communication features, and ability to simplify shift scheduling and management. Users praise its intuitive interface, which is accessible across multiple devices, making it a breeze to use on the go. However, some users have reported occasional technical glitches and expressed a desire for more advanced features and integrations. Despite these minor drawbacks, ShiftNote is lauded for its ability to enhance team coordination and operational efficiency across various sectors, particularly in the hospitality and retail industries. Its strength lies in its simplicity and ease of use, making it a great option for businesses looking to streamline their scheduling processes without a steep learning curve. While it may lack some advanced features found in other scheduling software like When I Work or Homebase, its intuitive design and focus on core scheduling functionalities make it a suitable choice for small to medium-sized businesses in fast-paced industries where efficient scheduling is paramount.

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Top Alternatives in Employee Scheduling Software


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When I Work

WhenToWork

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