Every owner faces the same problem: you’ve got shifts to cover but not enough people to fill them. That’s usually when the debate around Homebase vs 7shifts comes up.
Both claim to manage schedules, time tracking, payroll, and day-to-day operations, yet neither solves the real pain of hiring. You might even end up using a separate app just to bring on new team members, which adds more work.
In this article, we’ll look at what each platform offers and which option truly meets your specific needs.
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What Is Homebase?
Image Source: joinhomebase.com
Homebase is a staff management platform that keeps things simple for managers and hourly workers. You can handle scheduling, time tracking, payroll, hiring, and even HR in one place.
For managers, the platform has drag-and-drop scheduling and even auto-scheduling that uses forecasts and availability to cut down on planning. You can also assign tasks inside schedules so staff know exactly what to do.
When you add new employees, you can send digital packets that cover tax forms and onboarding. Payroll links directly with timesheets, which saves hours at the end of the week. Homebase also lets you post open shifts that staff can pick up right away.
For staff, they clock in, see schedules, and get reminders straight from their phones. In short, Homebase offers several actions to keep both sides connected. Many teams choose Homebase because it keeps work organized without making things harder.
What Is 7shifts?
Image Source: 7shifts.com
Many restaurant owners use 7shifts to handle schedules, payroll, and team communication at the same time. You might run a single location or several, and the system can still help you keep operations steady.
Staff often use the mobile apps to see when they work, request time off, or pick up open shifts. Managers use it to control labor costs, cut down on overtime, and keep schedules fair for hourly employees.
When you log in as a manager, you get a drag-and-drop builder that makes weekly planning faster. You can also turn on auto-scheduling that uses sales history, weather, and labor forecasting to plan smarter rosters.
The system integrates with payroll and POS, supports task management to help you assign tasks to shifts, and includes restaurant-specific features such as tip management. To keep everyone in the loop, you can use team messaging or add notes in the manager logbook.
On the staff side, people clock in, check hours, and track pay from their phones. That’s useful for hourly employees who want quick answers. Still, some find the need for a separate app frustrating, and small businesses can end up paying more for more advanced features.
Homebase vs 7shifts: Key Differences
When comparing Homebase vs 7shifts, the key differences show up in scheduling, payroll, hiring, and pricing.
Scheduling and Shift Management
As you pick between Homebase and 7shifts, the first thing you look for is scheduling.
Homebase
Homebase helps small businesses with hourly workers by giving managers an easy drag-and-drop builder. You can create schedules fast and lean on auto-scheduling to balance labor against sales forecasts.
The system supports swaps and time-off requests. You can post open shifts so staff can pick them up. Through its mobile apps, everyone gets instant updates, which cuts down on missed shifts.
7shifts
7shifts includes predictive auto-scheduling. It factors in past sales, weather, and labor forecasting to create balanced rosters.
Your managers can assign tasks inside the schedule, add notes in the manager’s logbook, and use team messaging to keep everyone in sync. Staff also get control of swaps and extra hours through a shift pool.
Time Tracking and Payroll
Once schedules are set, you need a way to record hours and pay people correctly.
Homebase
Homebase ties time tracking directly to payroll. Staff can clock in from:
- A kiosk
- Point-of-sale (POS) system
- Their phone
The hours then flow into digital timesheets. Meanwhile, managers receive alerts for overtime or late arrivals, then approve records with just a few clicks.
Payroll is uncomplicated: timesheets feed directly into the system, wages and taxes are calculated, and payments go out by direct deposit or check. Reports show how hours match against sales, so you can adjust before costs spike.
7shifts
7shifts focuses more on restaurants that need detailed control over pay. Staff clock in through 7Punches, which sits outside the main app, so it requires employees to use another tool.
For some, that feels less smooth, but it does connect closely with POS data. You can even pay directly with the built-in system and export timesheets to payroll services like:
- ADP
- Gusto
Restaurants also like the tip management feature, which splits tips based on hours or custom rules.
Hiring and Recruitment
Without people to cover shifts, the schedule means nothing.
Homebase
Homebase helps small businesses by posting openings to sites like Indeed and ZipRecruiter. You can use templates to write roles for hourly workers fast, then track candidates in a single dashboard.
The built-in applicant tracking system (ATS) adds basic screening questions and keeps all applicant info in one spot. You can chat with candidates, schedule interviews, and even track walk-ins or referrals.
Once you make a hire, the system sends new employees a digital packet for forms and paperwork. All records are stored in the app for easy access later.
While this setup works for simple recruiting, some managers feel it lacks hiring tools such as tests, advanced reporting, or a portal where candidates can check their own status.
7shifts
7shifts focuses on restaurants that need steady staffing. You can post openings with custom screening questions and share them on social platforms to drive referrals.
The ATS organizes all applicants in one place, with notes and stages from applied to hired. Notifications go out for new applications so that managers don’t miss anyone.
When a person is hired, their profile links to onboarding forms and the scheduling system, so it’s quick to plug them into shifts.
Why StaffedUp Wins Over Homebase and 7shifts in Hiring
You can’t afford empty shifts, and every delay in finding the right people hurts service and sales. Homebase and 7shifts include hiring tools, but those are side features only.
With StaffedUp, your job posts go live on top sites and social channels at the same time. All applications flow into a single dashboard where you can filter, rate, and move people through the process.
Need to fill a staff position fast? You can send bulk interview invites and let applicants pick their own time slots. For managers, that means less wasted effort, and for candidates, it’s a smoother experience.
In the end, new team members get to work quicker, and that’s huge for the restaurant industry and even other small businesses that deal with constant turnover.
Key Features
- Automated job posting – Share openings to 200+ sites, including Indeed, Google Jobs, and Facebook.
- Custom hiring pages – Create branded pages that highlight your business culture.
- Applicant tracking dashboard – Organize and evaluate candidates in one place.
- Scan-to-apply QR codes – Let walk-ins or guests apply instantly from signs or menus.
- Screening and pre-qualification – Add custom questions to sort strong candidates early.
- Interview scheduling – Send mass invites and let candidates choose available times.
- Digital onboarding – Send offer letters and collect paperwork before day one.
- WOTC screening – Catch tax credit opportunities with each hire.
Pricing
The Starter plan costs just $1 for the first week and then $20 per month. For $49 per month, the Smarter plan adds unlimited job posts, full-cycle automation, analytics, QR codes, and onboarding support.
At $99 per month, the Pro plan includes everything from Smarter plus digital onboarding, document storage, team permissions, and multi-unit discounts.
You can save 20% if you opt for annual billing.
Sign up for StaffedUp today and get started for only $1!
Team Communication
Clear communication keeps your teams on track.
Homebase
Homebase puts messaging inside its mobile apps, so your team can send messages without sharing personal numbers. Managers can write to one person, a group, or the full team.
The app shows who has read each note and even supports file sharing for updates. It also has a logbook where managers add shift notes for better handoffs.
Onboarding is tied in, too, so new hires join conversations right away.
7shifts
7shifts takes a restaurant-first approach with its chat tools. You can set up group chats by role or shift and use roster talk to alert everyone working on a given day.
The system adds surveys after shifts and includes a logbook so notes pass smoothly between leaders. On higher plans, the team messaging setup expands with more key features for targeted groups.
Integrations and POS Support
You don’t want to enter the same data twice. POS and payroll integrations make sure hours, tips, and pay line up with sales.
Homebase
Homebase links with payroll and accounting systems like ADP, QuickBooks, and Gusto. It also connects with POS tools, such as:
- Clover
- Toast
- Lightspeed
These links help with labor cost management by showing how hours stack against sales in real time. Job board integrations like Indeed and ZipRecruiter help managers pull in applicants and handle new employees without using another platform.
7shifts
7shifts focuses heavily on POS data. The system pulls in sales numbers to help with advanced scheduling and labor compliance.
Managers further avoid manual entry by connecting POS with payroll providers like:
- ADP
- Paychex
For tip-based roles, POS links also support tip management, so payouts are accurate and quick. It even offers an open API for companies with specific needs, letting them connect their own tools.
Pricing
Budget matters for every business, so pricing often decides which platform to choose.
Homebase
Image Source: joinhomebase.com
Homebase offers four tiers. The Basic plan is free and supports a single location with up to ten employees. It covers scheduling and payroll basics. Meanwhile, Essentials at $30 per location per month is for unlimited employees and adds stronger tools like advanced scheduling.
Plus, at $70 per location per month, layers on PTO, time-off controls, and reporting. The top plan, All-in-One, costs $120 per location per month and adds HR, compliance, and more advanced features.
7shifts
Image Source: 7shifts.com
7shifts starts with a free plan for up to 15 employees at one location, which covers basic scheduling and announcements. The Essentials plan costs $44.99 per location per month and adds team messaging and better controls.
For the Works tier, it costs $89.99 per location per month and expands to unlimited employees, PTO tracking, employee performance management, compliance, and the manager logbook. Premium, at $149.99 per location per month, adds tip management, task management, and deeper insights.
Keep Your Business Fully Staffed Today With StaffedUp
Empty shifts drain revenue and wear down your team. StaffedUp was built by restaurant owners who understand the stress of last-minute call-outs, endless applications, and constant turnover.
You can post jobs to multiple boards with a single click, review every applicant from one dashboard, and use filters to find the best fits in minutes. From there, you can text candidates, set interviews, and handle paperwork in one place.
A lot of teams that use StaffedUp often see 8x more applicants and cut their time to hire by 77%. Stronger screening also means better hires, which is why turnover drops by 45%.
It is not just restaurants that benefit. Other small businesses that deal with high turnover can use StaffedUp to stay staffed, stay organized, and save money with built-in WOTC tax credit support.
Fill your open roles today with StaffedUp for just $1 and cut your time to hire in half!
FAQs About Homebase vs 7shifts
What is the best alternative to Homebase and 7shifts for hiring?
The best alternative to Homebase and 7shifts for hiring is StaffedUp, since it focuses on fast recruiting with restaurant-specific tools like scan-to-apply QR codes, bulk interview scheduling, and digital onboarding for new hires.
Do Homebase or 7shifts help with labor compliance?
Both Homebase and 7shifts include compliance tools that help businesses follow labor laws, send overtime alerts, and provide scheduling safeguards to stay compliant, especially in the restaurant space.
What is the difference between Homebase and 7shifts?
The difference between Homebase and 7shifts is that Homebase is an all-in-one small business platform that covers scheduling, payroll, and HR, while 7shifts is for restaurants with stronger scheduling, tip pooling, and labor-focused features.
Does Homebase or 7shifts have a security service?
Neither Homebase nor 7shifts directly offers a security solution, but both run as cloud platforms with measures that protect user data against online attacks as part of their broader security service.
