7shifts vs When I Work: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for 7shifts and When I Work side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, 7shifts leads on a free plan; When I Work leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
7shifts
Streamline restaurant operations with integrated scheduling, payroll, and team management tools.
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
When I Work
Smarter employee scheduling, time tracking, and team messaging for hourly teams.
Best for you if:
- • You want significantly reduces time spent on scheduling (up to 15 hours/week reported)
| At a Glance | 7shifts | When I Work |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $10/mo, billed monthly Basic plan | From $2.50/user/mo, billed monthly Essentials plan |
Category | Food & Restaurant HR & Recruiting | HR & Recruiting Time Tracking |
Rating | 4.0/5 Capterra 4.7 · Trustpilot 2.8 · G2 4.5 1,612 reviews | 4.3/5 Capterra 4.5 · G2 4.4 · TrustRadius 3.7 1,736 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | Add-on modules for specific features | n/a |
Choose 7shifts or When I Work?
Choose 7shifts if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want simplifies complex restaurant scheduling
- You want helps reduce overall labor costs
- You work in food & restaurant, not HR & recruiting
Choose When I Work if
- You want significantly reduces time spent on scheduling (up to 15 hours/week reported)
- You want combines multiple HR functions (scheduling, time tracking, messaging) into one platform
- Budget matters ($2.50/user/mo, billed monthly vs $10/mo, billed monthly)
- You work in HR & recruiting, not food & restaurant
In-Depth Analysis
7shifts
Streamline restaurant operations with integrated scheduling, payroll, and team management tools.
The pricing for 7shifts appears fair, especially with a generous Free tier and a competitive Pro tier at $25/month for unlimited users and projects.
Watch out
Add-on modules for specific features
Strengths
- Pro: Simplifies complex restaurant scheduling.
- Pro: Helps reduce overall labor costs.
- Pro: Improves internal team communication.
- Pro: Centralizes multiple operational tasks into one platform.
- Pro: Designed specifically for the restaurant industry.
Weaknesses
- Con: No free option available.
Key features
When I Work
Smarter employee scheduling, time tracking, and team messaging for hourly teams.
When I Work's pricing is fair, especially for the Essentials tier at $2.50/user/month, offering a robust set of features for basic scheduling needs.
Strengths
- Pro: Significantly reduces time spent on scheduling (up to 15 hours/week reported)
- Pro: Combines multiple HR functions (scheduling, time tracking, messaging) into one platform
- Pro: Helps control labor costs and prevent overtime with real-time data and alerts
- Pro: Empowers employees with self-service options like shift swaps and time-off requests
- Pro: Easy to set up and use for both managers and employees
Weaknesses
- Con: Specific cons are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text, but potential cons could include reliance on internet connection for mobile features or learning curve for advanced features.
Key features
Plans and prices: 7shifts vs When I Work
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 7shifts |
| 7shifts.com/pricing read Oct 3, 2026 |
| When I Work |
| wheniwork.com/pricing read Oct 31, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on 7shifts pricing and When I Work pricing.
Key Takeaways
7shifts
- Has a free plan
When I Work
- Higher user rating: 4.3/5 vs 4.0/5
- Lower entry price: $2.50/user/mo, billed monthly vs $10/mo, billed monthly
What the data shows
On the data below, 7shifts leads on a free plan; When I Work leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- When I Work has the higher user rating (4.0/5 from 1,612 reviews for 7shifts, 4.3/5 from 1,736 reviews for When I Work).
- When I Work has the lower entry price: $2.50/user/mo, billed monthly (Essentials) against $10/mo, billed monthly (Basic) for 7shifts.
- Only 7shifts has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do 7shifts and When I Work compare in 2026?
On the data below, 7shifts leads on a free plan; When I Work leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. When I Work has the higher user rating (4.0/5 from 1,612 reviews for 7shifts, 4.3/5 from 1,736 reviews for When I Work). When I Work has the lower entry price: $2.50/user/mo, billed monthly (Essentials) against $10/mo, billed monthly (Basic) for 7shifts. Only 7shifts has a free plan.
What are 7shifts and When I Work used for?
7shifts: Streamline restaurant operations with integrated scheduling, payroll, and team management tools. When I Work: Smarter employee scheduling, time tracking, and team messaging for hourly teams.
What does 7shifts cost vs When I Work?
7shifts's cheapest paid plan is Basic at $10/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. When I Work's cheapest paid plan is Essentials at $2.50/user/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 31, 2026.
What's the main difference between 7shifts and When I Work?
7shifts's main strength: simplifies complex restaurant scheduling. When I Work's main strength: significantly reduces time spent on scheduling (up to 15 hours/week reported).