Planday vs Deputy: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Planday and Deputy comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Planday
The people-first platform for creating rotas, managing teams, and building brilliant businesses.
Best for you if:
- • Streamlines employee scheduling and rota creation, saving time and reducing admin.
- • Provides accurate time tracking and payroll preparation, ensuring compliance and cost control.
Deputy
The complete people platform for hourly work, enabling smarter scheduling and confident payroll.
Best for you if:
- • End-to-end platform for managing hourly workforces, from hiring to payroll.
- • Uses AI for smart scheduling, demand forecasting, and labor cost optimization.
| At a Glance |  Planday |  Deputy |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Per user/month/moStarter | $5 per user per month/moLite |
Best For | HR & Recruiting | HR & Recruiting |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Planday or Deputy?
Choose Planday if
The people-first platform for creating rotas, managing teams, and building brilliant businesses.
- Significantly reduces administrative time for scheduling and payroll.
- Provides clear overview of labor costs and staffing across multiple locations.
- Ensures compliance with working time rules and regulations.
Choose Deputy if
The complete people platform for hourly work, enabling smarter scheduling and confident payroll.
- Optimizes schedules and labor costs using AI.
- Helps ensure compliance with various labor laws and regulations.
- Reduces staff turnover and recruitment costs through improved employee experience.
| Feature | Planday | Deputy |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 204 reviews | ★4.5/5 731 reviews |
| Categories | HR & RecruitingTime Tracking | HR & RecruitingTime Tracking |
In-Depth Analysis
Planday
The people-first platform for creating rotas, managing teams, and building brilliant businesses.
Strengths
- +Significantly reduces administrative time for scheduling and payroll.
- +Provides clear overview of labor costs and staffing across multiple locations.
- +Ensures compliance with working time rules and regulations.
- +Improves team communication and engagement through a centralized platform.
- +Offers flexibility to adjust staffing based on business needs (e.g., low-season/peak time).
Weaknesses
- -Minimum of 5 users required for Starter plan.
- -Dedicated phone support only available in the Pro plan (callback service).
Key features
Deputy
The complete people platform for hourly work, enabling smarter scheduling and confident payroll.
Strengths
- +Optimizes schedules and labor costs using AI.
- +Helps ensure compliance with various labor laws and regulations.
- +Reduces staff turnover and recruitment costs through improved employee experience.
- +Offers comprehensive features for scheduling, time tracking, and HR management.
- +Integrates with existing payroll, HR, and POS systems.
Weaknesses
- -No free plan available, only a free trial.
- -Pricing is per user per month, which can add up for larger teams.
Key features
Pricing: Planday vs Deputy
| Plan | Planday | Deputy |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Per user/month Starter | $5 per user per month Lite |
| Tier 2 | Per user/month Plus | $6.50 per user per month Core |
| Tier 3 | Custom Pro | $9 per user per month Pro |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $2 USD per user per month HR Add-on |
| Tier 5 | N/A | $1.95 USD per user per month Messaging+ Add-on |
| Tier 6 | N/A | $1.50 USD per user per month Analytics+ Add-on |
| Tier 7 | N/A | Contact us Charity |
| Tier 8 | N/A | Contact us Flexible Weekly Plan |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Planday pricing and Deputy pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Planday
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Planday
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Planday
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are hr & recruiting tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Planday
- Our pick for this comparison
Deputy
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.4/5
- Larger review base (731 reviews)
The Bottom Line
Planday is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Planday or Deputy better?
Planday is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Planday and Deputy used for?
Planday: The people-first platform for creating rotas, managing teams, and building brilliant businesses.. Deputy: The complete people platform for hourly work, enabling smarter scheduling and confident payroll..
What does Planday cost vs Deputy?
Planday is a paid tool. Deputy is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.