Stratum Shifts 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 Stratum Shifts 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, Stratum Shifts leads on a free plan. 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:
Stratum Shifts
Create fair weekly staff schedules in Claude, with conflicts checked
Best for you if:
- • Managers of small shift teams, like cafes, shops and clinics, who plan and share the weekly schedule from a chat in Claude
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 | Stratum Shifts | When I Work |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $120/year Team plan | From $2.50/user/mo, billed monthly Essentials plan |
Category | HR & Recruiting Resource Planning | HR & Recruiting Time Tracking |
Rating | n/a | 4.3/5 Capterra 4.5 · G2 4.4 · TrustRadius 3.7 1,736 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Stratum Shifts or When I Work?
Choose Stratum Shifts if
- Managers of small shift teams, like cafes, shops and clinics, who plan and share the weekly schedule from a chat in Claude
- You want a free tier before you commit
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
In-Depth Analysis
Stratum Shifts
Create fair weekly staff schedules in Claude, with conflicts checked
Stratum Shifts pricing is incredibly generous.
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: Stratum Shifts vs When I Work
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Stratum Shifts |
| shifts.stratumics.com/plans read Oct 29, 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 Stratum Shifts pricing and When I Work pricing.
Key Takeaways
Stratum Shifts
- Has a free plan
When I Work
- Choose if you want smarter employee scheduling, time tracking, and team messaging for hourly teams
What the data shows
On the data below, Stratum Shifts leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Only When I Work has a published user rating (4.3/5 from 1,736 reviews); Stratum Shifts has none we can show.
- Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Stratum Shifts $120/year; When I Work $2.50/user/mo, billed monthly.
- Only Stratum Shifts 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 Stratum Shifts and When I Work compare in 2026?
On the data below, Stratum Shifts leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Only When I Work has a published user rating (4.3/5 from 1,736 reviews); Stratum Shifts has none we can show. Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Stratum Shifts $120/year; When I Work $2.50/user/mo, billed monthly. Only Stratum Shifts has a free plan.
What are Stratum Shifts and When I Work used for?
Stratum Shifts: Create fair weekly staff schedules in Claude, with conflicts checked. When I Work: Smarter employee scheduling, time tracking, and team messaging for hourly teams.
What does Stratum Shifts cost vs When I Work?
Stratum Shifts's cheapest paid plan is Team at $120/year; 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 Stratum Shifts and When I Work?
Stratum Shifts focuses on create fair weekly staff schedules in Claude, with conflicts checked. When I Work's main strength: significantly reduces time spent on scheduling (up to 15 hours/week reported).