Managing schedules, tracking time, and optimizing labor costs shouldn’t require expensive software—especially for small businesses, startups, and nonprofits. Fortunately, several 100% free workforce management (WFM) tools can help with scheduling, time tracking, and basic workforce analytics.
Below, we’ve compiled the best free WFM software available today, along with their key features and limitations.
✅ Best for: Small businesses, restaurants, retail
🔹 Key Features:
Free employee scheduling
Time clock with GPS verification
Basic labor cost tracking
Mobile app for employees
🚫 Limitations: Free plan supports only 1 location and up to 20 employees.
✅ Best for: Shift-based businesses (retail, healthcare, hospitality)
🔹 Key Features:
Free scheduling for up to 75 employees
Shift swapping & availability management
Basic time tracking
🚫 Limitations: No payroll integration in the free plan.
✅ Best for: Small teams needing HR + task management
🔹 Key Features:
Free workforce scheduling
Time tracking & attendance
Task and project management tools
🚫 Limitations: Free plan limited to 12 users.
✅ Best for: Remote teams & freelancers
🔹 Key Features:
Free time tracking (no scheduling)
Limited screenshots & activity monitoring
🚫 Limitations: Only 1 user on the free plan.
✅ Best for: Small businesses & shift workers
🔹 Key Features:
Free employee scheduling
Shift reminders & availability tracking
🚫 Limitations: No advanced analytics or payroll.
✅ Best for: Time tracking only (no scheduling)
🔹 Key Features:
Unlimited free users
Timesheets & reporting
🚫 Limitations: No shift scheduling features.
While these tools offer basic functionality for free, most have restrictions:
🔸 Limited users/locations (e.g., Homebase caps at 20 employees)
🔸 No payroll integration (must upgrade for automated pay calculations)
🔸 Basic reporting only (no advanced forecasting or AI scheduling)
For larger teams or advanced features, paid upgrades or open-source alternatives may be necessary.
If you need full control and scalability, consider these free self-hosted WFM solutions:
Odoo (Community Edition) – Includes HR, scheduling, and time tracking (requires self-hosting).
Kimai – Free time-tracking software for small teams.
TimeTrex – Open-source workforce management (requires technical setup).
1. SHIFTON
Best for: Small businesses, restaurants, retail
Free features:
Employee scheduling
Time clock with GPS verification
Basic labor cost tracking
Mobile app for employees
Limitations: Max 20 employees and 1 location
2. When I Work
Best for: Shift-based teams (retail, healthcare, hospitality)
Free features:
Scheduling for up to 75 employees
Shift swapping & availability management
Basic time tracking
Limitations: No payroll integration
3. Bitrix24
Best for: Teams needing HR + task management
Free features:
Workforce scheduling
Time & attendance tracking
Task/project management tools
Limitations: Max 12 users
4. Hubstaff (Free Tier)
Best for: Remote workers & freelancers
Free features:
Time tracking
Limited activity monitoring
Limitations: Only 1 user
5. Sling (Free Version)
Best for: Shift scheduling
Free features:
Unlimited employee scheduling
Shift reminders
Limitations: No time tracking or payroll
6. Clockify
Best for: Time tracking only
Free features:
Unlimited users
Timesheets & reporting
Limitations: No scheduling features
For scheduling + time tracking: SHIFTON, When I Work, Bitrix24
For time tracking only: Hubstaff, Clockify
For unlimited scheduling: Sling
All options are 100% free but have usage limits. For advanced features (AI scheduling, payroll), paid upgrades may be needed.
Free workforce management software can be a great starting point for small teams needing basic scheduling and time tracking. However, if your business grows, you may need paid upgrades for automation, payroll, and advanced analytics.
Need more features? Some tools (like SHIFTON) offer free trials of premium plans before committing.