ShiftFlexShiftFlex vs Deputy: shift cover for multi-store groups
Deputy is a broad workforce platform for hourly teams in many industries. ShiftFlex does one job in depth: getting open shifts covered by your own crew across a franchisee's stores, with surge pay for the hard ones. Here is how they compare and when each fits.
At a glance
| ShiftFlex | Deputy | 7shifts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it is priced | Free for one store; Growth $49/month for one store; Business $99 per store/month (20% off yearly) | Per user per month, in tiers; a minimum monthly spend applies | Per location, in tiers that add features and raise the employee cap |
| Free option | Free plan for one store and 20 people, plus a 14-day Business trial with no card | Free trial; no free plan | Free plan for one small location |
| Built for | Multi-store franchise groups | Hourly teams in many industries | Restaurants |
| Apps | Android (iOS coming) | iOS, Android and web | iOS, Android and web |
Competitor details from their public pricing pages and app listings, October 2026. Prices change; check Deputy's pricing page for current figures.
What ShiftFlex is built around
Cover from your other stores
Open shifts reach qualified, free crew at every store in the group. Each store sets whether home-store and sister-store claims are instant or confirmed by a manager.
Surge pay in the open-shift flow
Add a flat bonus when posting, on one shift, or on every open shift at once. Crew see the full pay before they claim, and big bonuses can need an owner's approval. What surge pay is.
Checks before anyone is booked
Every claim and swap is checked for job role, current certificates, overlapping shifts and overtime. Overtime claims wait for a manager instead of surprising payroll.
Deputy is likely the better fit if
- You need one platform for scheduling, time clock, timesheets and HR across many sites and industries.
- You want demand forecasting, auto-scheduling and payroll from the same vendor.
- You need iOS today.
ShiftFlex is likely the better fit if
- You run several stores under one franchisee and want crew to cover each other's stores.
- You prefer a flat price per store instead of per user as headcount grows.
- Last-minute gaps are the problem: you want one alert to every qualified, free person and surge pay when it's needed.
- Shifts must only go to people with the right job role and current certificates.
Deputy vs 7shifts, and other options
- 7shifts: Restaurant-focused scheduling priced per location, with a free plan for one small location. ShiftFlex vs 7shifts.
- Homebase: Scheduling, time clock and team chat aimed at small businesses, with a free tier.
- Sling: Shift scheduling and team messaging, now part of Toast.
- RotaCloud: Rota planning, time and attendance and leave for UK teams.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Deputy cost?
Deputy charges per user per month, in tiers that add features, with a minimum monthly spend and a free trial but no free plan. Prices change and vary by country, so check deputy.com/pricing for current figures.
Is ShiftFlex cheaper than Deputy?
It depends on headcount. ShiftFlex is free for one store and up to 20 people, then charges per store ($49 per month on Growth, $99 per store per month on Business), so cost doesn't rise as you add crew; Deputy charges per user. Larger teams per store tend to favour per-store pricing.
Deputy vs 7shifts: what is the difference?
Deputy is priced per user and serves hourly teams in many industries; 7shifts is priced per location and focuses on restaurants. ShiftFlex is free for one store, priced per store above that, and focuses on covering shifts across a franchisee's stores.
Can ShiftFlex replace Deputy?
For multi-store groups that mainly need open-shift cover, swaps, check-in, breaks, timesheets and pay-period exports, yes. If you rely on Deputy's HR, forecasting or payroll features, you may keep it for those.
Does ShiftFlex check certifications before someone takes a shift?
Yes. Shifts carry a job role and any required certificates. People missing one, or whose certificate expires before the shift date, can't claim it or take it in a swap.
Learn more
Try ShiftFlex alongside what you use today
14-day free trial. No credit card required. Available on Android.