The best Deputy alternatives in 2026
Looking for a Deputy alternative? Here is an honest rundown of the strongest options in 2026 — what each is best for, and what it actually costs.
Why teams look for a Deputy alternative
- Per-user pricing plus a ~$25/month minimum that adds up at scale.
- No free plan — only a 31-day trial.
- Wanting flat-rate pricing with unlimited employees.
- Wanting a simpler, scheduling-first app with a built-in shift marketplace.
4 strong Deputy alternatives, compared
1. EpicShifts
Best for: Flat-rate alternative to per-user pricing
EpicShifts is flat-rate with unlimited employees on every paid plan, so a 30-person team is ~$39–$79/month flat instead of roughly $150–$270/month per-user. It leads with the Open Shifts Marketplace and schedule-tied messaging, and includes a free plan for up to 10 employees to try it on.
Pricing: Flat-rate: Free (10 employees, 1 location), Crew $39/mo, Business $79/mo + $69/extra location. Unlimited employees on every paid plan.
2. When I Work
EpicShifts vs When I Work →Best for: Small teams that want simple, lower per-user pricing
A polished scheduler with lower per-user pricing than Deputy and no monthly minimum at the entry tier. A good fit if you prefer per-user but want it cheaper.
Pricing: About $2.50/user/month (single location) up to ~$8/user/month (Premium). No free plan (14-day trial).
3. Connecteam
EpicShifts vs Connecteam →Best for: Deskless teams that want an all-in-one app
A broad, mobile-first all-in-one (scheduling, tasks, chat, HR) with a flat base price for the first 30 users. Strong if you want more than scheduling.
Pricing: Free for up to 10 users; Operations Hub $29–$99/month (billed annually) for the first 30 users, then a per-user fee.
4. Homebase
EpicShifts vs Homebase →Best for: Small businesses that also want hiring and payroll
Per-location pricing with a free tier and built-in hiring/HR/payroll. Good if you want an all-in-one for a single location or a few.
Pricing: Basic free (1 location, up to 10 employees); Essentials $30, Plus $70, All-in-One $120 per location/month ($24 / $56 / $96 billed annually).
Switching from Deputy
Switching from Deputy is simple: export your roster and schedule, then start on the EpicShifts free plan to rebuild a week and invite your team before you pay. Flat-rate pricing means no per-user math or monthly minimum to track.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Deputy alternative?
For flat-rate pricing without per-user fees or a monthly minimum, EpicShifts is a strong fit. If you prefer per-user but want it cheaper, When I Work is lower-cost for small teams. For an all-in-one deskless app, Connecteam is broad.
Is there a free alternative to Deputy?
Yes — Deputy has no free plan, only a trial. EpicShifts is free for up to 10 employees, Connecteam is free for up to 10 users, and Homebase Basic is free for one location. Past the free tier, EpicShifts Crew is a flat $39/mo with unlimited employees rather than per-user pricing.
Does any Deputy alternative do auto-scheduling?
Yes — EpicShifts includes AI auto-scheduling on its Business plan. Deputy’s forecasting and optimization suite is more extensive if that is specifically your priority.
Try the flat-rate alternative
Unlimited employees, the Open Shifts Marketplace, and schedule-tied messaging. Start free — no credit card.
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