Ongoing feud of HotSchedules vs 7shifts keeps getting more heated. Knowing which tools to use can go a long way, and these two popular contenders in the scheduling and management software arena are most of the time the best.
But which king will it be? As we compare HotSchedules and 7shifts in a bid to guide you in choosing the best about your restaurant business, it becomes apparent that every detail matters. So let’s jump into it.
HotSchedules vs 7shifts Difference
Before we jump into HotSchedules vs 7shifts in, we should take a moment to understand at a high level what these two heavyweights are.
HotSchedules and 7shifts
HotSchedules and 7shifts are top contenders in restaurant management software, offering distinct features for efficient scheduling and communication.
| Aspect | HotSchedules | 7shifts |
|---|---|---|
| Establishment Year | 1999 | 2014 |
| Industry Position | Very old player in the restaurant scheduling sphere; likened to a “cool uncle” with solutions for every situation. | Newcomer in scheduling software development; a powerful software despite its recent inception. |
| Primary Focus | Started with powerful scheduling capabilities and evolved into an all-in-one restaurant management solution. | Designed as staff scheduling software specifically for restaurant use, focusing on enhancing the staff scheduling process and team communication. |
Choosing between HotSchedules and 7shifts depends on your restaurant’s size, needs, and preference for features like pricing and usability.
Comparison Of Features between HotSchedules vs 7shifts
It is now time to make some comparisons without wasting any more time. We are about to compare HotSchedules vs 7shifts in the most important features to restaurant owners and managers.
Schedule
Both vendors have scheduling capabilities, but let’s analyze each software in detail, one at a time.
| Feature | HotSchedules | 7shifts |
|---|---|---|
| Drag-and-Drop | Drag-and-drop, as the name suggests. | Drag-and-drop user-friendly editor. |
| Auto-Scheduling | Auto-scheduling based on sales forecasts. | Scheduling recommendations based on AI technology. |
| Copy Schedules | Option to copy schedules from the past week. | Pre-defined schedule layout with templates. |
| Mobile Application | Mobile application for scheduling on the go. | Push notifications through a mobile application. |
Therefore, the winner: 7shifts deservedly won due to AI-assisted recommendations.
Employee Communication
Communication is the most important aspect of a restaurant in any country. Let’s see how our competition measures up:
| Feature | HotSchedules | 7shifts |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | Communication regarding activities through mobile applications. | Ability to communicate with the team. |
| Shift Management | Shift board for replacement and release of shifts. | Shift Exchange has an exchange pool, making shift exchanges easy. |
| Messaging | Post global messages to all employees. | Information and news section with announcements. |
Therefore, the winner is 7shifts because it wins with its chat option, more suitable for younger staff.
Time Clock and Attendance
Managing who works, when they work, and where they work is essential.
Here’s the HotSchedules vs 7shifts comparison:
| Feature | HotSchedules | 7shifts |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile Check-In/Out | Participants can check in and out from mobile devices. | A mobile app and terminal for employees to clock in and out. |
| Geofencing | Prevent off-hours clock-in with geofencing. | Buddy punch photo clock-in for verification. |
| POS Integration | Popular POS integration. | Nationwide training for monitoring labor costs using POS integration. |
Therefore, the winner is both services are equal, offering good features for time tracking with POS integration.
Reporting and Analytics
Data is everything in the restaurant industry. Let’s see who has the strongest offering:
| Feature | HotSchedules | 7shifts |
|---|---|---|
| Sales and Labor Forecasts | Management of sales and labor forecasts. | Management of sales and labor forecasts. |
| Reporting | Variety of comprehensive reports. | Over 30 embedded reports. |
| Labor Cost Tracking | System that tracks labor costs in real-time. | Construction of custom reports. |
Therefore, the winner is HotSchedules because for its more sophisticated forecasting.
Integrating
For variety, modern scheduling software must be compatible with others.
Here’s how they compare:
| Feature | HotSchedules | 7shifts |
|---|---|---|
| POS Integration | Compatible with most POS systems. | Supports many types of POS systems. |
| Payroll Integration | Payroll integration. | Integrations with payroll and HR software. |
| API Integration | Custom integrations possible with an API. | Developers can work with a free API. |
Therefore, the winner is 7shifts wins for greater variety of integration possibilities.
Still have questions? Check out HotSchedules reviews page for a comprehensive overview.
User Experience Of HotSchedules And 7shifts
We all treasure our time, and that includes you. You won’t want to struggle with creating a simple schedule.
Here’s the comparison of navigation for HotSchedules vs 7shifts.
Here’s the content presented in a table format with NLP keywords bolded:
| Feature | HotSchedules | 7shifts |
|---|---|---|
| User Experience | New users may feel overwhelmed by the features. | User-friendly interface. |
| Initial Design | More rigid initial design but offers a steep growth path. | Easy-to-use layout. |
| Ease of Adoption | Becomes very powerful when mastered. | Adoption is relatively easy for staff. |
Therefore, the winner is 7shifts again for ease of use, making it ideal for quick onboarding.
What to Expect to Spend?
Let’s be practical and talk about money. You are running a business after all then comparing HotSchedules vs 7shifts, understanding the cost is crucial for choosing the right restaurant management software.
| Cost Feature | HotSchedules | 7shifts |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Disclosure | Does not disclose pricing. | Transparent with potential clients. |
| Price Range | Pricing is on the expensive side. | Charges $19.99/month for one location. |
| Additional Options | Price varies with client needs and business size. | Offers a free plan for smaller operations. |
In the HotSchedules vs 7shifts debate, cost transparency and pricing structure can significantly impact your choice of scheduling software.
Customer Support
Assistance is crucial when problems arise. Whether you’re trying to fix a technical problem, looking for guidance to get a setup done, or you want to make some general inquiries: support will always help.
Good support helps you resolve issues faster, reduce downtime, and ensure that you fully utilize the software. HotSchedules and 7shifts have emerged as two favorite software solutions for this industry segment, and I would like to analyze how both solutions address this vital issue:
| Support Feature | HotSchedules | 7shifts |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Support | Available via phone with 24/7 support. | Phone support Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. |
| Email Support | Email support is also available. | Not specifically mentioned. |
| Online Resources | Online knowledge base. | Help center and tutorial videos. |
| Chat Support | Not specifically mentioned. | 24/7 chat support. |
Therefore the winner is A draw because HotSchedules shines in phone support, while 7shifts excels in chat support and self-help options.
Which Software Should You Choose HotSchedules VS 7shifts
Both HotSchedules and 7shifts remain popular tracking and analyzing tools. But when it comes to HotSchedules vs 7shifts, which one is more beneficial to the restaurant’s manager? It depends on your individual needs:
| Criteria | Choose HotSchedules if: | Choose 7shifts if: |
|---|---|---|
| Company Size & Scheduling | You are a large company with complicated scheduling. | You are a small to medium-sized restaurant looking for a straightforward option. |
| Forecasting Needs | Your business needs advanced forecasting tools. | You base your decision on cost considerations. |
| Tool Complexity | You are open to more complex tools that require more training. | You prefer a contemporary look and usability. |
Therefore, this will help you to understand before taking decision on HotSchedules vs 7shifts.
Reviews
Don’t just take my word for it ,hear what real users have to say about HotSchedules vs 7shifts.
HotSchedules User
With HotSchedules, we have managed to streamline our multi-location restaurant group. We have cut our labor expenses significantly thanks to the included forecasting tools. – Sarah, Operations Manager.
7shifts User
Last year, we migrated to 7shifts, and our staff loves it. Shift swapping is so easy with the mobile app, and it only takes me half the time to write up the rotas. – Mike, Restaurant Owner.
Whether you choose HotSchedules or 7shifts, real user experiences highlight their strengths in scheduling and forecasting tools.
HotSchedules vs 7shifts: Which One You Will Pick?
When it comes to deciding between HotSchedules vs 7shifts, features play a minimal role. It’s about fitting the software perfectly to your business.
Here’s a simple table to help you decide:
| Feature | HotSchedules | 7shifts |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling | 4 | 5 |
| Communication | 3 | 4 |
| Time Tracking | 4 | 5 |
| Reporting | 5 | 4 |
| Integrations | 3 | 5 |
| Ease of Use | 3 | 3 |
| Pricing | 3 | 5 |
| Support | 3 | 4 |
When choosing between HotSchedules vs 7shifts, consider that HotSchedules excels in reporting and forecasting, while 7shifts offers better ease of use, pricing, and integrations.
Conclusion
From the heated HotSchedules vs 7shifts discussion, it’s clear there is no right answer. Both platforms offer robust functionalities to optimize your restaurant operations. HotSchedules is ideal for big, intricate businesses, while 7shifts provides modern, user-friendly features at fair prices.
Ultimately, the decision between HotSchedules vs 7shifts depends on your specific context, financial capacity, and the scale of your operation. Both platforms offer trial versions, so take advantage of them to find out which is best for you
In the case of HotSchedules vs 7shifts, who is the final victor? The true victor is the restaurant owner who takes the time to choose the right tool and maximizes its benefits.
