- What is Zoho Shifts?
- Key Features of Zoho Shifts
- 1. Shift Scheduling and Management
- 2. Time Tracking and Attendance Monitoring
- 3. Employee Self-Service Portal
- 4. Integration with Zoho and Third-Party Apps
- 5. Automated Notifications and Alerts
- 6. Mobile Accessibility
- 7. Custom Reports and Analytics
- Zoho Shifts Pricing Breakdown
- Top Alternatives to Zoho Shifts
- Industries That Benefit the Most:
- Business Advantages:
- Final Thoughts: Is Zoho Shifts Right for Your Business?
- Need Help with Implementation?
Scheduling shifts isn’t just about plugging names into a calendar—it’s about keeping your business from turning into a complete mess.
Think about it. You’re running a busy café. The morning rush hits, your barista calls in sick, and the person who was supposed to cover? Yeah, they never got the memo. Now, you’re juggling coffee orders, dealing with grumpy customers, and wishing you had a better system in place.
It’s the same story across industries—retail, healthcare, hospitality, remote teams. When shifts aren’t managed properly, everything falls apart. Productivity drops, labor costs creep up, and employees start looking for an exit.
That’s where shift scheduling software comes in. It keeps things organized, prevents last-minute chaos, and makes sure everyone knows exactly when and where they need to be. And one tool that’s doing this really well? Zoho Shifts.
Let’s break it down and see if it’s the right fit for your business.
What is Zoho Shifts?
Zoho Shifts is an advanced employee scheduling and time tracking software designed to help businesses create, manage, and optimize shift schedules effortlessly. It eliminates the hassle of manual scheduling, reduces conflicts, and ensures real-time tracking of employee hours. Whether you're a small business or a large enterprise, Zoho Shift provides a scalable solution tailored to your needs.
Pros | Cons |
| ✔️ User-Friendly Interface – Simple and intuitive design makes shift scheduling hassle-free. | ❌ Limited Free Plan – The free version includes only basic features and supports a limited number of users. |
| ✔️ Seamless Zoho Ecosystem Integration – Works well with Zoho People, Zoho Payroll, and Zoho Books, reducing data silos. | ❌ No Built-In Payroll Processing – Requires integration with Zoho Payroll for payroll management. |
| ✔️ Budget-Friendly – Offers competitive pricing for small and mid-sized businesses. | ❌ Customization Limitations – Compared to enterprise-grade scheduling tools, customization options are a little restricted. |
| ✔️ Comprehensive Time Tracking – Zoho time tracking enables real-time tracking of work hours for accurate payroll management. | ❌ Learning Curve for New Users – Although intuitive, new users may require time to familiarize themselves with all features. |
| ✔️ Customizable Shift Templates – Helps managers create repeatable scheduling patterns, saving time. | |
| ✔️ Self-Service for Employees – Employees can request shifts, trade shifts, and manage their schedules with minimal managerial involvement. | |
| ✔️ Mobile-Friendly – Employees and managers can access schedules and track work hours through the mobile app. | |
| ✔️ Automated Shift Reminders – Reduces absenteeism with proactive notifications. | |
| ✔️ Advanced Reporting & Analytics – Provides insights into workforce productivity and scheduling trends. |
Key Features of Zoho Shifts
1. Shift Scheduling and Management
Zoho Shifts provides an easy-to-use, drag-and-drop scheduling interface that allows managers to create, assign, and modify shifts in real time. It prevents overlaps and ensures efficient workforce distribution.
2. Time Tracking and Attendance Monitoring
One of the standout features of Zoho scheduler is real-time Zoho time tracking, which records employee work hours to ensure payroll accuracy. Employees can clock in and out via the web or mobile app.
3. Employee Self-Service Portal
Zoho Shift gives employees more control over their schedules. They can swap shifts, request time off, and track their attendance without the need for managerial intervention.
4. Integration with Zoho and Third-Party Apps
Seamlessly integrates with Zoho People, Zoho Payroll, and Zoho Books. Additionally, it supports third-party applications to expand its functionality.
5. Automated Notifications and Alerts
Managers and employees receive automatic alerts for shift changes, approvals, and attendance-related updates, ensuring effective communication.
6. Mobile Accessibility
With a dedicated mobile app, employees can check their schedules, track hours, and manage shifts on the go.
7. Custom Reports and Analytics
Zoho Shifts offers valuable insights through detailed reports on attendance patterns, labor costs, and productivity trends.
Zoho Shifts Pricing Breakdown
| Plan | Monthly Price (per user) | Features |
| Free | $0 (Up to 5 users) | Basic scheduling, time tracking, shift swapping |
| Standard | $1.50 | Unlimited users, shift templates, time tracking, reports, integrations |
| Premium | $3.00 | Advanced reporting, priority support, API access, detailed analytics |
Zoho Shifts is one of the most affordable shift scheduling software options available, making it particularly attractive to small and growing businesses.
Top Alternatives to Zoho Shifts
If you’re considering alternatives to Zoho Shifts, here’s how other employee scheduling software reviews are in comparison to pricing and user opinion:
| Software | Pricing | Rating (Out of 5) |
| Zoho Shifts | Free for up to 5 users, paid plans start at $1.50/user/month | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| When I Work | Starts at $2/user/month | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Deputy | Starts at $3.50/user/month | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ |
| Homebase | Free for basic features, paid starts at $20/location | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Shiftboard | Custom pricing | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ |
| Planday | Starts at $2/user/month | ⭐⭐☆ ☆☆ |
While these tools have their own strengths, Zoho Shifts stands out for its affordability, seamless integrations, and ease of use.
Industries That Benefit the Most:
- Retail: Efficiently manages part-time and full-time shifts.
- Healthcare: Ensures smooth scheduling for rotating shifts and emergency staffing.
- Hospitality: Handles complex shift arrangements across multiple locations.
- Manufacturing: Helps track workforce productivity and ensures compliance.
- Remote Work: Enables precise time tracking for remote and hybrid teams.
Business Advantages:
- Time-Saving – Automates shift planning and reduces administrative workload.
- Employee Satisfaction – Empowers employees with flexible scheduling options.
- Compliance-Friendly – Ensures accurate labor tracking to meet legal requirements.
- Cost-Effective – Delivers value for money, making it a preferred choice for budget-conscious businesses.
Final Thoughts: Is Zoho Shifts Right for Your Business?
If you’re looking for an affordable but highly customizable tool for your business, without any doubt you can use Zoho shift, it's the best shift scheduling software in the market. It balances affordability with functionality, offering a Zoho scheduler that is very well user-friendly, scalable, and efficient. Also, if your business is already already using Zoho’s suite of products you can find Zoho Shifts particularly beneficial due to its deep integration within the ecosystem.
However, if your organization requires highly advanced workforce management tools with extensive customization and you’re ready to spend a bit of a premium for it, then platforms like Deputy or Shiftboard might be worth exploring.
Need Help with Implementation?
Customerization is specialized in Zoho implementation and customization. Our team can assist with seamless setup, configuration, and integration, ensuring your business get all the benefits of Zoho Shifts. Contact us today to get started!
