Free Shift Swap App for Restaurants & Small Teams
Your team requests a swap. Someone picks it up. You approve with one tap. Done.
Shift Swaps Shouldn't Be This Messy
A server texts you at 11pm: "I can't make tomorrow's shift." You start calling everyone. Nobody answers. You end up covering it yourself.
Or worse β two employees arrange a swap over WhatsApp without telling you. One doesn't show up. Now you have no paper trail, no accountability, and an angry customer.
This happens in every restaurant. It doesn't have to.
How Shift Swaps Work in Shifty
Employee Requests a Swap
Right from their phone. They pick which shift they need covered and why.
A Teammate Picks It Up
Available team members see the open swap and can volunteer. No group chat spam.
You Approve in One Tap
Nothing happens without your OK. You see who's swapping, check for conflicts, and approve or decline.
Why Managers Prefer This Over WhatsApp
You're Always in the Loop
Every swap request goes through you. No more "I thought someone else was covering."
No Overtime Surprises
Shifty checks hours before approving. If a swap would push someone into overtime, you'll know.
Full Swap History
Every swap is logged β who requested, who covered, when it was approved. Useful for payroll and disputes.
Instant Notifications
Both employees and the manager get notified at every step. No "I didn't see the message."
Works on Any Phone
iOS, Android, or web browser. Your team downloads the app in 30 seconds and they're in.
Shift Swaps: The Old Way vs Shifty
| WhatsApp / Text | Shifty | |
|---|---|---|
| Manager knows about swap | β οΈ Maybe | β |
| Overtime check before swap | β Manual | β |
| Record of who swapped | β None | β |
| Team notified automatically | β | β |
| Works at 11pm on a Saturday | β οΈ | β |
| Swap history for payroll | β Scroll back in chat? | β |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do shift swaps work in a scheduling app?
An employee opens the app, selects the shift they can't work, and posts a swap request. Other team members with matching availability can pick it up. The manager gets a notification and approves or declines the swap with one tap. The schedule updates automatically for everyone.
Can managers control which shift swaps get approved?
Yes. In Shifty, no swap happens without manager approval. You see both employees involved, their total weekly hours, and any potential conflicts before you approve. You can also decline with a reason.
Is there a free shift swap app?
Shift swapping is included from day one of the 7-day free trial, and in Shifty Pro after it. Your team requests and picks up swaps, you approve them β all within the app. Available on iOS, Android and web.
How do restaurants automate shift swap approvals?
With Shifty, the process is semi-automated: employees handle the swap request and pickup themselves, and the manager just reviews and approves. This cuts the typical 30-minute phone chain down to a single tap.
Stop Managing Shift Swaps Over Text
Your team handles the swap. You just approve. Free for 7 days β no credit card, and Pro is priced per team, never per employee.