Shifty vs When I Work
When I Work charges per user and locks key features behind its higher tiers. Shifty charges $9.99 a month for the whole team with everything included — 33 languages, AI schedule scanning, full web dashboard.
⚡ Quick verdict
When I Work fits teams of 50+ that need ADP/Gusto integrations. Shifty fits small teams (3–30 people) who want full-featured per-seat scheduling without unlocking $6–$8/user Pro/Premium tiers.
| Feature | Shifty | When I Work |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $9.99/month flat, any team size | From $2.50/user/month |
| Best for | Cafes, restaurants, bars (1–30) | Large teams with 50+ employees |
| Setup time | Under 5 minutes | 30–60 min |
| Shift scheduling | ✅ | ✅ |
| Shift swaps & requests | ✅ | ✅ |
| GPS time tracking | ✅ | ✅ |
| Push notifications | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open shifts | ✅ | ✅ |
| PDF/CSV export | ✅ Free | Paid plans only |
| AI schedule scanning | ✅ Unique | ❌ |
| Multi-language (33) | ✅ | EN+limited |
| Payroll calculation | ✅ | ❌ |
| Calendar sync | ✅ Apple & Google | ✅ |
Why teams switch from When I Work to Shifty
💰 Half the price at feature parity
When I Work's Essentials at $2.50/user is feature-limited. To get scheduling templates, OpenShifts, and real reporting you need Pro at $6/user or Premium at $8/user. At Pro tier with 15 employees = $90/month. Shifty is $9.99 a month for the team, with everything included, however many people you schedule.
⚡ 5-minute setup
Download Shifty, create your team, add your first shift — done. No sales calls, no implementation timeline.
🌍 33 languages
Shifty supports 33 languages out of the box. Every employee sees the app in their own language.
📸 AI schedule scanning
Take a photo of any schedule — Shifty's AI converts it to digital shifts automatically.
Real-world pricing comparison
| Plan | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| When I Work Essentials (15 users, limited features) | $37.50 | ~$450 |
| Shifty Pro (15 employees, full features) | $59.85 | ~$599 |
When I Work Essentials looks cheap per user but locks the features you actually need behind its Pro tier. Shifty is one flat $9.99 a month with those features standard — and it stops mattering how many users you add.
How to switch from When I Work in three steps
-
1
Screenshot your current schedule
Open last week's When I Work schedule and take a screenshot.
-
2
Use Shifty's AI scan
Upload the screenshot — Shifty reads it and creates the schedule.
-
3
Invite your team
Generate an invite code, send it by SMS. Employees join and see shifts immediately.
The whole migration usually takes under 20 minutes for a small team.
When When I Work might be the better choice
We're honest: When I Work is a good product. It may be the better choice if:
- • You have 50+ employees and need enterprise-grade features.
- • You need deep POS or payroll integrations specific to When I Work.
- • You strongly prefer a desktop web dashboard for scheduling.
But if you run a small cafe, restaurant, or bar with under 30 people and want something that just works — Shifty is built exactly for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shifty free?
Free for 7 days with everything unlocked, no card required. After that, editing the schedule needs Shifty Pro at $9.99/month — one price per team, no matter how many employees.
Can I import my When I Work schedule?
Take a screenshot and Shifty's AI converts it into digital shifts.
Does Shifty work on Android?
Yes — both iOS and Android. iOS is more mature now; full manager features on Android arrive in 2026.
Does Shifty have a web dashboard?
A web dashboard is in development, expected H2 2026. The mobile app is fully featured for both managers and employees.
Ready to try the simpler alternative?
Build your first schedule in under 5 minutes. Free for small teams, no credit card needed.