SimpleStaff

Overview

SimpleStaff is workforce software for businesses that coordinate staff across shifts. It is most compelling for smaller operators that want employees to handle everyday schedule changes themselves, alongside manager-led scheduling and timekeeping. Its low-cost starting point is balanced by web-only schedule building and a mobile app that cannot load schedules offline.

Key features

Managers build schedules on the web with drag-and-drop editing, role assignments, reusable templates and shift publishing. Templates can save repeated setup for teams with familiar patterns, though managers who need to build or publish schedules from a phone will have to use another device.

Employees can request time off, update availability, swap shifts and claim open shifts through the mobile app. This gives staff a direct role in routine coverage changes, which is useful for busy shift teams. Published shifts can also appear in Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or Outlook via personal calendar feeds.

The time clock records clock-in and clock-out times, tracks breaks and supports GPS location verification. Managers can approve timesheets and export them in formats for ADP, UKG, Dayforce or generic CSV workflows. QuickBooks Online and Wagepoint are coming soon, so teams that depend on either should not count on them as current export options.

Credential tracking and labor cost reports add value for teams that need to monitor role qualifications or labor spending. The $10 / month Integrations add-on connects POS, reservations and payroll systems, but it is an extra cost beyond the base plans.

The staff app is included with every plan and is available for iPhone and Android. Its key drawback is that schedules load live over the internet rather than being saved on the device, so staff cannot rely on the app to show shifts without a connection.

Pricing

The Free plan costs nothing and supports 15 team members across one team. It includes scheduling, shift swaps, time-off requests and open-shift pickup. That is a meaningful no-cost starting point for a single small team, but the one-team and 15-member caps limit its usefulness as an operation grows.

Team costs C$19 a month, billed $19/month. It removes the team-member cap, includes a manager role, labor cost reports, CSV/PDF export and email support; users over the 15 included cost $0.75 / user. This is the sensible upgrade for growing teams that need reporting and exports without Pro’s additional scheduling controls.

Pro costs C$29 a month, billed $29/month, with unlimited team members, auto-fill scheduling, audit logs and priority support. Users over 15 cost $1 / user. The higher per-user charge makes it a better fit when auto-fill, audit history or faster support justifies the premium, rather than simply for additional headcount.

Enterprise has custom pricing, with scope and service levels agreed in each contract; it is aimed at large organizations and unionized workplaces. A 30-day trial is available. The $10 / month Integrations add-on is a separate listed charge.

Platforms

SimpleStaff is available on web, Android and iOS. Employees use the phone app for self-service, while managers build and publish schedules on the web. Schedule data is stored in Canada, and the company describes the product as made in Canada. Its Terms say it complies with PIPEDA and applicable provincial privacy legislation. Support typically responds within 24 hours on business days, with an average response time under four hours during business hours.

Who it's for

SimpleStaff fits small businesses with recurring shift coverage needs, including restaurants, retail shops, clinics, hotels, gyms and salons. Teams that want employees to manage availability and shift changes, while managers retain control of publishing and timesheet approval, get the clearest benefit. It is less suitable for managers who need mobile schedule authoring or staff who often need offline access to shifts.

Pros and cons

• Pros: The free plan covers 15 members and one team, giving a small operation a usable scheduling and shift-change starting point without a subscription.
• Pros: Staff self-service for availability, time off, swaps and open shifts can keep routine coordination from resting entirely with managers.
• Pros: GPS-supported timekeeping, approved timesheet exports and calendar feeds connect scheduling with attendance and employees’ personal calendars.
• Cons: Managers must use the web app to build and publish schedules, limiting mobile management.
• Cons: The mobile app requires internet access and does not store schedules on the device, making it unreliable for offline reference.
• Cons: QuickBooks Online and Wagepoint are not current export choices, and POS, reservations and payroll connections require the extra-cost Integrations add-on.

Alternatives

For a healthcare-focused shortlist, compare Healthcare Staff Scheduling Software. CronShift is another freemium option for readers considering a free plan, though its feature details are unclear. RosterLab is worth considering if manual scheduling with simple rule checks, dynamic statistics and shift colour coding is the priority; its free Digital Rostering tier also includes an employee mobile app.

Synchro may suit hospital teams seeking a beta plan with all features and no user cap, while Infor Workforce Management is an alternative for buyers willing to contact its maker for pricing. Lightning Bolt uses per-seat licenses, so consider it if that licensing approach fits your team. Amion offers a Pro plan with up to 10 schedules and custom rules, making it an option for teams comparing schedule-focused plans. HealthRota uses a usage-based fee model and can start with one department or roll out trust-wide. ShiftMed Flex is another paid alternative, with pricing available through a workforce consultation and a routing fee for shifts completed by internal staff.

Verdict

Choose SimpleStaff if you run a small shift-based business and want affordable scheduling with staff self-service, time tracking and practical payroll exports. Its free tier makes it easy to start, and the paid plans add reporting or automation as needs grow. Look elsewhere if managers must schedule from mobile, employees need dependable offline access, or your payroll workflow depends on QuickBooks Online or Wagepoint today.