Alternatives compared

    Which shift and workforce scheduling software fits depends less on the number of locations than on planning complexity: how many positions have to be filled on a single day, how large is the pool of temporary staff, how short notice are the changes? Here we put SMARTCHILLI head to head with ten providers — with features, pricing logic and an honest view of when the other provider is the better choice.

    Forest path forking in two directions — a metaphor for choosing between scheduling providersMit KI generiert

    What SMARTCHILLI is built for

    SMARTCHILLI plans assignments, not weekly rosters. It is built for high assignment density: many positions on a single day, several areas within the same operation, large pools of temporary staff and clients who want to see the current status in real time. Employees pick up open shifts themselves with a swipe.

    Billing is based on planned shifts, not per head and not per location. From €49 per month, all modules included, cancellable monthly.

    If your plan still fits into a weekly view, several of the providers listed below are the more obvious choice. As soon as it no longer does, SMARTCHILLI is built for exactly that.

    Start 30-day free trialBook a live demo

    All providers at a glance

    • SMARTCHILLI

      Focus
      Assignment planning for events, catering and trade fairs
      Billing basis
      Per planned shift
      Entry price
      €49 / month
    • Ordio
      Focus
      Shift operations incl. HR file and payroll
      Billing basis
      Per location
      Entry price
      €89 / location / month
    • gastromatic
      Focus
      Restaurants and hotels incl. payroll accounting
      Billing basis
      Package price per month
      Entry price
      from €69.50 / month
    • Papershift
      Focus
      Broad HR software for scheduling
      Billing basis
      Per user
      Entry price
      from €4 / user / month
    • Planday
      Focus
      Multi-site chains, part of Xero
      Billing basis
      Per user
      Entry price
      from €2.49 / user / month
    • Crewmeister
      Focus
      Time tracking for small businesses
      Billing basis
      Per user, modular
      Entry price
      from approx. €1.50 / employee / month
    • shyftplan
      Focus
      Industry and 24/7 operations with SAP integration
      Billing basis
      Individual quote
      Entry price
      on request
    • Staffcloud
      Focus
      Flexible staff for projects and events
      Billing basis
      Active employees and assignments
      Entry price
      figures inconsistent, from €129
    • Teamhero
      Focus
      Event service providers, stadiums, promotion
      Billing basis
      Individual quote
      Entry price
      on request
    • dienstplanmacher
      Focus
      Hospitality, security services, large events
      Billing basis
      Price list and request
      Entry price
      on request
    • InStaff
      Focus
      Staffing marketplace for trade fairs and events
      Billing basis
      Placement per assignment
      Entry price
      planning feature €0

    Based on publicly available information from the provider websites, as of August 2026. Prices and features can change. Details and sources on the respective comparison page.

    Classic shift scheduling

    These providers plan day-to-day operations: recurring shift patterns, a largely fixed team, billing per location or headcount.

    • Ordio

      Shift planning, time tracking, HR file and payroll in one system, billed per location.

      per locationfrom €89
      Read the comparison

    • gastromatic

      HR administration, scheduling and payroll accounting with a focus on restaurants and hotels.

      package pricefrom €69.50
      Read the comparison

    • Papershift

      Broad HR software for scheduling and time tracking, billed per user.

      per userfrom €4
      Read the comparison

    • Planday

      Scheduling and time tracking for multi-site retail and hospitality, part of Xero.

      per userfrom €2.49
      Read the comparison

    • Crewmeister

      Time tracking for small businesses with an optional shift planner.

      per userfrom approx. €1.50
      Read the comparison

    • shyftplan

      AI-supported shift planning for industry and 24/7 operations with SAP integration.

      individualon request
      Read the comparison

    Event and assignment planning

    These providers come from the event business and plan assignments instead of weekly rosters — the same world as SMARTCHILLI.

    • Staffcloud

      Planning flexible staff for projects and events, provider based in Switzerland.

      active employeesfrom €129
      Read the comparison

    • Teamhero

      Workforce management for event service providers, stadiums and promotion agencies.

      individualon request
      Read the comparison

    • dienstplanmacher

      Workforce scheduling for hospitality, security services and large events.

      individualon request
      Read the comparison

    Staffing agency instead of software

    This is not about a planning system for your own pool, but about sourcing external staff. The comparison is therefore a matter of principle, not of features.

    • InStaff

      Staffing marketplace for trade fair and event staff with free shift planning.

      placementplanning €0
      Read the comparison

    Try it yourself instead of comparing

    30 days free, no credit card, cancellable monthly. In 20 minutes we look at your assignment planning together.

    Start 30-day free trialBook a live demo