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HotSchedules

Conquer Every Shift with HotSchedules, Powered by Fourth

Table of Contents

HotSchedules - 2026 Pricing, Features, Reviews & Alternatives

All user reviews are verified by in-house moderators and provider data by our software research team. Learn more

Last updated: January 2026

HotSchedules overview

What is HotSchedules?

HotSchedules is an employee scheduling and workforce management application designed for use within restaurants, retail and hospitality industries, and other customer-facing businesses. The HotSchedules platform automates operational tasks such as scheduling, shift communication, reporting, forecasting, recruiting and training.

Users can manage time-off and shift-swap requests remotely using the native Android and iOS mobile apps, which are accessible to all employees. Store documents and employee information on a cloud-based database for access any time, anywhere. Use the HotSchedules Recruit tool to source and hire staff economically and the 'Schoox' tool to arrange training courses for employees.

Key benefits of using HotSchedules

Create 100% compliant schedules with optimal labor mixes based on demand forecasting

Give your team flexibility with easy trade and shift swapping from HotSchedules app, rated the #1 business app for + years

Out-of-the-box dashboards slice and dice aggregated labor data for regional or corporate analysis while store-level reporting helps managers keep track of KPIs from shift-to-shift.

Prevent time theft, overtime, and missed breaks with HotSchedules' Time & Attendance capabilities

Completely avoid sub-minimum wage payouts and other payroll missteps

Ensure operational and brand standards across all your locations with HotSchedules' digital Logbook, complete with task management lists, store logs, staff journals, and food safety compliance monitoring.

Provide your employees access to on-demand pay (free for businesses and their employees)

Starting price

Alternatives

with better value for money

Pros & Cons

Organization

Flexibility

Simplicity

Reliability

Responsiveness

Alerts

HotSchedules’s user interface

Ease of use rating:

4.4

(460)

HotSchedules pros, cons and reviews insights

To determine these pros and cons insights, we analyzed responses from

Overall rating

Reviews sentiment

1-2(14)

3-4(188)

5(258)

What do users say about HotSchedules?

Users report HotSchedules makes scheduling, shift swaps, and time-off requests much easier, especially for restaurant staff. They appreciate having real-time access to schedules, streamlined communication, and integration with payroll and POS systems, which helps manage labor costs and staff accountability. They find it convenient to coordinate coverage and receive notifications about changes.

Some say the software is generally easy to use, though a few mention initial complexity and occasional glitches or slow loading. They note that messaging features are helpful for team communication, but wish the mobile app was free and some functions were more intuitive.

Select to learn more

Who uses HotSchedules?

Based on 460 verified user reviews.

Company size

Small Businesses

Enterprises

Midsize Businesses

Top industries

Food & Beverages

Restaurants

Hospitality

Health, Wellness and Fitness

Others

Use cases

Scheduling

Employee Scheduling

Restaurant Scheduling

Employee Vacation & PTO Tracking

Time Tracking

HotSchedules's key features

Most critical features, based on insights from HotSchedules users:

Mobile access

3.9

(27)

Employee scheduling

4.7

(19)

Employee database

4.6

(22)

Calendar management

4.7

(19)

Timesheet management

4.6

(16)

Shift swapping

4.9

(11)

All HotSchedules features

Features rating:

4.3

(460)

Access controls/permissions

4.0

(5)

Messaging

4.0

(4)

API

3.5

(2)

Real-Time notifications

4.8

(5)

Time off requests

4.0

(1)

Time off management

5.0

(2)

Availability management

4.9

(7)

Reporting & statistics

4.0

(2)

Task scheduling

4.3

(6)

Communication management

5.0

(1)

Real-Time updates

4.4

(7)

Scheduling

4.4

(7)

Online time clock

4.9

(8)

Schedule distribution

4.1

(14)

Calendar sync

3.9

(13)

Online booking

4.4

(7)

Alerts/Notifications

4.3

(6)

Third-Party integrations

4.0

(2)

Payroll management

4.1

(18)

Reporting/Analytics

4.5

(22)

Vacation/Leave tracking

4.3

(3)

Real-Time reporting

(0)

Variable workforce

(0)

Real-Time data

(0)

Point of sale (pos)

5.0

(2)

Performance metrics

(0)

Performance management

(0)

Overtime calculation

(0)

Workforce management

(0)

Onboarding

(0)

Offboarding

(0)

Recipe management

(0)

Recruitment management

3.5

(6)

Reminders

4.0

(1)

Sales reports

5.0

(1)

Sales trend analysis

(0)

Team Calendars

(0)

Self service portal

(0)

Shift management

(0)

Shift scheduling

(0)

Sick leave tracking

(0)

Skills tracking

5.0

(1)

SMS messaging

(0)

Task management

5.0

(1)

Multi-Location

3.0

(1)

Document management

(0)

Data import/export

(0)

Dashboard

(0)

Customizable templates

(0)

Customizable reports

(0)

Customizable fields

(0)

Customer history

(0)

Cost management

(0)

Compliance tracking

(0)

Compliance management

(0)

Collaboration tools

3.0

(1)

Clock in/out

(0)

Budgeting/Forecasting

(0)

Automated scheduling

5.0

(1)

Attendance tracking

3.0

(2)

Attendance management

(0)

Approval process control

(0)

Activity dashboard

(0)

Multi-Language

(0)

Mobile app

(0)

Mobile alerts

(0)

Labor management

(0)

Labor forecasting

4.0

(1)

Labor cost reporting

(0)

Labor cost calculator

5.0

(1)

Inventory management

(0)

HR management

4.0

(1)

Group scheduling

(0)

Forecasting

(0)

For peo/aso

(0)

Facility scheduling

(0)

Employee profiles

(0)

Employee management

5.0

(2)

Electronic payments

(0)

Drag & drop

(0)

Document storage

(0)

HotSchedules alternatives

HotSchedules

4.4

(460)

Starting from

No pricing info

Free trial

Free version

Ease of Use

4.3

Features

4.3

Value for Money

4.1

Customer Support

4.2

Wrike

4.4

(2.8K)

visit website

Starting from

Per month

Free trial

Free version

Ease of Use

4.2

Features

4.3

Value for Money

4.2

Customer Support

4.3

Paycom

4.4

(1.1K)

visit website

Starting from

No pricing info

Free trial

Free version

Ease of Use

4.4

Features

4.4

Value for Money

4.3

Customer Support

4.3

Buddy Punch

4.8

(1.1K)

visit website

Starting from

4.49

Per month

Free trial

Free version

Ease of Use

4.8

Features

4.7

Value for Money

4.8

Customer Support

4.8

HotSchedules integrations (15)

Integrations rated by users

We looked at 460 user reviews to identify which products are mentioned as HotSchedules integrations and how users feel about them.

Toast POS

Integration rating: 5.0 (1)

“HotSchedules is easily accessed at waitstaff/bartender POS stations if needed. This aided in keeping the workplace professional and eliminated staff from having to use their personal devices while on the clock and on the floor when interacting with guests.”

Sanford G.

F&B Personnel, Rental & Repair Technician

Other top integrations

CrunchTime! TalentLink

HotSchedules customer support

What do users say about HotSchedules customer support?

Customer support rating:

4.1

We analyzed 31 verified user reviews to identify positive and negative aspects of HotSchedules customer support.

A number of users find customer service easy to reach, responsive, and helpful when addressing questions or issues.

Multiple users report slow response times, difficulty reaching support, and inconsistent or unhelpful assistance.

Support options

Faqs/forum

24/7 (live rep)

Email/help desk

Phone support

Knowledge base

Chat

Training options

Documentation

In person

Live online

Webinars

Videos

To see what individual users say about HotSchedules's customer support, check out the review snippets below.

“What I like least is probably more on my part, and that is that I find it to be a lot going on and I am not exactly technologically savvy. But customer service has always been great at helping me answer any questions that I have.”

Nikki G.

Owner/Operator

“Always easy to use and customer service is fast and helpful . Have used hotschedules with previous employers and it has always been an asset.”

PJ Z.

General Manager

“I have had constant issues with customer care representatives, both with a lack of responding to emails and giving me incorrect information.”

Sharina H.

HotSchedules FAQs

Q. Who are the typical users of HotSchedules?

HotSchedules has the following typical customers:
Freelancers, Large Enterprises, Mid Size Business, Small Business

These products have better value for money

Q. What languages does HotSchedules support?

HotSchedules supports the following languages:
English, Spanish

Q. Does HotSchedules support mobile devices?

HotSchedules supports the following devices:
Android, iPad, iPhone

Q. Does HotSchedules offer an API?

Yes, HotSchedules has an API available for use.

Q. What other apps does HotSchedules integrate with?

HotSchedules integrates with the following applications:
RPOWER, Aloha EPOS, Genius, Squirrel POS, PAR POS, SpotOn, Ottimate, Revel Systems, PDQ POS, Toast POS, Ordyx

Q. What level of support does HotSchedules offer?

HotSchedules offers the following support options:
FAQs/Forum, 24/7 (Live rep), Email/Help Desk, Phone Support, Knowledge Base, Chat