Deputy vs Sling
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Deputy and Sling are credible workforce management tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Deputy — Shift scheduling and time tracking.
Sling — Free employee scheduling.
Deputy vs Sling: side by side
| Dimension | Deputy | Sling |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $4.50/user/mo | Free – $2/user/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Best for | Hourly Teams, Retail, Hospitality | Hourly Teams, Restaurants |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Web, Ios, Android |
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.5/5 |
Deputy key facts
- Vendor
- Deputy
- Pricing
- Subscription — Free – $4.50/user/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Hourly Teams, Retail, Hospitality
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 2008
- Headquarters
- Sydney, Australia
Sling key facts
- Vendor
- Toast
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $2/user/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Hourly Teams, Restaurants
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Founded
- 2015
- Headquarters
- Boston, MA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Deputy better than Sling?
Neither is universally better — Deputy edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Deputy or Sling cheaper?
Deputy is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $4.50/user/mo. Deputy starts at free – $4.50/user/mo; Sling starts at free – $2/user/mo.
Can Deputy replace Sling?
Yes for most teams — both are workforce management tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.