Deputy vs When I Work
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Employee scheduling made easy.
The verdict
Both Deputy and When I Work are credible workforce management tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose Deputy if you want a lower starting price (free – $4.50/user/mo) and a free plan to start on. Shift scheduling and time tracking.
Choose When I Work if you'd rather have a longer free trial (14 days). Employee scheduling made easy.
Deputy vs When I Work: side by side
| Dimension | Deputy | When I Work |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $4.50/user/moWinner | From $2.50/user/mo |
| Free plan | YesWinner | No |
| Free trial | — | 14 daysWinner |
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Best for | Hourly Teams, Retail, Hospitality | Hourly Teams, Smb |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Web, Ios, Android |
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.4/5 |
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
When I Work key facts
- Vendor
- When I Work
- Pricing
- Subscription — From $2.50/user/mo
- Free tier
- Free trial (14 days)
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Hourly Teams, Smb
- Editor rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Founded
- 2010
- Headquarters
- Minneapolis, MN, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Deputy better than When I Work?
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 When I Work 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; When I Work starts at from $2.50/user/mo.
Can Deputy replace When I Work?
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.