Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to When I Work · 🧑💼 hr
When I Work vs 7shifts Comp
A small roster, availability form and approved shift trades for one 15-person location. Here is how 7shifts Comp ($0/mo free) stacks up against When I Work ($2.50/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
When I Work vs 7shifts Comp Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-11
| Dimension | When I Work (Paid) | 7shifts Comp (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $2.50 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $30 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $30) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $150 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $150) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $300 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $300) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | free proprietary, free |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Hosted (their cloud) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | mobilewebthey host it |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ $0 forever |
Deep Dive: Switching from When I Work to 7shifts Comp
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
The free plan is restaurant-specific, limited to one location and fifteen employees, and lacks a free time clock.
How to deploy 7shifts Comp
Hosted signup for one restaurant location, then invite staff to the web and mobile apps
Where your data lives
Employee profiles, schedules, availability, time-off and communications in 7shifts' cloud, with selected reports and export tools
Why fork 7shifts Comp instead of vibe-coding a When I Work clone?
The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For When I Work, build a small shift schedule, availability form, and swap approval workflow. The hard boundary is mobile apps, time clock, notifications, scheduling edge cases, and support, plus compliance, payroll, and regulated integrations.
When I Work vs 7shifts Comp FAQ
Is 7shifts Comp a good free alternative to When I Work?+
Yes. 7shifts Comp is a verified free replacement for When I Work. A small roster, availability form and approved shift trades for one 15-person location.
What is the catch when switching from When I Work to 7shifts Comp?+
The free plan is restaurant-specific, limited to one location and fifteen employees, and lacks a free time clock.
How much do you save switching from When I Work to 7shifts Comp?+
When I Work costs $2.50/mo ($30/yr) per seat, whereas 7shifts Comp is $0/mo. Switching saves $30/yr for a solo user, $150/yr for a 5-person team, and $300/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host 7shifts Comp instead of When I Work?+
Install: Hosted signup for one restaurant location, then invite staff to the web and mobile apps.
