7 Top Labor Forecasting Software
byBusinesses nowadays face a tough balancing act when it comes to staffing. Getting it wrong can spell disaster—too few workers lead to stress and missed sales, while too many eat into profits.
That’s where labor forecasting software comes in. These tools take the guesswork out of workforce planning, helping managers make smarter decisions.
Key takeaways
Here’s what you need to know about labor forecasting tools:
- It helps businesses match staffing to demand, avoiding costly over- or under-scheduling
- Good forecasting tools analyze past data to predict future needs
- These systems often integrate with scheduling and time-tracking features
- They can lead to significant cost savings by optimizing labor allocation
- The best tools offer real-time adjustments based on unexpected changes in demand or staff availability
- User-friendly interfaces make it easier for managers to create and modify schedules quickly
Table of contents
- Benefits of using labor forecasting software
- Labor forecasting software comparison table
- Top 7 labor forecasting software
- Labor forecasting made easy with When I Work
Benefits of using labor forecasting software
Businesses of all sizes can benefit from labor forecasting software. Smart algorithms crunch numbers and spot patterns, eliminating guesswork from staffing decisions. Discover how these tools can simplify your work life and boost your bottom line.
Reduce over-scheduling and overtime
Labor forecasting software pinpoints periods of potential overstaffing, allowing managers to trim shifts preemptively. Unnecessary overtime costs and last-minute schedule changes are prevented. Your team’s time is valued, boosting employee satisfaction and smooth operations.
Employees benefit from more stable schedules, avoiding early clock-outs or sudden shift alterations. Respect for everyone’s time promotes a positive work environment and improves overall productivity.
Cut your labor costs
Precise forecasting ensures optimal staffing levels at all times. You’ll avoid paying for idle staff during lulls or scrambling to cover unexpected rushes. Targeted scheduling directly impacts your bottom line.
Many businesses report significant labor cost reductions after implementing forecasting tools. Savings compound over time, freeing up resources for other areas of your business growth.
Save time for your more important tasks
Traditional scheduling often consumed hours of managerial time every week. Forecasting software automates this process, giving you back valuable hours. Instead of drowning in staff requests and juggling shifts, you can focus on strategic priorities.
Time savings allow you to invest in team development, customer service improvements, and other high-impact activities that drive your business forward.
Make data-driven decisions
Forecasting tools replace guesswork with solid data analysis. Sales trends, seasonal patterns, and other key factors are examined to predict staffing needs with remarkable accuracy.
These tips will help you make confident decisions about hiring, training, and long-term planning. Your business becomes more adaptable, ready to pivot quickly in response to changing market conditions.
Labor forecasting software comparison table
Here’s an overview of the leading labor forecasting tools:
| Product | Price | Features | Pros | Cons | Free trial |
When I Work | Starts at $1.50/user/month | • Shift planning • Labor cost tracking • Team messaging • Payroll | User-friendly interface, affordable pricing, and mobile access | Limited advanced features for larger teams | Yes |
Deputy | Starts at $4.50/user/month | • Scheduling • Time tracking • Leave management | Extensive feature set, integrates well with payroll systems | Higher cost for advanced features, which may be unnecessary for small teams | Yes |
Workforce.com | Request on site | • Shift bidding • Time tracking • Shift swapping | Customizable and good compliance features | Pricing details not transparent, potentially complex for smaller businesses | Not available |
monday.com | Free plan, premium starts at $9/user/month | • Customizabe workflows • Automations • Time tracking | Highly adaptable for various needs, strong project management features | Higher starting price, may be overkill for basic scheduling needs | Free plan available |
Fourth | Request on site | • Scheduling • Task management • Team communication | Focuses heavily on compliance, useful for specific industries like hospitality | Pricing not readily available, could be complex for general use | Not available |
Workday | Request on site | • Workforce planning • Time and attendance • Analytics | Comprehensive HR and payroll features, strong analytics capabilities | High cost, more suitable for large enterprises than small businesses | Yes |
TCP Humanity | Request on site | • Shift planning • Demand scheduler • Reporting | Mobile access for remote teams, integrated time tracking | Reported scheduling issues and software bugs, pricing not transparent | Yes |
Top 7 labor forecasting software
Explore some of the best labor forecasting software out there to help you predict your staffing needs. These top picks blend ease of use with powerful features to help you stay on top of your workforce planning.
1. When I Work
Rating: 4.3/5 (G2)
Key features:
- Real-time scheduling and employee time tracking
- Payroll processing
- Team messaging and communication tools
- Multi-location support
- Auto blended overtime calculations
When I Work stands out by offering a complete workforce management solution. Its labor forecasting ties directly into scheduling, time tracking, and payroll, creating a seamless workflow.
Managers love how it cuts scheduling time from hours to minutes. Employees benefit, too–they can easily swap shifts and message coworkers through the app.
The flexible pricing of When I Work fits all types of businesses, from small shops to large enterprises. With features like time clock and multi-location support, it’s a powerful tool for keeping labor costs in check while maintaining staff satisfaction.
Start a free trial now to see When I Work in action.
2. Deputy
Key features:
- Quick schedule building across roles and locations
- Instant schedule sharing via desktop or mobile
- Automated shift replacement for call-outs
Deputy streamlines scheduling by quickly creating rosters based on employee skills and availability. The system’s automated shift replacement feature saves managers time when handling last-minute changes.
While some users report data lag and integration challenges with financial apps, Deputy, just like When I Work, offers a free trial to test its capabilities.
Pricing:
Paid plans begin at $4.50 per user per month.
3. Workforce.com
Key features:
- Process automation for scheduling and management
- Customizable dashboards and reporting
- Comprehensive employee leave management
Workforce.com streamlines labor management with strong automation features, potentially saving managers hours on scheduling and admin tasks. Its customizable dashboards offer quick visibility into labor costs and trends.
However, some users report slow loading times and performance issues, which could hinder productivity. There are also mentions of missing features and occasional clocking problems that may frustrate employees.
Pricing:
Interested businesses need to contact them directly for a quote.
4. monday.com
Key features:
- Flexible task creation and management
- Multiple project views and planning tools
- Customizable dashboards for project monitoring
Monday.com stands out with its versatile approach to project and task management. Users appreciate its visual boards and drag-and-drop interface, which make organizing work intuitive.
However, some find the learning curve steep and report limitations in automation capabilities. While it offers reliable project tracking, it may not be tailored specifically for labor forecasting needs.
Pricing:
Monday.com offers a free plan, with paid options starting at $9/month.
5. Fourth
Key features:
- End-to-end talent management (acquisition to onboarding)
- Labor forecasting and scheduling
- Compliance tracking
Fourth offers a complete suite for workforce management, particularly suited for industries with complex scheduling needs. Its labor forecasting tool helps businesses optimize staffing levels, potentially reducing costs.
However, some users note outdated features and limited reporting options. There have also been reports of issues with communication effectiveness, long wait times for support, and occasional payroll processing problems based on customer feedback.
Pricing:
Fourth doesn’t publicly disclose pricing, requiring interested businesses to contact them directly.
6. Workday
Key features:
- Enterprise-level workforce planning
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- Cloud-based HR and finance integration
Workday offers extensive labor forecasting for large enterprises, combining workforce planning with financial forecasts. Its strength lies in data-driven decision-making, helping businesses align staffing with long-term goals.
However, Workday’s complexity can be overwhelming for smaller teams, with users reporting a steep learning curve. Some users complain that the platform’s interface is difficult to navigate and not user-friendly.
Pricing:
Workday pricing isn’t publicly available, requiring interested businesses to request a custom quote.
7. TCP Humanity
Key features:
- Shift scheduling
- Time and attendance tracking
- Mobile shift management
TCP Humanity helps businesses manage their workforce more efficiently by combining scheduling, time tracking, and labor forecasting into a single integrated platform. Managers can create schedules and track time from mobile devices, which is ideal for companies with remote teams.
The demand forecasting feature uses historical data and trends to predict staffing needs, potentially reducing labor costs. Scheduling issues, missing features, and software bugs may affect productivity, according to reports.
Pricing:
TCP Humanity doesn’t display pricing on its website, requiring potential customers to contact them for cost information.
Labor forecasting made easy with When I Work
When I Work stands out as a top labor forecasting software with its user-friendly interface and powerful tools, suitable for every type of business. The software seamlessly incorporates scheduling, time tracking, and payroll, offering a complete workforce management solution. The mobile app ensures real-time communication and real-time updates between managers and employees. See how easy scheduling can be—sign up for your free trial now.
