Find the right workforce software for your business
Choosing workforce management software is a big decision. We've done the research so you don't have to. Compare features, pricing, and support to find the best fit for your Australian business.
What Xero users say
Independent reviews from businesses using these apps with Xero.
Ratings sourced from Xero App Store on January 2026.
Compare features side by side
See how RosterElf stacks up against the competition across key features.
Based on hands-on testing. See our detailed reviews: Deputy, Connecteam, Employment Hero
Rostering & scheduling
| Feature |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drag-and-drop roster builder Visually build rosters by dragging and dropping shifts onto a calendar view. Quickly assign staff to shifts without manual data entry. | ||||
| Availability & unavailability rules Staff can set their available and unavailable times. Managers see this when rostering to avoid scheduling conflicts. | ||||
| Shift conflicts & overlap warnings Automatic alerts when you accidentally roster someone for overlapping shifts or during their unavailable times. | ||||
| Unfilled shift alerts Get notified when shifts remain unassigned so you can fill gaps before publishing the roster. | ||||
| Multi-location rostering Manage rosters across multiple sites or locations from a single account with location-specific views. | ||||
| Shift templates Save commonly used shift patterns as templates to speed up roster creation for recurring schedules. | ||||
| Publish & notify staff instantly Publish rosters with one click and automatically notify all affected staff via push notification, SMS or email. | ||||
| Manager override & approvals Managers can override system rules when needed and approve shift swaps, leave requests and timesheet changes. |
Rostering & scheduling
8/8
Rostering & scheduling
8/8Drag-and-drop roster builder
Visually build rosters by dragging and dropping shifts onto a calendar view. Quickly assign staff to shifts without manual data entry.
Availability & unavailability rules
Staff can set their available and unavailable times. Managers see this when rostering to avoid scheduling conflicts.
Shift conflicts & overlap warnings
Automatic alerts when you accidentally roster someone for overlapping shifts or during their unavailable times.
Unfilled shift alerts
Get notified when shifts remain unassigned so you can fill gaps before publishing the roster.
Multi-location rostering
Manage rosters across multiple sites or locations from a single account with location-specific views.
Shift templates
Save commonly used shift patterns as templates to speed up roster creation for recurring schedules.
Publish & notify staff instantly
Publish rosters with one click and automatically notify all affected staff via push notification, SMS or email.
Manager override & approvals
Managers can override system rules when needed and approve shift swaps, leave requests and timesheet changes.
RosterElf has 8 of 8 features
Trusted by Australian businesses
From local cafes to national retail chains, thousands of businesses rely on RosterElf for rostering, HR and payroll.
What sets RosterElf apart
Three reasons Australian businesses choose RosterElf over the competition.
One plan, all features
No confusing tiers or expensive add-ons. RosterElf includes rostering, time tracking, payroll integration, HR tools, and support in one transparent price.
Built for Australian compliance
Award interpretation, Fair Work compliance, penalty rates, and overtime calculations built specifically for Australian businesses. Not retrofitted from overseas platforms.
Real Australian support
Talk to real people who understand Australian business. Free onboarding, phone support, and hands-on help — not chatbots or overseas call centres.
Detailed software comparisons
In-depth, side-by-side comparisons covering pricing, features, compliance, support, and real user reviews. Built for Australian small businesses.
RosterElf vs Deputy
Compare pricing models, Australian compliance features, rostering tools, and customer support. See why Australian SMEs choose RosterElf over Deputy.
RosterElf vs Connecteam
Compare hub-based pricing, communication features, and Australian compliance. See why shift-based businesses choose RosterElf.
RosterElf vs Employment Hero
Compare HR-first vs rostering-first approaches, pricing structures, Xero integration ratings, and feature depth for Australian SMBs.
Deputy vs Connecteam
Independent comparison of Deputy vs Connecteam. Site-based scheduling vs job-based scheduling — which suits your Australian business?
Deputy vs Employment Hero
Compare rostering-first vs HR-first platforms. Pricing, Xero integration, mobile apps, and compliance for Australian businesses.
RosterElf vs Tanda
Compare time & attendance features, rostering tools, and Australian award support. Detailed comparison coming soon.
RosterElf vs Zenshifts
Compare rostering features, pricing, and Australian compliance tools. Detailed comparison coming soon.
RosterElf vs RotaWiz
Compare scheduling features, ease of use, and pricing. Detailed comparison coming soon.
RosterElf vs Sentrient
Compare compliance features, HR tools, and workforce management capabilities. Detailed comparison coming soon.
RosterElf vs BrightHR
Compare people management features, rostering tools, and Australian support. Detailed comparison coming soon.
RosterElf vs BambooHR
Compare HR software features, time tracking, and integration options. Detailed comparison coming soon.
RosterElf vs Microkeeper
Compare time & attendance features, rostering tools, and Australian compliance. Detailed comparison coming soon.
Why businesses switched to RosterElf
Key reasons Australian businesses choose RosterElf over competitors.
Simplicity & ease of use
Intuitive interface for managers and staff, making rostering, clock-ins, and shift swaps easy via mobile.
All-inclusive features
One plan offers rostering, time & attendance, HR tools, and payroll integration without hidden costs.
Compliance
Built-in award interpretation automatically calculates penalty rates, overtime, and loadings, keeping businesses compliant with Fair Work rules.
Payroll integration
Seamless syncing with Xero, MYOB, and others for stress-free payroll processing.
Time savings
Reduces manual admin, eliminates errors, and simplifies onboarding through digital contracts and mobile forms.
Great support
Access to responsive, Australian-based human support, unlike many competitors.
Predictable pricing
Simple, per-user pricing model for clear budgeting.
Bagel O's founder says it's easier than deputy
Shahryar Tehran, founder of Bagel O's, explains why his bakery switched from Deputy to RosterElf for staff rostering — and why he's thrilled with the move.
How to decide what software is best for you
Choosing the right rostering and workforce management software impacts every aspect of your business — from labour costs and compliance to staff satisfaction. Here are the key factors to consider.
1. Pricing transparency
Pricing models differ dramatically across providers. Some use tiered plans where key features are only available at higher levels. Others charge extra for support or advanced functionality.
When evaluating options, ask:
- Does the monthly cost cover everything I need?
- Are there hidden add-ons or minimum spend requirements?
- Can I predict my total spend as staff numbers change?
RosterElf avoids surprises with one transparent per-user price that includes all features and local support.
2. Feature depth vs. feature spread
Not all platforms are built with the same priorities. Some are strong in communication but light on payroll compliance. Others lean heavily into HR and benefits, which may be more than a small business needs.
When evaluating features, ask:
- Do you need accurate rostering and award compliance?
- Is seamless payroll integration critical?
- Do you need a specialist or a generalist platform?
RosterElf offers complete workforce management—rostering, time tracking, payroll compliance, HR, and team communication—purpose-built for Australian SMBs.
3. Ease of use
Software that looks great on paper can fail in practice if it's too complex. Your managers need to build rosters quickly, approve swaps, and run payroll without hours of admin.
When evaluating usability, ask:
- Does it have a clean, intuitive interface?
- Does it offer drag-and-drop rostering?
- Are there mobile apps for managers and staff?
RosterElf is known for its "magically simple" interface that keeps things straightforward.
4. Compliance and payroll accuracy
Fair Work compliance is non-negotiable. If your software can't handle penalties, allowances, and overtime rules correctly, you risk costly errors.
When evaluating compliance, ask:
- Does it handle Australian award interpretation?
- Does it generate payroll-ready timesheets?
- Does it integrate with Xero and MYOB?
RosterElf has compliance features baked in, automatically calculating penalty rates, overtime, and loadings.
5. Support and local knowledge
When something goes wrong, support quality can make or break your experience. Some providers restrict live support to premium tiers or outsource overseas.
When evaluating support, ask:
- Is support local and responsive?
- Is it included in every plan, not just premium?
- Is it available when you need it?
RosterElf includes Australian-based support as standard, so you're never left waiting.
6. Final thoughts
There's no one-size-fits-all rostering solution. The right choice depends on your team size, complexity, and how much local support and compliance matter to you.
When making your decision, ask:
- Does it cover rostering without feature overload?
- Does it scale predictably as the team grows?
- Does it support Australian awards and payroll?
RosterElf is designed for Australian SMEs that want powerful rostering, clear pricing, and local support — without paying for enterprise HR features they don't need.
More resources
Explore our reviews and alternatives for more insights.
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Comparing rostering software
Common questions when evaluating workforce management solutions
- Focus on five key areas: pricing transparency (hidden fees vs all-inclusive), Australian compliance features (Fair Work, award interpretation), ease of use for managers and staff, quality of customer support, and integration with your payroll system (Xero, MYOB).
- For Australian SMEs with shift-based staff, RosterElf offers simpler pricing (one plan, all features) and dedicated local support. Deputy suits larger enterprises needing multi-country operations. Read our detailed Deputy vs RosterElf comparison for a feature-by-feature breakdown.
- If you're managing shift-based staff using spreadsheets, spending hours on rosters each week, dealing with payroll errors, or struggling with compliance—rostering software will save you time and money. Most businesses see ROI within months.
- Check our industries hub for sector-specific considerations. Ensure platforms support your relevant award and offer features important to your industry (ratio tracking for childcare, GPS for mobile workers, etc.).
- Start with a buying guide for your software category, read individual reviews for shortlisted platforms, then use head-to-head comparisons to make your final decision.