Free online staff roster tool
This free roster tool helps small teams create weekly staff schedules online. It's designed for businesses that need a simple, no-cost way to organise shifts without spreadsheets, logins, or complex software.
How to create a staff roster in minutes
No account, no setup. Your roster is saved automatically in your browser.
Add employees
Add your team in seconds.
- Click Add employee
- Enter staff names and roles
- Add or remove employees at any time
Add positions & shifts
Create the shifts you need.
- Add positions (e.g. Manager, Barista, Sales)
- Set start and finish times
- See daily and weekly hour totals automatically
Build your roster
Drag, drop, and adjust.
- Drag shifts onto employees
- Move or resize shifts as needed
- Instantly see coverage across the week
Download or share
Share your roster with your team.
- Download as PDF or CSV
- Print your roster
- Share the file via email or messaging
How your roster is saved (no login required)
This free roster tool uses your browser to save your roster automatically.
- No account or email required
- Close the page and come back later
- Bookmark this page to return to your saved roster
Important: Clearing your browser cache or using a different device will start a new roster.
Create staff rosters online for free
The free roster tool above lets you build a complete weekly staff schedule without downloading anything or creating an account.
Simply add your employees, drag shifts into place, and share your roster with your team. This free employee roster builder is designed for small teams who need a quick, no-fuss way to organise their weekly schedule.
Whether you're managing a cafe, retail shop, or small office, this online roster tool gets the job done.
What is a free roster tool?
An online scheduling tool to plan employee shifts without cost — no login, no complexity.
Add employees
Enter names and roles
Assign shifts
Drag and drop to schedule
Share roster
Print or send to team
Learn more about free roster tools
A free roster tool is an online scheduling tool used to plan employee shifts without cost. It helps you create and manage staff work schedules easily. Unlike complex workforce management systems, a free scheduling tool focuses on the essentials: adding employees, assigning shifts, and sharing the finished roster with your team.
You might hear "roster" and "schedule" used interchangeably, but there's a subtle difference. A roster typically refers to a list of staff and their assigned shifts, while a schedule can include broader planning elements like tasks and deadlines. For most small businesses, what you need is a simple roster that shows who's working and when.
A free employee roster tool is ideal when you have a small team with straightforward scheduling needs. If you don't require payroll integration, award interpretation, or compliance tracking, a free tool can handle your rostering without unnecessary complexity.
Who is this free roster tool for?
This free roster tool works best for teams who need simple, fast scheduling without the overhead of complex software.
Small Businesses
Teams of 2–15 staff who need a quick way to organise weekly shifts.
Cafes & Hospitality
Restaurants, cafes, and bars managing rotating front-of-house and kitchen staff.
Retail Teams
Shops and boutiques scheduling floor staff across opening hours.
Startups
New businesses that need to roster staff before investing in full HR systems.
Community Groups
Volunteer organisations and NFPs coordinating shifts without a budget.
Side Projects
Market stalls, pop-ups, and casual ventures needing occasional rosters.
What's included in the free roster tool
Everything listed here is included for free — no trial, no expiry. Here's what you get — and what requires an upgrade.
Included for Free
- Weekly staff roster builder (Mon–Sun)
- Drag-and-drop shift assignment
- Add unlimited employees
- Mobile-friendly design
- Print or share your roster
Upgrade to RosterElf
- Payroll export & integration
- Award interpretation & compliance
- Time & attendance tracking
- Staff availability management
- Automatic shift notifications
Start your free trial →
Why use this instead of Excel?
Spreadsheets work, but purpose-built tools work better.
Version chaos
Excel spreadsheets
Multiple copies floating around. Nobody knows which is current.
This tool
One roster, always up to date.
Mobile nightmare
Excel spreadsheets
Pinch and zoom through tiny cells. Staff miss shifts.
This tool
Mobile-first design. Easy on any device.
Time wasted
Excel spreadsheets
Formatting cells, copying formulas, calculating hours.
This tool
Drag, drop, done. Hours calculated automatically.
When do you need paid software?
This free tool is perfect for small teams. Here's when it makes sense to upgrade.
Free tool is enough when...
- You have a small team (under 10 staff)
- Simple, predictable shift patterns
- Payroll handled separately
- No award interpretation needed
Consider upgrading when...
- Managing 10+ staff with varying availability
- Need award interpretation for penalty rates
- Want GPS clock-ins and timesheets
- Need payroll export to Xero/MYOB
See full rostering software →
Industries that use free roster tools
This free roster builder works across industries. Here's how different businesses use it.
Hospitality
Hotels, pubs, and event venues managing rotating shifts across front desk, housekeeping, and bar staff. Balance irregular hours and weekend peaks.
See hospitality solutionsRetail
Schedule floor staff around trading hours and peak shopping periods. Ensure coverage during busy times while keeping hours fair across the team.
See retail solutionsCafes & Restaurants
Coordinate kitchen and front-of-house teams around service rushes. Handle split shifts and match staffing to reservations and walk-ins.
See cafe solutionsTrades & Services
Assign technicians and contractors to job sites across the week. Account for travel time and job duration with a clear weekly view.
See trades solutionsNFPs & Community
Coordinate volunteer shifts without software costs. Professional rostering at zero cost for op-shops, events, and community programs.
See NFP solutionsOther Industries
Healthcare, fitness, childcare, and more.
View all industriesWhen you need more than basic rostering
This free tool is perfect for simple schedules. Growing teams benefit from automation that saves hours each week.
Staff availability tracking
Let staff submit their availability through the app. See who's free before you schedule.
Team notifications
Publish rosters and notify your team instantly via app, email, or SMS.
Award interpretation
Automatic penalty rates, overtime, and allowances calculated to Fair Work standards.
Time & attendance
GPS clock-ins, photo verification, and timesheet approvals in one platform.
Shift swaps & open shifts
Let staff swap shifts or pick up open shifts without manager back-and-forth.
Payroll integration
Export award-interpreted timesheets directly to Xero or MYOB.
Ready for smarter rostering?
Join 30,000+ Australian businesses using RosterElf to save hours on scheduling, automate award interpretation, and keep their team connected.