EpicShifts vs Deputy
Deputy is a powerful per-user scheduler with strong forecasting. EpicShifts is flat-rate with unlimited employees and a built-in shift marketplace.
By Dustin Hanke, Founder, EpicShifts · Updated August 2026
EpicShifts vs Deputy at a glance
Deputy is a capable workforce-management platform with auto-scheduling, demand forecasting, and a large feature set — priced per user with a monthly minimum. EpicShifts is flat-rate with unlimited employees, and leads with the Open Shifts Marketplace and schedule-integrated messaging.
Deputy pricing (2026) vs EpicShifts
Deputy is priced per user, per month (with a monthly minimum). EpicShifts is flat-rate: Free (10 employees, 1 location), Crew $39/mo, Business $79/mo + $69/extra location, Enterprise $149/mo. Unlimited employees on every paid plan.
| Deputy plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | None | Legacy free Starter plan discontinued |
| Lite | $5/user/mo | $30/mo minimum spend |
| Core | $6.50/user/mo | $30/mo minimum spend |
| Pro | $9/user/mo | $30/mo minimum spend |
Deputy (Per user, per month (with a monthly minimum)): Deputy: Lite $5/user, Core ~$6.50/user, Pro ~$9/user per month, with a $30/month minimum; its legacy free Starter plan is being discontinued (sunset announced for October 2025), so there is no free path for small teams. As of August 2026.
| Feature | EpicShifts | Deputy |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Flat-rate per plan | Per user + $25/mo minimum |
| Cost for ~30 employees | $39–$79/mo flat | ~$150–$270/mo (30 × $5–$9) |
| Free plan | Yes — 20 employees, 1 location | No (31-day trial) |
| Open Shifts Marketplace | Yes — post, claim, swap, cross-location | Open shifts / swaps |
| Team messaging tied to the schedule | Yes | News feed / notifications |
| AI auto-scheduling + forecasting | AI auto-scheduling (Business) | Auto-scheduling + demand forecasting (a Deputy strength) |
| GPS / geofenced clock-in | GPS + photo (Crew+) | Geofencing |
| Native iOS + Android apps | Yes | Yes |
Where EpicShifts wins
- Flat-rate vs per-user with a $25/month minimum: a 30-person team is ~$39–$79/month flat vs roughly $150–$270/month on Deputy.
- A real free plan for up to 10 employees — Deputy has no free tier.
- The Open Shifts Marketplace and schedule-tied messaging as core features.
Where Deputy is strong
- Strong demand forecasting, auto-scheduling, and labor optimization.
- Mature enterprise capabilities (SSO, custom access, sandbox) for larger or complex operations.
Pick Deputy if you need its advanced demand forecasting and enterprise controls and per-user pricing works for your headcount.
Frequently asked questions
Is EpicShifts cheaper than Deputy?
For most teams past a handful of people, yes — EpicShifts is flat-rate while Deputy bills per user with a $25/month minimum, so Deputy’s total scales with headcount.
Does EpicShifts do auto-scheduling like Deputy?
Yes — AI auto-scheduling is included on the Business plan. Deputy’s forecasting/optimization suite is more extensive if that is your primary need.
See why teams switch to EpicShifts
Flat-rate, unlimited employees, and the Open Shifts Marketplace. Start free — no credit card.
Dustin Hanke, Founder, EpicShifts — Dustin builds EpicShifts and writes about scheduling, labor cost, and shift-work operations for restaurants and other hourly teams.
Deputy details reflect that company's publicly listed information as of August 2026 and may have changed — please verify on their website. Deputy and all other names are trademarks of their respective owners; EpicShifts is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Deputy. Comparison provided for informational purposes.We Value Your Privacy
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