EpicShifts vs Sling
Sling has a generous free plan, then charges per user. EpicShifts is flat-rate with unlimited employees and a built-in shift marketplace.
By Dustin Hanke, Founder, EpicShifts · Updated August 2026
EpicShifts vs Sling at a glance
Sling (owned by Toast) offers a generous free tier for up to 30 users and inexpensive per-user paid plans. EpicShifts is flat-rate — so paid costs do not climb with headcount — and leads with the Open Shifts Marketplace and schedule-integrated messaging.
Sling pricing (2026) vs EpicShifts
Sling is priced per user, per month (generous free plan). 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.
| Sling plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Up to 30 users; scheduling + basic comms (no time clock) |
| Premium | $2/user/mo ($1.70 billed annually) | Adds time clock, labor cost tools |
| Business | $4/user/mo | Adds advanced reporting + management tools |
Sling (Per user, per month (generous free plan)): Sling: Free (up to 30 users; scheduling and basic comms — no time clock on the free tier); Premium $2/user/month ($1.70 billed annually); Business $4/user/month. As of August 2026.
| Feature | EpicShifts | Sling |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Flat-rate per plan | Per user (free up to 30 users) |
| Cost for ~40 employees (paid) | $39–$79/mo flat | ~$80–$160/mo (40 × $2–$4) |
| Free plan | Yes — 20 employees, 1 location | Yes — up to 30 users (generous) |
| Open Shifts Marketplace | Yes — post, claim, swap, cross-location | Open shifts / shift swaps |
| Team messaging tied to the schedule | Yes | Built-in messaging |
| GPS clock-in / labor cost | GPS + photo (Crew+) | GPS time tracking (Premium) |
| POS integrations | Square, Toast, Clover | Toast, Square, Clover (Business) |
| Native iOS + Android apps | Yes | Yes |
Where EpicShifts wins
- Flat-rate on paid plans vs per-user: a 40-person team on paid features is ~$39–$79/month flat vs roughly $80–$160/month on Sling.
- The Open Shifts Marketplace (post, claim, swap, cross-location) and schedule-tied messaging as core features.
- AI auto-scheduling, payroll integrations, and advanced analytics on Business.
Where Sling is strong
- A very generous free plan (up to 30 users) that is hard to beat at $0.
- Tight Toast POS integration and very low per-user paid pricing for smaller teams.
Pick Sling if its free plan covers your needs, or you want the cheapest possible per-user paid plan and tight Toast integration for a smaller team.
Frequently asked questions
Is EpicShifts better than Sling’s free plan?
Sling’s free plan is genuinely generous (up to 30 users). EpicShifts’ free plan covers 10 employees and is meant for trying it out; the difference shows on paid plans, where EpicShifts is flat-rate (unlimited employees) while Sling charges per user — so EpicShifts is usually cheaper once you need paid features at scale.
Does EpicShifts integrate with Toast?
Yes — EpicShifts integrates with Toast, Square, and Clover. Sling (owned by Toast) has especially tight Toast integration on its Business plan.
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.
Sling details reflect that company's publicly listed information as of August 2026 and may have changed — please verify on their website. Sling and all other names are trademarks of their respective owners; EpicShifts is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Sling. Comparison provided for informational purposes.We Value Your Privacy
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