7shifts
7shifts is a specialized team management platform designed for the restaurant industry to simplify employee scheduling, labor cost tracking, team communication, and integrated payroll processing in one place.
Square Payroll
Square Payroll is a full-service payroll software that automates tax filings, employee payments, and benefits management for small businesses using integrated time tracking and point-of-sale data.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | 7shifts | Square Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Website | 7shifts.com | squareup.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 14 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2014 | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Saskatoon, Canada | San Francisco, USA |
Overview
7shifts
7shifts is a dedicated team management platform built specifically for the restaurant industry. You can move away from messy spreadsheets and paper schedules by using an intuitive drag-and-drop builder that accounts for staff availability and labor costs. It helps you stay compliant with local labor laws while ensuring you always have the right number of people on the floor during busy shifts.
You can manage your entire workforce from a single dashboard, from hiring and onboarding to tracking time and processing payroll. The platform integrates directly with your Point of Sale (POS) system to sync real-time sales data, allowing you to make smarter staffing decisions based on actual demand. Whether you run a single cafe or a national restaurant chain, you can streamline your operations and improve team communication through a centralized mobile app.
Square Payroll
Square Payroll simplifies how you pay your team by automating the most complex parts of business ownership. You can pay employees and contractors in just a few clicks, whether they are hourly or salaried. The platform automatically calculates, files, and pays your federal and state payroll taxes, ensuring you stay compliant without manual paperwork. Because it integrates directly with Square POS, your team's hours sync automatically, eliminating the need for manual data entry or messy spreadsheets.
You can manage everything from a single dashboard, including workers' compensation, health insurance, and 401(k) plans. The system supports flexible payment options like Instant Payments, allowing you to send funds to employees the same day they work. Whether you are running a single coffee shop or managing multiple retail locations, you get a straightforward tool that handles the back-office heavy lifting so you can focus on growing your business.
Overview
7shifts Features
- Drag-and-Drop Scheduling Create and publish weekly schedules in minutes while automatically accounting for employee availability and time-off requests.
- POS Integration Connect your POS system to view real-time sales data alongside your schedule to optimize labor targets.
- Mobile Team App Give your staff the ability to view schedules, swap shifts, and chat with teammates directly from their smartphones.
- Labor Budgeting Set labor-to-sales goals and receive alerts when you are at risk of hitting overtime or exceeding your budget.
- Integrated Time Clocking Track exact clock-in times and prevent buddy punching with photo enforcement and GPS geofencing on tablets.
- Compliance Tools Stay ahead of labor regulations with automated alerts for missed breaks, overtime, and fair workweek requirements.
Square Payroll Features
- Automated Tax Filings. Let the software calculate, file, and pay your state and federal payroll taxes automatically to ensure total compliance.
- Time Card Sync. Import employee hours directly from Square POS or the Team App to eliminate manual data entry errors.
- Instant Payments. Access your funds immediately and pay your team the same day they work using your Square Balance.
- Benefits Integration. Offer and manage health insurance, 401(k) plans, and workers' comp directly through your payroll dashboard.
- Contractor Payments. Pay your independent contractors via direct deposit and let the system generate and file 1099-NEC forms.
- Employee Mobile App. Give your team a dedicated app to track their hours, view pay stubs, and manage their tax forms.
Pricing Comparison
7shifts Pricing
- Up to 30 employees
- 1 location only
- Basic scheduling
- Time off management
- Team communication app
- Availability tracking
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Unlimited employees
- POS integrations
- Advanced reporting
- Labor budgeting tools
- Compliance alerts
Square Payroll Pricing
- $5 per person paid monthly
- No monthly base fee
- Direct deposit included
- 1099-NEC generation and filing
- Self-service contractor account
- Everything in Contractor plan, plus:
- $6 per person paid monthly
- Full-service tax filings
- Time card and POS integration
- Health insurance and 401(k) access
- Live phone and chat support
Pros & Cons
7shifts
Pros
- Highly intuitive interface designed for non-technical staff
- Seamless integration with popular restaurant POS systems
- Mobile app significantly reduces scheduling phone calls
- Effective labor cost tracking helps maintain profitability
Cons
- Payroll integration can require manual data cleanup
- Advanced reporting is locked behind higher-priced tiers
- Occasional notification delays on the mobile app
Square Payroll
Pros
- Seamless integration with Square Point of Sale
- Automatic tax filing saves hours of manual work
- Simple and transparent per-employee pricing model
- Easy setup process for new business owners
Cons
- Customer support can be difficult to reach
- Limited advanced HR features for large corporations
- Account freezes can occasionally delay payroll processing