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.
Toast
Toast is an all-in-one point of sale and restaurant management platform designed to help you streamline operations, increase sales, and create better guest experiences through integrated technology.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | 7shifts | Toast |
|---|---|---|
| Website | 7shifts.com | toasttab.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 14 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2014 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Saskatoon, Canada | Boston, 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.
Toast
Toast is a comprehensive restaurant management platform that centralizes your entire operation into one system. You can handle everything from front-of-house point of sale transactions to back-of-house kitchen displays and inventory tracking. Whether you run a small cafe, a busy full-service restaurant, or a multi-location franchise, you can customize the hardware and software to fit your specific service model and workflow.
You can manage your staff with integrated payroll and scheduling tools while building guest loyalty through built-in marketing and rewards programs. The platform also enables you to expand your reach with online ordering and delivery integration, ensuring you never miss a sale. By putting all your data in one place, you can make faster, more informed decisions to grow your business and improve your bottom line.
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.
Toast Features
- Point of Sale. Process orders and payments quickly with durable hardware designed to withstand the heat and spills of a busy kitchen.
- Kitchen Display System. Connect your front and back of house instantly so your kitchen staff can manage tickets and prep times efficiently.
- Online Ordering. Take orders directly through your own website and skip the high commissions of third-party delivery apps.
- Inventory Management. Track your food costs in real-time and manage your stock levels to reduce waste and improve your margins.
- Payroll & Team Management. Simplify your administrative work by syncing timesheets directly with payroll and managing employee benefits in one place.
- Guest Loyalty Programs. Create custom rewards and email marketing campaigns to keep your customers coming back and increase their lifetime value.
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
Toast Pricing
- 1 terminal included
- Cloud-based POS software
- Payment processing integration
- Customer engagement tools
- Real-time reporting
- Standard support
- Everything in Quick Start, plus:
- Advanced POS functionality
- Table management
- Menu management
- Kitchen display system access
- Multi-location management
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
Toast
Pros
- Intuitive interface makes training new staff quick and easy
- Reliable offline mode keeps you taking orders during internet outages
- Hardware is specifically built for heavy restaurant use
- Seamless integration between online ordering and the kitchen
Cons
- Requires use of Toast for payment processing
- Contract terms can be long and difficult to exit
- Customer support response times vary during peak hours