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For a straightforward scheduling alternative, start with Sling: it lists a free plan and a starting price of $1.70. Connecteam is worth comparing if you want scheduling alongside other workforce tools, while Sona is aimed at multi-site teams with 250 or more staff. The right switch depends on what is driving it: price, multi-location costs, employee access or the need to consolidate systems. Several options below have quote-only or unclear total pricing, so check the full cost before moving your team.
01Why people leave When I Work
Multi-location costs are hard to compare
One Reddit thread says other apps limited locations or charged extra; a commenter says Connecteam does not charge extra per location.
Shift changes can frustrate employees
A Reddit post objects to managers adjusting, cutting and locking shifts without face-to-face discussion.
Seasonal access and app reliability concerns
One user reports losing access to features after hibernation; another reports repeated logouts and shifts not appearing.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Low-cost scheduling
SlingSlingSling is the closest fit if you want basic shift coordination without moving to a broad HR platform. Its listing shows a free plan and a starting price of $1.70, and it is also positioned for labor-cost tracking. That makes it a practical first comparison for a small team looking to lower its scheduling bill. Check the plan gates before relying on time tracking or reports.
Trade-off: Time tracking and reports may depend on the plan.
7.5/10from
$1.70/mofree plan - Multi-tool hourly teams
ConnecteamConnecteamConnecteam suits teams looking to combine scheduling and time tracking, rather than replace When I Work with another narrow scheduling tool. Its listing includes a free plan and a $29 starting price. In one Reddit thread, a commenter recommends it for multi-location businesses and says it does not charge extra per location. Confirm hub costs and reporting fit before switching.
Trade-off: Hub costs and reporting needs can affect the value.
6.8/10from
$29/mofree plan - Large multi-site teams
SonaSona
Sona is aimed at multi-site teams with 250 or more staff and shift-based frontline organizations. It may be a better shortlist candidate than a small-team scheduler if your goal is to consolidate workforce operations across locations. Pricing is not published on the vendor's site, so ask for a quote and compare the full cost with your current setup before committing.
Trade-off: Pricing is not published, so value is hard to assess.
6.0/10from
Custom - Complex scheduling needs
UKG ProUKG ProUKG Pro is worth considering when scheduling is part of a larger HR and payroll decision, especially for teams with complex workforce schedules or union scheduling needs. That broader scope may suit an organization that has outgrown basic shift tools. The listing does not publish pricing, so request a quote and check employee experience before treating it as a replacement.
Trade-off: Quote-only pricing and employee experience need checking.
5.8/10from
Custom - HR and payroll consolidation
RipplingRipplingRippling is a broader workforce platform for teams consolidating HR and payroll or managing global employees. It is less of a direct scheduling swap than Sling or Connecteam, but may fit if the switch is part of a wider systems change. Its listed starting price is $8; total pricing is unclear, so get a full quote for the modules you need.
Trade-off: Unclear total pricing makes budgeting difficult.
6.2/10from
$8/mo - Broad HCM coverage
DayforceDayforceDayforce may suit organizations seeking broad HCM coverage and evaluating global payroll alongside workforce needs. It is not the simplest like-for-like scheduling alternative on this list. The pricing page has no published price and notes user complaints about usability and reporting, so compare those concerns against your requirements before moving beyond an initial evaluation.
Trade-off: Quote-only pricing; usability and reporting complaints are noted.
4.4/10from
Custom
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 When I Work When I Work (current) | 6.4 | $2.50/mo | No | Hourly teams scheduling multiple locations |
| Sling Sling | 7.5 | $1.70/mo | Yes | Small teams needing basic scheduling |
| Connecteam Connecteam | 6.8 | $29/mo | Yes | Small teams needing a free starting plan |
| Sona Sona | 6.0 | Custom | No | Multi-site teams with 250+ staff |
| UKG Pro UKG Pro | 5.8 | Custom | No | Organizations consolidating HR and payroll |
| Rippling Rippling | 6.2 | $8/mo | No | Teams consolidating HR and payroll |
| Dayforce Dayforce | 4.4 | Custom | No | Organizations seeking broad HCM coverage |
Questions people ask
What is the best scheduling tool?
For a low-cost scheduling comparison, Sling lists a free plan and a $1.70 starting price. Connecteam may fit hourly teams combining scheduling and time tracking. Sona is positioned for multi-site teams with 250 or more staff, but its pricing is not published.
Is When I Work free?
The published When I Work listing shows a starting price of $2.50, but it does not confirm whether a free plan is available. Check the current pricing page for plan details and any limits before comparing it with alternatives that explicitly list a free plan.
What apps are similar to Workwhile?
If you are comparing tools for shift-based teams, Sling and Connecteam are the closest scheduling-focused options in this list. Sona is positioned for larger, multi-site frontline organizations. The published information does not describe Workwhile’s features, so compare current plan details against your specific needs.