Deputy vs When I Work
Deputy
Employee scheduling, time tracking, and payroll add-ons
From$5/mo
LiteVerified Sep 26, 2026
When I Work
Employee scheduling, time tracking, and team messaging
From$2.50/mo
EssentialsVerified Sep 26, 2026
How they differ
| Feature | Deputy | When I Work |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | $5/moLite | $2.50/moEssentials |
| Free plan | Not stated | Not stated |
| Free trial | Not stated | Yes |
| Payroll | — | |
| Field team management | ||
| Staff scheduling | ||
| Suits | plumbers, HVAC companies, electricians, roofers, landscapers | plumbers, HVAC companies, electricians, roofers, landscapers |
Users on the horizontal axis. Entry plans only, from verified prices; yearly prices divided by 12; vendor minimums applied. Taxes and add-ons excluded.
Deputy
Strengths
- Three clear per-user monthly tiers (Lite, Core, Pro)
- 10% discount for annual billing
- Payroll, HR, and messaging add-ons available on top of any tier
Drawbacks
- A $30/month minimum spend applies to every monthly plan
- Payroll and HR are separate paid add-ons, not included in the base tiers
When I Work
Strengths
- Simple per-user monthly pricing across three tiers
- 14-day free trial with full access and no credit card required
- Built-in team messaging alongside scheduling
Drawbacks
- No free plan, only a time-limited trial
- Higher tiers needed to unlock advanced labor cost and PTO controls
Frequently asked questions
What do Deputy and When I Work have in common?
Both cover staff scheduling and field team management.
Is Deputy cheaper than When I Work?
On entry plans for one user, Deputy costs $5 a month and When I Work $2.50, so When I Work is cheaper to start. The gap changes with team size and billing terms; see the chart above.