Employee scheduling software · ranked #10 of 11
Sling: review, pricing and alternatives
Tenth because shift scheduling is free for up to 30 users and paid tiers start at $1.70, but Toast ownership points its roadmap at restaurants.
Sling at a glance
- Rank
- #10 of 11 in Employee scheduling software
- Best for
- Small teams wanting free scheduling
- Pricing
- Per user / month
- Free option
- Free plan
- Headquarters
- Boston, United States
- Key features
- Shift scheduling, Time-off requests, Messaging and newsfeed, Time clock, Labor cost tracking
- Last checked
- 2026-11-11
Where Sling wins
- Sling gives a small team scheduling, time-off requests and group messaging for nothing, up to 30 users.
- Premium adds mobile time tracking and labor cost management at $2 per user a month, and the Business tier adds kiosk clocking and reports.
- Toast bought it in 2022 and now markets it as Sling by Toast.
- It sits tenth because the free tier is attractive but the product is leaner than the products above it.
Where it falls short
- Reports, kiosk clocking and no-show tracking require the Business tier.
- The 30-user limit on the free plan blocks mid-sized firms.
- Toast sells restaurant software, so the roadmap may lean toward restaurants, and the marketing pages now use two brand names.
- Employers with strict labor-law or multi-country needs should choose Deputy, Planday or Shiftbase.
Our verdict on Sling
Sling gives a small team scheduling, time-off requests and group messaging for nothing, up to 30 users. Premium adds mobile time tracking and labor cost management at $2 per user a month, and the Business tier adds kiosk clocking and reports. Toast bought it in 2022 and now markets it as Sling by Toast.
It sits tenth because the free tier is attractive but the product is leaner than the products above it.
Where Sling falls short
Reports, kiosk clocking and no-show tracking require the Business tier. The 30-user limit on the free plan blocks mid-sized firms. Toast sells restaurant software, so the roadmap may lean toward restaurants, and the marketing pages now use two brand names.
Compliance depth is basic.
Who should look elsewhere
Employers with strict labor-law or multi-country needs should choose Deputy, Planday or Shiftbase. Companies wanting an independent vendor not owned by a point-of-sale supplier should look elsewhere.
Sling pricing
Free for up to 30 users; Premium $2.00 and Business $4.00 per user per month, or $1.70 and $3.40 billed annually; 15-day trial.
Pricing as published by the vendor on the date above; check the vendor's pricing page before you buy.
Sling fact sheet
| Rank | #10 of 11 in Employee scheduling software |
|---|---|
| Category | Employee scheduling software |
| Best for | Small teams wanting free scheduling |
| Pricing model | Per user / month |
| Free option | Free plan |
| Headquarters | Boston, United States |
| Company | Toast, Inc. |
| Address | 333 Summer Street, 02210, Boston, United States |
| Vendor size | Independent or mid-sized vendor |
| Website | getsling.com |
| Last checked | 2026-11-11 |
Key features
- Shift scheduling
- Time-off requests
- Messaging and newsfeed
- Time clock
- Labor cost tracking
- Task management
- Multi-location scheduling
- Calendar sync
Alternatives to Sling
HomebaseScheduling, time clock and payroll for small local businesses. Per location / month.
RotaCloudRota planning, holidays and clocking for UK small businesses. Tiered by headcount / month.
7shiftsScheduling, tips and payroll built for restaurants. Per location / month.Also ranked in
- #10 of 11 in Employee scheduling software
Sources checked
- Pricing: free for up to 30 users; Premium $2.00 ($1.70 annual), Business $4.00 ($3.40 annual) per user per month; 15-day trial Source
- Privacy statement: Toast, Inc., 333 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210 Source
- Business Wire: Toast announced acquisition of Sling on 7 July 2022 Source
Sling: common questions
What is Sling?
Sling is free scheduling and messaging, now Sling by Toast. Tenth because shift scheduling is free for up to 30 users and paid tiers start at $1.70, but Toast ownership points its roadmap at restaurants.
How much does Sling cost?
Free for up to 30 users; Premium $2.00 and Business $4.00 per user per month, or $1.70 and $3.40 billed annually; 15-day trial.
Does Sling have a free plan?
Free plan. Free for up to 30 users; Premium $2.00 and Business $4.00 per user per month, or $1.70 and $3.40 billed annually; 15-day trial.
What is Sling best for?
Sling is best for small teams wanting free scheduling. Tenth because shift scheduling is free for up to 30 users and paid tiers start at $1.70, but Toast ownership points its roadmap at restaurants.
Where is Sling based?
Sling is published by Toast, Inc., headquartered in Boston, United States.
Who should not use Sling?
Employers with strict labor-law or multi-country needs should choose Deputy, Planday or Shiftbase. Companies wanting an independent vendor not owned by a point-of-sale supplier should look elsewhere.
What are the best alternatives to Sling?
In our Employee scheduling software ranking the closest alternatives are Homebase, RotaCloud, 7shifts. See the full ranking for the other options.