Sling vs When I Work
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Employee scheduling made easy.
The verdict
Both Sling and When I Work are credible workforce management tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose Sling if you want a lower starting price (free – $2/user/mo) and a free plan to start on. Free employee scheduling.
Choose When I Work if you'd rather have a longer free trial (14 days). Employee scheduling made easy.
Sling vs When I Work: side by side
| Dimension | Sling | When I Work |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $2/user/moWinner | From $2.50/user/mo |
| Free plan | YesWinner | No |
| Free trial | — | 14 daysWinner |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Best for | Hourly Teams, Restaurants | Hourly Teams, Smb |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Web, Ios, Android |
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.4/5 |
Sling key facts
- Vendor
- Toast
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $2/user/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Hourly Teams, Restaurants
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Founded
- 2015
- Headquarters
- Boston, MA, USA
When I Work key facts
- Vendor
- When I Work
- Pricing
- Subscription — From $2.50/user/mo
- Free tier
- Free trial (14 days)
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Hourly Teams, Smb
- Editor rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Founded
- 2010
- Headquarters
- Minneapolis, MN, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Sling better than When I Work?
Neither is universally better — Sling edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Sling or When I Work cheaper?
Sling is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $2/user/mo. Sling starts at free – $2/user/mo; When I Work starts at from $2.50/user/mo.
Can Sling replace When I Work?
Yes for most teams — both are workforce management tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.