Deputy takes a slightly different approach to HR. It’s aimed most squarely at businesses that operate shift or rota working patterns, and is marketed as a solution to help you manage teams that run in that way. As such, it’s likely to be most beneficial for businesses operating in the service sector, particularly restaurants and retailers.

Rota management is at the heart of Deputy, and it does this very well. It includes a system for notifying employees directly via their smartphone of rota additions or changes, and integrates seamlessly with a time tracking system to simplify the creation of time sheets.

Beyond shift and rota management, Deputy also offers a pretty comprehensive range of basic HR tools. Time off tracking, scheduling, and HR reporting are all included. You’ll also have the ability to run performance reviews, and there are tools for onboarding new employees.

However, Deputy lacks some key functionality. Support for benefits is absent, as is any form of document tracking. You may also miss applicant tracking features if you’re hiring.

Deputy's Starter plan is free, while its Premium package costs £3 per employee per month. Support is offered by phone and live chat.