Timely

Timely helps shift-based businesses build, share, and manage employee schedules. Managers describe their week in plain English and Timely's AI generates a schedule, which can be fine-tuned with drag and drop. Published schedules are sent to employees by SMS, with automatic shift reminders and time-off requests handled by text. The platform includes live overtime and labor cost previews, clock-in via SMS link with GPS verification or a kiosk PIN, timesheets that match punches to scheduled shifts, and payroll integrations with Square, Gusto, and QuickBooks. The website lists tiered plans (Free, Starter, Pro, Business, Business+, and Enterprise) with flat monthly pricing per tier and a free plan for solos and small teams.

Key features

• AI-generated schedules from plain-English descriptions with drag-and-drop fine-tuning
• SMS schedule delivery and no employee app required
• Automatic SMS shift reminders with configurable lead times
• Time-off requests submitted by text and approved or denied by manager
• Schedule rules for max hours, rest between shifts, minimum staffing, and keyholder requirements
• Live overtime and labor cost preview in the payroll view
• Clock-in via SMS link with GPS verification or shared kiosk with 4-digit PIN
• Timesheets that match punches to scheduled shifts with bulk approval and CSV export
• Integrations with Square, Gusto, and QuickBooks
• Employee tagging, team invites and roles, and schedule templates on listed plans

Best suited for

• Shift-based businesses such as restaurants and retail stores
• Managers who want to reduce time spent on scheduling
• Teams with employees who prefer text messages over installing an app
• Multi-location businesses that need payroll and labor cost visibility

Pricing

Free plan for up to 5 employees at 1 location at $0/mo; Starter at $49/mo; Pro at $99/mo; Business at $149/mo; Business+ at $299/mo; Enterprise is custom pricing. Annual billing is listed with a 17% savings on monthly prices.