When I Work vs Asana
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
When I Work
When I Work is an employee scheduling and time tracking platform designed for hourly and shift-based teams. It makes it easy for managers to build schedules, communicate with staff, and track attendance. When I Work is one of the most affordable scheduling tools on the market.
Asana
Asana is a leading project management platform that helps teams organize, track, and manage their work. It offers multiple views including lists, boards, timelines, and calendars to suit different working styles. Asana is trusted by over 130,000 organizations worldwide for managing everything from daily tasks to complex cross-functional projects.
Pros
- ✓Very affordable pricing starting at just a few dollars per user
- ✓Easy-to-use scheduling with drag-and-drop interface
- ✓Good team messaging and shift swap tools
- ✓Simple time clock with GPS tracking
Cons
- ✗Limited features beyond scheduling and time tracking
- ✗No payroll processing or full HR suite
- ✗Reporting is basic compared to more comprehensive workforce tools
Pros
- ✓Intuitive interface that teams adopt quickly with minimal training
- ✓Multiple project views including list, board, and Gantt timeline
- ✓Strong automation features to reduce manual work
- ✓Generous free plan for small teams
Cons
- ✗Can feel overwhelming for simple use cases with too many features
- ✗Pricing jumps significantly from free to paid plans
- ✗No built-in time tracking on lower tiers
- ✗Limited native reporting on free plan
When I Work vs Asana: Side by Side
| Factor | When I Work | Asana |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Project Management |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $2.50/user/mo | Free |
| Best For | Small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers | Teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool |
| Our Pick | — | — |
When I Work Features
- ✓Shift scheduling
- ✓time clock
- ✓team messaging
- ✓attendance tracking
- ✓payroll export
Asana Features
- ✓Task and project management
- ✓timeline view
- ✓board view
- ✓workflow automation
- ✓reporting dashboards
- ✓goals tracking
- ✓integrations
- ✓mobile app
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose When I Work if small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers. Choose Asana if teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool.
Best For
Small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers
Best For
Teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool
Also Consider
If neither When I Work nor Asana is the right fit, Justworks is worth evaluating.
Justworks
Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits
From $59/employee/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between When I Work and Asana?
When I Work is best for small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers. Asana is best for teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool.
Which is better, When I Work or Asana?
Choose When I Work if small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers. Choose Asana if teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool.
How much does When I Work cost?
When I Work starts at $2.50/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Asana cost?
Asana starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use When I Work?
Small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers
Who should use Asana?
Teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool