When I Work vs 15Five
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.
15Five
15Five is a continuous performance management platform focused on weekly check-ins, OKRs, and employee engagement. It helps managers stay connected with their teams through structured feedback and recognition tools. 15Five is popular with remote and distributed teams that need async communication tools.
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
- ✓Simple and intuitive weekly check-in format that drives adoption
- ✓Strong OKR and goal-setting tools
- ✓Excellent manager training and coaching resources
- ✓Good engagement survey tools with benchmarking
Cons
- ✗Limited HR functionality beyond performance and engagement
- ✗No payroll or benefits administration
- ✗Reporting could be more advanced for data-driven HR teams
When I Work vs 15Five: Side by Side
| Factor | When I Work | 15Five |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $2.50/user/mo | $4/user/mo |
| Best For | Small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers | Companies focused on employee engagement and performance |
| Our Pick | — | — |
When I Work Features
- ✓Shift scheduling
- ✓time clock
- ✓team messaging
- ✓attendance tracking
- ✓payroll export
15Five Features
- ✓Weekly check-ins
- ✓OKRs
- ✓performance reviews
- ✓engagement surveys
- ✓manager training
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose When I Work if small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers. Choose 15Five if companies focused on employee engagement and performance.
Best For
Small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers
Best For
Companies focused on employee engagement and performance
How When I Work and 15Five Are Similar
- •Both are HR Software platforms designed for business teams
- •Both offer web-based access with no software installation required
- •Both provide customer support and onboarding resources
- •Both integrate with popular third-party business tools
- •Both offer a trial or demo to evaluate before purchasing
Also Consider
If neither When I Work nor 15Five 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 15Five?
When I Work is best for small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers. 15Five is best for companies focused on employee engagement and performance.
Which is better, When I Work or 15Five?
Choose When I Work if small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers. Choose 15Five if companies focused on employee engagement and performance.
How much does When I Work cost?
When I Work starts at $2.50/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does 15Five cost?
15Five starts at $4/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use When I Work?
Small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers
Who should use 15Five?
Companies focused on employee engagement and performance