Restaurant Tools Lab
Compare • Reviews • Analysis • About

Management & Operations

Tools for table planning, staff scheduling and the daily management of your business.

How we test: We test every tool for at least 14 days in real-world use, compare features, pricing structure and support, and update our findings regularly.

OUR PICK
Monday.com
Free to use

Monday.com

Team and project management

Flexible work OS with boards, automations and dashboards for teams of any size. Particularly strong for individually customizable workflows.

Free for up to 2 users, paid plans from approx. $9 per user/month

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Deputy
Free trial

Deputy

Staff scheduling and time tracking

Focused on shift scheduling, time tracking and compliance in shift-based work - widely used in hospitality and retail.

Plans from approx. $5 per user/month

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TestGorilla
Free to use

TestGorilla

Pre-screening and skills tests for your team

Over 350 scientifically validated tests for objective candidate pre-screening - saves time in the recruiting process.

Free entry-level version, paid plans from approx. $140/month (billed annually)

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How do these tools complement each other?

These three tools aren't competitors - they cover different stages of workforce management: TestGorilla helps with objective pre-screening of new hires, Deputy then handles shift scheduling and time tracking, and Monday.com coordinates the team's broader tasks and workflows. Together they cover the chain hiring -> scheduling -> daily operations.

Product Strengths Value for money Unique selling point Why choose this
Monday.com
  • Very flexible boards
  • Many automations
  • Good integrations
Solid, extra costs possible via AI credits Customizable work OS instead of rigid templates When tasks and projects need central visibility
Deputy
  • Simple shift scheduling
  • Good mobile app
  • Compliance features
Affordable entry, watch the minimum monthly spend Focused on shift work rather than general project management When shift scheduling and time tracking are the priority
TestGorilla
  • Large test library
  • Good anti-cheating features
  • Free to start
Higher entry price with annual contract Scientifically validated skills tests instead of resume screening When candidates need to be assessed objectively upfront

Bottom line: why the combination pays off

Using only one of the three tools always covers just a slice of workforce management. TestGorilla alone helps with selection, but shifts still need to be scheduled manually afterwards. Deputy alone organizes schedules, but doesn't replace structured pre-screening or project coordination. Monday.com alone bundles tasks without covering scheduling or candidate screening. Only together do they form a seamless chain from hiring to daily operations - without duplicate data entry or spreadsheets as a stopgap.

Frequently asked questions

Do I really need all three tools?

Not necessarily - if you're not hiring right now, Deputy alone may be enough for scheduling. Once recruiting and broader project coordination come into play, the combination shows its value.

What if I only want to use one?

We recommend starting with the tool that solves your biggest current bottleneck - usually Deputy for scheduling.

How up to date are the prices?

We check prices regularly, but providers can change their rates at any time. The price on the provider's website is always authoritative.

Prices as of July 2026, no guarantee - please check current prices and terms directly with the provider. Some links are affiliate links.