Best Alternatives to Deputy for 2025

As workforce demands become more dynamic, businesses need smarter, more flexible software to juggle rostering, compliance, time tracking, and communication. While Deputy is a familiar and reliable choice, many teams are seeking solutions that go beyond its core strength, especially in customization, mobile reliability, and advanced automation.

In this guide, we explore four of the best alternatives to Deputy, each offering unique strengths to help you find the right match for your 2025 needs.

1. Why Consider an Alternative to Deputy?

Deputy excels at intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling, time tracking (with GPS, facial recognition), automated labor forecasting, and seamless payroll integrations.

But as users grow and workflows evolve, some limitations become more glaring:

• Limited customization for scheduling rules and templates
  
• Sync issues and inflexibility with third-party payroll systems
  
• Mobile app glitches, including slow loading or crashing on older devices
  
• Complex setup process that can overwhelm new users 

So, if you're craving smoother automations, more stability on mobile, or a platform that fits your business quirks better read on.

Best Alternatives to Deputy in 2025

Deputy remains a strong workforce management tool, especially for multi-location shift-based staffing in retail and hospitality. But for many businesses, alternatives offer better pricing, simpler interfaces, integration options, or specialized features. Below are five solid Deputy alternatives, each with an overview, key features, pros, cons, and pricing.

1. imploy – The Most Adaptive Deputy Alternative

imploy is an all-in-one workforce platform built for Australian care and service teams, combining scheduling, compliance, payroll, and AI to smooth out those Deputy pain points.

Key Features:

• Smart Rostering: Drag-and-drop shifts that adapt in real time plus smart matching to staff by skills, availability, continuity, and location.
  
• Mobile App: Field-ready app where staff log notes, mark attendance, and get updates without frustrating crashes.
  
• Payroll & Invoicing: Seamlessly connects STP, PRODA, and Xero no more sync headaches.
  
• Compliance Tools: Auto-alerts for expiring credentials, incident tracking, worker screening keeping you ahead of audit stress.
  
• Care Management & CRM: Centralise records, care plans, onboarding, lead tracking making admin a breeze.
  
• AI Enhancements:
  
  • AI-powered Smart Shift Matching ensures you always place the right person for the right service, automatically recommending staff based on client preferences, past reviews, proximity, and staff experience.
  • Intelligent Note Enhancement turns rough field notes into polished, compliant records.

Pros:

• Built for both NDIS and aged care
  
• Very user-friendly
  
• Responsive local support
  
• Free Lite Plan for small teams
  
• Advanced AI features for rostering and note-taking
  

Cons:

• Newer platform, still building third-party integrations
  

Pricing:

• Lite: Free for up to 5 users
  
• Team: $17/user/month
  
• Premium: $19/user/month (includes payroll, HR, and unlimited storage)

2. Lumary

Lumary is a powerful care management platform built on Salesforce, designed for large NDIS and aged care providers who need enterprise-level functionality. It offers robust tools for compliance, data management, and service delivery, but may be complex for smaller teams due to its advanced setup.

Key Features:

• Integrated Client Management: End-to-end visibility of client records, including progress notes, goals, and care plans.
• Smart Scheduling & Rostering: Real-time staff rostering, availability tracking, and shift matching.
• NDIS & Aged Care Billing: Automated funding claims and compliance-ready invoicing for NDIS, CHSP, and HCP services.
• Compliance & Risk Management: Built-in alerts, documentation, and audit trails to support sector regulations.
• Mobile App for Support Workers: Allows staff to view schedules, log notes, and record outcomes on the go.
• Data & Reporting Dashboards: Custom reports, KPIs, and outcomes tracking for performance-based care delivery.

Pros:

• Powerful data insights.
• Configurable to unique care models.
• Strong Compliance Tools.

Cons:

• Steep learning curve due to Salesforce complexity.
• Heavily Dependent on Salesforce.
• Long implementation times and high setup costs.

Pricing:

• Custom Pricing Only: Every plan is tailored. 
• There are no fixed “Basic”, “Standard”, or “Premium” tiers. You must contact Lumary for a quote based on your organisational requirements.

3. Brevity

Brevity is a highly configurable care management platform designed for NDIS, aged care, and disability service providers. Known for its flexibility, it helps reduce manual admin with automation tools across rostering, billing, and compliance, making it well-suited for providers needing deep customisation.

Key Features:

• Advanced Rostering & Scheduling: Supports individual and group shift planning, staff allocation, leave tracking, and integrates with mobile devices for real-time updates and digital clock-ins.
• NDIS-Ready Billing & Invoicing: Comes pre-loaded with NDIS pricing guides and includes tools for bulk claims, automated service agreements, and streamlined invoicing for both clients and third parties.
• Mobile & Web App Access: Staff can view rosters, log timesheets, submit incident reports, and access client documents via the Brevity mobile app.
• Analytics, Reporting & Alerts: Offers live dashboards, KPI tracking, a custom report builder, and alerts to flag funding thresholds, compliance deadlines, or documentation gaps.

Pros:

• Strong integration with accounting platforms.
• Flexible and adaptable to unique provider needs.
• Easy mobile access for frontline staff.
• Budget-friendly for smaller providers.

Cons:

• The user interface is less intuitive and can feel outdated.
• No self-service onboarding.
• Lacks some of the automation and AI-driven scalability found in newer platforms.

Pricing:

• Business Plan: $69.90 per user/month‍
• Enterprise Plan: Price on request, includes advanced features like API access, enhanced data security, and workflow automation.

4. HPA Plus‍

HPA Plus is a comprehensive care management platform tailored for NDIS and aged care providers. It simplifies day-to-day operations by automating workflows, offering secure cloud access, and integrating seamlessly with key systems like NDIA, Xero, and HICAPS. Designed to improve efficiency, HPA Plus supports providers with everything from rostering and billing to compliance management.

‍Key Features:

• Client & Case Management: Keep all essential client information in one place, including care plans, progress notes, goals, and documentation.
• Smart Rostering & Time Tracking: Schedule shifts, manage staff expenses, and track time with ease through both web and mobile platforms.
• Automated Invoicing & Billing: Generate invoices across multiple devices, with full support for NDIS price guide updates and billing based on progress notes.
• Compliance & Document Management: Store and manage compliance documents securely for clients, staff, and operations with centralised uploads.
• Integrations & API Access: Integrates with Xero, HICAPS, and NDIA, with built-in API for custom system connections.

Pros:

• NDIS and aged care ready.
• Affordable and scalable for teams of all sizes.
• Fully cloud-based with multi-device accessibility.
• Helps automate routine workflows.

Cons:

• Interface can feel outdated.
• No AI Integration.
• User experience is less intuitive.
• Onboarding and training may take longer.

Pricing:

• Unrestricted Features Plan: $5 per user/month for 41-80 users.‍
• Unrestricted Features Plan: $8.4 per user/month for 1-5 users.

Comparison Table: Deputy vs Alternatives 

Why imploy is the best alternative to Deputy?

1. Built for Australian teams, not just shift work
Deputy is great for general scheduling, but imploy is purpose-built for NDIS, aged care, and service providers with native PRODA, STP, and Xero integrations so payroll and compliance happen without extra steps or third-party tools.

2. Smarter rostering with AI
While Deputy’s rostering is intuitive, imploy takes it further with AI-powered Smart Shift Matching, recommending the right staff based on skills, client preferences, location, and past performance, all in real time.

3. Mobile-first and field-ready
Imploy’s mobile app is built for frontline reliability, letting staff log attendance, complete notes, and get updates without the crashes or lag some users report with Deputy’s app.

4. All-in-one platform, fewer moving parts
Instead of piecing together separate rostering, HR, payroll, compliance, and CRM tools, imploy gives you a single, unified system, reducing admin, logins, and integration headaches.

5. Affordable and scalable
Imploy’s Lite plan is free for up to 5 users, and paid plans start from AU$17/user/month, making it accessible for small teams and cost-effective as you grow.

Switch to imploy and get rostering, compliance, payroll, and care management working in sync without the compromises.

Final Thoughts

Selecting the right workforce management platform can make all the difference in streamlining scheduling, improving payroll accuracy, and keeping teams connected. While Deputy remains a popular choice, its limitations like restricted customisation, integration issues, and mobile app glitches can hinder productivity for some providers.

Alternatives like imploy, Lumary, Brevity, and HPA Plus each bring their own strengths, from AI-powered rostering to enterprise grade compliance tools.

Among these, imploy stands out as the most well-rounded option offering advanced automation, seamless integrations, and intuitive design at a competitive price. Whether you’re managing a small team or scaling operations, imploy provides the flexibility, compliance, and efficiency that Australian providers need to thrive in 2025 and beyond.

FAQs

1. Which Deputy alternative is best for small businesses?
imploy and HPA Plus are excellent for small to medium providers, thanks to their affordable pricing and easy onboarding.

2. Do these alternatives integrate with Xero and MYOB?
Yes, all listed platforms offer payroll integrations, but Lumary and imploy have the widest range of options.

3. Which option has the most advanced rostering features?
imploy uses AI Matching for smart rostering, while HPA Plus offers powerful scheduling with minimal setup.

4. Is Deputy still a good option in 2025?
Yes, but if you’ve struggled with setup complexity, mobile performance, or integration issues, it may be worth trialling one of these alternatives.

5. Is there a free or trial version available for these platforms?
Yes, imploy offers a free plan for up to 5 users. Others might provide demos or trial period upon request.

6. Why is imploy a top choice for providers?
Employ combines AI automation, seamless PRODA.STP integration, a modern mobile app, making it easy to use and ready to grow with your business.

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