Is 7shifts better than Convey?

7shifts is better if you run a multi-location full-service restaurant and need deep POS integrations, tip pooling, and a long track record. Convey is better if you run a small shop, your staff hates apps, and you want AI scheduling without paying per head.

Does 7shifts offer SMS scheduling?

7shifts can send SMS notifications in some tiers, but the primary delivery channel is their mobile app. Convey is SMS-first: every schedule lands as a text, no app download, no account.

How does pricing compare?

7shifts charges per location with tiered plans. Convey charges a flat $19/mo for unlimited employees, with a free tier up to 10 employees. For a small restaurant, Convey is almost always cheaper.

Comparison

Convey vs 7shifts

Here's how we compare, honestly. 7shifts is a mature, full-stack restaurant team platform. Convey is a lean, AI-assisted scheduler that delivers by SMS. Neither fits everyone — here's who each is better for.

Feature matrix

Compared against public information on 7shifts' pricing and feature pages. Anything we couldn't verify is marked "see pricing page".

Feature	Convey	7shifts
SMS schedule delivery (no app)	primary channel	partialpush + email; SMS exists
Employee app required		mobile app is the main channel
AI weekly schedule generation	Claude Sonnet	partialauto-scheduler / templates
Free tier	up to 10 employees	Comp plan, limited features
Pricing model	$19/mo flat, unlimited	per-location, tiered
Target market	small restaurants, bars, cafes	full-service restaurants, multi-location
POS integrations	planned	broad ecosystem
Payroll integrations	planned
Tip pooling
Labor forecasting	partialbasic targets
Drag-and-drop grid editor
Shift swap / callout coverage	AI-ranked
Time clock / timesheets	planned
Free trial	Free plan, no trial needed	14 days of The Works
Works on any phone (even flip phones)

Comparison last reviewed April 2026. Competitor pricing and features change frequently — always verify on their official pricing page before deciding.

When 7shifts is the better choice

If you run a multi-location full-service restaurant, 7shifts almost certainly fits your stack better. Their POS integrations, tip pool management, and labor forecasting are built for operators who live in a GM role and treat scheduling as one slice of a bigger workflow.

They've been around since 2014, have a large customer base, and ship features for corporate operators — accountant exports, compliance reporting, tip distribution across servers and back-of-house. If any of that is non-negotiable, pick them.

When Convey is the better choice

If your staff just wants to know when they're working, Convey wins. We text the schedule. They tap a link. No app install, no account, no "please update your password". The schedule arrives the same way a friend texts you.

Pricing is flat: $19/mo for unlimited employees, free under ten. No per-head fees, no per-location fees. And the AI actually drafts the week — you type your constraints, Claude Sonnet writes a conflict-free schedule in seconds.

FAQ

Is 7shifts better than Convey?: 7shifts is better if you run a multi-location full-service restaurant and need deep POS integrations, tip pooling, and a long track record. Convey is better if you run a small shop, your staff hates apps, and you want AI scheduling without paying per head.
Does 7shifts offer SMS scheduling?: 7shifts can send SMS notifications in some tiers, but the primary delivery channel is their mobile app. Convey is SMS-first: every schedule lands as a text, no app download, no account.
How does pricing compare?: 7shifts charges per location with tiered plans. Convey charges a flat $19/mo for unlimited employees, with a free tier up to 10 employees. For a small restaurant, Convey is almost always cheaper.

Try Convey free

Free up to 10 employees. $19/mo flat after that. No credit card.

See pricing How it works

Also see: vs Homebase · vs When I Work · vs Deputy