Relentify Timesheets vs Deputy: Shift Management Software Compared
Deputy is the shift-management platform you've probably heard of — it handles scheduling, timesheets, GPS verification, and all the compliance bits that keep you from upsetting the Working Time Regulations. It works for hospitality, retail, and service sectors around the world. Relentify Timesheets tackles the same problem space (when do people work, how many hours did they work, is it legal?) but with a tighter focus: UK small businesses, lower per-worker cost, and verification features that go beyond what Deputy offers.
Here's how the two compare.
Pricing
Both platforms price by the worker, which is fair — you scale what you pay with how many people you employ.
| Plan | Relentify Timesheets | Deputy |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Yes (5 workers) | Free (100 shifts/month) |
| Starter | £3/worker/month | ~£3.50/worker/month |
| Professional | £5/worker/month | ~£4.70/worker/month |
| Scheduling | Included | Included |
Deputy's per-worker cost is fractionally higher. The real question isn't which number is smaller — it's what you get for that number. If you're managing 20 workers and need shift scheduling, the difference is 20-odd quid a month. That's not a decision-maker. What matters is: does it do what you need?
For UK small businesses, Relentify Timesheets includes GPS + photo verification, UK Working Time Regulations built in (not configured), and shift scheduling all at the lower per-worker cost. If all you need is basic scheduling and time tracking, you save money. If you need Deputy's advanced auto-scheduling and demand forecasting, the cost difference disappears against what those features would cost to build separately.
Check our current pricing and see which features fit your needs.
Core features and verification
Both platforms clock in/out on mobile, web, and kiosk. Both track breaks, apply overtime rules, manage leave, and export to payroll. The differences are in the details.
Verification is where things diverge. Buddy punching — one worker clocking in for another — is real and expensive. Deputy handles this with GPS geofencing. You set a fence around the work site, and if someone clocks in outside it, the system flags it.
Relentify Timesheets goes further: GPS verification and photo capture at clock-in. Workers take a selfie when they clock in. This confirms both location (GPS) and identity (their face). It's designed for environments where accuracy matters — construction sites, security work, hospitality kitchens — places where "I was at work" needs to be provable.
Neither is wrong. GPS is simpler and works at scale. Photo verification adds friction (one extra step) but dramatically reduces disputes. Deputy's approach is "trust the system." Relentify's is "verify everything."
Break tracking is another difference. UK Working Time Regulations say workers get specific breaks based on shift length (20 minutes after 6 hours). Deputy handles breaks competently. Relentify Timesheets is built around UK law — break rules are configured based on shift length automatically, violations are flagged, and the data protects you in an employment dispute.
| Core verification | Relentify Timesheets | Deputy |
|---|---|---|
| GPS location | Yes | Yes |
| Geofencing | Yes | Yes |
| Photo verification | Yes | No |
| IP restriction | Yes | No |
| Kiosk mode | Yes | Yes |
If time-tracking accuracy is central to your operation, compare Relentify Timesheets against other platforms like Harvest to understand the landscape of what's available.
Shift scheduling
Deputy's scheduling engine is genuinely strong. Drag-and-drop, shift templates, auto-scheduling based on worker availability and skills, demand forecasting, AI-powered shift recommendations, cost optimisation. If you've got 150 staff, complex rosters, and you want the system to suggest the cheapest way to cover demand, Deputy is built for that.
Relentify Timesheets includes scheduling — shift creation, templates, availability management, shift assignment, shift swapping, open shifts. It works well for teams up to 50–100 workers. It doesn't do demand forecasting or AI auto-scheduling. If your rostering problem fits on a spreadsheet with color coding, Relentify Timesheets works. If your rostering problem is "we employ 200 people, they work 300 shifts a week, and we need the AI to find the cheapest combo that keeps everyone happy," Deputy is the answer.
For small businesses, this is often a false choice. You don't have the complexity. What you need is: "make a schedule, let people swap shifts, don't overbook, alert me if someone is under-rested." Both do that. If you're weighing unified platform approaches, you might explore Relentify's broader toolset to see whether timesheets alone or timesheets-plus-other-functions makes sense.
Compliance, breaks, and timesheets
UK Working Time Regulations. Rest days. Holiday entitlement. Right-to-work reminders. These matter.
Relentify Timesheets is built for UK law. Break rules are configurable (6 hours = 20 minutes, 8 hours = two 20-minute breaks) and automatic. Overtime calculations default to UK thresholds. Holiday entitlement tracking is built in. The system flags when a worker hasn't taken their statutory holidays. It reminds you to check right-to-work status for visa compliance.
Deputy handles compliance but through configuration. It's global software, so it asks "what are your break rules?" rather than defaulting to UK law. This is fine if you set it up correctly, but it's an extra step.
Both platforms support manager approval workflows for timesheets. Relentify Timesheets adds dispute handling (workers can flag disagreements), bulk approval across sites, escalation if approval is overdue, and full audit trails. Deputy's approval workflow is simpler and works well for straightforward cases.
For comprehensive HR alongside timesheets, you might also compare HR software platforms to understand whether you need a dedicated HR system or if timesheets alone cover it.
Payroll integration and reporting
Both export to payroll. Deputy has more native integrations (Xero, MYOB, Gusto, ADP). Relentify Timesheets provides CSV export and API access, with direct integrations being added. For most small businesses, CSV export is enough — you're not integrating it into a 10-system automation. You're pulling timesheet data into Xero or your accountant's system.
Reporting is comprehensive on both sides: hours worked, overtime, labour costs, attendance, site comparison, worker performance. Custom reports and scheduled reports are supported. The difference is negligible — both give you the metrics you need to track labour spend and attendance.
If you also use HR or payroll software beyond timesheets, compare what Relentify offers versus platforms like Gusto to see whether a single unified approach makes economic sense. Deputy integrates with Gusto, so if that's your payroll system, switching would mean rebuilding that link.
Who should choose which?
Relentify Timesheets if:
- Photo + GPS verification for time records matters (you need bulletproof accuracy)
- UK compliance out of the box is important (you don't want to configure break rules)
- Per-worker cost is a factor
- Your rostering fits on a spreadsheet — straightforward shifts, not complex optimization
- You want to check whether other time-tracking platforms like Toggl or Clockify compare, to understand where Relentify sits
Deputy if:
- Advanced scheduling with AI auto-scheduling and demand forecasting is critical (you have complexity)
- You need deep integrations to payroll systems you already use (Xero, ADP, Gusto)
- Team communication through a news feed is important to how you manage people
- You have 100+ staff and complex rostering requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you switch from Deputy to Relentify Timesheets without losing data?
Yes. You can export your worker and schedule data from Deputy (usually as CSV or through their API). Relentify Timesheets can import worker records, and you can rebuild recent schedules manually or through import. Historic timesheet data doesn't usually migrate — timesheets are payroll history — but ongoing schedules and staff records transfer cleanly.
Does Relentify Timesheets work with Xero for payroll?
Relentify Timesheets exports timesheet data (CSV, PDF, or via API) that integrates with Xero. We're building native Xero integration, but CSV export works with Xero's standard payroll import. If you're already integrated with Xero, check the current state of Relentify integrations.
What if I need both Deputy's scheduling depth and Relentify's verification?
You can use Deputy for scheduling and Relentify Timesheets for verification (clock-in, timesheets, compliance). This is more complex operationally (two systems, two logins) but possible. For most small businesses, picking the platform that fits 80% of your needs is simpler than cobbling together 40% + 60%.
Is photo verification legally required?
No. GPS geofencing (what Deputy does) is legally sufficient in the UK. Photo verification is optional, but it eliminates disputes. If your team is small and trust is high, you don't need it. If you've had "I was at work, no you weren't" conversations, it's worth the extra step. The UK government's Working Time Regulations guide and ACAS resources cover what you're actually required to track.
How long does migration from Deputy take?
For a team of 20–50 people, 1–2 days of setup work. Exporting Deputy data, importing workers into Relentify Timesheets, configuring your UK breaks rules, testing the first pay run. For larger teams or complex configurations, add another week. Deputy has good export tools, so data loss isn't the blocker — it's time spent testing and training.
If I switch time-tracking software, will it affect my payroll?
No, as long as your new system exports hours in a format your payroll system accepts. The concern is usually: "Will my accountant's system break?" The answer is almost always no. CSV export from Relentify Timesheets works with Xero, Sage, and most accountancy software. Check compatibility before you switch, but the risk is low.
Does Relentify Timesheets work offline?
The mobile app can cache recent schedules and record clock-in attempts offline; they sync when connectivity returns. The web interface requires internet. For most UK businesses with mobile networks and WiFi, offline mode is rare. But if you work on sites with patchy coverage, ask about offline support before switching.
How does Relentify Timesheets help with holiday entitlement tracking?
Relentify tracks statutory holiday entitlement (28 days for most UK workers) and flags when workers haven't taken their allocation. You can set working-pattern-specific entitlements (part-time workers, etc.) and integrate with payroll exports. Deputy requires more manual configuration here; Relentify defaults to UK legal entitlements.