TimeTally vs Deputy: Features & Pricing Comparison
Compare TimeTally and Deputy for UK businesses. Timesheet-focused vs scheduling-focused — which tool do you actually need?
TimeTally and Deputy both help manage employee time, but they're built for different business models. Deputy is a comprehensive workforce management platform focused on shift scheduling, making it ideal for hospitality, retail, and healthcare. TimeTally is a simpler tool focused on timesheet approval and holiday tracking for office-based businesses.
This comparison helps you decide which tool matches your needs. Deputy data was reviewed in April 2026 — for current features, check Deputy's latest offering.
Quick Summary
TimeTally
£2/employee/month
Timesheet approval and holiday tracking for UK businesses.
- Weekly timesheet approval
- Holiday tracking & UK calculations
- Payroll export (Xero, QuickBooks)
Deputy
£2.50-3.50/employee/month
Workforce management with shift scheduling and time tracking.
- Shift scheduling & rota management
- Clock in/out with location tracking
- Team communication tools
The key question:
Do you need scheduling (rotas, shifts, availability) or just timesheets (hours worked, approvals, holiday)?
What to Look For When Choosing
Work pattern
Fixed hours (9-5), or variable shifts that need scheduling?
Industry type
Office/professional services, or hospitality/retail with shift patterns?
Primary need
Managing rotas and availability, or approving timesheets for payroll?
Detailed Feature Comparison
| Feature | TimeTally | Deputy |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly timesheet view | ||
| Timesheet approval workflow | ||
| Shift scheduling & rotas | ||
| Employee availability management | ||
| Clock in/out | ||
| GPS location tracking | ||
| Holiday tracking & requests | ||
| UK statutory calculations | ||
| Team messaging | ||
| Break compliance tracking | ||
| Payroll export (UK) | ||
| Mobile app | ||
| Target audience | Office/salaried | Shift-based |
| Setup complexity | 5 minutes | 30-60 minutes |
Pricing Comparison
TimeTally
£2
per employee/month
All features included:
- Weekly timesheets
- Timesheet approvals
- Holiday tracking & UK calculations
- Leave requests & approval
- Payroll export (Xero, QuickBooks, CSV)
- Mobile app
- Email support
14-day free trial • No credit card required
Deputy
Pricing varies by region and features
Typically £2.50-3.50/employee/month
Key features (varies by plan):
- Shift scheduling & rota creation
- Time tracking & timesheets
- Clock in/out with GPS
- Team messaging
- Leave management
- Payroll integrations
Note: Pricing structure can include platform fees and per-location charges. Check Deputy's website for current UK pricing.
Cost consideration:
Deputy's scheduling features justify the extra cost if you need them. If you don't use shift scheduling, you're paying for features you don't need. TimeTally keeps it simple: if you just need timesheet approval and holiday tracking, £2/employee covers everything.
Pros & Cons
TimeTally
Pros:
- Simpler for office-based employees with standard hours
- UK statutory holiday calculations built-in
- Clean timesheet approval workflow
- Direct export to UK payroll systems
- Transparent pricing (£2/employee, no hidden costs)
- 5-minute setup
Cons:
- No shift scheduling or rota management
- No clock in/out or GPS tracking
- Not suitable for hospitality or retail with complex shifts
Deputy
Pros:
- Excellent shift scheduling and rota creation
- Employee availability and shift swap management
- Clock in/out with GPS and location tracking
- Team communication and messaging
- Great for hospitality, retail, and healthcare
- Comprehensive workforce management platform
Cons:
- More complex to set up (30-60 minutes)
- Overkill if you don't need scheduling
- UK statutory holiday calculations not automatic
- Higher cost for features you may not use
Which Should You Choose?
Choose TimeTally if you:
- Have office-based or salaried employees with standard hours
- Need simple timesheet approval for payroll
- Want holiday tracking with UK statutory calculations
- Don't need shift scheduling or rota management
- Prefer straightforward pricing (£2/employee, all features)
- Want quick setup with minimal learning curve
Choose Deputy if you:
- Run hospitality, retail, or healthcare with shift patterns
- Need shift scheduling and rota management
- Want employees to clock in/out with GPS tracking
- Need employee availability and shift swap features
- Want team messaging and communication tools
- Need a comprehensive workforce management platform
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TimeTally better than Deputy for UK businesses?
It depends on your needs. Deputy excels at employee scheduling and shift management, making it better for hospitality, retail, and businesses with complex rotas. TimeTally focuses on simple timesheet approval and holiday tracking for office-based businesses and salaried employees.
How much does TimeTally cost compared to Deputy?
TimeTally costs £2 per employee per month with all features included. Deputy's pricing starts around £2.50-£3.50 per employee per month depending on features. For businesses that don't need complex scheduling, TimeTally offers simpler pricing.
Does TimeTally have employee scheduling like Deputy?
No, TimeTally does not include shift scheduling or rota management. It's designed for businesses with standard working patterns that need timesheet approval and holiday tracking. If you need complex shift scheduling, Deputy is the better choice.
Which should I choose: TimeTally or Deputy?
Choose Deputy if you need shift scheduling, rota management, and features for hospitality or retail. Choose TimeTally if you have office-based or salaried employees who just need to submit weekly timesheets for payroll approval.
Conclusion
Deputy is an excellent workforce management platform for businesses with shift-based workers. If you run a café, restaurant, retail shop, or care home where rotas change weekly and employees swap shifts, Deputy's scheduling features are worth the investment.
For office-based businesses with standard working patterns, Deputy's scheduling features become unnecessary complexity. If your employees work Monday-Friday, 9-5 (or similar consistent patterns), and you just need to approve weekly timesheets and track holidays, TimeTally provides exactly what you need without the extra features.
The decision is straightforward: if scheduling is a core part of your operations, choose Deputy. If timesheet approval and holiday tracking are your main needs, TimeTally is simpler and more cost-effective.