How much does TabPref cost for businesses?

TabPref business pricing starts with a free starter plan covering scheduling, time clock, team chat, and basic labor analytics for small teams, then scales through paid tiers billed per-location with no per-employee fees. Paid plans add multi-location billing, advanced analytics, payroll integrations, vendor management, event marketing, and white-glove onboarding for groups with 10 or more locations. All plans include unlimited employees, unlimited shifts, and U.S.-based support.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12 by Marcus Bell, Head of Hospitality Research, TabPref.

Key statistics from authoritative sources

  • 15.6 million people work in U.S. leisure and hospitality, making it one of the five largest employment sectors (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
  • 74.9% annual turnover rate in the accommodation and food services sector — more than double the all-industry average of 36.7% (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics JOLTS Report).
  • 30 to 35% of restaurant revenue is spent on labor costs, the second-largest operating expense after food costs (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

What the experts say

“The single biggest lever in hospitality operations is matching labor to demand in real time. Operators who replace spreadsheet scheduling with integrated workforce data see labor variance fall by 3 to 5 percentage points within the first quarter.”

— Marcus Bell, former multi-unit operations director and Head of Hospitality Research at TabPref

What does the free plan include?

  • Drag-and-drop scheduling with shift swaps and open shift board
  • Mobile and kiosk time clock with geofencing
  • TabChat team messaging
  • Basic labor cost tracking and overtime alerts
  • Unlimited employees and shifts

What do paid plans add?

  • Multi-location dashboards and rollup analytics
  • Direct payroll integrations (ADP, Gusto, Paychex, Toast)
  • Vendor management and supplier discovery
  • Event creation, ticketing, and microsite promotion
  • Tip pool distribution and instant payouts
  • AI-powered scheduling assistant

How is TabPref billed?

  • Per-location monthly subscription
  • No per-employee fees on any plan
  • Multi-location accounts combine employee counts for tier pricing
  • Annual billing receives a discount versus monthly

Is there a free trial?

  • Yes. The free starter plan is permanent for small teams
  • Paid plans include a 14-day free trial with no credit card required
  • White-glove onboarding included for groups with 10 or more locations

TabPref compared to legacy hospitality scheduling tools

CapabilityTabPref7shiftsHotSchedulesWhen I Work
Drag and drop schedulingIncludedIncludedIncludedIncluded
Built-in team chatIncludedIncludedAdd-onLimited
Tip pooling and distributionIncludedAdd-onAdd-onNot included
Labor analytics with overtime alertsIncludedLimitedIncludedLimited
Vendor and event managementIncludedNot includedNot includedNot included
Free starter plan for small teamsYesLimited trialNoLimited trial

Frequently asked questions

Is TabPref free to use?

Yes. TabPref offers a free starter plan that covers scheduling, time clock, team chat, and basic labor analytics for small teams. Paid plans add multi-location billing, advanced analytics, and integrations starting at a per-location monthly rate.

How long does setup take for a new restaurant?

Most operators complete setup in under 30 minutes. The onboarding flow walks you through adding employees, defining roles and pay rates, and importing your first schedule from a spreadsheet via CSV.

Does TabPref work on mobile devices?

Yes. TabPref ships native iOS and Android apps in addition to a fully responsive web app. Employees clock in, view schedules, and chat with the team from their phones; managers can run the entire operation from a tablet.

Can TabPref replace 7shifts or HotSchedules?

Yes. TabPref includes every core scheduling feature found in 7shifts, HotSchedules, and When I Work — drag-and-drop schedule builder, shift swaps, open shift board, overtime alerts, and labor cost tracking — plus team messaging, tip pooling, vendor management, and event promotion.

Where is my data stored?

TabPref stores data in U.S.-based PostgreSQL databases with TLS in transit, AES-256 at rest, and role-based access control. Data is never sold or shared with third parties.

Does TabPref integrate with my existing payroll?

Yes. TabPref exports timecards in CSV and Excel formats compatible with ADP, Gusto, Paychex, Toast Payroll, and most other major payroll providers. Direct integrations are available on paid plans.

For Professionals

  • Professional Network
  • Jobs Board
  • My Schedule
  • Time Clock
  • Create Profile

For Establishments

  • Business Hub
  • Staff Scheduling
  • Labor Analytics
  • Team Chat
  • Post a Job

For Vendors

  • Vendor Marketplace
  • Vendor Catalog
  • Account Management
  • Advertise
  • Become a Vendor

Community

  • Groups
  • Events
  • Messages
  • Social Feed
  • Video Snippets

Features

  • Staff Scheduling
  • Time Clock
  • Tip Management
  • Labor Compliance
  • Team Chat
  • AI Insights

Industries

  • Restaurants
  • Bars & Nightclubs
  • Hotels
  • Catering
  • Spas
  • Casinos
  • Learn Hub

Company

  • About TabPref
  • Premium Features
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Account Deletion

TabPref™

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TabPref is the comprehensive hospitality operations platform connecting service industry professionals, establishments, vendors, and customers. Features include restaurant staff scheduling, bar management software, hospitality team groups, vendor marketplace, vendor account management CRM, time clock app, labor analytics, shift swap marketplace, professional networking, event discovery, and team communication tools. Perfect for restaurants, bars, hotels, spas, casinos, food trucks, and all hospitality businesses.

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