The TabPref help center is the central resource for restaurant and bar operators learning how to set up scheduling, configure the time clock, run tip pools, export to payroll, integrate with POS systems, and troubleshoot common issues. TabPref serves over 15.6 million U.S. hospitality workers and the help center indexes onboarding guides, video walkthroughs, integration setup steps, and answers to the most common operational questions for establishments, service professionals, vendors, and consumers across restaurants, bars, hotels, catering, spas, and casinos.
Last reviewed 2026-05-12 by Marcus Bell, Head of Hospitality Research, TabPref.
“A help center is a customer success product. The articles that move the needle are the ones that answer one specific question in three steps with a screenshot.”
| Capability | TabPref | 7shifts | HotSchedules | When I Work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drag and drop scheduling | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Built-in team chat | Included | Included | Add-on | Limited |
| Tip pooling and distribution | Included | Add-on | Add-on | Not included |
| Labor analytics with overtime alerts | Included | Limited | Included | Limited |
| Vendor and event management | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| Free starter plan for small teams | Yes | Limited trial | No | Limited trial |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.