OtisIO

OtisIO brings scheduling, timekeeping and operational tools together for shift-based teams. It is a stronger fit for employers coordinating people across sites than for businesses seeking a standalone leave or time tracker. Its breadth is the draw; the main trade-off is that the Free plan is limited and several capabilities require a paid tier.

Overview

Rotas, open shifts, swaps and auto-assignment sit alongside time and attendance, employment records, tasks and team communication. Live labour cost gives schedulers another consideration when balancing coverage and staffing expense. For teams that currently coordinate these jobs in separate tools, the combined scope may be useful, but the plan boundaries matter: operational and HR features vary by tier.

Clock-ins can use GPS-stamped punches, kiosk mode or NFC tags, among other methods. That range accommodates different work settings, while making the choice of plan important for teams that need specific controls such as geofencing. The maker says data is hosted in Europe, two-factor authentication is available on every plan, and customer workspaces use separate databases; specified sensitive fields and off-site backups are encrypted.

Key features

Scheduling and attendance

Open shifts and swaps give staff ways to take part in coverage, and auto-assignment supports shift allocation. GPS punches, kiosk mode and NFC offer alternatives for recording attendance. Approval workflows are supported, and accrual rules can be customized. These tools suit employers managing scheduled work, rather than readers who need only a basic timer.

Operations, HR and integrations

Tasks and checklists, forms, audits, equipment sign-out and security patrols extend the product beyond scheduling. HR functions include time off, employment documents, e-sign acknowledgements, courses and certifications. Since availability varies by plan, teams should confirm that their essential workflows are included before choosing a tier.

Pro includes payroll and accounting integrations with Xero, Staffology, QuickBooks and FreeAgent. The REST API provides workspace-scoped access to people, shifts, timesheets, leave, tasks and sites, with webhooks; access requires a plan that includes it. This is useful for teams connecting workforce operations to other systems, but not a reason to choose a plan unless those integrations or API access are needed.

Pricing

OtisIO has a Free plan and paid subscriptions, with annual billing shown by default for Starter, Growth and Pro. Those plans also show monthly prices. Every trial starts on Pro for 14 days, requires no credit card, and ends with a choice of plan or a move to Free with data retained.

PlanPrice and limitsWhat it includesFreefree; up to 10 users, 1 site and 1 GB storageRotas, time clock and tasks. A practical starting point for a small, single-site team, but its user and site caps constrain growth.Starter$39 a month; monthly price £49 /mo. First 30 users included, then £1.20 /user annually or £1.50 /user monthly; 1 site, 2 GB storageGPS clock-in, timesheet approval, payroll export and forms. It adds attendance controls and payroll workflow, but remains limited to one site.Asset Management$65 a month, billed as a separate monthly line item; included with EnterpriseEquipment register with photos and serial numbers, signed handover, per-site kit lists, and plant and hire costs. This is a focused add-on for tracking equipment rather than a substitute for a broader tier.Growth$79 a month; monthly price £99 /mo. First 30 users included, then £2.50 /user annually or £3.00 /user monthly; 3 sites, 5 GB storageAdvanced scheduling, audits, requests and equipment sign-out. It suits teams needing more sites and operational controls than Starter provides.Pro$179 a month; monthly price £199 /mo. First 30 users included, then £5.00 /user annually or £6.00 /user monthly; unlimited sites, 10 GB storageGeofencing, payroll integrations, automation and expenses. Its higher base and per-user costs make it a better fit when those capabilities or unlimited sites justify the step up.EnterpriseCustom pricing; tailored seatsSLA support, SSO, directory provisioning, facial-recognition kiosk and Site Register. The option is aimed at organizations needing these enterprise controls and support.Workspace chat with the maker, along with bug reports and feature suggestions, is available on every plan, including Free; Enterprise adds SLA support. The trial offers a way to assess Pro before committing, but teams should account for the per-user charges beyond 30 seats on paid plans.

Platforms

OtisIO supports Android, iOS, macOS and web, and offers an API. The download page lists iPhone and iPad apps, Android phone and tablet support, and a Mac desktop app. A Windows desktop app is described as coming soon, so teams needing a Windows desktop client should not count on it today.

Who it's for

The maker positions OtisIO for shift-based teams in security, hospitality, cleaning and facilities, healthcare, construction and trades. Its scheduling, attendance and operations mix is most compelling where managers need to coordinate staff and work across sites. A small team with modest needs can start on Free, while organizations that need multiple sites, equipment controls or payroll integrations should compare the paid tiers carefully.

Pros and cons

Broad workforce scope: Rotas, attendance, tasks, HR tools and team communication can sit in one platform, though feature access varies by plan.

Several clock-in methods: GPS punches, kiosk mode and NFC support different operating settings; geofencing is reserved for Pro.

Useful entry point: Free includes rotas, time clock and tasks for up to 10 users at one site, but that cap makes it unsuitable for larger or multi-site teams.

Costs rise with scale: Paid plans include the first 30 users, then charge per user, and the per-user rates increase at higher tiers.

Enterprise controls: SSO, directory provisioning and SLA support are available on Enterprise, but require custom pricing.

Alternatives

For a narrower leave-management need, start with Leave Management Software options. Toggl Track is another freemium option with a Free plan and a free trial, and may suit readers comparing time-tracking tools. TNC Track offers a Free · Pay as you grow plan with five free seats and Team & Attendance free forever, making it worth considering when those modules and seat terms fit.

actiPLANS has a limited Free plan for 1–3 users and a paid tier priced at $1.20 a month for 41–200 users, so it is an alternative to compare for smaller teams focused on plans and leave. Day Off offers a free plan for up to 10 users with a calendar, customizable leave types and one-step approval. LeaveBoard has a Free plan for up to nine employees with time-off tracking and an employee directory.

Shiftbase offers a Free plan for up to 15 employees, one department and five teams, and may merit comparison for teams that fit those limits. Staff Leave has a Free plan with unlimited users and mobile holiday booking. BookYourPTO is another alternative to consider.

Verdict

Choose OtisIO if your shift-based team wants scheduling, attendance and operational workflows in one system, and its plan structure matches your sites, seats and required features. The 14-day no-card Pro trial makes it easier to assess the broader tier before moving to a paid plan or Free. Look elsewhere if you need only a focused leave or time-tracking tool, or if the paid-tier limits and per-user costs do not suit your scale.