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Software · head to head

When I Work vs Aloha POS

When I Work logo

When I Work

Software

Scheduling and time tracking made simple

From
$2.5/user/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Aloha POS logo

Aloha POS

Software

Industry-leading restaurant POS solution

From
$150/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: When I Work aPI key access, webhooks and SAML single sign on require the Premium plan at $8 per user per month; Aloha POS high upfront hardware costs ($1,000+ per terminal) make it expensive to deploy across multiple locations
  • They diverge on capability: When I Work covers Shift scheduling, Aloha POS covers Table management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which When I Work and Aloha POS actually diverge.

Attributes where When I Work and Aloha POS differ
AttributeWhen I WorkAloha POS
Starting price$2.5/user/month$150/month
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWindows, Android
Founded20101988

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in When I Work

  • Shift scheduling
  • Time clock
  • Team messaging
  • Availability management
  • Shift swapping
  • Mobile apps
  • QuickBooks
  • ADP

Only in Aloha POS

  • Table management
  • Order management
  • Labor scheduling
  • Inventory control
  • Enterprise reporting
  • Loyalty programs
  • NCR Back Office
  • Third-party delivery

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

When I Work

  • Scheduling hourly shift workers across locationsnot Aloha POS
  • Time clock and timesheet capture for payrollnot Aloha POS
  • Handling shift swaps, availability and time off requestsnot Aloha POS

Aloha POS

  • Point of Salenot When I Work
  • Order Managementnot When I Work
  • Inventory Controlnot When I Work
  • Staff Schedulingnot When I Work

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

When I Work

  • API key access, webhooks and SAML single sign on require the Premium plan at $8 per user per month
  • Scheduling rules, role permissions and custom reporting require the Pro plan at $5 per user per month
  • There is no free plan; the trial lasts 14 days
  • Enterprise arrangements are priced by quote with no published rate

Aloha POS

  • High upfront hardware costs ($1,000+ per terminal) make it expensive to deploy across multiple locations
  • User interface is dated with functionality from 2005-era design, requiring training for staff familiar with modern applications
  • Network connectivity issues cause terminals to lose access to central database when Wi-Fi drops, leading to transaction failures
  • Requires proprietary terminals unlike competitors that run on standard iPads or Android tablets
  • Complex customization requires expensive professional services and cannot be configured by restaurant staff

Pricing, plan by plan

When I Work

$2.5/user/month
  • Standard$2.5/user/month
    • Scheduling
    • Messaging
  • Advanced$6/user/month
    • Time clock
    • Labor forecasting

Aloha POS

$150/month
  • Essentials$150/month
    • POS
    • Basic reporting
  • Professional$250/month
    • Advanced features
    • Labor management
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Custom pricing
    • Full suite

Which should you pick?

Choose When I Work if

  • You need shift scheduling.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want time clock.
When I Work review

Choose Aloha POS if

  • You need table management.
  • You work on Windows, Android.
  • You also want order management.
Aloha POS review

Questions people ask

Is When I Work or Aloha POS better?
Neither clearly leads. When I Work starts at $2.5/user/month and Aloha POS at $150/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, When I Work or Aloha POS?
When I Work starts at $2.5/user/month and Aloha POS at $150/month.
Does When I Work or Aloha POS run on more platforms?
When I Work runs on Web, Ios, Android. Aloha POS runs on Windows, Android.
What is When I Work best used for?
When I Work is most often used for scheduling hourly shift workers across locations, time clock and timesheet capture for payroll, handling shift swaps, availability and time off requests. Of those, scheduling hourly shift workers across locations and time clock and timesheet capture for payroll are not what Aloha POS is typically brought in for.
What can When I Work do that Aloha POS cannot?
When I Work covers Shift scheduling, Time clock, Team messaging, Availability management. Aloha POS covers Table management, Order management, Labor scheduling, Inventory control. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Aloha POS: What are the hardware options for Aloha POS?

Aloha offers two main products: Aloha Essentials POS which runs on Windows servers at your location, and Aloha Cloud POS which operates on Android-based mobile terminals connected to cloud systems. Hardware costs approximately $1,000 per terminal or available through subscription.

Source
Aloha POS: What features does Aloha include for restaurant operations?

Aloha includes kitchen automation, table management, staff rosters, payment processing, inventory tracking, reporting, customer loyalty programs, and employee time tracking.

Source
Aloha POS: Is Aloha POS available as a subscription?

Yes. NCR Aloha offers an all-in-one monthly subscription model that includes software, hardware, payment processing, and 24/7 customer support. Upfront implementation costs vary based on specific needs.

Source
Aloha POS: What are the network requirements for Aloha POS?

Aloha Essentials requires a stable network connection between terminals and the Windows server. Network disruptions cause terminals to lose access to the central database, resulting in transaction failures and payment errors.

Source
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Related pages

More on When I Work

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