Comparison
Convey vs 7shifts
Here's how we compare, honestly. 7shifts is a mature, full-stack restaurant team platform. Convey is a lean SMS-native AI scheduler. Neither fits everyone — here's who each is better for.
Feature matrix
Compared against public information on 7shifts' pricing and feature pages. Anything we couldn't verify is marked "see pricing page".
| Feature | Convey | 7shifts |
|---|---|---|
| SMS schedule delivery (no app) | primary channel | partialpush + email; SMS exists |
| Employee app required | mobile app is the main channel | |
| AI weekly schedule generation | Claude Sonnet | partialauto-scheduler / templates |
| Free tier | up to 10 employees | Comp plan, limited features |
| Pricing model | $19/mo flat, unlimited | per-location, tiered |
| Target market | small restaurants, bars, cafes | full-service restaurants, multi-location |
| POS integrations | planned | broad ecosystem |
| Payroll integrations | planned | |
| Tip pooling | ||
| Labor forecasting | partialbasic targets | |
| Drag-and-drop grid editor | ||
| Shift swap / callout coverage | AI-ranked | |
| Time clock / timesheets | planned | |
| Free trial | Free plan, no trial needed | 14 days of The Works |
| Works on any phone (even flip phones) |
Comparison last reviewed April 2026. Competitor pricing and features change frequently — always verify on their official pricing page before deciding.
When 7shifts is the better choice
If you run a multi-location full-service restaurant, 7shifts almost certainly fits your stack better. Their POS integrations, tip pool management, and labor forecasting are built for operators who live in a GM role and treat scheduling as one slice of a bigger workflow.
They've been around since 2014, have a large customer base, and ship features for corporate operators — accountant exports, compliance reporting, tip distribution across servers and back-of-house. If any of that is non-negotiable, pick them.
When Convey is the better choice
If your staff just wants to know when they're working, Convey wins. We text the schedule. They tap a link. No app install, no account, no "please update your password". The schedule arrives the same way a friend texts you.
Pricing is flat: $19/mo for unlimited employees, free under ten. No per-head fees, no per-location fees. And the AI actually drafts the week — you type your constraints, Claude Sonnet writes a conflict-free schedule in seconds.
FAQ
- Is 7shifts better than Convey?
- 7shifts is better if you run a multi-location full-service restaurant and need deep POS integrations, tip pooling, and a long track record. Convey is better if you run a small shop, your staff hates apps, and you want AI scheduling without paying per head.
- Does 7shifts offer SMS scheduling?
- 7shifts can send SMS notifications in some tiers, but the primary delivery channel is their mobile app. Convey is SMS-first: every schedule lands as a text, no app download, no account.
- How does pricing compare?
- 7shifts charges per location with tiered plans. Convey charges a flat $19/mo for unlimited employees, with a free tier up to 10 employees. For a small restaurant, Convey is almost always cheaper.
Try Convey free
Free up to 10 employees. $19/mo flat after that. No credit card.
Also see: vs Homebase · vs When I Work · vs Deputy