Comparison

ESS Mobile vs Workcloud Shift

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

ESS Mobile

This app offers flexible time tracking for employees, allowing them to punch in/out, review hours worked, check schedules, and manage benefit balances. It facilitates communication with supervisors for attendance-related matters and supports various time entry methods.

Highlights
  • Flexible time tracking
  • Review hours worked
  • Check schedules and benefit balances
  • Request time off
  • Enter tips and mileage
  • Communicate with supervisor
Features
Read full description

ESS Mobile is a smart, adaptive app that, when used with your employer's Attendance on Demand system, provides employees with flexible time tracking options. You have access to the information needed to track your hours worked and review schedules or benefit balances. Notifications can be sent when your time card needs action, such as the addition of a missing punch. Messages can be exchanged with your supervisor to record attendance-related activities like an absence or if you will be late for your shift. Using ESS Mobile hourly employees may be able to punch in and out, request time off, or enter tips. For employees that simply report total hours worked multiple time sheet views are available. Additional operations such as entering mileage, expenses, or tips are also available. Contact your payroll administrator or Attendance on Demand service provider for additional details. Note: ESS Mobile uses location services to obtain your location during app usage. Continued use of the app or background GPS tracking can dramatically decrease battery life.

About

Workcloud Shift

This app helps retail frontline associates manage their work schedules, offering features like shift swapping, bidding, and time-off requests. It aims to improve work-life balance by providing easy access to schedule details and availability management from any device.

Highlights
  • View shift schedule
  • Swap shifts with colleagues
  • Bid on available shifts
  • Request time off
  • Set personal availability
  • Manage schedule from any device
Features
Read full description

Achieve a better work-life balance with Workcloud Shift, the enhanced app specifically designed for retail frontline associates. Streamline your workday, minimize scheduling conflicts, and stay connected effortlessly. Key features include: • View Your Schedule: Access shift details easily in one location. • Shift Swapping: Trade shifts without managerial approval needed. • Shift Bidding: Bid on shifts to suit your availability. • Request Time Off: Submit and track day-off requests. • Set Availability: Define preferred hours to fit your schedule. • Anywhere Access: Manage your schedule from any device. Keep your schedule, leave balances, and time-off requests at your fingertips to stay informed and manage your day with ease. Download Workcloud Shift today! Please Note: Access to the app’s commercial features requires a paid Zebra Workcloud subscription. If you’re unsure about your company’s subscription or available services, please visit Zebra Workcloud Solutions or contact your IT department for assistance.

Screenshots

ESS Mobile3 screens
Workcloud Shift4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: ESS Mobile at free against Workcloud Shift's subscription. Workcloud Shift's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months) and rating (1.9 vs 1.7). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Workcloud Shift holds the better App Store score, 1.9 against 1.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 343 and 429 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 3% of ESS Mobile's written reviews are positive against 9% of Workcloud Shift's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ESS Mobile ships an update every 3 months, Workcloud Shift fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
ESS Mobile versus Workcloud Shift: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterESS MobileWorkcloud Shift
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.7 (343 ratings)1.9 (429 ratings) — better
Positive reviews2.9% of reviews8.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings343429 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
Best chart rank—#105 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.615.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB90 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAttendance on Demand, Inc.Reflexis Systems Inc

Customer experience

ESS Mobile

All ratings324 ratings
Positive14.2%
Neutral3.7%
Negative82.1%
Written reviews104 reviews
Positive2.9%
Neutral1.0%
Negative96.2%

Workcloud Shift

All ratings429 ratings
Positive18.4%
Neutral4.7%
Negative76.9%
Written reviews69 reviews
Positive8.7%
Neutral14.5%
Negative76.8%

Bugs and requests

ESS Mobile

Reported bugs

17 issues
  • Connect button treats input as editable text field
  • App fails to load or shows blank white screen
  • Location services report incorrect location
  • Login credentials rejected despite correct information
  • Clock-in button disappears or becomes non-functional
Show 12 more
  • App freezes when entering information
  • Cannot proceed past login screen
  • App crashes on latest iOS versions
  • Automatic logout without user action
  • Cannot clock in to new job within one minute of clock out
  • Punch functionality only works on second attempt
  • Controls render off-screen on certain devices
  • App incompatible with iOS 15
  • Timesheet data fails to load
  • Notifications sent to wrong phone numbers
  • Pay stubs missing tip percentage and hourly information
  • Redundant navigation buttons on same page

Requested features

12 requests
  • Face ID or biometric authentication
  • Remember me/stay logged in functionality
  • Current time display on home screen
  • Manager approval system for early out/late in requests
  • Ability to view all punch times and historical data
Show 7 more
  • Support for multiple employers without app reinstallation
  • Landscape mode support
  • Easy password reset functionality
  • Loading indicators for better UX
  • Visible phone number management (primary/secondary)
  • Better accessibility and menu navigation
  • Improved pay stub formatting and clarity

Workcloud Shift

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

ESS Mobile

No in-app purchases

None

Workcloud Shift

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ESS Mobile free?
ESS Mobile is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Workcloud Shift free?
Workcloud Shift is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ESS Mobile or Workcloud Shift?
Workcloud Shift is rated higher. ESS Mobile averages 1.7 out of 5 from 343 ratings, while Workcloud Shift averages 1.9 from 429 ratings.
Do ESS Mobile or Workcloud Shift have ads?
Neither ESS Mobile nor Workcloud Shift shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ESS Mobile or Workcloud Shift?
ESS Mobile ships an update every 3 months, and Workcloud Shift fortnightly. Most recently, ESS Mobile was updated on September 28, 2026 and Workcloud Shift on September 30, 2026.

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