Replacement Guide

How to Build Your Own Deputy

Replace Deputy with a custom build. The complete people platform for hourly work

Weekend Project
50 features3 integrationsOne weekend

Estimated Timeline

Based on 50 features at Weekend Project difficulty, expect about One weekend with AI-assisted development.

1
Setup & scaffolding
2 hours
2
Core features
4-6 hours
3
Polish & deploy
2 hours

Recommended Tech Stack

Next.js 14

Full-stack React framework with API routes and server components

Supabase

PostgreSQL database, auth, and real-time subscriptions

Tailwind CSS

Utility-first styling for rapid UI development

Prisma

Type-safe ORM for complex relational data models

Key Features to Replicate

Top features across 8 categories. See all 50 features

Scheduling(8 features)

Advanced SchedulingPremium

Advanced scheduling tools with additional controls and optimization options

Auto SchedulingAIPremium

AI-powered feature that automatically builds and fills shifts based on business needs, staff availability, budget, breaks, and training requirements

Employee Scheduling

Schedule staff with drag-and-drop tools, view staff availability, training, and costs, and send schedules to teams via web or mobile

Micro-schedulingPremium

Schedule a shift across multiple areas within one shift and create game plans for employees

Shift ConfirmationsPremium

Require employee confirmation of published shifts to ensure acknowledgment

+3 more in this category

Compliance(7 features)

Active AttestationPremium

Automatically request attestation if staff clock in late, work unscheduled time, miss breaks, or leave early to create compliance records

Advanced Labor Law CompliancePremium

Enhanced compliance features for complex labor law requirements

Break Planning Compliance

Schedule meal or rest breaks, prompt employees to take them, and flag missed breaks to ensure compliance with labor laws

Fair Workweek CompliancePremium

Easily manage fair workweek rules and reduce the risk of penalties with straightforward tools and safeguards

Health & Safety

Automatically screen employees for worrying symptoms to prevent spread of illness and trace contact with colleagues

+2 more in this category

Analytics(6 features)

Analytics+Premium

Enterprise-grade data customization, additional audit reporting, and automated report-sharing capabilities

Business InsightsPremium

Track forecasted to actual variance in sales and wage metrics, set custom metrics and performance benchmarks

Demand ForecastingAIPremium

AI forecasting tool that predicts staffing requirements based on trends in sales, delivery orders, appointments, and other demand signals

Labor OptimizationAIPremium

Optimize labor scheduling and staffing to control costs and improve efficiency

Reporting & Analytics

Keep employee data in one place with clear visibility of labor hours, costs, profits, and legal compliance

+1 more in this category

HR(5 features)

Document ManagementPremium

Secure document management for employee records and compliance documents

HR (Add-on)Premium

Seamless experience from hire to first shift with personalized career hub, paperless onboarding, secure document management, and staff feedback surveys

Leave & Availability Management

Track leave requests, balances, and employee availability in one place, allowing employees to request time off directly

New Hire OnboardingPremium

Streamlined onboarding process for new employees

Performance Management

Keep clear records of performance ratings and feedback, celebrate high-achievers, and identify staff needing guidance

Time Tracking(5 features)

Advanced TimesheetsPremium

Enhanced timesheet functionality with additional customization and controls

BiometricsPremium

Eliminate buddy punching by using kiosk with face-unlock technology for secure time clocking

Custom Timesheet FieldsPremium

Add additional custom fields, questions and attestations to timesheets

GeofencingPremium

Prevent employees from clocking in based on geolocation to ensure accurate time tracking

Time Clock App

Time tracking solution that records accurate employee hours on tablet, mobile, desktop, or web, replacing paper timesheets

Payroll(3 features)

Pay CentersPremium

Manage pay centers for different business units or locations

Pay Rate BuilderPremium

Access library of labor laws and easily modify them to automate allowances, add shift differentials, or create custom pay rates

Premium Pay RequirementsPremium

Streamline pay calculations for overtime, split shifts, missed breaks, and holiday premiums

Automation(2 features)

Auto-approvalsPremium

Auto approve timesheets and only manually intervene when required

Timesheet Auto ApprovalPremium

Automatically approve timesheets based on configured rules

Communication(2 features)

Communication & Messaging

Share critical messages, documents, and videos in one place with confirmation when key updates or policies are reviewed

Messaging+Premium

Enhanced messaging experience with shift-aware actions, role-based permissions, and smarter ways to reach teams

Cost Calculator

Keep Paying Deputy

Monthly$1.5/mo
Yearly$18/yr
5-Year Total$90

Build It Yourself

Est. Build Time~4 hrs
Hosting$20/mo
DifficultyVery Easy

Total Cost Comparison

1 Year
SaaS
$18
DIY
$240
3 Years
SaaS
$54
DIY
$720
5 Years
SaaS
$90
DIY
$1.2k

DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 50 features at very easy complexity.

Ready to Build?