The Rota Hub blog
Rota planning, without the pain
Guides, comparisons and honest looks at the tools UK teams use to plan their week. Written by the team behind Rota Hub, the free rota planner.
Guides
How to Make a Staff Rota (Free, in Under 5 Minutes)
A practical guide to making a staff rota for a pub, cafe or shop: what a good rota needs, where most of them go wrong, and the free five minute method.
Templates
Free Rota Template, or Something Better?
Every rota software company gives away a free Excel rota template. Here is what those downloads are really for, what a template can never do, and the free planner that does the sums itself.
Analysis
Excel Rota: 7 Ways Your Spreadsheet Is Costing You Hours
The spreadsheet rota feels free, but it charges you in time. Seven familiar failures of the Excel rota, and what actually changes when you move to a free rota app.
Team communication
Still Sending the Rota on WhatsApp? There's a Better Way
A photo of the rota in the group chat is out of date the moment someone swaps a shift. Keep the chat, replace the screenshot: one link that is always current.
Buying guide
How Much Does Rota Software Cost? UK Prices Compared (2026)
RotaCloud, Deputy, Planday, Findmyshift, Connecteam, Sling and Rota Hub compared on price for small UK teams, with an honest look at when paying is worth it.
Round-up
The 7 Best Rota Apps for Small UK Teams in 2026
Seven rota apps compared for small hospitality and retail teams: what each one is best at, what it really costs, and the catches that never make the pricing page.
Comparisons
RotaCloud Alternatives: 5 Options for Small Teams
RotaCloud is a strong UK product, but from £10 a month it is not the only route. Five alternatives for small teams compared, including one that is completely free.
Hospitality
Pub and Bar Rotas: A Practical Guide
Split shifts, weekend cover, students with lectures and a wage bill that creeps: how to plan a pub rota that keeps service tight without blowing the budget.
Employment
How Far in Advance Should a Rota Be Posted? (UK)
There is no single legal notice period for rotas in Great Britain, but contracts, guidance and basic fairness all point the same way. Here is the practical answer.