Transparency note: We compare CrewBrain with alternatives as neutrally as possible—but of course, we are a bit biased and confident that our solution is very good 🙂. Additionally, we have compared the systems based on publicly available information. Therefore, it is possible that our comparison is not complete.
Target Group & Focus
- CrewBrain is specifically aimed at the events industry and supports agencies, touring bands, exhibition stand builders, and technical service providers in planning rotating crews and freelancers.
- Ordio is an all-in-one shift and personnel management platform for companies with classic shift scheduling needs. It is particularly well-suited for those in gastronomy, retail, and healthcare.
Features
| Features | CrewBrain | Ordio |
|---|---|---|
| Staff Planning | Project-/assignment-oriented, flexible, drag & drop, live availability | Shift & duty scheduling, drag & drop, live availability, shift templates, change requests |
| Time Tracking | Legally compliant minute-precise tracking incl. GPS geo-fencing | Legally compliant minute-precise tracking incl. GPS geo-fencing |
| Absences | Vacation, absences & availabilities | Vacation, absences & availabilities |
| Payroll | Preparatory payroll accounting incl. DATEV export (and others) | Integrated or preparatory payroll including exports |
| App | App with assignment overview, time tracking, travel expense recording, event planning | App for employees with time tracking & shifts |
| Documents | Digital personnel file, document & certificate management | Digital personnel file & document management |
| Reports | Statistics on assignments, working hours & personnel costs | Reporting for planned vs. actual times & personnel KPIs |
| Interfaces & API | Open API & various interfaces | Open API & various interfaces |
| Employee Leasing | Creation of documents such as framework agreements, specifications, etc., mapping of equal pay regulations & collective agreements, control over assignment times & breaks | No function |
Strengths & Weaknesses
CrewBrain – Strengths
- High flexibility in assignment and project planning: CrewBrain maps complex assignments, rotating jobs, employee leasing, and individual time models in a structured way.
- Expandability & future-proofing: Thanks to its modular architecture, DATEV interface for preparatory payroll accounting, and AI enablement (with connection via MCP server), the system can be highly customized and expanded.
CrewBrain – Weakness
- No fully integrated payroll: The software supports preparatory payroll accounting, but the actual payroll is handled in external systems.
Ordio – Strengths
- Comprehensive all-in-one system: Ordio combines shift planning, time tracking, absences, digital personnel files, and integrated payroll in a central platform.
- Strong mobile usage: Employees can easily manage shifts, times, and requests via the app, increasing transparency and up-to-date information.
Ordio – Weakness
- Lower flexibility for complex assignment or project structures: The features are primarily designed for classic shift models and less for project-based or highly variable assignments. No specific functions for employee leasing.
Pricing & Transparency
CrewBrain offers 3 plan packages (Essential, Standard, Enterprise) that can optionally be supplemented with additional modules. Each package already includes 10 users; more users can be added. The smallest package (Essential with 10 users) starts at €29 net/month. All prices are available on the website, and with a plan builder, you can configure your desired package. This ensures full transparency at all times. There is a 30-day free trial.
Ordio offers 4 plan packages (Starter, Plus, Pro, Enterprise) that can optionally be extended with add-ons. The number of included users is not specified, but the Enterprise package is aimed at companies with more than 70 employees. The smallest package (Starter) is priced at €89 net/month and location. Further prices for add-ons are unfortunately not publicly available. There is a 30-day free trial.
Conclusion
CrewBrain and Ordio are both powerful personnel management solutions, but they address different organizational requirements very specifically. CrewBrain impresses with its high flexibility in project- and assignment-oriented planning and maps complex scenarios such as rotating crews, freelancer assignments, and employee leasing in a structured way. Supplemented by preparatory payroll accounting with DATEV interface, open APIs, extensive reporting functions, and AI enablement, CrewBrain presents itself as a future-proof, modular platform with high transparency in pricing.
Ordio scores as a comprehensive all-in-one system for companies with classic shift planning. The combination of shift and duty scheduling, legally compliant time tracking, integrated or preparatory payroll, digital personnel file, and a highly used employee app ensures efficient processes and high user acceptance. Especially the mobile usage and the close integration of all core functions make Ordio a stable and convenient solution for day-to-day operations.
Both systems offer open interfaces, modern apps, and a solid functional foundation. The choice between CrewBrain and Ordio is therefore less a question of quality, but rather of the structure and complexity of your own personnel processes—in both cases, companies receive a powerful, field-tested software solution.
Would you like to try CrewBrain?
Just register for our 30-day free trial here!
This post is also available in de_DE.