Simple Roster
Simple Roster is an offline-first electronic rostering app for shift workers on iOS.
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
The app removes the connectivity dependency required by cloud-based scheduling tools, allowing users to access their shifts in remote areas.
For Shift workers and their families who need to coordinate complex or recurring work schedules.
What does it look like?
Key features
Stores all shift data locally on the device, allowing access in areas without network coverage.
Automates the entry of recurring shift schedules over defined periods.
Imports roster data into the native iOS calendar application.
How much does it cost?
The freemium model gates advanced scheduling automation and note-taking behind a one-time purchase.
Velocity
Dormant developmentopaqueShow more...
Simple Roster has been inactive for 1169 days, with no feature updates or maintenance patches released in over three years. The latest release was limited to technical compatibility adjustments for watchOS 27. Given the lack of activity since June 2023, the app is classified as a zombie project.
Who built it?
Purple Development
4 apps tracked · Productivity
User Sentiment
What do users think recently?
Review voice lately leans thrilled. Users appreciate color-coded scheduling for multiple jobs prevents conflicts and keeps busy professionals organized daily and simple and clean interface allows shift workers to plan their personal lives months in advance.
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
What users say, by theme
- Color-coded scheduling for multiple jobs prevents conflicts and keeps busy professionals organized daily
- Simple and clean interface allows shift workers to plan their personal lives months in advance
- Data sharing functionality enables family members to coordinate activities around complex work schedules
- Lack of landscape orientation makes viewing long-term rosters uncomfortable for users on mobile devices
49 of 49 recent reviews analyzed · high confidence · Thrilled overall
Read the full review analysisUnlock 1 more frustration theme and 1 user request, each backed by review evidence.
Access the full report for freeCompetition
Competitive landscape for Simple Roster
How's the Productivity market?
Simple Roster maintains a 4.79 rating across 771 total ratings, signaling high satisfaction with its core offline functionality. The lack of updates for over 1,100 days suggests a maintenance-only posture that limits its ability to compete with active, cloud-integrated scheduling tools.
Read the market outlookThe rivals identified
Unlock the deeper market read.
Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Simple Roster
Where is it heading?
The productivity scheduling market is consolidating around cloud-native tools that offer seamless multi-device synchronization. Simple Roster's reliance on a static, offline-only model leaves it exposed to churn as users migrate to platforms that support real-time collaboration and multi-event tracking.
- The 1,169-day update silence indicates the product is in maintenance mode, which prevents it from addressing modern user expectations for multi-event tracking.
- Persistent user requests for landscape orientation remain unaddressed, signaling that the current product roadmap is not aligned with user-reported usability pain points.
The SWOT
- Local-first architecture ensures roster access in remote areas without network dependency
- Landscape view mode would resolve the top requested usability feature
Next best moves
Ship landscape orientation because it is the top-requested feature in reviews → reduce churn pressure
The counter-intuitive read
The app's greatest strength, its offline-only design…
Read the full takeSince the last report: Simple Roster remains in a 1,169-day maintenance cycle with no functional updates or changes to its feature set. The primary shift is a more explicit articulation of the competitive threat posed by cloud-native scheduling alternatives.
Bottom line
Simple Roster maintains a stable user base through its reliable offline-first mechanism, but the three-year development silence creates a significant vulnerability to modern, feature-rich scheduling alternatives.
Unlock 2 critical frictions, 1 market threat and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeFAQ
Is Simple Roster suitable for users with multiple jobs?
Does Simple Roster require an internet connection?
What is the difference between the free and full versions?
Sources
- [1] App Store
Report last updated