Top 4 Hospitality Hiring Platforms in 2026

Staffing challenges are a constant concern. “70% of hospitality operators report having job openings that are tough to fill”, according to the National Restaurant Association.

Even though hospitality labor shortages aren’t as bad as they were in 2020 to 2022, they are still “the No. 1 ranked priority for operators.” 

Whether you manage a hotel, restaurant, or event venue, having the right people at the right time directly impacts guest satisfaction and profitability.

Hiring platforms have become a popular solution, but not all are designed with hospitality in mind. This article compares four leading options: Instawork, GigSmart, GigPro (now Qwick), and shiftNOW, so you can decide which one best fits your needs.

Key Takeaways 

• For broad coverage across industries: Instawork or GigSmart
• For one-time or emergency shifts: GigPro (now Qwick)
• For hospitality businesses seeking locally vetted, reliable staff: shiftNOW

‍What to Look For in a Hospitality Hiring Platform

When evaluating hiring platforms, hospitality businesses should focus on:

• Industry specialization
• Worker vetting and reliability
• Speed of shift fulfillment
• Cost and transparency
• Ability to build a reliable roster of skilled staff, not just fill one-off shifts

That’s exactly what we’ll be priortizing our listings on below:

‍shiftNOW

shiftNOW is a purpose-built hiring platform explicitly designed for hospitality businesses. 

Unlike generalist gig apps, it was created with restaurants, hotels, catering companies, golf courses, and event venues in mind. Its focus is on making it easy and affordable to find pre-vetted local talent.

Strengths

• Tailored entirely for hospitality roles and businesses
• Temp workers are vetted to ensure they have relevant experience
• Supports on-demand, seasonal, event, and full-time hiring
• Unique features like profile videos and worker reviews to help managers make better hiring decisions
• Transparent, predictable, and affordable pricing options
•  Uses video profile hiring and the temp to hire approach to make sure that workers have relevant experience in the hospitality industry. 
• This ensures that hospitality businesses are hiring skilled temp staff every time.

Limitations

• Strongest network of workers in hospitality-heavy regions
• Expanding reach but not yet as broad as Instawork’s multi-industry footprint

Sign up for shiftNOW today and experience hassle-free staffing for your hospitality business.

Request a Demo

Instawork

Instawork is one of the most widely recognized names in the hiring platform industry. Founded in 2016, it has evolved into a platform serving multiple sectors, including hospitality, logistics, and light industrial work. 

Its app-based approach connects businesses with hourly workers, called “Pros”, who are available to pick up shifts at short notice.

‍Strengths

• Operates in many U.S. markets with a large pool of temp, flexi, and gig workers
• Covers hospitality jobs as well as warehouse and event staffing
• App features like ratings and payout options

Limitations

• Because it covers multiple industries, not every worker has strong hospitality experience
• Consistency and reliability can vary for last-minute shifts
• Workers may need additional training to meet hospitality standards

GigSmart

GigSmart markets itself as a flexible gig platform that connects businesses with independent workers across dozens of industries. It was designed as a general gig economy tool rather than a hospitality-specific solution. 

That’s an important distinction and one that many encounter the downsides of only after they’ve tried hiring staff from more generalist gig apps, like GigSmart.

‍Strengths

• Helpful in posting jobs across many industries, not just hospitality
• Easy to post shifts quickly, which helps with urgent needs
• Broad access to a large pool of gig workers

Limitations

• Lacks focus on hospitality roles, making it harder to find specialized talent
• Requires more time to screen applicants
• Fewer hospitality-specific features, such as role-based vetting

‍GigPro (Now Qwick)

GigPro (now Qwick) is more focused than Instawork or GigSmart, but its scope is narrower. Its main use case is one-off hospitality shifts. Perfect for businesses that need a bartender for a single event or a dishwasher for a one-time occasion.

‍Strengths

• Hospitality-focused, with roles like servers, line cooks, and bartenders
• Designed for urgent, last-minute coverage needs
• Simple posting process, especially for small businesses

Limitations

• Not built for scaling or creating long-term staffing solutions
• Businesses may need to repost the same jobs repeatedly
• Limited ability to build ongoing relationships with workers

Now, let’s see how these four compare in a side-by-side comparison.

Which Platform Is Right for You?

• For broad coverage across industries: Instawork or GigSmart
• For one-time or emergency shifts: GigPro (now Qwick)
• For hospitality businesses seeking locally vetted, reliable staff: shiftNOW

Conclusion: Which is the best hospitality hiring platform?

Hospitality hiring platforms are not created equal. While Instawork, GigSmart, and GigPro each have their place, they are either too general or too limited for long-term success in the hospitality industry.

We recommend shiftNOW, which ticks all the boxes and solves the hiring problems that most hospitality businesses encounter. 

Sign up for shiftNOW today and experience hassle-free staffing for your hospitality business.

Request a Demo

See the shiftNOW platform in action and understand all of the benefits it has to offer your hospitality business.

Hospitality Hiring Platforms Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What types of positions can I find on hospitality job boards?

You can find many different restaurant jobs on these platforms. This includes chefs, servers, and bartenders. There are also hotel management roles. These job boards work for everyone. New workers and experienced hospitality professionals can both find opportunities. You'll see full-time jobs, temporary staffing positions, and gig worker roles for flexible schedules.

How do job alerts work on these platforms?

Job alerts are simple to set up. Job seekers can choose their preferences like location and position type. When employers post new job postings that match what you want, you get a notification. These alerts come through email or a mobile app. This means you won't miss good opportunities.

Are these platforms only for permanent positions?

No, these platforms offer many types of work. You can find traditional full-time restaurant jobs and hospitality positions. Many job boards also focus on temporary staffing and gig worker opportunities. This helps job seekers who want short-term work. It also helps employers who need staff quickly for busy seasons.

What advantages do employers get from using these job boards?

Employers can find qualified candidates who want hospitality work. The platforms make hiring easier and faster. They offer tools to track applicants and review pre-screened candidates. Employers can also use temporary staffing services. This helps businesses add more workers during peak times or special events.

Do I need experience to use hospitality job platforms?

No, you don't need experience. Many job postings are for experienced hospitality professionals. But there are also many entry-level positions. Job seekers can search by experience level. Some platforms also show training opportunities along with job listings.

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