Comparison

Gopher Request vs shiftNOW

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Gopher Request

Connects users with local individuals for various tasks like deliveries, rides, moving, and home repairs. Users can post requests, set prices, and hire vetted helpers. It aims to save users time and effort by providing on-demand assistance.

Highlights
  • Post task requests with photos
  • Set your own price or receive offers
  • Hire vetted and rated local helpers
  • Track job progress live on map
  • Rehire favorite helpers
  • Wide range of services available
Features
Read full description

Your to-do list just met its match. Need something delivered? A ride across town? Help moving, mowing, hauling junk, or finally tackling that small home repair? There’s a Gopher for that—and they’re most likely right around the corner. Gopher connects you with nearby people, vetted, rated and ready to help. Tell us what you need, name your price or ask for offers, and turn “I’ll get to it someday” into “Already done.” Less running around. More living your life. HOW IT WORKS
• Tell us what you need—add photos for extra detail
• Set your price, or ask for offers and pick your favorite
• A nearby Gopher accepts—track the job live on the map
• Confirm the finished work and rate your experience
• Save your favorites to MY Gophers—they get first shot at your next request WHY YOU’LL LOVE GOPHER
• Your task. Your price. You’re in control.
• Local help, often available within the hour
• Vetted, rated workers—with reviews you can check before hiring
• Deliveries, errands, rides, yard work, moving help, and more—all in one app
• One-time help or a regular helping hand
• Find someone great? Hire them again. That errand eating up your afternoon? The project waiting for an extra pair of hands? You don’t have to do it all yourself. Download Gopher and see who’s ready to help nearby. If it’s on your list, Gopher it! *Age-restricted deliveries require valid ID and compliance with all applicable laws.

About

shiftNOW

This app connects hospitality businesses with a network of vetted workers, offering flexible job opportunities. Businesses can post various roles and manage hiring efficiently, while workers gain access to competitive pay and instant payouts.

Highlights
  • Post one-time, part-time, or full-time opportunities
  • Access a network of vetted hospitality professionals
  • Manage workforce needs from mobile
  • Save time and money on hiring
  • Flexible work opportunities
  • Competitive earning opportunities
  • Instant payout process
Read full description

shiftNOW connects hospitality professionals and businesses through work opportunities. Through shiftNOW’s mobile app, businesses can post one-time, part-time, or full-time opportunities across several role types and select applicants from our network of vetted workers. The shiftNOW app offers businesses the opportunity to: Easily manage their workforce needs from their phone Access a network of vetted hospitality professionals across FOH, BOH, event, and managerial positions Save time and money on the recruiting and hiring process Workers on the shiftNOW app benefit from: Flexible work opportunities across more than 40 role types Competitive earning opportunities with reputable hospitality brands Instant payout and a streamlined, efficient payout process Whether you’re looking for hospitality workers or you’re seeking opportunities in the hospitality industry, shiftNOW can help. Download the app to get started! Role Types Available on shiftNOW Front of House Barista Bartender (wine and beer) Bartender (wine, beer, liquor) Brand Ambassador Cashier Concierge FOH Support Host/Hostess Pastry Cook/Baker Server Server Assistant Events Event Captain Event Cook Event Crew Event Server Food Station Attendant Back of House Barback Busser BOH Support Concessions Cook Dishwasher Fry Cook Grillmaster Housekeeper Janitorial Line Cook Prep Cook Runner Steward General Labor General Warehouse Maintenance Merchandising Managerial Positions Catering Supervisor Director of Food and Beverage Executive Chef General Manager / Manager / Assistant Manager Restaurant Manager / Assistant Restaurant Manager shiftNOW is currently available in the following cities: Atlanta, GA Beaufort, SC Bluffton, SC Charleston, SC Columbia, SC Greenville, SC Hilton Head, SC Memphis, TN Myrtle Beach, SC Nashville, TN Savannah, GA

Screenshots

Gopher Request4 screens
shiftNOW4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Gopher Request at 80% against shiftNOW's 42%. shiftNOW's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (508 vs 129). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

shiftNOW holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 129 and 508 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 80% of Gopher Request's written reviews are positive against 42% of shiftNOW's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Gopher Request ships an update every 10 days, shiftNOW every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Gopher Request versus shiftNOW: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGopher RequestshiftNOW
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (129 ratings)4.6 (508 ratings) — better
Positive reviews79.6% of reviews — better42.1% of reviews
Number of ratings129508 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size71 MB78 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperGopher, Inc.ShiftNOW

Customer experience

Gopher Request

All ratings128 ratings
Positive82.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative17.2%
Written reviews49 reviews
Positive79.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.4%

shiftNOW

All ratings483 ratings
Positive89.2%
Neutral2.7%
Negative8.1%
Written reviews38 reviews
Positive42.1%
Neutral15.8%
Negative42.1%

User reviews

Gopher Request

From 129 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 User-friendly and easy to use
  • 🚀 Fast and efficient service
  • 🤝 Great for odd jobs and errands
  • 💡 Innovative concept for community help
  • 🌟 Excellent customer service

Room to improve

  • 📉 Lack of active users/couriers
  • ⏳ Long wait times for service
  • 🐛 Glitchy and buggy software
  • 🚫 Unreliable service at times
  • ⚠️ Potential for legal issues due to third-party nature

shiftNOW

From 508 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 User-friendly interface and easy setup
  • 💰 Quick payment processing (24-48 hours)
  • 🎯 Flexible scheduling and shift selection
  • 🤝 Helpful customer service
  • 🌟 Great networking and community building

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent app glitches and technical issues
  • 💸 Excessive fees and payment delays
  • 📍 Limited geographic availability (only SC/TN)
  • 🔐 Demands excessive personal data upfront
  • ⏳ Poor shift management and communication

Bugs and requests

Gopher Request

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • Software is glitchy and buggy
  • Unable to type in card numbers
  • Requests disappear after closing the app
  • System returns error messages during sign-up
  • Username/email taken but no password reset link
Show 2 more
  • Time out errors when writing reviews
  • Blank pages after login

Requested features

5 requests
  • Improve app stability and reduce glitches
  • Increase the number of active couriers
  • Faster support response times
  • More reliable transaction processing
  • Better user interface for inputting information

shiftNOW

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • Next button non-functional on profile setup screen
  • Wallet setup screen button not responding
  • Profile video upload repeatedly rejected despite meeting requirements
  • App crashes during profile creation
  • Pending shift status not updating after shifts are filled
Show 2 more
  • Shift conflicts appearing simultaneously with accepted shifts
  • Payment delays despite promised next-day payout

Requested features

7 requests
  • Show service areas before requiring full profile completion
  • Direct messaging between shifters and employers
  • Real-time shift status updates (filled/cancelled)
  • Confirmation system when employers select workers
  • Ability for employers to modify shift requirements without cancelling
Show 2 more
  • Clearer communication about service availability by region
  • More flexible profile video acceptance criteria

In-app purchases

None

Gopher Request

No in-app purchases

None

shiftNOW

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Gopher Request free?
Gopher Request is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is shiftNOW free?
shiftNOW is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Gopher Request or shiftNOW?
shiftNOW is rated higher. Gopher Request averages 4.3 out of 5 from 129 ratings, while shiftNOW averages 4.6 from 508 ratings.
Do Gopher Request or shiftNOW have ads?
Neither Gopher Request nor shiftNOW shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Gopher Request or shiftNOW?
Gopher Request ships an update every 10 days, and shiftNOW every 9 days. Most recently, Gopher Request was updated on November 6, 2026 and shiftNOW on November 7, 2026.

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