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

This app connects users with local individuals for a wide range of services and tasks. Simply describe your needs, set your price, and local "Gophers" will accept and complete the job. It's a direct way to hire help for errands, deliveries, repairs, and more from your community.

Highlights
  • Request diverse services
  • Set your own price
  • Connect with local helpers
  • Direct communication with workers
  • Rate and favorite providers
  • Same-hour service options
Features
Read full description

Gopher is your community marketplace for getting things done. One app, any service. Deliveries, errands, rides, moving help, lawn care, junk removal, minor home repairs, and just about anything else on your list. There’s always someone who can help you right around the corner—and we make hiring them easy. Simply describe the errand or task you need in your own words, set the price you think is fair (or ask for bids), and say when and where you need it done. We’ll immediately post your request to every capable worker in your area. HOW IT WORKS • Pick a category and tell us what you need—photos welcome • Set your price, or ask for offers and choose one • A nearby Gopher accepts—follow the job live on the map • Confirm the finished work, then rate your Gopher • Add the good ones to MY Gophers—they get first shot at your next request WHY GOPHER • You set the price—no platform markups or inflated item pricing • Real people nearby, often available within the hour • Know who is coming—vetted and rated, with reviews up front • Any task, big or small—one time or every week • Your money goes to the person doing the work, not to corporate fees With Gopher, you’re not ordering a service—you’re hiring help directly from your community. If it’s on your list, it’s in our scope. 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 (483 vs 127). 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 — 127 and 483 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 11 days, shiftNOW every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Gopher Request versus shiftNOW: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGopher RequestshiftNOW
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (127 ratings)4.6 (483 ratings) — better
Positive reviews79.6% of reviews — better42.1% of reviews
Number of ratings127483 — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 daysEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size117 MB78 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperGopher, Inc.ShiftNOW

Customer experience

Gopher Request

All ratings127 ratings
Positive82.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative17.3%
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 127 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 483 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 127 ratings, while shiftNOW averages 4.6 from 483 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 11 days, and shiftNOW every 9 days. Most recently, Gopher Request was updated on October 8, 2026 and shiftNOW on October 5, 2026.

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