Upkid vs shiftNOW
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Upkid
This app connects early childhood educators with flexible job opportunities at daycares and preschools. It offers a quick onboarding process, allowing users to work as substitutes without prior experience and receive immediate payment. Make a difference while enjoying a flexible career working with children.
- Flexible job matching
- Substitute teaching opportunities
- No prior experience required
- Fast onboarding
- Immediate payment
- Work with children
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Upkid is the first app that matches up daycares and preschools with amazing early childhood teachers who want a more flexible job. No prior experience is necessary. Our fast and easy onboarding process gets you qualified to work as a substitute for childcare programs. Work as often as you want, where you want, then get paid right after you work. Have fun working with kids and make a difference. Join Upkid today!
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: shiftNOW at 4.6 against Upkid's 2.7. shiftNOW also leads on review sentiment (42% vs 15%) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
shiftNOW holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: shiftNOW has 508 ratings behind it against 92, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 15% of Upkid's written reviews are positive against 42% of shiftNOW's.
Upkid ships an update every 3 weeks, shiftNOW every 9 days. Both last shipped on November 7, 2026.
| Parameter | Upkid | shiftNOW |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.7 (92 ratings) | 4.6 (508 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 15.0% of reviews | 42.1% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 92 | 508 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 141 MB | 78 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Upkid | ShiftNOW |
Customer experience
Upkid
shiftNOW
Bugs and requests
Upkid
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
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
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- 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
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- Clearer communication about service availability by region
- More flexible profile video acceptance criteria
In-app purchases
Upkid
No in-app purchases
shiftNOW
No in-app purchases
