# Upkid vs shiftNOW

The clearest difference is rating: shiftNOW at 4.6 against Upkid's 2.7. shiftNOW also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (42% vs 13%). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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 483 ratings behind it against 75, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 13% of Upkid's written reviews are positive against 42% of shiftNOW's.

Upkid ships an update every 3 weeks, shiftNOW every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Upkid | shiftNOW |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.7 (75 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/upkid/id1575435439/reviews) | **[4.6 (483 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shiftnow/id1642741252/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 75 | **483** |
| Positive reviews | 13.2% of reviews | **42.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | **Free** |
| Size | 43 MB | 78 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Upkid LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1575435441) | [ShiftNOW](https://appshunter.io/developer/1642741254) |

## What reviewers say

### Upkid

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/upkid/id1575435439)

Connects daycares and preschools with early childhood teachers seeking flexible work. Offers a quick onboarding process for substitute roles, allowing users to work when and where they choose and get paid immediately.

**Highlights:** Flexible job opportunities, Substitute teaching roles, Fast onboarding process, Work where you want, Get paid immediately, Work with children

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### shiftNOW

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shiftnow/id1642741252)

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Upkid free?

Upkid 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, Upkid or shiftNOW?

shiftNOW is rated higher. Upkid averages 2.7 out of 5 from 75 ratings, while shiftNOW averages 4.6 from 483 ratings.

### Do Upkid or shiftNOW have ads?

Upkid shows ads; shiftNOW does not.

### Which is updated more often, Upkid or shiftNOW?

Upkid ships an update every 3 weeks, and shiftNOW every 9 days. Most recently, Upkid was updated on October 5, 2026 and shiftNOW on October 15, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*