# shiftNOW vs Bartinder

shiftNOW and Bartinder both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 42% of shiftNOW's written reviews are positive against 0% of Bartinder's. shiftNOW also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ratings volume (483 vs 6). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Bartinder sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. shiftNOW asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for shiftNOW against 4.5 for Bartinder. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: shiftNOW has 483 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 42% of shiftNOW's written reviews are positive against 0% of Bartinder's.

shiftNOW ships an update every 9 days, Bartinder every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | shiftNOW | Bartinder |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (483 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shiftnow/id1642741252/reviews)** | [4.5 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bartinder/id6502832300/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **483** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | **42.1% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Subscription |
| Size | 78 MB | 94 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [ShiftNOW](https://appshunter.io/developer/1642741254) | [Bartinder LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1553047932) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Bartinder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bartinder/id6502832300)

This app connects bartenders with local gig opportunities and helps event hosts find and hire qualified bartenders. Users can create profiles, set availability, and communicate directly to arrange event details.

**Highlights:** Find local bartending opportunities, Create bartender profiles, Post event details to hire bartenders, In-app chat for communication, Location-based gig matching, Maximize earning potential

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| Monthly Subscription | $29.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $119.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $179.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is shiftNOW free?

shiftNOW is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Bartinder free?

Bartinder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, shiftNOW or Bartinder?

shiftNOW is rated higher. shiftNOW averages 4.6 out of 5 from 483 ratings, while Bartinder averages 4.5 from 6 ratings.

### Do shiftNOW or Bartinder have ads?

Neither shiftNOW nor Bartinder shows ads.

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

shiftNOW ships an update every 9 days, and Bartinder every 8 days. Most recently, shiftNOW was updated on October 9, 2026 and Bartinder on October 7, 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.*