# shiftNOW vs Instawork Lens

The clearest difference is rating: shiftNOW at 4.6 against Instawork Lens's 2.3. shiftNOW also leads on review sentiment (42% vs 21%) and ratings volume (508 vs 70). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: shiftNOW has 508 ratings behind it against 70, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 42% of shiftNOW's written reviews are positive against 21% of Instawork Lens's.

shiftNOW ships an update every 9 days, Instawork Lens every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | shiftNOW | Instawork Lens |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (508 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shiftnow/id1642741252/reviews)** | [2.3 (70 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/instawork-lens/id6753125272/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **508** | 70 |
| Positive reviews | **42.1% of reviews** | 20.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 11 days |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 78 MB | 27 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ShiftNOW](https://appshunter.io/developer/1642741254) | [Instawork](https://appshunter.io/developer/1123819772) |

## 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


### Instawork Lens

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/instawork-lens/id6753125272)

This app transforms your iPhone into a hands-free tool for professionals to capture detailed video, audio, and spatial data from a first-person perspective. It's ideal for documenting complex tasks, training, quality assurance, and troubleshooting.

**Highlights:** First-person perspective capture, High-resolution video recording, Crystal-clear audio capture, Integrated spatial data, External USB storage recording, Intuitive hands-free interface

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is shiftNOW free?

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

### Is Instawork Lens free?

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

### Which has better reviews, shiftNOW or Instawork Lens?

shiftNOW is rated higher. shiftNOW averages 4.6 out of 5 from 508 ratings, while Instawork Lens averages 2.3 from 70 ratings.

### Do shiftNOW or Instawork Lens have ads?

Neither shiftNOW nor Instawork Lens shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, shiftNOW or Instawork Lens?

shiftNOW ships an update every 9 days, and Instawork Lens every 11 days. Most recently, shiftNOW was updated on November 7, 2026 and Instawork Lens on October 30, 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.*