Spark vs ShiftCal® for Split Shifts
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Spark
This app simplifies shift work for professionals like first responders and healthcare workers. It offers full customization, secure cloud syncing, and streamlined shift trading. Plan your life and stay organized with instant visual cues and reliable support.
- Full shift customization
- Secure cloud sync
- Streamlined shift trades
- Instant visual cues
- Comprehensive shift coverage
- User-friendly interface
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Spark: Your Ultimate Shift Calendar App For over 15 years, Spark has been the go-to app for simplifying shift work. Loaded with powerful, user-friendly features, Spark helps you balance work and personal life in one place—trusted daily by fire, police, EMS, healthcare professionals, and shift workers worldwide. With Spark’s unique "Cloud Connect" system, you can sync and share your schedule across all devices, keeping you and your loved ones in the loop anytime, anywhere. Why Spark? Here’s why your colleagues love it: Full Customization Spark is designed for you. Track and log anything you need—vacation, sick time, comp time, overtime, trades, and more. Can’t find something? Add it with ease! Spark’s sleek, intuitive design lets you personalize everything to suit your work style. Secure & Reliable Your data is safe with us. Spark’s "Cloud Connect" syncs your encrypted calendar across devices, linked to your email. Lose or upgrade your phone? Just log back in, and it’s like you never left. Comprehensive Shift Coverage From pre-loaded schedules to custom department setups, Spark supports thousands of shift calendars. Don’t see yours? Easily create it, and it’s saved for you and your team. Streamlined Shift Trades & Swaps Manage and track all your trades and swaps down to the individual. Spark’s “Trade Board” lets you request and confirm trades within the app, automatically updating your calendar and stats—no extra steps. Instant Visual Cues Color-code shifts, events, and stats for at-a-glance planning. With Spark, you’ll know exactly what’s on the agenda without extra clicks. Unmatched Customer Support Our app thrives on user feedback. We’re committed to fast, helpful support, with most emails resolved in under two hours. Spark evolves with your input, making it the app you can rely on for years to come. Try Spark free for 30 days, and experience the app that’s helping shift workers around the world stay organized. Visit www.LeakyNozzle.com to learn more!
ShiftCal® for Split Shifts
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ShiftCal® is a platoon-based calendar for emergency service personnel working split (am/pm) shifts. It is easily customizable to any regular shift rotation of two to six platoons. Create multiple shift schedules and switch between them at will - keep track of schedules for family members or neighboring agencies. Quickly create new shift schedules using the "Paste from Clipboard" option - see the "Help" tab. ShiftCal is not an appointment calendar - you already have an excellent one on your device. ShiftCal is a registered trademark.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Spark at Free against ShiftCal® for Split Shifts's $1.99. Spark also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 4 months). ShiftCal® for Split Shifts's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). On ads and device support 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
Spark is free to download; ShiftCal® for Split Shifts costs $1.99 up front. Spark sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. ShiftCal® for Split Shifts asks for nothing beyond the download.
Spark ships an update every 5 weeks, ShiftCal® for Split Shifts every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Spark | ShiftCal® for Split Shifts |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $1.99 |
| Rating | 4.8 (7.5K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 74.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 7.5K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 14 MB | 20 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | E.L.K. Equities LLC | Thomas Wesley Erickson |
Bugs and requests
Spark
Reported bugs
3 issues- Login and authentication problems
- Data loss and sync issues after updates
- Unreliable performance on some devices
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to sync with more calendar services
- More customization options
- Improved user interface and design
- Ability to view past schedules and events
ShiftCal® for Split Shifts
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Spark
- Annual Subscription Renewal$0.99
- Initial Annual Subscription$5.99
ShiftCal® for Split Shifts
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Spark free?
Is ShiftCal® for Split Shifts free?
Do Spark or ShiftCal® for Split Shifts have ads?
Which is updated more often, Spark or ShiftCal® for Split Shifts?
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