Comparison

Spark vs ShiftCal® for Split Shifts

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Full shift customization
  • Secure cloud sync
  • Streamlined shift trades
  • Instant visual cues
  • Comprehensive shift coverage
  • User-friendly interface
Features
Read full description

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!

About

ShiftCal® for Split Shifts

Features
Read full description

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

Spark4 screens
ShiftCal® for Split Shifts1 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Spark versus ShiftCal® for Split Shifts: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSparkShiftCal® for Split Shifts
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating4.8 (7.5K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews74.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings7.5K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.611.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperE.L.K. Equities LLCThomas 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

2 purchases

Spark

One-time2
  • Annual Subscription Renewal$0.99
  • Initial Annual Subscription$5.99
None

ShiftCal® for Split Shifts

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Spark free?
Spark is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ShiftCal® for Split Shifts free?
ShiftCal® for Split Shifts costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Spark or ShiftCal® for Split Shifts have ads?
Neither Spark nor ShiftCal® for Split Shifts shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Spark or ShiftCal® for Split Shifts?
Spark ships an update every 5 weeks, and ShiftCal® for Split Shifts every 4 months. Most recently, Spark was updated on September 30, 2026 and ShiftCal® for Split Shifts on September 22, 2026.

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