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Head-to-head · Substitute Teacher Management Software

Frontline Absence Management vs Spur AMS

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Frontline Absence Management #2 in Substitute Teacher Management Software 8.2/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Frontline
Spur AMS #5 in Substitute Teacher Management Software 7.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Spur AMS

Frontline Absence Management leads on 0 checks, Spur AMS on 1, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreFrontline Absence Management · 8.2/10
  • Free planonly Spur AMS

Frontline Absence Management scores higher on our rubric for substitute teacher management software: 8.2 against 7.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #5.

Spur AMS offers free plan; Frontline Absence Management doesn't. On absence entry, Frontline Absence Management gives you Both where Spur AMS offers Staff.

Frontline Absence Management is the better fit for schools needing broad integrations and mobile tools. Spur AMS is the better fit for districts seeking free dispatch and time-tracking tools.

  • Frontline Absence Management fits best

    Schools needing broad integrations and mobile tools

  • Spur AMS fits best

    Districts seeking free dispatch and time-tracking tools

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. It never changes our verdict. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Frontline Absence Management 8.2/10 Visit ↗ Spur AMS 7.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.2 7.5
Ranking #2 in Substitute Teacher Management Software #5 in Substitute Teacher Management Software
Best for Schools needing broad integrations and mobile tools Districts seeking free dispatch and time-tracking tools
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web
Integrations 7 integrations 4 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Frontline Absence Management 3/3 · Spur AMS 3/3
Automated calling ✓ ✓
Substitute mobile app ✓ ✓
Payroll export ✓ ✓
Specs
Absence entry Both Staff
Assignment alerts Multiple Multiple
District system integrations Skyward; Infinite Campus; PowerSchool; Paycom; Paylocity; SAP; SubAlert SIS; SSO; HRIS; payroll export
Our review
Pros
  • Matches substitutes using skills, certifications, preferences, and exclusions
  • Mobile job notifications, details, and acceptance for substitutes
  • Integrates with major student, payroll, and workforce systems
  • Ranked dispatch with escalation, text, and push notifications
  • Time tracking through approvals, timesheets, payroll, and HRIS export
  • Substitute mobile app with one-tap acceptance and pool ranking
Cons
  • Subscription pricing requires a vendor proposal
  • The product is subscription-based rather than free
  • Support is centered on documentation
  • Standalone billing adds a $500 base fee
  • Large-district features depend on a staffing contract for free access
  • Designed for mid-market and enterprise districts rather than small schools
Our verdict

Frontline Absence Management helps K–12 school districts record employee absences, route requests for administrator approval, and fill classroom vacancies with substitutes. Automated matching considers skills, certifications, preferences,…

Read the review →

Spur AMS is a K–12 absence-management system for districts coordinating staff absences, substitute coverage, time records, and payroll handoff. Staff can submit absences through the web, phone, or app, while automatic dispatch works…

Read the review →
  1. Frontline Absence ManagementSubstitute Teacher Management Software 8.2Pricing on request
  2. Spur AMSSubstitute Teacher Management Software 7.5Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Frontline Absence Management — where it wins

    • Matches substitutes using skills, certifications, preferences, and exclusions
    • Mobile job notifications, details, and acceptance for substitutes
    • Integrates with major student, payroll, and workforce systems

    Where it doesn't

    • Subscription pricing requires a vendor proposal
    • The product is subscription-based rather than free
    • Support is centered on documentation

  • Spur AMS — where it wins

    • Ranked dispatch with escalation, text, and push notifications
    • Time tracking through approvals, timesheets, payroll, and HRIS export
    • Substitute mobile app with one-tap acceptance and pool ranking

    Where it doesn't

    • Standalone billing adds a $500 base fee
    • Large-district features depend on a staffing contract for free access
    • Designed for mid-market and enterprise districts rather than small schools
  • Frontline Absence Management8.2/10 · Pricing on request

    District-focused absence management with automated matching, mobile tools, and broad integrations.

    Visit FrontlineFull verdict →
  • Spur AMS7.5/10 · Free plan

    A broad K–12 absence and substitute workflow with a free staffing-contract tier.

    Visit Spur AMSFull verdict →

More comparisons

All substitute teacher management software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update