Head-to-head · Substitute Teacher Management Software
Red Rover vs Spur AMS
Red Rover leads on 0 checks, Spur AMS on 0, and 4 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 scoreRed Rover · 7.8/10
- Free planonly Spur AMS
Red Rover scores higher on our rubric for substitute teacher management software: 7.8 against 7.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.
On absence entry, Red Rover gives you Both where Spur AMS offers Staff. On assignment alerts, Spur AMS gives you Multiple where Red Rover offers Sms.
Red Rover is the better fit for districts prioritizing payroll and HR integrations. Spur AMS is the better fit for districts seeking free dispatch and time-tracking tools.
- Red Rover fits best
Districts prioritizing payroll and HR integrations
- Spur AMS fits best
Districts seeking free dispatch and time-tracking tools
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Side by side
| Feature | Red Rover 7.8/10 Visit ↗ | Spur AMS 7.7/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 7.8 | 7.7 |
| Ranking | #5 in Substitute Teacher Management Software | #6 in Substitute Teacher Management Software |
| Best for | Districts prioritizing payroll and HR integrations | Districts seeking free dispatch and time-tracking tools |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | Pricing on request | — |
| Free plan | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web |
| Integrations | 18 integrations | 4 integrations |
| Built for | Mid-market, Enterprise | Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Red Rover 3/3 · Spur AMS 3/3 | ||
| Automated calling | ✓ | ✓ |
| Substitute mobile app | ✓ | ✓ |
| Payroll export | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Absence entry | Both | Staff |
| Assignment alerts | Sms | Multiple |
| District system integrations | Skyward, PowerSchool, ADP Workforce Now, ADPC, AptaFund, Avionté Payroll, Black Mountain Software, Oracle, Paychex, Paycor, QuickBooks, UKG Ready, Workday, Tyler Enterprise ERP, LINQ ERP, Microsoft Entra ID, Google Workspace, Verifent | SIS; SSO; HRIS; payroll export |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Red Rover is a cloud-based K-12 human capital management platform for school districts and education service agencies. It combines absence recording and approval, substitute scheduling, notifications, assignment management and time… 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 → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Red Rover — where it wins
- Automated scheduling matches qualified substitutes to availability.
- Assignment swaps and partial fills handle complex coverage needs.
- HR, payroll and time-tracking integrations support payroll accuracy.
Where it doesn't
- District pricing requires a contact-sales custom estimate.
- Scope centers on K-12 absence and substitute operations.
- SMS is the stated channel for substitute notifications.
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
- Red Rover7.8/10 · Pricing on request
Automates substitute scheduling, alerts, assignment changes and payroll-oriented time tracking.
Visit Red RoverFull verdict → - Spur AMS7.7/10 · Free plan
A broad K–12 absence and substitute workflow with a free staffing-contract tier.
Visit Spur AMSFull verdict →
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All substitute teacher management software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Last updated · How we research and update