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Head-to-head · Substitute Teacher Management Software

Spur AMS vs Red Rover

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Spur AMS #5 in Substitute Teacher Management Software 7.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Spur AMS
Red Rover #6 in Substitute Teacher Management Software 7.1/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Red Rover

Spur AMS leads on 1 check, Red Rover on 0, 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 scoreSpur AMS · 7.5/10
  • Free planonly Spur AMS

Spur AMS scores higher on our rubric for substitute teacher management software: 7.5 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

Spur AMS offers free plan; Red Rover doesn't publish it. 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.

Spur AMS is the better fit for districts seeking free dispatch and time-tracking tools. Red Rover is the better fit for districts prioritizing payroll and HR integrations.

  • Spur AMS fits best

    Districts seeking free dispatch and time-tracking tools

  • Red Rover fits best

    Districts prioritizing payroll and HR integrations

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 Spur AMS 7.5/10 Visit ↗ Red Rover 7.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.5 7.1
Ranking #5 in Substitute Teacher Management Software #6 in Substitute Teacher Management Software
Best for Districts seeking free dispatch and time-tracking tools Districts prioritizing payroll and HR integrations
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ (best) Not published
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web Web, iOS, Android
Integrations 4 integrations 18 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Spur AMS 3/3 · Red Rover 3/3
Automated calling ✓ ✓
Substitute mobile app ✓ ✓
Payroll export ✓ ✓
Specs
Absence entry Staff Both
Assignment alerts Multiple Sms
District system integrations SIS; SSO; HRIS; payroll export 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
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • 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.
Cons
  • 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
  • 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.
Our verdict

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 →

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 →
  1. Spur AMSSubstitute Teacher Management Software 7.5Free plan
  2. Red RoverSubstitute Teacher Management Software 7.1Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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 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 AMS7.5/10 · Free plan

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

    Visit Spur AMSFull verdict →
  • Red Rover7.1/10 · Pricing on request

    Automates substitute scheduling, alerts, assignment changes and payroll-oriented time tracking.

    Visit Red RoverFull 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