DayReady
DayReady: A California-focused substitute platform pairing dispatch workflows with classroom and payroll tools. Ranked #3 of 28 in Substitute Teacher Management Software by our editors (8.2/10); pricing: From $4/yr · 60-day trial; best for districts needing deep workflows and payroll exports.
At a glance
- Editor score8.2 / 10
- PricingFrom $4/yr · 60-day trial
- Best forDistricts needing deep workflows and payroll exports
- Free planNo
- Automated callingYes
- Founded2009 · Sacramento, California, United States
- Facts checked28 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Ranks substitutes using preferences and do-not-use exclusions
- Delivers lesson plans, classroom details, and accommodations
- Exports payroll to QSS, Escape, and Tyler Munis
Where it doesn't
- Published plans use annual per-student pricing
- Complete tier is required for payroll exports and SIS sync
- The platform is focused on California K–12 districts
Our verdict on DayReady
DayReady brings staff absence management, substitute matching and dispatch, classroom information, time tracking, and payroll export into one platform for California K–12 districts. It covers absence requests for teachers, classified staff, and administrators, with approval workflows and leave balances. Substitute offers can go out by email or SMS, while classroom snapshots provide seating charts, schedules, routines, and contacts. The platform also includes lesson-plan delivery and a role-based viewer for IEP/504 and medical accommodations. Its scope suits districts seeking connected substitute workflows rather than a tool limited to filling vacancies.
The annual per-student plans add capabilities in stages. Readiness Core is $4 per student per year and includes classroom readiness tools, clock-in/out, SFTP roster import, and Google SSO. Substitute Platform is $9 per student per year and adds staff absence requests, approvals, leave balances, ranked matching, offers, notifications, and an availability calendar. Complete is $14 per student per year; it adds sequential or parallel auto-dispatch, kiosk mode, California overtime and double-time enforcement, payroll exports to QSS, Escape, and Tyler Munis, Aeries and PowerSchool SIS sync, and compliance and credential tracking. A 60-day pilot is offered, with 30% off first-year pricing for pilot districts.
The workflow depth is the main distinction: matching can account for preferences and do-not-use exclusions, and dispatch can run sequentially or in parallel. Phone, workstation, and PIN kiosk time tracking connect assignments with time records, while payroll exports reduce the gap between substitute management and payroll processing. The integrations include Google Workspace SSO, Microsoft Entra ID SSO, SFTP, Aeries, PowerSchool, and the three named payroll systems. Districts that need those dispatch and payroll connections may find the higher tier a fit; those seeking a general-purpose staffing tool or a lower-priced flat-rate plan should compare alternatives.
DayReady pricing
All 3 DayReady plans and prices →
DayReady fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Automated calling | Yes |
| Absence entry | Both |
| Substitute mobile app | Yes |
| Payroll export | Yes |
| Assignment alerts | Multiple |
| District system integrations | QSS, Escape, Tyler Munis, Aeries, PowerSchool, Google Workspace, Microsoft Entra ID, SFTP |
| Free trial | 60 days |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web |
| Compliance & security | SSO/SAML |
| Support | Live chat, Tickets, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 8 integrations: QSS, Escape, Tyler Munis, Aeries, PowerSchool, Google Workspace SSO … |
| Pricing | From $4/yr · 60-day trial (source) |
| Website | dayready.com |
| Facts checked | 28 Sep 2026 |
DayReady integrations
DayReady lists 8 integrations on its own site.
- QSS
- Escape
- Tyler Munis
- Aeries
- PowerSchool
- Google Workspace SSO
- Microsoft Entra ID SSO
- SFTP
Alternatives to DayReady
- Tyler Absence & SubstituteA full-service K-12 system linking absence records, substitute matching, notifications, and payroll workflows.9.0
- Frontline Absence ManagementDistrict-focused absence management with automated matching, mobile tools, and broad integrations.8.2
- SmartFind ExpressA focused K–12 dispatch system with automated callouts and multi-channel alerts.7.7
See all DayReady alternatives →
DayReady vs the competition
- DayReady vs Tyler Absence & Substitute
- DayReady vs Frontline Absence Management
- DayReady vs SmartFind Express
- DayReady vs Spur AMS
- DayReady vs Red Rover
- DayReady vs SmartSub
Compare DayReady with any tool side by side →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
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