SubFinder
SubFinder: A focused SMS dispatch tool for schools assigning substitute coverage quickly. Ranked #24 of 28 in Substitute Teacher Management Software by our editors (5.2/10); pricing: From $24/mo (annual); best for small schools managing SMS-based substitute assignment.
At a glance
- Editor score5.2 / 10
- PricingFrom $24/mo (annual)
- Best forSmall schools managing SMS-based substitute assignment
- Free planNo
- Paid from$24/mo
- Facts checked28 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Broadcasts SMS offers to the whole pool or selected substitutes
- Assigns the first qualified yes response or supports manual selection
- Weekly schedule, classroom routing, and live offer activity feed
Where it doesn't
- Substitutes interact by SMS rather than through a mobile app
- It is not a payroll processor or HR information system
- Networks over 100 substitutes must request custom pricing
Our verdict on SubFinder
SubFinder is a cloud-based substitute coverage tool for Pre-K, daycare, and K–12 administrators. It organizes substitute rosters and classrooms, creates coverage requests, and sends SMS offers to selected substitutes or the full pool. Substitutes reply by text, while administrators can let the first qualified yes response fill the job or review replies and choose manually. The web dashboard adds classroom history, a weekly schedule with open and filled statuses, and a real-time offer activity feed. It suits small and mid-market schools that want dispatch centered on text messaging rather than a separate substitute app.
Pricing is available in three tiers with monthly or annual billing. Starter costs $24 per month billed annually or $29 billed monthly and includes a dedicated local number, SMS dispatch, auto-confirmation, dashboard, and reporting. Growth costs $65 annually or $79 monthly and adds priority support. District costs $124 annually or $149 monthly, adding unlimited schools and dedicated onboarding. Setup is free through September 30, 2026; afterward, the one-time $149 setup fee is waived on annual plans. Larger networks or accounts needing more than 100 substitutes must request custom pricing.
The strongest fit is a school that needs configurable response timeouts, classroom-based routing, and a clear weekly view of open versus filled jobs. Substitutes can respond without installing an app, keeping participation tied to SMS. The service is delivered through the web, with email support and GDPR compliance identified, and it is explicitly a scheduling and communications tool rather than a payroll or HR system. Schools seeking integrated payroll, HR records, or broader workforce administration should choose a platform built for those functions instead. SubFinder is most appropriate when rapid text-based coverage coordination is the central requirement.
SubFinder pricing
All 3 SubFinder plans and prices →
SubFinder fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $24/mo |
| Automated calling | Not verified |
| Absence entry | Not verified |
| Substitute mobile app | No |
| Payroll export | Not verified |
| Assignment alerts | Sms |
| District system integrations | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web |
| Compliance & security | GDPR |
| Support | |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | From $24/mo (annual) (source) |
| Website | subfinder.dev |
| Facts checked | 28 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to SubFinder
- 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
- DayReadyA California-focused substitute platform pairing dispatch workflows with classroom and payroll tools.8.2
See all SubFinder alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
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