Substime
Substime: A free mobile dispatch option with fair assignment and multi-channel alerts. Ranked #12 of 28 in Substitute Teacher Management Software by our editors (6.2/10); pricing: Free plan · 30-day trial; best for schools looking for a free mobile dispatch option.
At a glance
- Editor score6.2 / 10
- PricingFree plan · 30-day trial
- Best forSchools looking for a free mobile dispatch option
- Free planYes
- Automated callingYes
- Facts checked28 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free plan covers basic absence reporting and simple scheduling
- Professional adds fair assignment plus email, SMS and push notifications
- Native iOS and Android apps support mobile assignment responses
Where it doesn't
- Professional plan is marked Coming Soon
- Free tier limits notifications to email
- Enterprise uses custom pricing for district-level capabilities
Our verdict on Substime
Substime is a school workforce-management platform for recording teacher absences, assigning substitute duties and coordinating staff notifications. It is aimed at schools that need a structured dispatch workflow across web, iOS and Android. Core functions include absence reporting, integrated scheduling, automated notifications, one-tap SMS responses, real-time assignment status updates and an administrator dashboard with analytics and activity tracking. Bulk user import and guided onboarding are also part of the feature set.
The freemium structure gives smaller schools a Free plan with basic absence reporting, email notifications, simple scheduling and community support. A 30-day free trial is available. The Professional plan adds SMS and push notifications, a fair assignment algorithm, advanced scheduling, an admin dashboard, mobile apps and priority support; the published plan is marked Coming Soon. Enterprise is designed for broader school operations, adding multi-school management, custom integrations, advanced analytics, white-label options, dedicated support, and training and onboarding, with custom pricing.
Substime’s strongest differentiator is its dispatch workflow: the fair assignment algorithm, multiple notification channels, one-tap SMS responses and live assignment statuses are designed to keep substitute coordination moving. Native mobile apps make the workflow accessible for staff away from a desktop, while the dashboard provides administrative visibility. Schools needing only basic email-based scheduling can start with Free, while schools that require richer notifications and assignment controls should look to Professional when available. Districts needing multi-school administration, custom integrations or white-label delivery fit the Enterprise tier, though its custom pricing warrants a more involved buying process.
Substime pricing
All 3 Substime plans and prices →
Substime fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Automated calling | Yes |
| Absence entry | Not verified |
| Substitute mobile app | Yes |
| Payroll export | Not verified |
| Assignment alerts | Multiple |
| District system integrations | Not verified |
| Free trial | 30 days |
| Deployment | Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android |
| Support | Community |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan · 30-day trial (source) |
| Website | substime.com |
| Facts checked | 28 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Substime
- 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 Substime alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
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