KareShift vs ShiftCare vs CareMaster NZ
Choosing care management software in New Zealand? We compared the leading options on what matters most: pricing transparency, Whaikaha compliance tools, rostering, and whether you can actually try before you buy.
Try KareShift Free — 90 DaysNo credit card · No lock-in · 90-day trial
Most NZ care software handles core rostering and timesheets. The differences are in pricing model (per-worker vs flat tiers), trial length (demo-only vs 90 days), Whaikaha compliance tooling, and whether the platform supports both community and residential care. KareShift offers a 90-day free trial, flat-tier pricing within each plan, and built-in compliance tracking for NZ disability and aged care providers.
Feature-by-feature comparison
Last verified: 28-Aug-2026
✗ indicates the feature was not present in publicly accessible documentation or website at time of verification. Verify directly with each vendor before making a purchasing decision.
| Feature | ShiftCare | CareMaster | KareShift |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Per-worker/month (tiered) | Custom quote | Flat tier (NZ$59–NZ$299/mo) |
| Free trial / free tier | 7-day trial (shiftcare.com, Aug 2026) | Demo only | 90-day free trial (up to 5 workers; Xero Payroll sync and payroll export need a paid plan) |
| Self-serve signup | Yes | No (requires sales demo) | Yes — under 2 minutes |
| Whaikaha compliance tracking | Basic (certifications) | Not publicly documented as of Aug 2026 | Compliance tracking + expiry alerts + auto-blocking |
| Roster / scheduling | Yes (drag-and-drop) | Yes (advanced) | Yes (drag-and-drop, NZ presets, conflict detection) |
| GPS clock-in/out | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile app / PWA | Native iOS + Android | Native iOS + Android | PWA (works in browser, no download) |
| Residential aged care support | Community care focus | Yes (residential) | Community + Residential (same platform) |
| NHI number field | Not publicly documented as of Aug 2026 | Not publicly documented as of Aug 2026 | Yes (NZ client profiles) |
| In-app messaging | Yes (basic) | Not publicly documented as of Aug 2026 | Yes (group + 1:1, file sharing, read receipts) |
| Credit card required for trial | No | N/A (demo only) | No |
| eMAR / Medication management | Not listed in public documentation (Aug 2026) | Not publicly documented as of Aug 2026 | ✓ Full eMAR — orders, rounds, PRN, controlled drugs, MAR chart, allergy alerts |
| Custom forms | Not publicly documented as of Aug 2026 | Not publicly documented as of Aug 2026 | ✓ Growth, Scale and aged-care plans (conditional logic, PDF export, signature pad) |
| Xero Payroll integration | Not publicly documented as of Aug 2026 | Not publicly documented as of Aug 2026 | ✓ Direct timesheet sync with KiwiSaver + IRD mapping (Scale and aged-care plans) |
| Invoicing | Not publicly documented as of Aug 2026 | Not publicly documented as of Aug 2026 | ✓ Invoicing with credit notes, receipts, PDF |
| Two-factor authentication | Not publicly documented as of Aug 2026 | Not publicly documented as of Aug 2026 | ✓ TOTP + trusted devices + admin reset |
| Countries supported | AU/NZ/UK/US/CA | AU/NZ | AU, NZ, UK, CA — country-specific compliance, payroll |
Feature information from public websites, help documentation, and review platforms. Features and pricing may change — contact each provider directly for current information. We verify this page quarterly.
Pricing comparison (disability / community care)
Last verified: 28-Aug-2026
Competitors
Per-worker pricing — costs scale with team size
| Provider | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| ShiftCare | NZ$9–25/user/mo depending on tier (Essentials NZ$9, Growth NZ$15, Intelligence NZ$25; min 5 users) |
| CareMaster | Custom quote |
ShiftCare: shiftcare.com/pricing, monthly billing, Aug 2026. CareMaster does not publish prices. Contact each provider for exact quotes.
KareShift
Flat-tier pricing — same price regardless of team size within tier
| Plan | Monthly + GST |
|---|---|
| Starter (up to 5 workers) | NZ$59/mo |
| Growth (up to 20 workers) | NZ$119/mo |
| Scale (50 included, +NZ$6/worker) | NZ$299/mo |
Progress notes, incidents, leave management, funding tracking and analytics are included in every plan. Custom forms, invoicing and shift swap are on Growth, Scale and aged-care plans; Xero Payroll sync and payroll export on Scale and aged-care plans. No per-worker fees within a tier. Admins and coordinators always free.
Savings calculator
How much could you save with KareShift vs per-worker pricing?
At 20 workers, KareShift Growth costs NZ$119/mo.
Per-worker tools at NZ$9–12/worker would cost NZ$180–240/mo — you save NZ$61–121/mo (NZ$732–1,452/year).
Savings estimate assumes NZ$9–12/worker/month, within the range of ShiftCare's Essentials (NZ$9) and Growth (NZ$15) tiers (shiftcare.com/pricing, monthly billing, Aug 2026; its Intelligence tier is NZ$25). Contact competitors directly for exact pricing. KareShift prices are monthly billing and exclude GST.
Where each competitor is stronger
An honest assessment — every platform has strengths.
Where ShiftCare is stronger
- Strong NDIS/AU presence — cross-Tasman if you operate in both countries
- Native mobile apps (iOS + Android)
- Established NZ market footprint and local case studies
Where CareMaster is stronger
- More established in NZ residential aged care (larger facilities)
Where KareShift is stronger
- 90-day free trial — no sales call required
- Flat-tier pricing — costs don't scale with team size within tier
- Both community care AND aged care residential on the same platform
- Self-serve signup in under 2 minutes — no demo booking required
- NZ-specific client profiles — NHI number, NASC funding, Pay Equity rates
- Voice dictation for care notes — workers speak, not type
- Custom forms with conditional logic on Growth, Scale and aged-care plans
- Shift Offers — broadcast open shifts, workers accept from their phone
- In-app messaging with push notifications — no WhatsApp needed
- Worker availability self-service — workers update their own availability
- Geofence verification on clock-in/out
Detailed individual comparisons
Deep-dive feature and pricing breakdowns for NZ competitors.
See for yourself — 90 days free
No sales call. No credit card. 90 days free, with everything except Xero Payroll sync and payroll export, which need a paid plan.
Start Free Trial — No Credit CardQuestions? Email hello@kareshift.com — we reply by email.