ShiftCare vs Rostrel: an honest comparison for NDIS providers.
If you’re on a per-user plan and your casual support worker bank keeps growing, every new worker on the books adds to your software bill — even the ones who pick up one shift a month. That’s the specific problem Rostrel’s pricing solves. Everything else — rostering, notes, PRODA claims, Xero payroll — both tools do. Here’s where they actually differ.
Disclosure: Rostrel is our software. The comparison below is drawn from ShiftCare’s public information as of June 2026 and is meant to be a fair, accurate guide — always check current details on shiftcare.com before you decide.
Rostrel may suit you if…
You have a larger casual workforce relative to participant numbers and a per-user bill is climbing, and you want the software to flag unstaffed shifts, missing notes and not-ready claims before you close a fortnight.
ShiftCare may suit you if…
You want a widely-used, highly-rated platform with multi-country support, or you have relatively few workers, where a per-user price can work out economical.
What ShiftCare does well
Credit where it’s due. ShiftCare is an Australian-built, NDIS-native platform that has grown into a broader multi-country care product. Reviewers consistently praise it for being easy to learn and for responsive support, and it carries strong overall satisfaction on the major review sites. It covers the full provider workflow — rostering, progress notes, NDIS claiming, price-guide invoicing, funds tracking and incident logging — and integrates with Xero.
In other words, ShiftCare is a legitimate choice. The question isn’t whether it works — it’s whether its model fits how you’re shaped.
Why NDIS providers look at an alternative
Per-user pricing that grows with your team
ShiftCare’s subscription is charged per staff member. For a provider that runs a big bank of casual support workers, every extra worker on the books adds to the bill — even those who only pick up the odd shift. Rostrel prices by active participant instead, with unlimited workers, so growing your workforce doesn’t grow your software cost.
Catching the claim before it slips
Rostrel is built around a fortnight completeness view that surfaces unstaffed shifts, missing notes and not-ready claims before you close and bill — so delivered support doesn’t quietly go unclaimed. It’s the core of how Rostrel works.
Rostrel vs ShiftCare at a glance
| Capability | Rostrel | ShiftCare |
|---|---|---|
| Built for Australian NDIS | Yes | Yes |
| Staff rostering & scheduling | Yes | Yes |
| Progress / case notes | Yes | Yes |
| NDIS claiming (PRODA bulk) | Yes | Yes |
| Price-guide invoicing | Yes | Yes |
| Participant funding tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Payroll export to Xero | Yes | Yes |
| Incident & compliance records | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Per participant, unlimited workers | Per staff member (per user) |
| Australian-made | Yes | Yes |
Comparison as of June 2026, based on each product’s public information. Both products are actively developed — confirm current features and pricing on shiftcare.com and our pricing before deciding.
When ShiftCare might be the better choice
If you run a small team with relatively few workers, a per-user price can be very competitive. And if you operate across multiple countries, ShiftCare’s international footprint is something Rostrel — which is focused on the Australian NDIS — doesn’t offer. A fair comparison cuts both ways.
Switching to Rostrel
There’s no lock-in contract and no setup fee, and we help you bring your participants, workers and rosters across. Because the two products cover similar ground, your team won’t be starting from scratch. Start with a 7-day free trial or a quick demo.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rostrel cheaper than ShiftCare?
It depends on your mix. ShiftCare charges per staff member, so cost rises with team size; Rostrel charges per active participant with unlimited workers. For a worker-heavy roster, per participant is often the cheaper of the two — run both against your own numbers.
Does Rostrel do NDIS claiming like ShiftCare?
Yes — PRODA-ready bulk payment requests for Direct Support and Support Coordination, linked to delivered service records so claims are less likely to bounce. Both products cover claiming.
Is ShiftCare a good product?
Yes — it’s well-established and well-reviewed. This is an honest comparison to help you choose the right fit, not a claim that one tool wins for everyone.
Can I switch from ShiftCare to Rostrel?
Yes. Rostrel has no lock-in contract and no setup fee, and offers onboarding help to move your participants, workers and rosters across. The two products cover similar ground, so the workflows will feel familiar.
See Rostrel against your own numbers
The fastest way to know which fits is to put your participant and worker counts side by side. Book a 20-minute demo and we’ll show you exactly how Rostrel would work for your provider.
Book a 20-minute demoRelated comparisons
Last updated June 2026. Competitor information is sourced from public materials and may change; we review these comparisons periodically.