BusPlanner vs BusWhere
BusPlanner
busplanner.comBusWhere
buswhere.comSide by side
| Figure | BusPlanner | BusWhere |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 2 |
| Spec score · School Bus Routing Software | 8.4 (#4) | 8.5 (#3) |
| Headquarters | Waterloo, Ontario, Canada | Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States |
| Parent app | The Chipmunk app notifies parents about boarding, drop-off, delays, changes, and real-time bus location. | The parent app shows bus locations and ETAs and sends notifications when a bus is approaching. |
| Purpose | BusPlanner is an all-in-one platform for student transportation operations across North America. | BusWhere provides real-time bus tracking and arrival information for schools, districts, bus companies, and shuttle operators. |
| Rating on G2 | 0 out of 5 from 0 reviews | 4.5 out of 5 from 1 review. |
| Route planning | BusPlanner Pro provides route creation, editing, optimization, automated processes, multi-user access, and scalable routing. | Route building supports drag-and-drop editing, imported known stops and stops that are not represented in Google Maps. |
| Support | BusPlanner offers live technical support by phone and says its customer experts provide direct assistance. | End users can email support about software or mobile app errors; questions about access, accounts, locations, routes, and schedules should go to their organization’s administrator. |
| What it does | BusPlanner is an all-in-one student transportation platform for school districts, combining routing, dispatch, GPS, fleet and parent communication tools. | Cloud GPS tracking and fleet-management software for school buses and shuttle services, showing live locations and ETAs on maps. |
Plans
BusWhere
- BusWhere servicePriced on request
- School or district servicePriced on request
In their own words
BusPlanner
BusPlanner is a student transportation operations platform for school districts and transportation teams. BusPlanner Pro supports route creation, editing, optimization, automation, multi-user access, and scalable routing. BusPlanner Info connects with student information systems through scheduled two-way API integration. GPS+ provides live bus tracking, reporting, student ridership information, and driver navigation. Parents can receive boarding, drop-off, delay, and change alerts through the Chipmunk app, which also shows real-time bus location. The Turns driver app supplies turn-by-turn directions and records student boardings and drop-offs with scan-in and scan-out. Portals provide parents, staff, drivers, dispatchers, and operators with routes, stops, schedules, manifests, ETAs, and delay information. Dispatch tools support real-time route reassignment, AI-powered route splitting, updated stop reports, and parent notifications. BusPlanner Pro is Windows-based; the wider suite supports cloud or self-hosted deployment, as well as Android, iOS, web, and API access. Pricing is available on request.
BusWhere
BusWhere provides real-time bus tracking and arrival information for schools, districts, bus companies, and shuttle operators. Its parent app displays bus locations and ETAs and can notify families as a bus approaches. Route tools support drag-and-drop planning, imports, off-route stops, optimization, and route replay. Fleet tools cover fuel levels, odometer readings, engine alerts, and driver safety reports. For shuttles, operators can offer branded rider apps and configure off-road stops, circular routes, and service with multiple buses. BusWhere lists integrations with Geotab, Samsara, Zonar, and other trackers, along with overnight syncing with routing and student information systems. It runs on Android, iOS, and the web. Schools can start a no-commitment trial on one bus and add vehicles later. The school or district pays for service, with possible discounts for larger fleets; pricing is available by contacting BusWhere. The company says it uses student data only to provide the service and maintains safeguards while complying with applicable education privacy laws, including FERPA and COPPA.