BusWhere vs RollCall
BusWhere
buswhere.comRollCall
rollcall.com.auSide by side
| Figure | BusWhere | RollCall |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 3 |
| Spec score · School Bus Routing Software | 8.5 (#3) | 8.4 (#5) |
| Headquarters | Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States | LinkedIn lists Melbourne as headquarters; the website gives 1/146-148 Thistlethwaite Street, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205. |
| Integrations | BusWhere can add onto existing GPS systems and synchronise overnight with routing and student-information systems. | Listed integrations include TASS, Sentral, Veracross, Compass, FACTS, Wonde, Stripe, Westpac PayWay, NAB, PayPal, Sticitt, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, PIPs, PPC and MonitorWA. |
| Parent app | The parent app shows bus locations and ETAs and sends notifications when a bus is approaching. | Parents can follow buses, receive boarding and alighting alerts, book or change trips, report absences and pay fares. |
| Purpose | BusWhere provides real-time bus tracking and arrival information for schools, districts, bus companies, and shuttle operators. | RollCall provides school bus management and duty-of-care tools for schools and bus operators. |
| Rating on Apple App Store | 4.6 out of 5 from 2.3K ratings. | 4.6 out of 5 from 4.6K ratings |
| Rating on Google Play | 4.3 out of 5 from 553 reviews. | 4.6 out of 5 from 1.48K ratings |
| Route planning | Route building supports drag-and-drop editing, imported known stops and stops that are not represented in Google Maps. | Smart Route lets schools create verified stops and drag them into routes to plan bus networks. |
| Student tracking | Optional rider tracking uses RFID or a BusWhere tablet. | Student tap-on and tap-off scans update parents and school staff with journey information in real time. |
| Support | 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. | RollCall provides a searchable help centre, support-ticket submission, email support and phone contact at 1300 821 116. |
| What it does | Cloud GPS tracking and fleet-management software for school buses and shuttle services, showing live locations and ETAs on maps. | RollCall combines NFC student tap-on/tap-off records, GPS bus tracking, route planning, parent notifications and school administration for student transport. |
Plans
BusWhere
- BusWhere servicePriced on request
- School or district servicePriced on request
RollCall
- RollCall Parent AppFree
- RollCall for schools and bus operatorsPriced on request
- RollCall school and bus-operator platformPriced on request
In their own words
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.
RollCall
RollCall provides school bus management and duty-of-care tools for schools and bus operators. Students tap on and off during journeys, updating parents and school staff with real-time journey information. Families can use the parent app to track buses, manage absences and bus changes, and make payments. Smart Route uses verified stops to help schools plan routes and reduce student transit times. Bus Guardian records a bus check when a driver or supervisor taps the control board at the back of the bus. Listed integrations include TASS, Sentral, Veracross, Compass, FACTS, Wonde, payment providers, and Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace sign-in. Schools connect their own payment provider, and RollCall says it takes no cut of payments. Its managed service supplies and runs devices and SIMs, and handles enrolment and support. RollCall states that its information security management system is ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certified, data is hosted in AWS Sydney and encrypted in transit, and security specialists conduct monthly penetration tests. The parent app is free; schools or operators subscribe at tailored pricing, with a quote or demo requested.