RouteBot vs School Bus Manager
RouteBot
routebot.com
School Bus Manager
schoolbusmanager.comSide by side
| Figure | RouteBot | School Bus Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $82.50/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 4 |
| Spec score · School Bus Routing Software | 6.8 (#20) | 8.7 (#2) |
| Attendance | QR codes can record passenger check-ins, and administrators can be alerted when an expected passenger has not boarded. | The platform records attendance and shows which riders are onboard. |
| Data import | RouteBot says it can import existing Excel files with passenger lists, routes, and vehicles, with setup by the next morning. | Student data can be imported from CSV or XLSX files, with daily updates supported. |
| Route optimization | Its optimizer distributes 1,000+ passengers across a fleet, finds shorter paths, and balances vehicle loads in under 10 seconds. | Users can build optimized routes and change routes by moving riders on a map. |
| Security | RouteBot says data transmission uses HTTPS/TLS, organizational data is isolated, and data is not shared with third parties. | The company says mobile-to-site traffic uses SSL/TLS encryption and customer data is hosted on Amazon Web Services. |
| Support | The company says it provides email and chat support, with dedicated account management and priority support for enterprise customers. | Sales and support are available Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm EST. |
| What it does | RouteBot manages school transportation, employee shuttles, and on-demand passenger transfers in one platform. | School Bus Manager plans and optimizes school transportation routes, tracks vehicles and riders, and supports attendance and communications. |
Plans
School Bus Manager
- Lite$990 a year
- Plus$1,790 a year
- Standard$3,990 a year
- EnterprisePriced on request
In their own words
RouteBot
RouteBot is a transportation management platform for school routes, employee shuttles, and on-demand passenger transfers, available on Android, iOS, and the web. Its optimizer distributes 1,000+ passengers across a fleet, balances vehicle loads, and calculates routes in under 10 seconds. Dispatchers can see active vehicles on a fleet map, while parents and employees can track vehicles in the mobile app. The app offers role-specific tools such as driver navigation, passenger lists, live tracking, and push notifications. Fleet records cover owned and rented vehicles, drivers, maintenance, accidents, fuel payments, and third-party contractors. Passengers can check in with QR codes, and administrators can be alerted when an expected passenger has not boarded. RouteBot can import existing Excel files; the maker says setup can be ready by the next morning or within 24 hours. A working sample dashboard opens without signup or a credit card, and the private sandbox can be kept as a free account. Pricing depends on fleet size and operating model, and is shown inside the platform under Settings, then Subscription.
School Bus Manager
School Bus Manager turns student rider data into bus routes and trips with directions, stop times, and maps. Users can optimize or modify routes, then use load-balancing tools to find overlaps, adjust stops, and reassign riders. Attendance tools record who is present and monitor who is onboard, while route data can roll forward from year to year. Rider data can be imported from CSV or XLSX files and Department of Education files. ChildPlus users can export report 1527 for import; compatibility is stated for version 4.6.0.0 or later. Android and iOS Driver Console and Parents App features include live vehicle tracking, attendance, ETA notifications, and real-time rider and vehicle locations. The service is available on Android, iOS, macOS, web, and Windows. A full 15-day trial has no limitations, credit card requirement, or contract. Annual plans begin with Lite at $990 a year for up to 500 riders, plus a 199 USD first-year startup fee. New subscriptions and renewals require a 12-month minimum commitment, with no prorating or refunds.