How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- This category splits two ways: facility-side tools (ShiftKey, CareRev, Nursa for PRN shifts; QGenda, symplr, ShiftWizard for scheduling) and agency-side tools (Bullhorn ATS, Aya Healthcare's agency platform).
- Most pricing is quote-based: only Bullhorn publishes real prices ($99 to $165 per user per month for small-agency plans).
- PRN marketplaces (ShiftKey, Nursa, CareRev) let facilities post shifts and pay per fill, cutting agency markup but depending on local clinician supply.
- Enterprise scheduling (QGenda, symplr Smart Square) is the answer for hospitals that want to schedule their own staff first and cut premium labor.
The best healthcare staffing software
Healthcare staffing is really three problems wearing one name. Hospitals and post-acute facilities need to fill open shifts without paying agency markups. Staffing agencies need software to recruit, track and place clinicians. And both need scheduling that respects credentials, fatigue rules and clinical complexity.
The eight tools below cover all three jobs: PRN marketplaces, enterprise scheduling platforms, an agency ATS, and a tech-enabled staffing agency. Prices are mostly quote-based in this category; where the vendor publishes real numbers we use them, and where it does not we say so.
#1
Aya Healthcare
Best for: Health systems and large facilities that want one tech-enabled agency for travel, allied and local PRN staffing at national scale
Visit ayahealthcare.com
Starting priceSee website (quote-based per assignment)
Free planNo
Aya is a staffing agency first and a software platform second. Facilities contract through its platform for travel nurses, allied health, locum tenens and local PRN, while clinicians browse jobs and pay packages in the app. Enterprise workforce solutions handle MSP-style programs for health systems.
The honest catch is margin: full-service agency staffing is the most expensive way to fill a shift, and travel contracts are harder to justify as facilities shift toward local per diem labor. Pricing is quote-based per assignment. Choose Aya when you want one vendor covering national scale with human recruiters behind the technology.
What we like- The largest travel nurse and allied health staffing agency in the US, paired with a self-serve digital job platform
- Clinicians get a mobile app with transparent pay packages
- Enterprise workforce solutions sit on the same platform
Watch out for- It is an agency relationship, not software you install
- No public pricing, so cost comparison requires a sales conversation
#2
ShiftKey
Best for: Skilled nursing and post-acute facilities that need local PRN coverage without signing agency contracts
Visit shiftkey.com
Starting priceSee website (per-shift, quote-based)
Free planNo
ShiftKey is the on-demand marketplace model: facilities post PRN shifts, credentialed professionals bid or claim them, and both sides skip the recruiter. Professionals control their rates and schedules; facilities get coverage without agency contracts.
The honest catch is reliability. Last-minute cancellations frustrate clinicians, and supply depth depends on market density: strong in post-acute and long-term care, thinner elsewhere. Pricing is per shift with platform fees discussed at signup. For facilities with recurring PRN gaps in covered markets, it is the fastest path to a filled schedule.
What we like- One of the largest PRN healthcare marketplaces, covering CNAs, LPNs, RNs, therapists and dental roles
- Professionals set their own rates and choose shifts with no minimum hours
- Credential compliance tracking and next-day pay options
Watch out for- Shift cancellations by facilities are a recurring complaint in reviews
- Quality varies by market, and thin markets have sparse listings
#3
CareRev
Best for: Hospitals that want to cut premium agency labor with a tiered on-demand model run through their own internal pools
Visit carerev.com
Starting priceSee website (per-shift, quote-based)
Free planNo
CareRev's tiered model is the differentiator. Instead of defaulting to external labor, hospitals fill shifts in order: internal staff first, then the local W-2 professional pool. Clinicians see rates and facility ratings before claiming shifts. Joint Commission certification matters for hospital compliance teams.
The acquisition caveat is real: CareRev is now part of IntelyCare, so buyers should ask how the platform will be supported and integrated going forward. Pricing is per shift and negotiated per health system. For hospitals serious about reducing agency spend, the internal-first model is the right shape.
What we like- Purpose-built for acute care hospitals: internal staff self-schedule first, then shifts open to a local pool of vetted W-2 professionals
- Joint Commission certified
- Hospitals keep rate control inside the platform
Watch out for- Coverage is concentrated in major metro areas
- Acquired by IntelyCare in January 2026, so the product roadmap is in transition
#4
Nursa
Best for: Skilled nursing facilities, rehab centers and hospitals that want direct facility-to-clinician shift filling with no agency middleman
Visit nursa.com
Starting priceSee website (facilities set per-shift rates, pay per filled shift)
Free planNo
Nursa cuts the middleman: facilities post shifts at rates they set, choose from verified local clinicians, and pay only for filled shifts. The no-hire-away-fee policy is a genuine differentiator: try a clinician on PRN shifts, then hire the best ones permanently without a buyout penalty.
The honest catch is supply uncertainty in thin markets; urgent shifts can go unclaimed outside strong coverage areas. It also does not replace enterprise scheduling, timekeeping or credentialing programs. For facilities that want rate control and a hiring pipeline from their PRN pool, the economics beat agency markup.
What we like- Direct model with transparent facility-set pricing and no agency markup
- Favorite pools and auto-scheduling
- No hire-away fees, so facilities can convert strong PRN clinicians to permanent hires
Watch out for- Supply depth varies by city
- It is a shift-filling marketplace, not a full workforce management suite
#5
QGenda
Best for: Hospitals, health systems and large physician groups that need to schedule physicians, nurses and staff from one platform
Visit qgenda.com
Starting priceSee website (custom quotes)
Free planNo
QGenda is the enterprise scheduling answer. Its rules-based engine handles the clinical complexity generic workforce tools cannot: specialties, FTE, vacation, no-call requests, on-call rotations, credentialing constraints. One platform covers scheduling through payroll accuracy.
The honest catch is enterprise weight: implementation is a real project over weeks to months, pricing is entirely quote-based, and the sales cycle is long. Small and mid-size organizations will find both the process and the cost prohibitive. For large enterprises drowning in scheduling spreadsheets, it is the category leader.
What we like- Healthcare-only workforce management covering scheduling, on-call, credentialing, time and attendance, capacity and analytics in one system
- Rules-based automated scheduling handles clinical complexity
- Deep EHR and HRIS integrations (Epic, Cerner, Workday)
Watch out for- Enterprise sales and implementation with significant rollout effort
- No public pricing and overkill for small practices
#6
symplr (Smart Square)
Best for: Large hospitals and health systems that want predictive, AI-assisted nurse scheduling inside a unified operations platform
Visit symplr.com
Starting priceSee website (custom enterprise quotes)
Free planNo
Smart Square is the predictive scheduling specialist. Its engine adjusts staffing to patient demand in real time, integrates nurse competency data, and manages open shifts for self-scheduling. Sitting inside symplr's operations platform means scheduling pairs with credentialing, time and attendance, and analytics from one vendor.
The honest catch is the suite shape of the deal: pricing is opaque, implementation is significant, and standalone scheduling buyers may pay for breadth they do not use. For large health systems standardizing on symplr, it is the natural choice.
What we like- Smart Square earned 2026 Best in KLAS for Nurse and Staff Scheduling two years running
- AI-driven scheduling with predictive analytics and real-time staffing adjustments
- Pairs with time and attendance and credentialing on one vendor relationship
Watch out for- Enterprise-only positioning with no public pricing
- As a module inside a large suite it can feel like more platform than a scheduling-only buyer needs
#7
Bullhorn
Best for: Healthcare staffing agencies that need a single ATS and CRM to run recruiting and sales
Visit bullhorn.com
Starting price$99 per user per month (Starter)
Free planNo (demo-led evaluation)
Bullhorn is the agency-side tool: it is built for staffing firms, not hospitals. Starter at $99 per user per month and Core at $165 cover tracking, email and the marketplace; Pro and Max with the Amplify AI layer are quote-based. Free implementation on small-agency plans gets teams live in under two weeks.
The honest catch is the pricing structure: budget the quote-only add-ons (onboarding, back office, messaging, AI) from day one, because Core alone lacks what most agencies assume is included. Healthcare staffing agencies placing travel nurses and allied clinicians get purpose-built workflows for submissions, tearsheets and client management. It is the only tool here with published prices.
What we like- The most widely used ATS and CRM built specifically for staffing agencies
- 300-plus partner marketplace and LinkedIn integrations
- Amplify AI features (search and match, staffing LLM, call transcription) on upper tiers
Watch out for- Real AI and automation sit on quote-only tiers
- Published prices buy tracking, not the full platform
- Add-ons and annual uplifts can push the contract well above the seat price
#8
ShiftWizard by HealthStream
Best for: Hospitals and health systems, especially existing HealthStream customers, that want nurse self-scheduling with predictive census-based staffing
Visit healthstream.com
Starting priceSee website (quote-based)
Free planNo
ShiftWizard is HealthStream's scheduling answer. Its strength is EMR-connected forecasting: managers build schedules around predicted patient demand rather than historical guesses, with acuity-based staffing and productivity reporting. For existing HealthStream customers, it slots into the workforce ecosystem alongside learning and credentialing.
The honest catch is the vendor shape of the deal: standalone pricing and flexibility are limited, and it is positioned as part of the HealthStream suite. Pricing is negotiated with HealthStream. For hospitals already committed to the platform, the integration value is real.
What we like- Nurse-centric scheduling with self-scheduling, shift swaps and PTO requests
- EMR-integrated census data for predictive staffing up to 120 days out
- Built-in safeguards for fatigue rules, licensure and certification
Watch out for- Only available through HealthStream's enterprise sales motion with no transparent pricing
- Smaller footprint and fewer third-party integrations than QGenda or symplr
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
| Aya Healthcare | Health systems and large facilities that want one tech-enabled agency for travel, allied and local PRN staffing at national scale | See website (quote-based per assignment) | No |
| ShiftKey | Skilled nursing and post-acute facilities that need local PRN coverage without signing agency contracts | See website (per-shift, quote-based) | No |
| CareRev | Hospitals that want to cut premium agency labor with a tiered on-demand model run through their own internal pools | See website (per-shift, quote-based) | No |
| Nursa | Skilled nursing facilities, rehab centers and hospitals that want direct facility-to-clinician shift filling with no agency middleman | See website (facilities set per-shift rates, pay per filled shift) | No |
| QGenda | Hospitals, health systems and large physician groups that need to schedule physicians, nurses and staff from one platform | See website (custom quotes) | No |
| symplr (Smart Square) | Large hospitals and health systems that want predictive, AI-assisted nurse scheduling inside a unified operations platform | See website (custom enterprise quotes) | No |
| Bullhorn | Healthcare staffing agencies that need a single ATS and CRM to run recruiting and sales | $99 per user per month (Starter) | No (demo-led evaluation) |
| ShiftWizard by HealthStream | Hospitals and health systems, especially existing HealthStream customers, that want nurse self-scheduling with predictive census-based staffing | See website (quote-based) | No |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
How we chose
We started with the categories buyers search: healthcare staffing software, nurse scheduling software and PRN staffing marketplace. For each candidate we opened the vendor's homepage, checked plans against public reviews on G2, Capterra and SelectHub plus practitioner discussion on Reddit, and compared real capability at the entry price. Where no price is published on the vendor's page we wrote "See website" rather than guessing.
Agency vs. marketplace vs. scheduling: knowing which buyer you are
The first decision is which problem you are solving. If you are a facility with open shifts, the choice is between PRN marketplaces (ShiftKey, Nursa, CareRev) that fill shifts shift-by-shift and enterprise scheduling (QGenda, symplr, ShiftWizard) that optimize the staff you already have. Marketplaces cut agency markup; scheduling platforms cut premium labor by using internal pools better.
If you are a staffing agency, none of the facility tools fit: you need Bullhorn's ATS and CRM to run recruiting and sales. Aya Healthcare is the hybrid: an agency with a digital platform, for facilities that would rather outsource sourcing entirely. Pick the wrong category and the best product in it will still disappoint.
The quote-only reality and how to buy in it
Seven of eight tools here publish no pricing. That is normal in healthcare enterprise software, but it changes how you evaluate. Every demo costs a sales cycle, and you cannot compare costs without one. The practical approach: shortlist on capability and buyer fit first, then run two or three demos in parallel so vendors compete on both features and price.
One published data point anchors the math: Bullhorn's $99 to $165 per user per month for agency software. For the marketplaces, ask for the all-in cost per filled shift including platform fees, not just the clinician pay rate. For scheduling platforms, ask for implementation cost and timeline separately from the license: the former is where enterprise projects surprise you. And for CareRev specifically, ask about the IntelyCare acquisition's effect on the roadmap before signing a multi-year agreement.
Frequently asked questions
What is healthcare staffing software?
It covers three jobs: PRN marketplaces that match facilities with clinicians for individual shifts (ShiftKey, Nursa, CareRev), enterprise scheduling and workforce management platforms (QGenda, symplr, ShiftWizard), and agency software (Bullhorn) that staffing firms use to recruit and place clinicians. Some vendors, like Aya Healthcare, are agencies with digital platforms rather than software you buy.
How much does healthcare staffing software cost?
Most of it is quote-based. The only published price here is Bullhorn ($99 to $165 per user per month for small-agency plans). PRN marketplaces typically charge per filled shift plus platform fees; enterprise scheduling platforms quote based on organization size and modules. Expect a sales process before you see numbers.
What is the difference between ShiftKey and Nursa?
Both are PRN marketplaces connecting facilities with clinicians. ShiftKey is larger and stronger in post-acute and long-term care, with professionals bidding on shifts. Nursa emphasizes direct facility-to-clinician matching with facility-set rates and no hire-away fees, so facilities can convert PRN clinicians to permanent hires. Coverage varies by city for both.
Do I need an agency or a marketplace?
An agency (like Aya Healthcare) handles sourcing, credentialing and fulfillment for you at the highest cost. A marketplace (ShiftKey, Nursa, CareRev) lets you post shifts and choose clinicians yourself at lower cost but with more management work. Facilities cutting costs move from agencies to marketplaces; facilities that value hands-off fulfillment stay with agencies.
What is the best nurse scheduling software for hospitals?
QGenda and symplr Smart Square lead for enterprise nurse scheduling: QGenda for unified workforce management across physicians and staff, Smart Square for predictive AI-assisted nurse scheduling. ShiftWizard fits hospitals already in the HealthStream ecosystem. All three are enterprise products with quote-based pricing and significant implementations.
Can staffing marketplaces replace travel nurse agencies?
For local PRN coverage, often yes: marketplaces fill recurring shift gaps at lower cost than agency contracts. For hard-to-fill specialties, crisis coverage and national scale, agencies still dominate because they carry the sourcing risk and guarantee supply. Most health systems end up with a mix: internal pools first, marketplaces second, agencies for the gaps.
Sources we checked (10)
- https://www.ayahealthcare.com/
- https://shiftkey.com/
- https://www.carerev.com/
- https://nursa.com/
- https://qgenda.com/
- https://www.symplr.com/
- https://www.bullhorn.com/
- https://www.healthstream.com/
- https://www.g2.com/categories/healthcare-staff-scheduling
- https://www.capterra.com/health-care-staff-scheduling-software/
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.