iLunch vs. SignUpGenius
SignUpGenius is a general-purpose sign-up tool that many schools and churches use for everything from volunteer shifts to meal schedules and carpools. Its free Basic plan shows ads to participants, and paid plans start at $11.99 a month. iLunch is built only for meal trains, ride trains, and kids carpools, and is free with no ads.
What SignUpGenius offers
- A free Basic account for creating and joining sign-ups.
- Ads may be shown to participants on free-account sign-ups.
- Paid plans: Silver at $11.99/month (one ad-free sign-up), Gold at $29.99/month (ten), and Platinum at $59.99/month (all), with discounts for annual billing.
- Templates and guides for meal schedules and carpool sign-ups, plus many other kinds of events.
- Optional money collection for a per-transaction fee.
What iLunch offers
- Free for organizers and helpers, with no ads and no paid tiers.
- No accounts and no app: everything runs on links you share by text or email.
- Meal trains, ride trains (drivers for appointments), and kids carpools in one place.
- Helpers who leave an email get automatic reminders before their day.
- Helpers who can't cook can send an Uber Eats gift card instead.
Which should you choose?
Pick SignUpGenius if your school or group already runs everything there and a general-purpose sheet with ads is fine.
Pick iLunch for a calendar designed around meals and rides: dietary notes, drop-off details, gift-card days, and reminders, free and ad-free.
Common questions
Is SignUpGenius free?
Yes, its Basic account is free. SignUpGenius says ads may be shown to participants on free-account sign-ups, and removing them requires a paid plan.
How much does SignUpGenius cost to remove ads?
According to SignUpGenius's pricing sheet, Silver is $11.99 a month for one ad-free sign-up, Gold is $29.99 for ten, and Platinum is $59.99 for all sign-ups, with lower prices billed annually.
Can I organize a carpool on iLunch?
Yes. iLunch has a free kids carpool tool alongside meal trains and ride trains, with no ads and no accounts.
Keep reading
Sources
Competitor details come from each company's own website, checked October 16, 2026. Plans and prices change, so confirm on their site.
- SignUpGenius: Is SignUpGenius free?
- SignUpGenius pricing (printable)
- SignUpGenius: ads and how to remove them
- SignUpGenius: carpool sign up guide