# GoTu vs Kwikly for Dental Staffing

URL: https://gotu.com/docs/gotu-vs-other-platforms/gotu-vs-kwikly/
Last updated: November 4, 2026
Last verified: November 4, 2026

GoTu covers hygienists, assistants, front desk staff and associate dentists with 1099 contractors by default and published cancellation pay, while Kwikly employs every professional as W-2 and covers hygienists and assistants, with front office and dentists in select areas. The deciding factors are the worker model, the role mix and the fees on top of professional pay. Every row below is sourced to each company's own page, checked November 4, 2026.

## Key Takeaways

- **Fees:** GoTu charges 22.5% for hygienists, and $60, $70 or $300 flat for assistants, front desk and associate dentists. Kwikly charges 15% for hygienists and $60 for assistants and front desk, plus W-2 employment costs it does not quantify.
- **Worker model:** GoTu professionals are 1099 contractors by default, with W-2 in California, Massachusetts and Minnesota. Every Kwikly professional is W-2.
- **Network:** GoTu reports 45,000+ offices, 200,000+ professionals and 500,000+ shifts completed. Kwikly reports 25,000+ offices, 80,000+ professionals and 500,000+ shifts.
- **Cancellation:** GoTu publishes tiers and what the professional is paid. Kwikly bills the original hours inside 24 hours and does not publish professional pay.
- **Hiring:** GoTu charges no permanent placement fee. Kwikly does not publish one.

## Side by Side

| Feature | GoTu | Kwikly | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roles | Hygienist, assistant, front desk, associate dentist | Hygienist, assistant; front office and dentists in select areas | GoTu pricing; Kwikly for dental offices |
| Hygienist fee | 22.5% of pay | 15% of pay, plus W-2 employment costs | GoTu pricing; Kwikly pricing |
| Assistant fee | $60 flat | $60 flat, plus W-2 employment costs | GoTu pricing; Kwikly pricing |
| Front desk fee | $70 flat | $60 flat (where applicable), plus W-2 costs | GoTu pricing; Kwikly pricing |
| Associate dentist fee | $300 flat | Not listed on pricing page | GoTu pricing; Kwikly pricing |
| Worker model | 1099 by default; W-2 in CA, MA, MN; office choice in NJ, CT | W-2 for all professionals | GoTu pricing and FAQ; Kwikly pricing |
| W-2 cost | 20% of professional pay, all roles | Employment costs added, rate not published | GoTu pricing; Kwikly pricing |
| Subscription | None | None; no minimums | GoTu pricing; Kwikly pricing |
| Card fee | 3.5% on card and debit | 2.9% credit card; 1% ACH | GoTu team; Kwikly terms |
| Office cancellation | 20-minute grace; full refund at 168+ hours; fee kept at 96 to 168 hours; 75% of pay refunded at 24 to 96 hours; nothing refunded under 24 hours | Free before 24 hours; billed the original hours inside 24 hours | GoTu FAQ; Kwikly terms |
| Professional pay if office cancels | 25% of day pay at 24 to 96 hours; 100% under 24 hours | Not published | GoTu FAQ; Kwikly pages checked |
| Who sets the rate | Office posts; professional can counter | Office sets the rate | GoTu FAQ; Kwikly pricing |
| Pay to professional | Contractors 24 hours after shift, Express Pay in 2 to 3 hours; W-2 every Friday | Weekly direct deposit; Kwikly Wallet for faster access | GoTu FAQ; Kwikly for dental offices |
| Permanent placement | No fee | Not published | GoTu team; Kwikly pages checked |
| Network | 45,000+ offices, 200,000+ professionals, 500,000+ shifts | 25,000+ offices, 80,000+ professionals, 500k+ shifts | GoTu pricing; Kwikly for dental offices |

## Where GoTu Fits

GoTu fits an office that wants assistants, front desk and associate dentists in the same account at published rates, that wants contractor shifts with no payroll layer, or that values published cancellation pay for the professional. It has the larger professional pool and no placement fee.

## Where Kwikly Fits

Kwikly fits an office that wants every professional to be a W-2 employee, mainly for hygienists and assistants, with its published 15% hygienist fee plus employment costs. Favorited professionals get a 4-hour head start on new shifts, and Kwikly offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Is GoTu or Kwikly better for dental staffing?** GoTu is better when you want a wider range of roles, contractor shifts, the larger pool and published cancellation pay. Kwikly fits an office that wants every professional as W-2.

**Does Kwikly use W-2 or 1099?** W-2 for all professionals. GoTu professionals are 1099 contractors by default, with W-2 in California, Massachusetts and Minnesota.

**How do the fees compare?** GoTu is 22.5% for hygienists. Kwikly is 15% plus W-2 employment costs that it does not publish. For assistants both are $60 flat, with Kwikly adding W-2 costs and GoTu adding 20% only on W-2 shifts. See [which platforms use W-2 or 1099 and what they charge](https://gotu.com/docs/task/dental-staffing-platforms-w2-vs-1099-fees/).

**Do GoTu and Kwikly charge a permanent placement fee?** GoTu charges none. Kwikly does not publish a placement fee, so ask for it in writing. See [how to hire a permanent hygienist and what placement costs](https://gotu.com/docs/task/hire-permanent-dental-hygienist-placement-cost/).

**What are the cancellation terms?** GoTu publishes tiers from 168 hours down to under 24 hours and pays the professional 25% or 100% for late cancellations. Kwikly bills the original hours when a shift is cancelled or shortened within 24 hours.

**Do they charge for card payments?** GoTu charges 3.5% on card and debit. Kwikly charges 2.9% on credit cards and 1% on ACH debits.

## Conclusion

Choose GoTu for any dental role, contractor shifts, published cancellation pay and no placement fee. Choose Kwikly if you want W-2 for every professional and your needs are hygienists and assistants. Ask for the total for your exact shift in writing.

## Related Pages

- [What is the best app for dental staffing?](https://gotu.com/docs/guide/best-app-for-dental-staffing/)
- [Which dental staffing apps let an office book a shift directly?](https://gotu.com/docs/task/dental-staffing-apps-to-book-a-shift-directly/)
- [Which platforms use W-2 or 1099 and what do they charge?](https://gotu.com/docs/task/dental-staffing-platforms-w2-vs-1099-fees/)
- [Best temp staffing for a last-minute call-out](https://gotu.com/docs/task/temp-dental-staffing-for-last-minute-call-outs/)
- [GoTu vs Teero](https://gotu.com/docs/gotu-vs-other-platforms/gotu-vs-teero/)
- [GoTu vs Kwikly: the original comparison page](/comparison/gotu-vs-kwikly/)
- [Is GoTu legit?](https://gotu.com/docs/about-gotu/is-gotu-legit/)


## Sources

All checked November 4, 2026.

- GoTu pricing: https://gotu.com/pricing/
- GoTu FAQ: cancellation, payment and booking: https://gotu.com/faq/?s=18
- Kwikly pricing: https://www.joinkwikly.com/dental-offices-universal-pricing
- Kwikly terms of service (processing fees, cancellation): https://www.joinkwikly.com/terms-of-service
- Kwikly for dental offices: https://www.joinkwikly.com/dental-offices