iHospo vs Sidekicker
Sidekicker buries a 22–28% markup in every shift.
We charge $10 per match.
Sidekicker is a labour-hire agency dressed up as software. The 22–28% bundled markup pays for an EOR back-office most cafés don't need. iHospo is a marketplace — same workers, KYC + ratings + dispute support, paid same-day — for $10 a match or $99/$299 a month. Workers handle their own super and tax.
Same 8-hour shift, two different bills
Level 2 barista, casual award $32.31/hr, 8 hours = $258.50 wage. The wage is identical. Sidekicker adds 22–28% bundled markup. We add $10.
On Sidekicker
- Wage to worker
- $258.50
- Sidekicker bundled markup (25%)
- + $64.63
- Café pays Sidekicker
- ~$323.13
Markup covers EOR overhead — super, payroll tax, WorkCover, their margin. Bundled together, you can't see what's what.
On iHospo
- Wage to worker
- $258.50
- iHospo flat fee
- + $10.00
- NPP PayID transfer
- + $0.10
- Café pays iHospo
- $268.60
Worker is an independent contractor under their own ABN (or Statement by Supplier). They handle their own super and tax.
Per-shift difference
Café saves ~$54.52 on every shift. At 50 shifts/month that's $2,726.25 back to the café — about a full-time staffer's monthly wage.
For your café
The same fill rate, half the bill.
Sidekicker is excellent at what they do — and they charge for it. Most cafés don't need a full EOR back-office; they just need the worker. iHospo gives you the worker without the markup.
| Feature | iHospo | Sidekicker |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee per shift | $10 flat or $99/mo for 15, or $299 unlimited | 22–28% bundled markup $57–$72 on a $258.50 wage |
| Cost on a $258 shift (8h × $32.31) | $268.60 wage + $10 + NPP | $315–$330 wage + 22–28% bundled |
| Cost on 50 shifts/month | $299 (Unlimited) | $2,850–$3,600 in markup alone |
| Direct-hire fee after 10+ shifts | $0 — worker is yours | $2,500+ buyout they punish you for keeping the worker |
| Award-rate floor enforced | Yes — won't post below | Partial — varies by role |
| Subscription option | Optional — Busy $99/mo or Unlimited $299/mo | No — every shift takes a markup |
For the worker
Faster pay. Fairer policy. Lighter onboarding.
Sidekicker pays Thursdays only — a Monday shift waits eight days. We pay same-day via PayID. Their reliability policy bans on three strikes. Ours is graduated with appeal. They require a TFN before you can post; we accept ABN-or-Statement-by-Supplier.
| Feature | iHospo | Sidekicker |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to use the platform | $0 free forever, no membership | $0 but heavy markup baked into every shift |
| Payday | Same day, NPP PayID | Thursdays only Mon shift waits until Thu of next week |
| Pay if venue cancels late | Min 3-hour engagement paid | Worker absorbs the loss |
| Reliability-policy bans | Graduated with appeal | 3 withdrawals = permanent removal |
| Profile approval SLA | <48 hours | Advertised 48h, up to 8 weeks reported |
| Need an ABN? | Optional Statement by Supplier accepted | Sidekicker is the employer (TFN required) |
When you don't need a full EOR.
Sidekicker is the right call for very large groups who want everything bundled and don't mind paying for it. For everyone else — most cafés — iHospo is the same workers, faster pay, half the bill.