Comparison
CheckBadges vs MasterCheck
Choose CheckBadges if you want the same per-machine pricing without the app: operators scan a sticker on the truck with their own phone, it's free for 3 machines, and it costs less than either MasterCheck plan at every fleet size. Choose MasterCheck if you want a forklift-only app that works offline, records accidents and near misses, and reminds you about hour-based maintenance — and you're happy to pay annually and set up a login for each operator.
The short answer
CheckBadges is QR code equipment checklists: operators scan a sticker on each machine with their own phone and do its pre-use check in the browser — no app, login or per-user seat. MasterCheck is a Canadian forklift inspection app: operators do daily checks in its iOS or Android app, priced per forklift with unlimited operators.
CheckBadges vs MasterCheck at a glance
| CheckBadges | MasterCheck | |
|---|---|---|
| How an operator does a check | Scan the QR sticker on the machine with the phone's camera, answer that machine's checklist in the browser, submit. About a minute. | The operator opens the MasterCheck app on a phone or Android handheld, signs in with a username and the company password, and completes the forklift's inspection; it works offline and syncs later. |
| Does each operator need an app or login? | No. No app, account or password: operators type their name, or a 4-digit PIN if you turn PINs on. | Yes. Each operator installs the MasterCheck app and signs in with a username and a company password from their supervisor. Operators are unlimited, so there's no per-seat fee. |
| QR codes on equipment | Every machine gets its own printed QR sticker, 8 to a page. A lost sticker is reissued in a click. | Not mentioned on MasterCheck's site or FAQ; checks start in the app. |
| When a check finds a problem | Emails you what's wrong with photos the moment it's submitted, flags the machine, and warns the next operator until it's marked fixed. | Inspections and failures go to MasterCheck's web Supervisor Dashboard, and operators can also file repair, accident and near-miss reports. |
| Free plan | Free for up to 3 machines, with every feature and unlimited operators. | No free plan; a 30-day free trial on the annual plan, with a card required. |
| Pricing | Free for up to 3 machines. Pro is $9 a month for your first 3 machines, plus $1.50 a month for each machine after that. Operators and checks are unlimited on both. | $39.99 per forklift (or other unit) a year on the annual plan, or $6.99 per unit a month on the monthly plan, with unlimited operators, supervisors and inspections. |
| Monthly cost, 10 machines, 20 operators | $19.50/mo | $69.90/mo |
| Monthly cost, 25 machines, 50 operators | $42/mo | $174.75/mo |
| Monthly cost, 50 machines, 100 operators | $79.50/mo | $349.50/mo |
MasterCheck's costs use the monthly plan at $6.99 per forklift, billed monthly with unlimited operators (the annual plan is $39.99 per forklift a year, about $3.33 a month). CheckBadges is billed monthly. Prices were checked in October 2026 and change, so check MasterCheck's site before you buy.
What it costs a month
10 machines, 20 operators
25 machines, 50 operators
50 machines, 100 operators
The biggest difference: an app login per operator vs a sticker per truck
MasterCheck and CheckBadges agree on pricing — per forklift, unlimited operators — and differ on how the operator gets to the checklist. MasterCheck is a native app: operators download it, then sign in with a username and a company password their supervisor gives them ("After downloading the app, the operator will be required to input his/her user name and your password," per its FAQ). It works offline and syncs later.
CheckBadges puts a QR sticker on each truck. The operator scans it with their phone's camera, the truck's checklist opens in the browser, and they type their name or a 4-digit PIN. A temp on their first morning can do a check without anyone creating an account for them.
Side by side
The differences are in setup, connectivity and what happens after a failed check:
| CheckBadges | MasterCheck | |
|---|---|---|
| Operator setup | Nothing to install | Install the app, sign in with issued credentials |
| Starting the right check | Scan the truck's sticker | Open the app |
| Works offline | No; needs a connection to submit | Yes |
| Problem found | Email with photos to your alert list at once | Supervisor Dashboard |
| Next operator | Sees the open problem until it's marked fixed | Not advertised |
| Accident and near-miss reports | No | Yes |
| Maintenance reminders | No | Hour-based planned maintenance notifications |
| Free plan | 3 machines | None |
Price
Both charge per machine with unlimited operators. MasterCheck is $39.99 per forklift a year on its annual plan (a 30-day free trial, card required up front) or $6.99 per forklift a month on its monthly plan (no trial). CheckBadges is free for 3 machines, then $9 a month plus $1.50 per machine after 3, billed monthly.
| Fleet | CheckBadges | MasterCheck annual | MasterCheck monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 forklifts | Free | $119.97 a year | $20.97 a month |
| 10 forklifts | $19.50 a month ($234 a year) | $399.90 a year | $69.90 a month |
| 25 forklifts | $42 a month ($504 a year) | $999.75 a year | $174.75 a month |
CheckBadges costs less than either MasterCheck plan at every fleet size.
Where MasterCheck is stronger
MasterCheck works offline, runs on Android handheld scanners, records accidents, near misses and repairs, and sends notifications for hour-based planned maintenance and licence renewals. If your forklifts work where there's no signal, or you want those reports in the same app, it's a solid choice. For the inspection rule itself, see OSHA forklift inspection requirements, and for the no-app setup, the forklift inspection app page.
MasterCheck: what it does well, and where it falls short
Strengths
- Priced per forklift with unlimited operators — the same idea as CheckBadges.
- Works offline and syncs later, and runs on Android handheld scanners too.
- Repair, accident and near-miss reports alongside daily checks.
- Operator-level analytics, bilingual checklist items, and notifications for hour-based planned maintenance and licence renewals.
- Low annual price: $39.99 per forklift a year.
Drawbacks
- Every operator installs the app and signs in with credentials from a supervisor.
- No QR code on the truck to start the check.
- No free plan; the trial needs a card, and the monthly plan has no trial.
- The monthly plan is $6.99 per unit — $69.90 a month for 10 forklifts.
Choose CheckBadges if…
Choose CheckBadges if you want the same per-machine pricing without the app: operators scan a sticker on the truck with their own phone, it's free for 3 machines, and it costs less than either MasterCheck plan at every fleet size.
Choose MasterCheck if…
Choose MasterCheck if you want a forklift-only app that works offline, records accidents and near misses, and reminds you about hour-based maintenance — and you're happy to pay annually and set up a login for each operator.
Frequently asked questions
How much do CheckBadges and MasterCheck cost?
For 10 machines, 20 operators, CheckBadges costs $19.50/mo and MasterCheck costs $69.90/mo; for 25 machines, 50 operators it's $42/mo against $174.75/mo. MasterCheck's figures use the monthly plan at $6.99 per forklift, billed monthly with unlimited operators (the annual plan is $39.99 per forklift a year, about $3.33 a month), checked in October 2026. CheckBadges is free for up to 3 machines; Pro is $9 a month for the first 3 plus $1.50 per machine after that, with unlimited operators.
Do operators need an app or login for MasterCheck?
Yes. Each operator installs the MasterCheck app and signs in with a username and a company password from their supervisor. Operators are unlimited, so there's no per-seat fee.
What's the main difference between CheckBadges and MasterCheck?
MasterCheck is a Canadian forklift inspection app: operators do daily checks in its iOS or Android app, priced per forklift with unlimited operators. CheckBadges does one job: every machine gets a QR sticker, and operators scan it with their own phone to do that machine's pre-use check in the browser — no app, account or per-user seat — while problems email you with photos and warn the next operator.
How much does MasterCheck cost?
MasterCheck is $39.99 per forklift (or other unit) a year on its annual plan, or $6.99 per unit a month on its monthly plan, with unlimited operators. CheckBadges is free for 3 machines and $19.50 a month for 10.
Does MasterCheck use QR codes on forklifts?
MasterCheck's site and FAQ don't mention scanning a QR code to start a check; operators open the app and sign in. CheckBadges puts a QR sticker on each truck that opens its checklist in the phone's browser.
Does MasterCheck work offline?
Yes. MasterCheck's app works without a connection and syncs later. CheckBadges runs in the browser and needs a data connection when the operator submits.
More comparisons
- MasterCheck alternativesLooking for a MasterCheck alternative? 7 options compared on price, how operators do checks and whether they need an app or login. Checked October 2026.
- vs SafetyCulture (Mitti)CheckBadges vs SafetyCulture: how operators do pre-use checks, whether they need an app or login, and what 10, 25 or 50 machines cost. Checked October 2026.
- vs Google FormsCheckBadges vs Google Forms: how operators do pre-use checks, whether they need an app or login, and what 10, 25 or 50 machines cost. Checked October 2026.
- vs JotformCheckBadges vs Jotform: how operators do pre-use checks, whether they need an app or login, and what 10, 25 or 50 machines cost. Checked October 2026.
- The best equipment inspection apps in 2026The best equipment inspection apps of 2026 compared: how operators do checks, whether they need an app or login, and what 10, 25 or 50 machines cost a month.
Switching from MasterCheck? Your machines could be checked by QR code today.
Stick a QR code on every machine and operators do the pre-use check on their own phone — no app, no login. Free for up to 3 machines; try it with your real machines before you sign up.