Top 10 Babysitting Apps & Sites: Which Is Best?

UrbanSitter offers users the chance to claim a range of “sitting” jobs, not just babysitting. So, if you want to broaden your services to include pet sitting or house sitting, this is a good app to try.

Unlike many other babysitting apps, UrbanSitter charges a membership fee. However, this fee is offset by the lack of commission or payment processing fees. With UrbanSitter, you get to keep 100% of the money you make, which will be sent to you via direct deposit.

UrbanSitter also offers a free background check (which is required). They also run background checks on parents, showing that they care about your safety just as much as they care for the safety of the families who use the app.

Other services available:

• Childcare
• Backup care
• Pet sitting
• Senior care
• Housekeeping
• Tutoring

How much you can earn from UrbanSitter: $1,000+ per week. 1

User ratings

Google Play: 3.4/5

Apple Store: 4.8/5

Glassdoor: 4.1/5

Average: 4.1/5

Where to download UrbanSitter

App Store Google Play

Sittercity is a free app for babysitters to use, although you can choose to pay $14.99 per month to upgrade to a featured sitter subscription account. The company claims that featured sitters are four-times more likely to book sitting jobs than nonfeatured sitters.

One drawback of the free account option, however, is that you’ll have to pay for your own background check. On that note, you can still keep your account and apply for jobs if you fail your background check—you just won’t receive the “background check badge” that many parents will be looking for.

Standout features of the app include community groups for sitters to network with other sitters and a health care partnership that allows sitters to easily shop for health insurance as an independent contractor. Clients pay you directly, outside of the app, via the payment method of your choice.

Other services available:

• Nannying
• Childcare
• Special needs care
• Senior care
• Pet care

How much you can earn from Sittercity: $16 to $23 per hour. 2

User ratings

Apple Store: 4.7/5

Glassdoor: 3.8/5

Indeed: 4.3/5

Average: 4.3/5

Sign up for Sittercity

Bambino is exclusively designed for babysitting, and it emphasizes experience more than many other babysitting apps. For this reason, it may not be the best option if you’re looking for your first babysitting gig, but it has plenty of benefits that make it well worth trying out if you’re an experienced sitter.

There are no fees to use the app, and it’s open to babysitters as young as 13. Before you can begin booking jobs, you need to have a recommendation from a client. However, once you qualify, you’ll find that booking those jobs is incredibly easy.

While many babysitting apps require sitters to apply for jobs via a job board, Bambino puts the onus on the parent to find you. Parents are also responsible for making first contact if they think you’re a good fit.

Background checks aren’t required with Bambino, but they are encouraged. Bambino has four membership levels, and a level will be assigned to you based on factors like your age, experience, and whether you have your own transportation. Bambino payments are processed through the app and then sent to you via Venmo or direct deposit.

Bambino also has a pretty nifty rewards program. The more money you make through the app, the more rewards points you earn. Once you hit 1,500 points, you get an Amazon gift card.

How much you can earn from Bambino: $7–$31 3

User ratings

Google Play: 4.7/5

Apple Store: 4.9/5

Glassdoor: 4.5/5

Average: 4.7/5

Where to download Bambino

App Store Google Play

Helpr is a unique app that not just any parent can sign up for. Instead, businesses register with Helpr to provide backup care services as a benefit to their employees.

Because of Helpr’s unusual business model, the app may not be as widely used as other platforms and may make it a little harder to find work. However, you may also find higher-quality and higher-paying clients.

Just as Helpr only serves select parents, they’re also fairly restrictive when it comes to who they allow to sign up as a babysitter. You must have at least 2 years of professional childcare experience, three relevant references, and a CPR certification (or plans to acquire one). You also need to pass a social media check.

There’s no fee to join Helpr, and although a background check is required, the app covers the cost. Helpr sets the hourly job rates (averaging $27 per hour), and you can choose whether to accept a job based on the rate. Payments are made via direct deposit.

How much you can earn from Helpr: $10–$20 per hour. 4

User ratings

Apple Store: 4/5

Glassdoor: 3.7/5

Indeed: 4/5

Average: 3.9/5

Where to download Helpr

App Store Google Play

Care.com is likely one of the most well-known babysitting and caregiving platforms out there, with a range of caregiving opportunities that go beyond childcare. Because it’s so popular, Care.com has a huge reach (both in the US and internationally), so finding lots of jobs is not a problem.

You can set up a free profile on the app or upgrade to a premium profile, starting at $10 per month. If you choose to become a premium sitter, you’ll be among the top-featured sitters on the site, have your annual screening fee waived, and have the option to talk directly to families.

To list your services on Care.com, you need to pass the platform’s background check, known as CareCheck. Payments are processed through Care.com and deposited into your bank account.

Other available services:

• Childcare
• Senior care
• Housekeeping
• Pet care
• Tutoring

How much you can earn from Care.com: $16–$25 per hour. 5

User ratings

Indeed: 4.2/5

Glassdoor: 4.1/5

Apple Store: 4.6/5

Average: 4.3/5

Sign up for Care.com

SeekingSitters is technically a sitter referral service, and the company expects any sitters who use the platform to represent the brand appropriately. This includes wearing a branded uniform to sitting jobs as well as passing a robust screening and approval process (conducted by in-house licensed private investigators).

SeekingSitters sets the job rates, and you pick your own hours. You’ll get paid weekly via direct deposit. While you won’t need to pay for a membership to receive jobs through SeekingSitters, you’ll need to pay for your uniform and any certifications required (like CPR and first aid certifications).

Because of all of the above, babysitting through SeekingSitters is a bit more like working as an employee for an agency, which might be preferable, depending on your needs and goals. You also need to be at least 18 years old to join.

How much you can earn from SeekingSitters: $8–$24 per hour. 6

User ratings

Indeed: 4.3/5

Glassdoor: 4.1/5

Average: 4.2/5

Sign up for SeekingSitters

Babysits is a relatively hands-off platform. There are no background checks, and it’s up to you to set your own rates and interact with parents. Signing up is free, and there are no fees. Payments are processed through Stripe within 5–10 business days after a babysitting appointment. 7

If you meet certain criteria, you can become a “supersitter” on the app and receive extra visibility and more job opportunities. Unlike other platforms, you won’t need to pay for this extra visibility—instead, you earn it through great reviews and responsiveness.

How much you can earn from Babysits: $10–$30 per hour. 8

User ratings

Glassdoor: 4.5/5

Apple Store: 4.1/5

Google Play: 2.7/5

Average: 3.8/5

Where to download Babysits

App Store Google Play

The Swishboom app is nice for sitters who have busy or unpredictable schedules and want the option to pick up a job at the last minute when they have some free time. To register as a babysitter, you need to be at least 18 years old.

Unlike other babysitting apps, Swishboom does not require a background check. However, you will need to provide three references and undergo a sex offender registry check and social media check before you can start working. Once you’re approved, you’ll have the option to mark yourself as available and then claim job openings.

Swishboom doesn’t process payments. Instead, you’ll get paid directly by clients you work with, by either cash or Venmo.

How much you can earn from Swishboom: Unspecified.

User ratings

Apple Store: 4.5/5

Where to download Swishboom

App Store Google Play

Sitter Pro is a little different from the other apps in this list because it’s more like a kind of management software that can be used by independent sitters, parents, and caregiving agencies alike to streamline scheduling and payments for babysitting gigs. This means you can use the app as an indecent contractor or as an agency employee.

The app offers a bit more convenience than a generic job with a babysitting agency. You can invite your current clients to join the app or search for families in your area who need a sitter. You can also update your availability at any time if you’re going out of town or want to take a break from work.

The Sitter Pro app was acquired by UrbanSitter in 2019. All in all, it’s a good app to consider, especially if you already have some clients or an employer but you’re craving the convenience that comes with using a gig app.

How much you can earn from Sitter Pro: $11–$15 9

User ratings

Apple Store: 3/5

Google Play: 3.2/5

Average: 3.1/5

Where to download Sitter Pro

App Store Google Play

Juggle uses families’ social networks to help them find sitters that their network already uses, knows, or trusts. The app does not require a background check, but having one will make you more appealing to parents. It’s also worth noting that Juggle is only available in select locations.

You can either advertise your availability and families can request you, or you can look for open jobs and apply to them. There are no fees on your end.

While at a job, the Juggle app tracks your time for payment. After you wrap up a gig, you’ll get paid via direct deposit within 5 days after your first job and within 1–3 business days for every gig you do after that. 10

Other services available:

• Overnight babysitting
• Pet sitting
• Housekeeping
• Tutoring
• Summer nanny

How much you can earn from Juggle: Unspecified.

User ratings

Apple Store: 3.9/5

Google Play: 2.1/5

Average: 3/5

Where to download Juggle

App Store Google Play

There are a range of babysitting apps and websites out there, all offering different features. As you think about which platform to use, consider the following factors:

• Qualifications and experience: Some platforms are pickier than others. You may be required to have prior childcare experience or pass a background or social media check.
• Schedule: Certain apps are designed for short-notice babysitting gigs, allowing parents to book within a matter of hours and allowing sitters to get jobs on the fly when their availability changes.
• Location: Perhaps one of the most important factors to consider is which babysitting apps are most popular where you live. An app will be no use to you at all if you don’t live in a covered area.
• Fees: Take fees into account, including fees that an app may charge to increase your profile visibility. Many of the top choices are free babysitting apps, although paid apps may offer more benefits.

If you want occasional gig work, opt for a platform that’s more flexible and allows babysitters to manage their own business. If you prefer more stable income and a platform that will provide training or networking opportunities, then there are also apps that will offer you those more comprehensive features.

Other options to explore

If you’re already doing a bit of babysitting or you want to become a babysitter, babysitting apps aren’t your only option. You can also get a job working for a babysitting agency, which could offer you more stable hours and income and even employee benefits like paid time off (PTO).

Alternatively, if you’re not sure you want to be a babysitter but you’d love a job that involves caring for others or working with children, you could consider one of these other side hustle options:

• Nannying
• Caregiving
• Substitute teaching
• Pet sitting

Plenty of independent workers choose to take up multiple side hustles, so mixing and matching is also an option. This type of side hustle lifestyle is even easier when you use gig apps—and as you may have heard, there’s an app for just about everything these days.