Choosing the best dog walking app depends on your location, budget, and priorities. Here are the top platforms in 2026:
Top Dog Walking Apps
- Rover: Best nationwide coverage, 20% provider fee + 11% pet parent fee (31% total). Providers keep 69% of what the client pays. Largest network, strong reviews
- Tails: Best for Chicago, 10% provider fee + 5% pet parent fee (15% total). Providers keep 85% of what the client pays. Interview-vetted providers, local expertise
- Wag: Best for last-minute on-demand walks, ~40% fee, premium pricing
- Care.com: Subscription-based, good for multi-service needs (childcare + pet care)
How to Choose
If you live in Chicago, start with Tails for the lowest fees and highest provider quality. For nationwide coverage, use Rover. If you need immediate on-demand service, try Wag (but expect higher costs). See our Rover vs Care.com vs Tails comparison for a detailed breakdown of each platform's strengths and trade-offs.
What to Look For
Key features include GPS tracking, photo updates, insurance coverage, background checks, and flexible cancellation policies. All top apps offer these, but service fees and provider quality vary widely.