Rover and Wag have similar upfront costs for pet owners, but the provider payout difference is significant.
Pet Owner Costs
- 30-minute walk: $20–$35 (Rover), $22–$38 (Wag)
- 60-minute walk: $30–$50 (Rover), $32–$55 (Wag)
- Overnight boarding: $40–$80/night (both platforms)
- Additional dog: $5–$10 extra (both platforms)
Provider Earnings
The real cost difference is in what providers earn:
- Rover: 20% provider fee + 11% pet parent fee = 31% total platform fees. For a $30 walk, the client pays $33.30 and the provider keeps $24 — that's 69% of the client total.
- Wag: ~40% fee taken from provider. Providers keep ~60% (~$18 of a $30 walk).
- Tails: 10% provider fee + 5% pet parent fee = 15% total platform fees. For a $30 walk, the client pays $31.50 and the provider keeps $27 — that's 85% of the client total.
Why This Matters
Higher provider earnings on Rover and Tails attract better walkers and encourage long-term relationships. Wag's ~40% fee often leads to higher provider turnover and less consistency for pet owners. For a side-by-side breakdown of how Rover, Care.com, and Tails compare on total cost, see our full platform comparison or our best dog walking apps guide.