Quick answer: choose Rover for paid pet sitting and boarding coverage, Wag for on-demand dog walks, and TrustedHousesitters for unpaid home-exchange pet sitting while traveling. If you are in Chicago and want matched, interview-vetted care, book through Tails to keep total platform fees lower.
2026 Fee Snapshot
| Platform | Best intent | Pet parent cost | Provider payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rover | Pet sitting, boarding, repeat care | List price + 11% | Keeps 80% of listed rate |
| Wag | Last-minute dog walking | Usually shown in list price | Keeps about 60% |
| TrustedHousesitters | Travel house sitting | Annual membership + possible $12 booking fee | Unpaid exchange |
| Tails | Matched Chicago care | List price + 5% | Keeps 90% of listed rate |
Key Differences
- Rover: 20% provider fee + 11% pet parent fee (31% total). Providers keep 69% of what the client pays. Broad network, insurance included, strong photo/GPS tracking
- Wag: ~40% provider fee (highest cost). Providers keep ~60%. On-demand walks, insurance included, GPS tracking standard
- TrustedHousesitters: Annual membership model. Basic and Standard members may pay a $12 per-booking fee; Premium members have no booking fees, but this is still a home-exchange model rather than paid local dog walking.
- Tails: Matches your dog to a provider based on breed, energy, and personality — you see exactly why they're the right fit before you book. Every provider is interview-vetted for real handling skills, not just background-checked. Free meet & greet included. 15% total fees (10% provider + 5% parent), Chicago-focused
Who Should Use What?
Use Rover for paid pet sitting, boarding, and repeat care nationwide with moderate fees. Use Wag when the intent is specifically a dog walking app for fast, same-day walks. Use TrustedHousesitters if you travel frequently and prefer house-sitting exchanges over paid services. Use Tails if you're tired of scrolling 200 profiles hoping someone's "great with dogs" claim is true — Tails shows you who fits your dog and why.
Safety & Vetting
Rover and Wag require background checks but minimal interviews. TrustedHousesitters relies on member reviews with no formal vetting. Tails goes further: every provider passes an in-person interview assessing leash skills, reactivity awareness, and emergency protocols — then you meet them at a free meet & greet before booking. For a deeper look at how these apps compare on vetting, pricing, and features, see our complete guide to dog walking apps.