Rover is the biggest name in dog walking and pet sitting. But it is not the only option — and it is not the best fit for every pet owner or professional. The right replacement depends on what you need: instant booking, lower fees, or a broader range of services.
All-in-one directory for dog walkers, groomers, vets, trainers, and pet sitters. Verified reviews, instant booking, and zero commission.
Dog walking and pet sitting app with a subscription model for walkers and quick on-demand booking.
General marketplace for local services including pet groomers and trainers. Pros pay per lead.
Broad care marketplace with pet sitting alongside child care and senior care.
Review platform with listings for pet groomers, vets, and trainers. Not a booking platform.
Pet adoption network with a vet finder tool. Not for booking services but useful for finding vets.
PawAroundTown offers a free directory listing for pet professionals with no commission fees. Yelp and Thumbtack are also free for users to browse pet services.
PawAroundTown is the only platform that charges zero commission. Rover takes 20-25% of every booking, while Thumbtack charges per lead.
Rover focuses on walking, sitting, and boarding. PawAroundTown covers all pet services including groomers, vets, and trainers. Thumbtack also lists groomers and trainers.
Wag and Rover are very similar — both focus on dog walking and sitting. Wag has a subscription model for walkers, while Rover has a larger sitter network. Neither covers grooming or veterinary services.
PawAroundTown offers instant booking for services that support it. Rover requires sending a request and waiting for the sitter to respond.
Yes. Create a free profile on PawAroundTown and add your services, pricing, and availability. You can run both simultaneously.
All platforms are free to browse. PawAroundTown shows transparent pricing upfront. Rover and Wag prices vary by sitter. Thumbtack is free but pros may charge for quotes.
Not yet — PawAroundTown is web-first. Rover and Wag both have iOS and Android apps.
PawAroundTown covers the widest range: dog walking, pet sitting, grooming, veterinary, training, and boarding. Rover is limited to walking, sitting, and boarding.
Thumbtack works for finding groomers and trainers, but professionals pay per lead and users must request quotes. It is less specialized than PawAroundTown for pet services.