Where is the best place to find babysitters? Looking for a way to balance work, social life, and family responsibilities? Or maybe you just need to pick back up on having regular date nights. Whether it's for a quick errand, an evening out, or an unexpected schedule change, it's a huge weight off your shoulders to find someone to watch the kiddos.
Best Option
Bambino is a 100% app-based babysitter finding site that's a popular, newer addition to the childcare scene. The company has been widely spoken of in publications like TechCrunch, What to Expect, NBC News, Healthline, Bustle, and Forbes. Everything is contained within the app and uses impressive features like booking and internal payments to streamline the babysitting process. The company was founded in 2015.
Tons of vetting criteria for sitters
Bambino verifies all of its babysitters on the platform, with high standards of qualification requirements. All sitters need to have a background check to list a profile on Bambino, and there are other requirements too. Babysitters must have a clear and well-defined photo of themselves with no distractions for ID verification. The photo has to be within 3 months old. Bambino will also complete a phone number and carrier validation, sex offender background check, as well as state and federal background checks, and all sitters must have a recommendation from someone else on the platform to have an active profile.
400,000+ registered babysitters
Bambino currently has over 400,000 registered babysitters on the app. We signed up for a quick look at the app to see how many babysitters were within our area. To get started, you'll need to make an account like we did, by putting in your name and email. However, there is no way to see sitters until you are logged in and complete a verification process to make sure that you're safe for babysitters to work for.
Secure communication and sitter reviews
Bambino offers 100% in-app communication, payment processing, and scheduling, so you never have to worry about third-party apps or a less secure route of talking directly. Plus, all babysitters on the platform have individual reviews from parents who have used them before, so you can see who the highest-rated babysitters are at a glance.
Pricing from $14 to $20 per hour
Bambino's app is free to download and create your account. Each sitter charges an hourly rate, which is only visible from inside the app. If you are a free user of Bambino, you can expect a service charge of $4.95 per booking. There is also a premium membership you can subscribe to, which waives all booking fees for babysitters. The membership is $19.99 for one month, $39.99 for three months, and $99.99 for 12 months (that's as low as $8.33 per month if you break it down). For pricing per sitter, you'll find most prices range from $14 to $20 per hour (this does not include the service fee).
Top marks from parents
Bambino is new enough that it doesn't have a lot of buzz on third-party review sites like Trustpilot or Sitejabber. It also doesn't have any ratings on the Better Business Bureau. So, because it's an app-based service, we looked at the babysitting site reviews on the App Store and Google Play Store - and they're almost overwhelmingly positive. On the Apple store, you'll find a 4.9-star average rating out of 5 across over 24,000 individual users. On Google Play, Bambino has a 4.4-star average rating out of 5. Customers said it was a top-notch site for finding babysitters. Even parents who had exhausted other options, including Facebook recommendations and more, found someone to help them out on Bambino. Many reviews mention particular babysitters and note that the parents intend to call babysitters over and over again, since the app helped them find a perfect match.
Top pick: best security and tons of sitters
Bambino has incredible security and impressive usability for parents and babysitters alike. With secure communication and payments, free registration (and low fees if you want to pay for a premium membership), Bambino is ahead of the pack in lots of areas. With everything contained in the app, you never have to worry about going to a separate platform or struggling to find a different babysitter if one doesn't work out. With all the impressive features, rave reviews, and low overhead costs, Bambino earns our top spot in this review with a full 5 stars.
Great
Babysits is a popular online spot for searching for babysitters. Known for its news articles in CBS, US News, and Deseret News, this babysitting database platform has served over 7 million customers to date. Babysits offers both babysitting and nanny services, so depending on how often you expect to need someone to watch your little ones, you have some flexibility on what kind of childcare you hire. The company was founded in 2008, and it promises to make childcare more accessible and secure.
ID checks and background checks
Babysits has top-notch security, promising that all members are vetted with identity checks and reference reviews. You won't find any babysitters who haven't passed the requirements. Babysits also conducts a basic background check on all platform members, too, so you won't find anyone with criminal charges. The kiddos are super safe.
Lots of helpful features, but only 6 sitters in our test area
You can immediately start browsing babysitters on Babysits without making an account. If you put in your zip code, you will immediately see local and top-rated babysitters in your area. Babysits' listings will include icons to show who has provided a government ID, and those who've passed photo verification checks (with a check mark symbol), and you can also see how much experience the babysitters have at a glance. Babysits has a neat feature that also shows who has been online recently, so if you want to reach out to someone who will respond quickly, Babysits makes that simple. The only downside is that we were only shown 6 babysitters in our area. You can "zoom out" (according to Babysits) to see more local options that aren't in your direct zip code, but the number was surprisingly small either way.
Monitored communication for extra security
Secure messaging is one of our favorite protection features here. This means that whether you're using the desktop or the app version of Babysits, all of your communication with the babysitter is monitored by Babysits. This will protect you from scams, or any questions about work agreements, time, and more. Babysits also offers a secure payment system through bookings, so that your money goes directly to your babysitter with no questions asked.
Pricing from $13 to $25 an hour
Babysits' pricing is listed on each babysitter's page. During the research in our area, we saw prices from $13 an hour up to $20 an hour. When we increased the radius of our search to other zip codes, the prices went up to $25 an hour at the highest. In general, costs are very competitive across the listings on Babysits. The company also offers a premium membership that includes features for quicker babysitting jobs. You can answer conversations if you are on the free version, but you can't start conversations with sitters unless you have the premium membership, which costs $24.99 per month if you pay monthly or as low as $8.33 per month if you pick a yearly plan (a single payment of $99.96).
Fantastic feedback from parents
Babysits is primarily reviewed on Trustpilot, but the news there is fantastic: this platform holds a 4.5-star average rating out of 5. Parents rave about how easy the app is to use and how fast they find babysitters (even last-minute caregivers for emergencies). Most of the reviews mention how safe parents feel using the platform, how easy it is to connect with babysitters, and how streamlined the app and website are for payments, calendar planning, and more. While this site isn't rated by the Better Business Bureau, its rave reviews on Trustpilot are a standout feature.
Fast, easy, and secure
If you're looking for a site with free browsing, quick access to babysitters, and a helpful user interface, Babysits is going to be one of your first picks. It has reasonably priced babysitting services, and if you want to upgrade to the membership (which is optional), there are ways to make that extremely affordable as well. While we'd like to see a few more babysitters on the platform (especially since it is free for babysitters to use), you might have a higher volume in your area, so make sure you take a look. All things considered, Babysits is one of our favorites for security, usability, and quick finds for babysitters. For this reason, it earns a high score in our review.
Very Good
Nanny Lane is an online babysitting and nanny agency that is one of the most well-rounded on our list. It's a one-stop shop with tons of different caregiver types, including babysitting, nannying, elderly care, and pet care. There are two membership tiers, so you can choose how much you want to pay for the service. While this is a relatively new service compared to some rival babysitting sites, Nanny Lane stands out for its flexibility and the large number of qualified babysitters on the platform.
How babysitters are vetted
Nanny Lane allows any babysitter to sign up, and then allows members to choose the level of vetting they want to do. You can see which members have been verified by a green shield with a check mark. This doesn't mean the babysitter has had a full background check, though. That is left up to the parents to do when they pick a babysitter they want. The different membership tiers offer you access to different levels of detail with the security features, so if you want that extra sense of safety, you may want to pay for the full price package.
300+ babysitters to pick from in our test area
To preview babysitters on Nanny Lane, you can put in your zip code and see how many caregivers are in your area. For our location, we were shown over 300 individual listings from local babysitters. However, to actually talk to any of them, you'll need to make an account. You'll be asked questions about your location, your child's age (or ages), and your preferred budget to limit results when you finally see them (but you'll have to pay first, regrettably).
Your information is secure on Nanny Lane
Nanny Lane promises that your personal information is never shared with anyone. You can give out your information to babysitters if you choose, but at first, the primary contact is on the website. Nanny Lane suggests you use the mobile app to make sure your opening discussions are monitored for additional security. However, compared to some sites where there's extra security in the form of criminal background checks, Nanny Lane doesn't quite meet the same bar.
Pricing from $15 to $25 per hour + membership fees
The prices for babysitters at Nanny Lane range from $15 to $25 per hour in our area. The pricing scale does go up to $50, so there might be more costly childcare in different locations. As for the membership fees, there are two tiers to consider. The Essential plan costs $30 per month and offers you 5 background checks that you can use with any of the babysitters on Nanny Lane. If you want even more security, you can choose the Plus plan, which is $60 per month and includes all the Essential features as well as more detailed background checks, a personal hiring assistant, custom contracts with babysitters, and payroll service.
Fantastic reviews on Trustpilot
The Better Business Bureau page for Nanny Lane shows a concerning "F" rating, but this is the only site that has anything negative for this babysitting platform: Nanny Lane has impressive feedback everywhere else. The poor rating on the BBB seems to be from just 7 complaints that the company hasn't responded to, so it may not be an "F" rating you need to worry about. As for other sites, like Trustpilot, Nanny Lane holds a competitive 4.4 stars out of 5, with over 70% of all reviews at a full 5 stars. Recent comments from happy parents show that Nanny Lane is easy to use, and most parents found a babysitter right away. So, if you're looking for a place to get a babysitter on short notice, Nanny Lane is a great choice.
Competitive if you have the budget
Nanny Lane is a great choice if you need a babysitter in a pinch, but it is more costly than other platforms in our review. With a requirement to pay for a membership just to talk to babysitters, it doesn't quite make our top picks for babysitting sites since there are many free or lower-cost options available. However, if you want reliable babysitters and quick service, it's still worth a look. For this reason, Nanny Lane earns a competitive rating in our review.
Good
Care is a site that offers a full range of babysitting and nannying services, making it a one-stop shop for all care types. You can even find help with housekeeping and pet care with this service that goes above and beyond the options at other "just babysitting" sites. You can join Care for free or with a membership (which offers increased security features and browsing). Overall, it's similar to other databases in our review, but it offers a more detailed questionnaire to find the perfect babysitter than some competitors.
Extra background check details for members
Care vets its babysitters with full background checks before being allowed to join the platform. Plus, as sitters remain on the platform, Care offers continuous background checks, so the platform can keep up with any new criminal activity (and take action to remove a babysitter accordingly). Parents who pay for memberships at Care will see more complete background check results than those who use the platform for free.
100+ babysitters to sift through in our area
Care is formatted like a job board rather than a database for you to browse. So, you'll make a job listing for the type of babysitter you want after answering questions like where you're located, how soon you need child care, whether you want a one-time sitter or more permanent help, and more. You'll also be asked to fill out basic details about your children's ages, so babysitters can see if they're qualified for your age group. During our initial research, we saw more than 100 babysitters in our area, and within a few days, we had 7 applications for our "test" parents' job board posting.
Stay on Care for all communication
For added security, you will complete all of the job postings and messaging between you and the potential applicants on Care's website. This way, the communication is monitored for additional safety and security. Care also offers a 24/7 safety hotline for emergencies. We appreciate that Care offers detailed profiles that display key skills like CPR certifications or first aid training, so you can pick out a babysitter who can serve your family best.
Pricing between $10 and $25 per hour
Care does require that you make an account before you can see pricing or preview babysitters. During our research, we saw babysitters priced from $10 to $25 an hour in our area. The price was set by the babysitters themselves. Helpfully, you can see if you're overpaying since Care offers an "average price for your area" statement. For our location, the average price was between $13 and $20 an hour. On top of that, Care offers a premium membership. This costs $38.95 per month on a monthly recurring membership, $24.95 per month for a quarterly membership, and $12.95 per month for an annual membership. This membership is, unfortunately, required to actually book babysitters on the platform. On a free account you can browse, but you will need to pay in order to actually contact babysitters. You can post a job for free, but you have to wait for candidates to reach out to you.
Higher ratings in recent weeks
Care currently holds an "A-" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. However, it has some lower scores on Trustpilot than some of its competitors. While it currently shows a bit under 3 stars on average, most of the recent reviews are 5 stars, showing that Care might be improving over time. Customers who liked their experience with the babysitters said it was easy to find short-term care on Care. On the other hand, some customers had problems with Care taking down their listings, so they never received applications. It could be a little hit or miss with this babysitter site.
Solid choice, but slightly more pricy
Care is a little more costly than some of its competitors if you want to consider a membership. While you can use the site for free, it limits some of what you can see security-wise, which isn't a problem at Care's competitors. While the job posting method has a professional feel, it isn't ideal if you need someone on short notice (which is often the case with babysitters). For these reasons, Care comes in around the middle tier overall.
Average
Kidsit is a free online marketplace that helps you find all sorts of care professionals. You can find babysitters, nannies, pet watching, daycare, and more, all from this one database-style site. Matthew James Taylor founded Kidsit in 2018 in Sydney, Australia, and now includes members and sitters across the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. The best part? This marketplace is 100% free, so you don't have to worry about membership fees like we've seen at other babysitting sites.
Vetting and credentials are voluntary
Kidsit offers general credentials for babysitters to put on their profiles. You'll see check marks for items like "email verified," "18 years old," "non-smoking," and whether or not someone has additional languages. However, these appear to be voluntary for the babysitters, and not requirements for joining the platform. Kidsit is more open than other babysitting sites, so you may need to do a little extra digging if you want a deeper level of security.
Only 10 sitters in our area
Kidsit lets you start browsing as soon as you enter your city. It specifically asks for a city rather than a zip code, as zip codes differ from country to country. During our research, we were only shown 10 different babysitters in our area. The listings include helpful insights like how many years of experience babysitters have with children and pets, additional skills and interests, an availability scheduling block, and what household duties are offered in the service. The pricing is also listed directly on each babysitter's profile. However, there is a lot of scrolling to do to get from one profile to the next, which can take a little more time when compared to a more modern user interface.
Reach out to sitters through the platform
Kidsit allows you to contact babysitters for free through its platform, which helps with security. You don't have to give out your number until you've worked things out with your chosen babysitter. When you reach out to someone, you'll specify the job by typing out the details, selecting what services you need, and how many pets you want taken care of, if you're including those. You will hear back from your chosen Kidsit babysitter through email if the sitter is interested in the job with you.
Pricing from $13 to $25 per hour
During our research, the prices in our area ranged from $13 to $25 per hour. This did change by sitter, and there were different prices if you wanted pet sitting services as well. Some offered pet services as low as $9. The higher-end babysitters included mealtime prep, potty training, bathing, and homework help among their relevant skills.
No reviews on any third-party platforms
Kidsit is not based in the US, so we weren't totally surprised when research on the company's reputation turned up very little information. Kidsit did not have a page with the Better Business Bureau, and it also didn't have any reviews on third-party sites like Trustpilot or Sitejabber. The only reviews for the platform are on Kidsit itself, which doesn't give us a great idea of what parents think without the company's possible filtering of reviews.
Great free resource
Kidsit is a great free option if you want to browse babysitters in your area and get going right away. It leaves most of the work in your hands, but that means you can find who you want when you want. It also offers high levels of detail on babysitter listings, so it's easy to see who is a good fit for your family. While we'd like to see more feedback overall, the free database and easy access to babysitters in a pinch keep Kidsit around average in our review.
Fair
UrbanSitter is an all-in-one caregiving website that specializes in connecting you with care professionals for different needs. You can find child care, pet care, and senior care all on one platform. UrbanSitter leaves most of the selection in your hands, letting you browse their babysitters and find the best fit for you. However, service isn't available everywhere, so make sure that UrbanSitter offers its help in your location. During our research, all of the major cities we tried (in various US states) were accepted and offered competitive results for local babysitters.
Vetting features are voluntary
UrbanSitter offers third-party background checks for all its babysitters. However, they can choose whether or not to do one. The best babysitters on the platform will opt in and provide their results during your interview. UrbanSitter also suggests that if your candidate does not have one, you should request one yourself. Many of the babysitters also have references, but this is also an opt-in, so you may find quite a few of babysitters that don't have any.
Only 5 sitters in our area
Concerningly, UrbanSitter only offered 5 results when we searched for babysitters in our area. We tried a few other zip codes to see if we got different results, and all of the options showed just 5 results. To see more babysitters, you have to sign up for the platform. You can sign in with Google or Facebook, or sign up for a new account separately. UrbanSitter will walk you through making a profile and an ad looking for a babysitter. However, after we completed the registration process, UrbanSitter only showed us the same 5 local results.
Ratings and background check symbols
UrbanSitter shows which babysitters have opted into the background check by displaying a green shield next to the sitter's name. On top of that, UrbanSitter offers on-site communication, but you need to wait for the babysitter to reach out first. You can explore your results, though, and see which ones might be a good fit at first glance. You can also see star ratings for individual babysitters and view how many previous experiences they've had with families through the UrbanSitter platform. The highest-rated babysitter in our results had 57 reviews from happy parents with a full 5-star rating.
Pricing from $18 to $30 an hour + required membership fees
UrbanSitter's babysitters set their own prices. You can see all of the options, but since they're limited, the price range is a little more limited too. In our area, the babysitters offer service for $18 to $30 an hour. This is notably more costly than the hourly rates that we've seen at other babysitter websites. UrbanSitter doesn't offer a lot of options either, so you're stuck with the options you see (unless a different babysitter you aren't shown makes an offer on your job). The site is free to use, but there is a paid membership for actually making bookings. You can't actually secure a babysitter until you've paid for a membership. The cost ranges between $12.95 per month (if you pay annually) or up to $38 per month if you choose a month-to-month option.
Mixed feedback for UrbanSitter
UrbanSitter has an outstanding "A+" rating and accreditation with the Better Business Bureau. However, on third-party review sites, its reputation is a little more mixed. It currently holds a 1.3-star average out of 5 on Trustpilot, with the reviews split almost half and half between 5- and 1-star ratings. Recent reviews claim that the site is hard to use, and the app is difficult to set up. UrbanSitter also got some flak for the costly paid membership that runs you into a paywall (not allowing you to hire anyone) until you've subscribed. There are also a large number of poor reviews from the babysitters themselves, who were frustrated by a lack of "real" jobs through UrbanSitter.
Most helpful if your monthly budget isn't too tight
At the end of the day, the paywall here is a little costly, and you're still stuck waiting for babysitters to reach out. There isn't a quick and easy way to secure a babysitter on short notice at UrbanSitter. For these reasons, it earns a lower-than-average score. While its "A+" from the Better Business Bureau is a high point, the mixed reviews and higher cost earn UrbanSitter a below average score in our review.
Subpar
Babysitter's Registry is more of a database than it is a traditional babysitting site. Where most sites in our review let you communicate and hire babysitters directly from the platform, Babysitter's Registry is an information-only kind of site. While the site offers plenty of babysitters to look through, you're going to be jumping around to different sites to actually contact and hire your babysitter. It's a great way to start browsing, but it may be more steps than most people want. However, Babysitter's Registry is totally free to use, so there are no worries about costs at this site.
No real vetting system
Babysitter's Registry is just a place to report on babysitters - there isn't any in-house vetting process. There are help articles on Babysitter's Registry that help you with the process of vetting (suggesting how parents can complete their own background checks or even hire a private investigator). Like we said, there's a bit more work involved with using Babysitter's Registry than with other sites, which may be a bit off-putting. Since other sites do the work for you, Babysitter's Registry comes across as somewhat frustrating.
500+ babysitters on the site
Babysitter's Registry lets you search through its database just with your zip code. There's no need to sign up and create a profile to see the options. We saw 500+ options for babysitters in our local zip code. There are a few "member" matches, which are specifically babysitters who are signed up with the Babysitter's Registry. There were 58 babysitters for this option. In general, though, when you click on a babysitter, it will redirect you to the site where that sitter actually has a profile (and some of those sites require memberships to use).
Security features and how to trust
Babysitter's Registry doesn't really have security features for the most part. If you're looking for any kind of vetting system or chat options for most babysitters on the platform, you're out of luck. Regrettably, Babysitter's Registry is pretty hands-off. There are a handful of babysitters (those that are registered members of Babysitter's Registry) that allow you to make contact directly through the site, but it's unclear if you'll communicate through Babysitter's Registry or get a private email for the babysitter.
Pricing around $10 to $25 per hour
Babysitter's Registry has pricing that's all over the place, and it's set by the individual babysitter who posted their profile. None of the prices are listed on the main page. You have to click on every individual babysitter to see their pricing, which can take a lot more time. There's no standardization in the bios for babysitters either, so you may have to search for the pricing within each profile. During our research, we saw rates from $10 to $25 per hour.
No feedback on trusted review platforms
Babysitter's Registry doesn't have any buzz on traditional review sites because it isn't really a business. There's no Better Business Bureau rating, and no third-party reviews on verified sites like Trustpilot or Sitejabber. While we found some likes for Babysitter's Registry on Facebook, there was almost nothing in the way of feedback from other parents.
Decent database, but too time-consuming
Babysitter's Registry is okay if you're just hoping to browse what babysitters might be out there. However, the back and forth to other websites, lack of unified design, and difficulty seeing pricing for babysitters that are listed make it less useful than just going directly to one of those other babysitting sites instead. Plus, Babysitter's Registry leaves security in your hands, making more work where other sites do it for you.
Subpar
Sittercity is an all-in-one type of caregiving website that includes babysitting and nannying services with everything from daytime work, single sittings, newborn care, housework helpers, and more. However, there is a paywall to consider, and contacting babysitters for free isn't an option. Sittercity is currently owned by Bright Horizons, and while it promises 5x more matches with ideal babysitters than competitors, the reviews suggest this isn't actually the case.
No background checks until you're a member
Sittercity offers plenty of in-house vetting for your security, but you'll have to ask for a background check to be completed. Instead of automatically running checks on every babysitter on the platform, Sittercity requires parents to join via membership (which includes background checks as part of the deal). As is, babysitter listings include the number of years of experience they have and certifications. But the deeper checks have to wait until you've completed sign-up and secured a paid membership.
Can't access sitters before you pay
Sittercity's sign-up process is easy, but you do have to make an account to get anywhere. You'll fill out a questionnaire for how often you want a sitter, what type of care you want (nannying or babysitting), and where you're located. Before you can view listings for babysitters, you'll have to subscribe to a 1-month, 3-month, or 12-month membership. The paywall keeps you from even browsing limited versions of the babysitter listings, which is somewhat frustrating.
ID verification for some security
Sittercity does offer ID verification for all babysitters on the platform. So, while background checks are dependent on you asking for one, you can easily see who matches their legal ID and passed photo verification. You can also see individual reviews for particular babysitters, so you can preview who has done well with other families and who you want to avoid.
Pricing from $10 to $50 an hour + membership fee
Sittercity allows you to choose your price range, since when you make an account, you create a "listing" for babysitters to apply to. This means you'll only be shown to babysitters who are in your chosen pay range. The sliding scale on Sittercity offers payment amounts from $10 to $50 an hour. In our area, parents generally pay between $16 and $20 an hour for a babysitter. This helps you get a ballpark idea of how much you should be paying and how much you can offer fairly. The membership costs $35 per month, $49 for 3 months, and $90 for a year, and this includes the basic functional features like messages, viewing profiles, and requesting background checks.
Low ratings for costly service
Sittercity, regrettably, is not the best when it comes to ratings - though this isn't totally surprising, given the frustrating paywall. From the Better Business Bureau, Sittercity currently holds a "D-" rating. On Trustpilot, the news is a little better, with a 4.2-star average out of 5. In general, though, most recent reviews were just 1 star, which shows a significant decline in the last year or so. Customers have trouble with accounts getting locked or suspended, and there are concerns about how costly the membership is.
Too expensive for most parents
Sittercity just isn't one of the top options out there for babysitters these days. With high costs for membership (that you are required to pay to use the site), roadblocks to seeing the babysitters, and no included background checks since you still have to ask for one after you've paid, there isn't much to recommend Sittercity over other sites in our review. Only the 4.2-star average on Trustpilot keeps it from earning one of our lowest ratings. It's really only viable if you're not worried about your babysitting budget.
Weak
Jovie is a babysitting site that promises that its childcare experts are professionals who focus on babysitting or nannying as their careers. Jovie got started back in 2001, and specifically caters to families within the US. Jovie offers both nannying and babysitting, among some other household care situations. However, there are some issues with cost transparency and slow responses that make Jovie less than ideal. Read on to see why.
Full third-party background checks
Jovie offers complete background checks to properly vet the babysitters on its website. These are conducted through an accredited third party, so you know that the background checks are legit. These checks also include past known locations for the babysitters (like where they've lived, worked, or gone to school previously). The verification extends to scans of sex offender databases, so you can feel secure that all of the babysitters on Jovie are safe to be around your kids.
Go to Jovie or wait for them to contact you
Jovie is operated as a brick-and-mortar company, so when you first start looking for babysitters, you may need to visit a Jovie location near you. Our closest office was around 20 minutes away, which wasn't ideal for convenience. On top of that, you can't see any listed babysitters before going in or submitting a form to ask for a babysitter. Jovie will reach out to your email to help you find a match. However, when we completed our form, we didn't hear back from Jovie within a full business day. So, if you're in a rush to find a babysitter, this may not be the platform for you.
Security features and how to trust
Jovie's security comes from the fact that they handle the hiring process for you. Its "stress-free-hiring" model promises that they'll find you a babysitter and you can just sit back and relax. You don't have to worry about communicating or interviewing, as all of that is handled by Jovie. So, there are fewer security concerns, but you will have to wait a bit longer than with other babysitting sites.
No prices until Jovie reaches out
Jovie does not have any prices on its website, and when we reached out with a form, we didn't get any response to start a quote or give us some options for local babysitters. This may be a pretty big problem for families who are trying to find a quick babysitter for a once-in-a-while childcare opportunity or for those who need someone for an emergency. And with no pricing transparency, it's hard to plan for future babysitting, either.
Not much to see for this service
Jovie used to be called "College Nannies & Sitters," and when we researched its reputation, we found the Better Business Bureau page for Jovie under its old name. It currently holds an "A+" rating from the BBB. However, we couldn't find any reviews for this babysitter service on trusted third-party review sites like Trustpilot. We found one review (again, under Jovie's old name) on Yelp, but that didn't give us much to go on. We're a little concerned, given that we didn't get any response from Jovie, nor did we find any relevant or recent reviews for the service.
Not worth the time for what you get
Jovie's theme seems to be that its details are somewhat absent. With nothing but a BBB rating to go off of, much of the company remains a mystery. Its pricing isn't available, it doesn't have any reviews on trusted third-party sites, and even if you do hear back, the process at Jovie is much longer than with babysitter sites that let you do the searching yourself. If you're looking for a longer-term childcare option, Jovie might be worth a look, but for just quick babysitting gigs, it takes too much time and offers too little information.
Poor
Sitter is an online marketplace for parents to find and connect with babysitters in their area. The company got its start in Canada in 1997, and now it's part of the CareGuide network. Sitter has received praise from The Globe and Mail and Huffpost for its quick and easy method for helping you find a babysitter. The caregivers at Sitter offer a variety of care styles that include in-home and taking kids to sports, the park, or to and from school if needed. The company serves both the US and Canada, so you can be sure that you're taken care of no matter where you're located.
Little to no vetting
Sitter doesn't do the background checks for you, so there isn't a specific vetting program that the company uses. However, it does make running a background check (through the platform) available for parents. You will have to complete the process yourself, even with the higher tiers of membership (which don't mention increased security like we've seen at other sites).
100+ sitters to choose from in our test area
Signing up for an account is the first step at Sitter. You'll be asked for your location, the general ages of your child or children, how often you expect to need care, and what rates you're willing to pay. Sitter will give you the hourly rate for minimum wage in your state and note that you will not be able to go below that price. Sitter will suggest listing information for you based on your answers, and then you'll be ready to pay for a plan. There is a "Limited" plan option for zero cost if you just want to browse babysitters. However, you can only send and receive 3 messages total in each conversation on this plan. Once we got through the setup, we were shown over 100 results for babysitters in our area.
Security features and how to trust
Sitter does allow on-site monitored communication as a security feature, but there isn't much else in terms of security to help you out. Plus, you can only chat very briefly if you don't pay a membership fee. Compared to other babysitting sites in our review, this service has a pretty significant paywall, and it doesn't stand out for the features you get for your money.
Pricing starting at $13 to $20 per hour
In our area, we saw babysitting prices from $13 to $20 per hour. However, there's a catch. If you want to chat more than 3 messages (which is all you get on the Limited free plan), you'll have to subscribe, and it isn't cheap. The first plan is Premium, which costs $45 for one month, $90 for 3 months, and $180 for 12 months. Premium includes the same features as the free version, plus the ability to use unlimited messages and calls through Sitter, features at the top of the search results, the ability to share contact information, and priority access to email support. The Featured plan is even more costly: $89.99 for one month, $179.99 for 3 months, and $359.99 for 12 months. It includes all the features of Premium, plus improved profile designs, no ads, and standout profile cards.
Concerning reports of scams
Sitter doesn't have a page with the Better Business Bureau, but we did see some concerning reports during our research. There are repeated claims that scams are happening on this site. On Sitejabber, for example, Sitter has just 1 star out of 5. Reviews say that four out of four applicants for babysitting jobs were scams. Babysitters are also seeing scams from the other side, where parents claim to be moving and ask for the babysitter's private information. Previous customers also complained about unauthorized transactions or hidden fees for things that weren't subscriptions initially (like the background check service). Overall, there isn't a single review we can find that praises Sitter.
Not worth the risk
There's no way to recommend this site given what our research turned up. With the high costs to use the site alongside the consistent reports of scams and bots, there is nothing good about Sitter. While it might have been a legit business in the past, now it's a risky choice at best.
Continued from above...
Looking for a way to balance work, social life, and family responsibilities? Or maybe you just need to pick back up on having regular date nights. Whether it's for a quick errand, an evening out, or an unexpected schedule change, it's a huge weight off your shoulders to find someone to watch the kiddos.
Having a trusted babysitter can make life much smoother with reliable, short-term care that can be scheduled quickly (even at the last minute). Babysitters have become an essential part of family life for millions of households, helping parents take a breath and regain balance, and enjoy some well-deserved time child-free.
Modern babysitter websites have made it faster and easier than ever to find qualified caregivers. Instead of relying on personal recommendations or posting flyers in the neighborhood, parents can now search from home and review hundreds of profiles in minutes. These platforms let you filter by experience, hourly rate, location, and even availability, so you can find someone who fits your family's schedule and comfort level.
Many babysitter sites also include reviews from parents for particular babysitters. This way, you can choose those who are rated as high as your standards by other parents in your area. This is a total change from how people used to find babysitters (by mostly hoping someone was living nearby who could watch the kids).
If you're like us, then safety is one of your top concerns, and online babysitter platforms have made big improvements in how they handle security and vetting. The best websites require background checks and identity verification before babysitters are listed. Some even offer secure payment options and built-in messaging systems to protect your privacy and keep all communication in one place. This level of transparency offers you much more peace of mind than the traditional word-of-mouth approach. By using a trusted site with a solid vetting process, you can see everything you need to know before you interview your next babysitter.
Hiring a babysitter isn't just about getting childcare - it's about giving yourself the chance to recharge and enjoy your personal life. If you're ready to jump in, but don't know where to start, don't sweat. We've got your back. Here are some factors that can help you narrow the field:
Whether you're planning a long-overdue date night, celebrating an anniversary, or catching up with friends, a babysitter can make it possible to take that time without worry. Having a responsible sitter watching your children means you can relax and focus on your evening, knowing everything at home is in good hands. That's why Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked the top babysitter sites out there today. That way, you can enjoy a night off from parenting and know your kids are safe, happy, and cared for, just like if you were there with them!
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