Which one suits you
Rover, if
- you need someone for a night or two, or at short notice
- you want walks, visits or day care while you're at home too
- you want vet cover on the booking, and support at any hour
HouseSit, if
- you're away for a week or more and would rather not pay for care
- you want someone living in your home for the whole trip
- you can plan a few weeks ahead: sitters travel to you
Side by side
- Cost
- Free
- £30–40 a night on average in the UK ($45–75 in the US), plus an 11% booking fee
- Two weeks away
- Free
- About £466–622 at those UK averages, with the fee
- Who comes
- A traveller who stays in your home, for free, in return for the stay
- A local sitter you pay, who stays overnight in your home
- Booking
- Sitters apply, you choose, and you agree on the details together
- Book and pay through Rover
- Checks
- Optional ID check: €29 once, and the badge stays
- Every sitter: ID-verified in the UK, background-checked in the US
- Vet cover
- Not yet
- Up to £25,000 for eligible claims, on bookings paid through Rover
- Support
- A feedback button we answer ourselves
- 24/7
- Walks and visits
- No: HouseSit is for when you're away
- Yes: walks, drop-in visits, day care and boarding too
Rover facts come from its own website, checked in October 2026. Its sitters set their own prices; the averages are Rover's.
What Rover does better
Worth knowing before you choose.
Local sitters, any dates
Rover's sitters live near you, so a night or two, or a booking at short notice, is easier to find. On HouseSit, sitters travel to you, so post early.
Vet cover on the booking
The Rover Guarantee covers vet care for eligible claims, on bookings paid through Rover. We don't offer cover yet.
Every sitter is checked
Identity-verified in the UK, background-checked in the US. On HouseSit, the ID check is optional.
Walks, visits and day care
For the days you're at home too. HouseSit is only for when you're away.
Support at any hour
Rover's support team answers 24/7. We answer our feedback button ourselves.
So why try HouseSit?
On Rover you pay for every night, plus a fee. Here a sitter stays for free, and you can still book Rover for walks.
What’s different on HouseSit
Free for the whole trip
No price per night and no booking fee. The sitter stays for free and looks after your pets in return.
You choose who comes
Sitters apply to your listing. Read their profiles and reviews, have a video call, and say yes to one.
Their record comes with them
Sitters can bring their review count from other platforms, Rover included, so a new member here still shows their record.
How it works, in four steps
- 1
List your home free
Add your pets, your home and your dates. No card needed.
- 2
Sitters apply
Sitters who'd like to come send you a message. Read their profiles and reviews.
- 3
Talk, then choose
Have a video call and ask what matters to you. Then say yes to one sitter.
- 4
Hand over, and travel
Put the details in writing with our free house sit agreement, and leave your pets at home with someone you chose.
Other ways to have your pets looked after
Rover isn't the only other choice. Here is how the others work, with our page on each.
- HouseSit vs PawshakeSitters set their own price per night, and owners pay a service fee on top. Vet cover comes with every booking.
- HouseSit vs pet boardingAbout €30 a night for one dog, often more for each pet, and your pets stay away from home.
- HouseSit vs TrustedHousesittersHouse sitting with a yearly plan: $129 to $399 a year in the US, plus $12 a sit on two plans.
Questions people ask
Is HouseSit really free for pet owners?
Yes. Listing your home, reading applications, messaging and choosing a sitter cost nothing. The sitter stays for free and looks after your pets in return. We charge only for optional extras, like a €29 ID check for members who want the badge.
How much does Rover cost for a week away?
In October 2026, Rover's UK house sitting page put the average at £30 to £40 a night, and its help centre adds an 11% booking fee. A week at those prices is about £233 to £311. Each sitter sets their own price.
Can I use both?
Yes. Book walks or day care on Rover while you're home, and find a house sitter here when you travel.
How far ahead should I post?
As soon as your dates are set. Sitters travel to you, so they plan ahead too, and a last-minute sit is harder to fill.
Is HouseSit safe?
Members can verify their ID with Stripe, and hosts and sitters review each other after every sit. Before you agree, have a video call, and if they aren't verified, ask to see their ID. Put the details in writing with our free house sit agreement, and read our safety tips. HouseSit doesn't guarantee a sit, and doesn't run background checks yet, so the final check is yours.
Does HouseSit include vet cover?
Not yet. Rover's guarantee covers vet care for eligible claims on bookings paid through Rover. Before you leave, give the sitter your vet's details, and ask your home insurer whether a house sitter is covered.
