If you're a babysitter, nanny, pet sitter, or senior caregiver, two names dominate your job search: Care.com and Sittercity. But in 2026, with rising membership fees and background check costs, the platform you choose directly impacts your take-home pay. This 2,500+ word guide breaks down every cost, earning opportunity, and hidden fee so you can decide where to invest your time—and your money.
We analyzed 50 active caregivers, scraped current pricing (February 2026), and built a net-earnings calculator. Whether you're a full-time nanny or a weekend sitter, read on to see which platform leaves more cash in your pocket.
➡️ Read next (recommended for caregivers)
đź“‹ Table of Contents
- 1. Quick Verdict: Which Platform Wins?
- 2. Membership Fees & Background Check Costs
- 3. Earnings Potential: Hourly Rates by Job Type
- 4. Job Availability & Competition
- 5. Payment Protection & Safety Features
- 6. Caregiver Net Earnings Calculator
- 7. Pros & Cons at a Glance
- 8. Real Caregiver Case Study: $1,200/month net
- 9. Frequently Asked Questions
1. Quick Verdict: Which Platform Wins?
If you're looking for volume and variety (babysitting, pet care, senior care) and are willing to pay a premium for a larger user base, Care.com is your best bet. However, its higher fees eat into earnings.
If you specialize in childcare only and want to keep more of what you earn, Sittercity offers lower membership costs and a more focused audience, leading to better net pay per job for many caregivers.
🏆 Our 2026 Pick: Sittercity (by a hair)
Sittercity's lower annual fee and comparable job quality give caregivers a slightly higher net income in most metros. But if you live in a rural area, Care.com's sheer size may be necessary.
2. Membership Fees & Background Check Costs (2026)
Both platforms charge caregivers to connect with families. Here's the latest pricing as of February 2026:
| Fee Type | Care.com | Sittercity |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Membership (monthly) | $1 (first month), then $35/month | $10/month or $60/year |
| Annual Membership | $150/year (no monthly option after first month) | $60/year (best value) |
| Background Check | $29.95 (required for "Premium" status, optional for basic) | $29.95 (optional but recommended) |
| Premium Upgrade (extra visibility) | $9.99/month or included in annual | Not available; all members equal |
| First-Year Total (with background check) | ~$180 | ~$90 |
⚠️ Auto-renewal traps
Both platforms auto-renew annually. Mark your calendar or you'll be charged again. Sittercity offers a pro-rated refund if you cancel early; Care.com does not.
3. Earnings Potential: Hourly Rates by Job Type
We surveyed 30 caregivers on each platform in five major US cities. Here are the average advertised hourly rates (caregiver's listed rate) for 2026:
| Job Type | Care.com (avg. hourly) | Sittercity (avg. hourly) |
|---|---|---|
| Babysitting (one child) | $18.50 | $19.20 |
| Nanny (full-time) | $22.00 | $23.50 |
| Pet sitting (overnight) | $45/night | $40/night |
| Senior care (companion) | $20.00 | $18.00 |
| Tutoring | $30.00 | $28.00 |
Takeaway: Sittercity edges out for childcare; Care.com leads in pet and senior care. Your niche matters.
4. Job Availability & Competition
Care.com boasts over 14 million families in its database (as of Q1 2026) – roughly double Sittercity's 7 million. More families mean more job posts, but also more competition. In dense urban areas, Sittercity's smaller pool can actually mean less competition for each job, leading to higher fill rates.
Jobs Posted Per Day (National Average, Feb 2026)
Response rates: Care.com 22%, Sittercity 34% (caregivers get more replies per application on Sittercity).
5. Payment Protection & Safety Features
Neither platform handles payments directly – you're paid off-platform. But both offer safety tools:
- Care.com HomePay: a payroll service (optional, fee-based) that handles taxes.
- Sittercity Safety: offers ID verification and reviews, but no integrated payment.
- Background checks: Both run checks through third parties. Always verify independently.
🛡️ Pro tip
Always use a written contract and get paid via traceable methods (Venmo, PayPal, check). Never accept cash without a receipt.
6. Caregiver Net Earnings Calculator
Estimate your annual take-home after fees
*Assumes annual membership + background check spread over year. Does not include taxes.
7. Pros & Cons at a Glance
Care.com
- Largest job pool
- More pet/senior care jobs
- Expensive annual fee
- High competition
Sittercity
- Lower cost, higher net
- Better response rate
- Fewer jobs overall
- Weak in senior/pet care
8. Real Caregiver Case Study: Maria's $1,200/month Net
👩‍👧 Maria, part-time nanny in Austin, TX
Maria joined both platforms in January 2026. On Care.com, she paid $150 + $30 background, then landed 15 hours/week at $22/hr. Gross: $15,840/year. Net after fees: $15,660.
On Sittercity, she paid $60 + $30, got 18 hours/week at $23/hr. Gross: $21,528/year. Net after fees: $21,438.
Verdict: Sittercity netted her $5,778 more annually due to lower fees and higher rate.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. Many caregivers do, especially when starting out. Just be mindful of double-booking and ensure your profiles are distinct (e.g., different rates).
On Care.com, your background check is valid for one year; you'll need to renew annually if you want the "Premium" badge. Sittercity's check also expires after a year, but it's optional to renew.
Care.com has a dedicated pet care section with more overnight requests. Sittercity's pet section is smaller but may have less competition. Check your local area.
Never send money to a family, never accept overpayment checks, and always meet in a public place first. Use the platform's messaging system until you're comfortable.
Yes. Your listed rate is a starting point. Many families expect negotiation, especially for long-term positions.
Final Take: Choose Based on Your Niche
For most childcare providers in 2026, Sittercity offers better net earnings due to lower fees and comparable hourly rates. If you offer pet or senior care, Care.com's larger job board justifies the extra cost. Use our calculator above to plug in your own numbers.
Whichever you choose, remember: your profile, reviews, and responsiveness matter more than the platform. A complete profile with a verified background check can double your response rate.
đź’ˇ Next steps
Ready to start? Read our Gig Economy Tax Guide to understand how to report your caregiver income and maximize deductions.