Zero commission tells you what a platform does not deduct from a booking. It does not tell you whether the software has a subscription, brings new clients, collects payments or provides any particular protection. Those are separate questions.
The Pet Sitter is free for sitters and pet owners, with no subscription or booking commission. Owners pay sitters directly for care; a payment provider chosen by the sitter may charge its own fees. Here is how to compare that offer with other models fairly.
Three models to compare
- Commission marketplace: a fee is linked to a booking. Check what both sitter and owner pay, and which services are included.
- Subscription software: a fixed fee buys access to tools. Check what the subscription includes and whether there are additional charges or limits.
- Free software: there is no software subscription to subtract. Still check the available tools, payment arrangements and any external costs.
As an illustration, a 20% commission on 1,000 in bookings is 200, in the same currency. The Pet Sitter's platform charge on that work is zero. Neither figure accounts for tax, business expenses or third-party payment fees. A fee comparison alone also cannot tell you whether a marketplace would have brought you a booking you would not otherwise receive.
Separate finding clients from serving them
A marketplace and a client-management tool are not interchangeable. If you need new enquiries, investigate the actual discovery service and demand in your area. If you already have clients, test how easily you can organise their next booking.
The Pet Sitter currently supports the second workflow. Your profile and booking links work from signup; owner-side sitter search is not yet available. You bring the client relationship. A human profile review and your search-engine visibility setting govern indexing, not permission to use your shared links.
Check the work behind the price
Try a real task: add a client, arrange dates, send a care update and create the appropriate invoice. Check how you can export records and what happens when you need help.
Our free tools include client records and CSV import, bookings, messaging, an outward calendar feed, report cards, invoices and a bookkeeper CSV export. Invoice generation does not collect money, and file exports are not live accounting integrations. AI features are disabled; people handle review and support. A lower price does not, by itself, establish better care or stronger protection.
Keep the relationship clear
Agree the care, rate, payment method and cancellation arrangements directly with your sitter or client. Read each service's current terms before moving a relationship or reusing reviews. Do not assume that another platform's guarantees, history or permissions move with you.
Start with the included tools, then use your first-week guide to test the workflow. Choose on what helps your business and clients today, without relying on a forecast about which pricing model will win.