Hello,
I am [name], a child care worker and babysitter. I have been working with children for over 30 years. I love spending time with kids, and I want to help you find the best apps that you can use to entertain them while you are busy with other things.
There are so many great apps out there, but it can be hard to know which ones are going to work for your family. That’s why I’ve put together this list of my favorite apps for babysitting children. These are all apps that have been tried and tested in real life situations by me and other babysitters like me!
If you’re looking for an easy way to keep your kids occupied while at home or out running errands, here’s what we think are the best choices:
apps for babysitters to use
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Products > Baby Care
Best Babysitting Services and Apps
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by
Cassie Shortsleeve
Updated: January 6, 2021
Best babysitting apps
What to Expect selects products based on independent research and suggestions from our community of millions of parents; learn more about our review process. We may earn commissions from shopping links.
BEST BABYSITTING APPS
Care.com
UrbanSitter
Bambino
Sitter Pro
Sittercity
SeekingSitters
Helpr
Finding a sitter you trust to watch your kids is beyond challenging. You either have to beg and plead with your friends to give up the name and number of their sitter or canvas the neighborhood and stalk the playground in hopes of finding your own. Even after you do find a great one, they might get a full time job, go back to school or be otherwise unavailable the night you need them.
That’s why parents are now reaching for their phones and looking online to find sitters. There’s a bevy of apps on the market to help pair parents with reliable sitters looking for work. Wary about hiring someone you don’t know? Some apps include reviews, not just from other parents, but from other parents you know from your neighborhood, school, church or Facebook.
Some babysitting apps are completely free, while others will let you browse potential sitters for no charge, but then require you to pay in order to contact them. Others offer monthly subscriptions and a few have premium memberships with bells and whistles. Even with a membership, you’ll be charged more if you request a background check; basic ones ensure the candidate is not on any sexual offender registries and has no judgements against them in state court. It can be a small price to pay for major peace of mind.
Read on to learn more about the top babysitting apps and websites available today.
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Care.com
Care.com
Available at Care.com starting at $55
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Pros: Extra features such as rate calculators; large database of potential providers
Cons: Basic membership doesn’t allow you to respond to candidates; background checks can get pricey
Why We Love It
As one of the larger caregiving sites, you’re almost certain to find a solid selection of sitters in your area. Care.com is like Match.com for parents and babysitters (and tutors, pet care, senior care, housekeeping and more!). And you thought your dating days were behind you!
To get started on Care.com, create a profile with key details about your family (How many kids? How old? When do you need a sitter?), then interested sitters and nannies respond and you take it from there. Care.com sitter profiles include references and optional background checks for an additional fee.
Cost: $54.99 for 1 month, $109.99 for 3 months or $209.99 annually
UrbanSitter
UrbanSitter
Available at UrbanSitter starting at $35
See Now
Pros: Every sitter is background-checked, and reviewed by the team; word-of-mouth referrals build trustworthiness
Cons: With such a focus on reviews, some report not wanting to leave negative feedback
Why We Love It
This app and site helps you find and connect with top-rated sitters in your neighborhood or as rated by your school, church, parenting group, day care facility and more. Profiles include a star rating (zero to five), the ability to see how many repeat bookings a sitter has and of course, reviews. You can also search for sitters who can work special circumstances (such as overnights) or who have specific training (working with kids with special needs, for example).
Although the name implies it’s city-focused, the service is available in all 50 states, plus Washington D.C., and even connects those living close to college campuses to sitters.
Cost: $34.95 per month, pay as you go; $19.95 per month or $124.95 per year with subscription; free basic membership available.
Bambino
Bambino
Available at Bambino starting at $5
See Now
Pros: No monthly membership fees; streamlined payment process
Cons: Some customers report inconsistent customer service assistance
Why We Love It
Bambino requires both parents and sitters to register via their Facebook accounts. As a result, you can see which sitters your friends have hired and liked, and this also confirms prospective sitters’ identities and adds a layer of protection. Sitters must publish their rates, which means there’s no hassle of negotiating on your end. Plus, you pay via the app.
Cost: Free to download and create a profile. For Junior sitters, there is a $1.95 booking fee, and for Standard, Advanced and Elite sitters, there is a $2.95 fee applied at the end of the booking.
Sitter Pro
Sitter.me
Available at Sitter Pro starting at $10
See Now
Pros: You’re linked to a highly-vetted network of professional providers
Cons: Providers are limited to those working for child care agencies, which might mean fewer options depending on your area
Why We Love It
With this app (owned by UrbanSitter!), you can easily (and quickly) connect with babysitters or nannies from the local agencies around the country (read: providers who have already been vetted). You’re able to list any special considerations you might have (like infant care) and save past caregivers as “favorites” so you can book them again in the future. You can also store helpful info like emergency contacts or allergy information in the app.
Cost: Free
Sittercity
Sittercity
Available at Sittercity starting at $35
See Now
Pros: Industry leader; massive database of sitters to choose from
Cons: Background checks and other screenings cost extra
Why We Love It
Sittercity has been around since 2001, so it’s possible you may have even booked some babysitting gigs from the other side when you were looking to make extra cash in your own pre-kids days. What 20 years in the business gets you is a large database of millions of sitters, from babysitters and tutors to specialty care providers. It’s a matchmaking site where you post your job, review applicants and book your match. Background checks are available for an additional fee.
Cost: $35 for one month; $49 for 3 months; $98 for 12 months
SeekingSitters
SeekingSitters
Available at https://www.seekingsitters.com/ starting at $60
See Now
Pros: Little legwork for parents
Cons: No contacting your sitter ahead of time
Why We Love It
This site is another one that places your child’s safety at the top of the priority list. All of its sitters have undergone a rigorous background check by its on-staff investigators and must have CPR and First Aid training.
The trade-off is that you aren’t able to contact your sitter ahead of time (meaning no phone interviews); SeekingSitters does the legwork for you. Still, you may request a sitter if you find one you like. All payments are handled via the website.
Cost: One-time initiation fee of $59.99, plus fees for the child care.
Helpr
Helpr
Available at Helpr starting at $Free
See Now
Pros: It’s free; providers are all pre-screened
Cons: Currently only available in limited markets (Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Ojai, San Francisco, New York, Atlanta, Seattle and Chicago)
Why We Love It
Use Helpr for last-minute child care when you’re in a pinch (you can book services from caregivers with as little as three hours notice!). Helpr lets parents connect with thousands of providers who are pre-screened (read: background checks, ID verification, CPR-certification checks, reference checks). The company even recently launched online music lessons and tutoring, and also helps you get employer-sponsored care.
Cost: No subscription fees; parents pay for services booked
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