Best pet sitting apps in the UK. An honest comparison.
Petme, Rover, Pawshake, Tailster: which UK pet sitting app is actually better? We compare service fees, Protection Plan, cashback, and price transparency so you can choose confidently.
Petme vs Rover vs Pawshake vs Tailster
Comparing the four most commonly used pet sitting apps in the UK on the factors that matter most to pet owners.
| Feature | Best Petme | Rover | Pawshake | Tailster |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service fee to pet owners | 0% | Added at checkout | Shady, variable, added at checkout | Commission applied |
| Price transparency | Sitter's rate only | Fee added at checkout | Fee added at checkout | Quote-based pricing |
| Automatic cashback | Yes, every booking | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| Protection Plan included | £17,000 per booking | Rover Guarantee | Guarantee cover included | Not standard |
| Platform commission from sitters | 10-15% | Commission deducted | Contribution deducted | Commission applied |
| Cashback for sitters | Offered to high performers | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| Available in the UK | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (UK only) |
Owner fees: Rover UK Help Centre, Pawshake Help Centre. Sitter fees: Rover UK Help Centre, Pawshake Help Centre. Data verified May 2026.
Why pet owners choose Petme in the UK
The four areas where Petme leads other UK pet sitting apps.
The rate you see on a sitter's profile is exactly what you pay. No percentage added at checkout. No surprises.
Every booking earns cashback applied automatically to your account. The more you book, the more you save. No loyalty programme sign-up required.
Every confirmed booking includes the Protection Plan up to £17,000 for the pet in care. Included on every booking at no extra cost.
Sitters keep up to 90% of every booking. Fairer pay attracts better sitters who stay longer and build regular client relationships.
What to look for in a pet sitting app in the UK
Three questions worth asking before you book.
Is the price you see the price you pay?
Some apps add a service fee at checkout, meaning the rate shown on a sitter profile is not what you pay. On Petme, the listed rate is the final rate. No percentage is added when you confirm the booking.
Is the pet covered if it needs a vet?
Accidents can happen. The best pet sitting apps include the Protection Plan on every booking as standard, not as a paid extra. Petme includes £17,000 Protection Plan on every confirmed booking, for both owners and sitters.
What percentage does the sitter keep?
Fairer pay attracts better sitters who build long-term client relationships rather than maximising volume. Petme sitters keep up to 90% of every booking, compared to the lower percentages typically retained on Rover and Pawshake after their service fees are applied.
Best pet sitting apps UK. Your questions answered.
- Which pet sitting app charges no service fee in the UK?
- Petme charges no service fee to pet owners. The rate you see on a sitter's profile is the rate you pay. Rover charges owners a service fee added at checkout, published on their own site. Pawshake charges a variable fee at checkout. Tailster operates on a commission model. Find a pet sitter on Petme
- Does Rover operate in the UK?
- Yes, Rover does operate in the UK. Rover charges pet owners a service fee at checkout on top of the sitter rate, and their exact fees are published on their own site and can change. This means the price you see on a sitter's profile is not the final price. Petme charges no service fee: the listed rate is what you pay.
- How do I work out Rover fees in the UK?
- Take the sitter's nightly or per-visit rate, multiply it by the number of nights or visits, then add 15%, up to a maximum of £49 per booking. That 15% owner service fee is published on Rover's own UK site and can change, so check the figure at checkout. On Petme there is nothing to work out: the owner commission is 0%, so the listed rate is the total.
- Is Pawshake available in the UK?
- Pawshake operates in the UK but charges a booking fee on top of the sitter's listed rate. Petme is a comparable alternative with no owner-facing fees and built-in Protection Plan.
- What fees does Pawshake charge pet owners in the UK?
- Pawshake charges owners a Member Service Fee on top of every booking, presented during the booking process. Pawshake does not publish the amount, so you cannot work out your final total before you reach checkout. Petme charges owners 0% commission, and the sitter's listed rate is the price you pay.
- Pawshake vs Rover: which charges pet owners less in the UK?
- Rover publishes its UK owner fee: 15% of the booking added at checkout, capped at £49 per booking. Pawshake charges a Member Service Fee on top of every booking but does not publish the amount, so it only appears at checkout. Both are stated on their own sites and can change. Petme adds neither, because the owner commission is 0%.
- How much commission does Tailster charge?
- Tailster operates on a commission model, but it does not publish an owner rate we can verify, so treat any percentage quoted elsewhere with caution and read the total shown at checkout before you confirm. Petme is the straightforward comparison here: 0% owner commission, so you pay the sitter's listed rate and nothing is added.
- Which pet sitting app includes the Protection Plan in the UK?
- Petme includes £17,000 Protection Plan on every confirmed booking, at no extra cost to the owner or sitter. This covers veterinary treatment for the pet during the booking period. Other apps either charge separately for insurance or offer it as an optional paid add-on.
- What is cashback on a pet sitting booking?
- On Petme, cashback is an automatic credit applied to your account after each completed booking. It works like a loyalty reward: the more you book, the more cashback you accumulate, which can be applied to future bookings. No other UK pet sitting app currently offers automatic cashback.
- How do I know which pet sitting app is best for me in the UK?
- If price transparency and no hidden fees matter most, Petme is the strongest option in the UK. If you want to compare sitters across multiple platforms, start with the one that shows you the final price upfront. Petme displays only the sitter's rate with no checkout fees added.
No service fee. No hidden charges. Just great pet care.
Find a local pet sitter on Petme. The rate you see is the rate you pay. Automatic cashback and £17,000 Protection Plan on every booking.
Explore pet sitting app comparisons in other countries
Each guide uses official platform data so you can compare fees, protection, cashback, and pricing models by market.