Rover vs. Wag: Which App Is Better for Making Money?

Rover wins on fees, but Wag may land you a pet-sitting gig quicker.

Written by

Co-written by

Edited by

Edited by other Updated May 6, 2026 SOME CARD INFO MAY BE OUTDATED

This page includes information about these cards, currently unavailable on NerdWallet. The information has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.

Rover vs. Wag, Wag vs. Rover — which is the better dog-walking app for side hustlers? The services have similar sign-up requirements and offer flexible schedules, but their payment details and caregiving opportunities differ some. For example, Rover’s commission fee is less than what Wag charges. On the other hand, the way Wag matches available walkers with owners for short-order requests may lead to faster bookings than with Rover. Dig into the details so you can pick the pet-sitting side hustle service you like best.

Rover pet-sitting

Rover offers opportunities to make money as an independent contractor through dog-walking, pet-boarding, doggy day care, housesitting and drop-in services.

How does Rover work?

You'll first create a profile on the Rover website or app. Add basic contact information, a photo, your services and rates. You need the Rover app if you plan to do drop-in visits, doggy day care or dog-walking services. You’ll set preferences, such as the times you’re available and what size dogs you’re comfortable working with. Then, fill in your experience, add photos, request testimonials from past clients, take Rover’s quiz and submit to a background check. There is a $49-$79 profile review fee. Most profiles are approved within 20 business days. How to get booked: Once approved, pet owners can view your profile and availability and then send you a booking request. How to get booked:

What are the requirements for Rover?

To become a dog walker or provide other services on Rover, you must: Be 18 years or older and live in an area where Rover operates. Complete your profile and pass a background check. Have the latest version of the Rover app. Live in a residence that allows pets (if you plan to board dogs in your home). Check with your local government for additional requirements.

How much does Rover pay?

What you can make depends on the service(s) you provide and how often you work. Those who offer overnight dog or cat boarding can make twice as much as sitters who don’t, the company says. You can also earn and keep 100% of tips.

How much does Rover take?

Rover allows you to set your own rate, but takes a 20% service fee from each booking.

How to get paid on Rover

Your funds are available to withdraw two days after completing a service with Rover. You get paid via direct deposit. To set up payment, you’ll need your Social Security number and bank account information.

Stress less. Track more.

See the full picture: savings, debt, investments and more. Smarter money moves start in our app.

Wag pet-sitting

Wag is another platform for dog walking, pet sitting, boarding and drop-in gigs. You can also get paid for in-home dog and cat training. Like with Rover, Wag caregivers work as independent contractors, not employees.

How does Wag work?

Complete an application online or in the Wag app to get started. Similar to Rover, you create a profile, note previous experience with dogs, take a five-to-10-minute quiz on dog safety and care, and will need to pass a background check. Wag charges an application processing fee that varies by region. Wag strongly suggests you get written endorsements from family or others who can vouch for your experience with animals. Applications can take up to 14 days to process. How to get booked: Pet owners set up bookings with times, dates and instructions. Owners will either choose you specifically to provide care, or Wag will automatically match caregivers with pet owners for quick requests. You’ll get a notification and can confirm through the app. How to get booked: » MORE: Game apps that pay real money » MORE:

What are the requirements for Wag?

With Wag, you need to: Be age 18 or older and legally authorized to work in the United States. Live in a city where Wag operates. Live in a residence that allows pets (if you plan to board dogs in your home). Download the Wag Pet Caregiver app.

How much does Wag pay?

Earnings vary based on factors like the services you offer, rates you set and the length of time you provide care. You keep 100% of tips you earn with Wag, too. Dog sitters on Wag charge an average of $39 to $59 for one dog to sleep over. Walks can range from $12.75 to $26.99 for one dog, depending on the length of time, according to a Wag blog post from a few years back. More dogs at once means more pay. Wag’s website suggests “you can make up to $500 a month by sitting dogs just three times a week.”

How much does Wag take?

Wag takes a hefty 40% cut of your services. You set your own rates, and may want to factor the higher fee (than Rover) into what you charge on Wag.

How to get paid on Wag

Wag’s weekly pay period runs from Tuesday through Monday. Payments are issued to your Stripe-connected bank account every Friday.

Stress less. Track more.

See the full picture: savings, debt, investments and more. Smarter money moves start in our app.

Rover vs. Wag: Which is the better dog-walking app?

Mostly similar: Rover and Wag feature the same services, with a couple of exceptions. Both allow you to walk, sit or board pets for money and earn tips on top. Mostly similar: Rover takes less: Seeking work that’s available through either app? Rover might be the way to go to keep more of the money you earn; its 20% commission fee is significantly lower than Wag’s 40% fee. But the ability to be booked on demand with Wag could get you a job quicker. Rover takes less: Try both: If you’re serious about dog-walking, you can sign up for both the Rover and Wag apps and compare your results over time. Try both: Keep this in mind: Gig economy dog walkers are independent contractors. That means you won’t receive employment benefits, such as insurance, or have income tax automatically withheld. Keep this in mind: Explore more on About the authors Schwahn Lauren Schwahn is a writer at NerdWallet who covers credit scoring, debt, budgeting and money-saving strategies. She contributed to the "Millennial Money" column for The Associated Press and managed a team of writers producing content for the series. Her work has also been featured by USA Today, MSN, The Washington Post and more. Lauren has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She is based in San Francisco. Published in Ayoola Elizabeth Ayoola is a Lead Multimedia Producer and Co-Host of the "Smart Money" podcast. Before delving into the podcast world, Elizabeth acquired over ten years of experience as a writer, and seven were spent covering personal finance topics. Her journey to finance writing started with a goal to learn as much as she could about how to attain financial freedom and share information with others about how to do it, too. This led her to Debt.com, where she covered topics relating to mortgages, debt and credit. Her articles have appeared on platforms like Washington Post, The Associated Press, The Washington Post, Yahoo, Essence, The Knot, PopSugar and Parents.com. Elizabeth has also done extensive spokesperson work and appeared on multiple renowned national networks like Good Morning America, ABC, NBC, and Fox to discuss money. Published in 6 of the Best Cash-Back Apps Game Apps That Pay Real Money: Truth, Not Hype 12 Places to Sell Stuff Online How to Become an Uber Driver: A Beginner’s Guide By Laura McMullen, Lisa Mulka, Tommy Tindall Amazon Flex: What It Is and How It Works By Kelsey Sheehy, Lisa Mulka, Tommy Tindall How to Make Money as an Instacart Shopper By Tommy Tindall, Kelsey Sheehy Taskrabbit Jobs: What Real Taskers Say By Tommy Tindall How Does DoorDash Work? Making Money as a Dasher By Lauren Schwahn, Taryn Phaneuf