The Best House Sitting Apps for Nomads and Travelers

The glow of the laptop screen illuminates the inside of our campervan, casting long shadows over the dashboard.

Outside, the Tuscan countryside is settling into a quiet dusk. We’ve just finished a sit with two goofy Labradors, and now, parked with a view of rolling hills, comes the familiar, exciting question: what’s next?

My finger hovers over the trackpad as Caro leans in, pointing. "What about that spot near the Dolomites? Or the one on the coast?" On the screen isn't a booking site or a hotel map. It's a constellation of tiny house icons scattered across Italy, each one a potential home, a new set of furry friends, and the next chapter of our journey.

This is the moment where the magic happens, and it’s all thanks to one specific feature inside the best house sitting apps.

The Map Feature: Our Secret Weapon for a Life of Travel

If someone had told us this was possible a few years ago, we would have been skeptical. But the ability to visually plan our travels, to zoom out on a map of Europe and see dozens of house sitting opportunities pop up like little beacons of adventure, has fundamentally changed the game for us.

I never thought that being able to drag a map around, pinch-to-zoom on a region, and find the perfect sit would be such a life-altering experience. It’s less like a job board and more like a dating app for travelers, where your "match" is a dream home and a pet to love.

The map populates all the available sits, and from there, we can swipe through them, reading about the homes and the animals that need care.

For us, traveling in our VW T4 campervan, this feature is everything. It allows us to string together road trips with absolute freedom. We can look at the area around where we plan to travel next and find homes that need our care.

A week with a cat in a city apartment, a scenic drive to the mountains for a two-week sit with a dog, another hop over to a coastal town to look after a garden and some chickens. It’s the ultimate tool for creating a seamless, rent-free holiday.

But this isn't just for nomads crisscrossing continents. The map is just as powerful if you’re looking for local sits. How Can I Find House Sitting Near Me Using Online Services?

The map feature is your answer. You can see what pops up in your own neighbourhood. My mum, who has been house sitting for years, told us about a sitter she met who rotates between four different homes, all within a few miles of her job.

She spends three months at each one. This sitter completely eliminated her rent, and the money she saved went toward savings and, of course, plenty of treats for the pets. It's a powerful demonstration of how these apps can reshape your finances and lifestyle, not just your vacation plans.

Our Deep Dive: The House Sitting Apps We Actually Use

Over thousands of miles and dozens of sits, we’ve learned that not all platforms are created equal. The best apps connect travelers (sitters) with homeowners needing care for their homes and pets, but they do it with an emphasis on safety, a global reach, and real value for money.

We focus on platforms that offer security features like ID verification and transparent reviews because house sitting safety is non-negotiable.

Here’s our breakdown of the platforms we’ve come to rely on, the ones that consistently deliver the best experiences. Most of these are primarily web-based but have excellent mobile apps for iOS and Android, which is crucial when you’re on the move.

TrustedHousesitters: The Global Gold Standard

If there’s one platform that feels like the center of the house-sitting universe, it’s Trusted House Sitters. With over 200,000 members and listings in more than 130 countries, its sheer scale is unmatched.

This is our go-to platform, especially for its incredibly robust map feature that makes finding our next adventure so intuitive.

The entire platform is built around a value exchange: free stays in exchange for loving pet care. What makes it stand out are the layers of security and support.

The free ID and background checks are a huge confidence booster for both sitters and homeowners. Their two-way review system is essential.just like on Airbnb, you build a reputation that opens up more opportunities.

Which companies provide verified reviews for housesitting services is a critical question, and TrustedHousesitters nails it.

For us, the extra perks on the Standard and Premium plans are worth it. The 24/7 vet hotline gives us peace of mind, especially when caring for an animal with specific needs.

And the insurance, which covers property damage up to $1,000,000, adds a professional layer of protection that helps everyone relax.

HouseCarers: The Affordable International Classic

Established long before the app boom, HouseCarers has a loyal following and a reputation for facilitating long-term sits. While it doesn’t have a flashy dedicated app, its mobile-friendly website is straightforward and gets the job done. It's particularly strong in Australia, the UK, and the US, making it one of the best platforms for international housesitting opportunities if you're targeting those regions.

What we appreciate about HouseCarers is its simplicity and value. At just $50 a year, it’s one of the most affordable ways to get into the game. They offer free ID verification (using a passport or driver's license) and a solid two-way review system. Homeowners can list for free, which encourages a steady stream of new listings. It’s a no-frills, reliable platform that has connected sitters and owners for decades.

Nomador: The European Specialist with a Free Trial

As we travel primarily in Europe, Nomador holds a special place in our toolkit. It has a massive presence here, especially in France, and its community-focused vibe is fantastic. One of its standout features is the free tier, which allows you to browse listings before committing to a paid plan. It's a perfect way to test the waters.

Nomador introduces the "Trust Profile," where you earn badges for things like completing an ID check or adding references, making your profile more attractive to homeowners.

Their "Stopover" feature is also unique, allowing members to offer a spare room to other travelers for a night or two, a great way to connect with the community. On their paid plans, they even offer home damage insurance up to €50,000. While their mobile app is mainly for messaging, the web platform is where the full functionality lives.

MindMyHouse: The Best Budget Option with Less Competition

For just $29 a year, MindMyHouse is the most budget-friendly paid platform out there. This family-run site has been around for over 20 years and has a simple, effective system. Because it’s smaller and less known than the giants, there’s often less competition for sits, which can be a huge advantage when you're starting out and building your profile.

It's a global platform, but like HouseCarers, it doesn't have a dedicated mobile app. The mobile site is functional for searching and applying.

They don't have mandatory ID checks, which is a downside, but they strongly encourage sharing references and provide helpful resources like agreement templates. The community forums are also a nice touch for getting advice from seasoned sitters.

For homeowners, it’s free for life to list their property, which keeps a decent flow of listings coming in.

A Different Beast: Rover for Paid Gigs

It's important to make a distinction here. The platforms above are about an exchange of services for accommodation. Rover is different: it’s a marketplace for paid pet care. If your goal isn't free travel but to earn money, this is the app for you. It’s less a house sitting platform and more a professional house sitting job finder.

On Rover, you set your own rates for overnight stays (typically $40-$75 per night), dog walking, or drop-in visits. It’s hugely popular, especially in the US, and has a fantastic app with features like GPS-tracked walks and easy in-app payments.

Rover provides a safety net with background checks, 24/7 support, and the Rover Guarantee, which includes $1M in liability insurance and coverage for pet injuries. The catch? Rover takes a service fee of 15-27% from your earnings.

Your Action Plan: From Scrolling to Sitting

Seeing all these options can feel like a lot, but getting started is simpler than you think. The first few sits might feel a bit strange, you're in someone else's space, learning their routines. But soon it becomes second nature. Here’s how to go from browsing apps to cuddling a cat in a beautiful home.

We know we bring a lot to the table, and homeowners are genuinely grateful to find reliable people to care for their cherished pets and homes.

As we get more verified reviews on our profiles, we know we become desirable for even the most incredible sits on these platforms. It's a journey, but it's one that has given us a life richer than we could have ever imagined.

Good luck with your house sits. If you're ready to join this amazing community, we're here to help you get started.

DM us @housesittersguide if you have questions — we answer everyone!

Caro & Konrad 🐾🚐

• Are house sitting apps safe to use?

  Yes, the top house sitting apps prioritize safety. Reputable platforms like TrustedHousesitters and Nomador offer features like ID verification, background checks, two-way review systems, secure messaging, and even insurance for property damage. Always conduct a video call with homeowners before confirming a sit to ensure it's a good fit.

• Can you really get free accommodation with these apps?

  Absolutely. Most house sitting apps (except for paid services like Rover) operate on a value exchange model. You provide free pet and home care, and in return, you get to stay in the home for free. You only pay the annual membership fee to the platform, which gives you access to unlimited sits.

• Do I need experience to become a house sitter?

  While professional experience isn't required, homeowners look for sitters who are responsible, reliable, and have experience caring for animals. You can build your profile by highlighting any pets you've owned or cared for, and by getting references from friends, family, or landlords who can vouch for your character.

• Which house sitting app is best for beginners?

  For beginners, Nomador is a great choice because its free tier allows you to apply for three sits without any financial commitment. MindMyHouse is also an excellent, low-cost option ($29/year) with less competition, making it easier to secure your first sit and build your review profile.

• Can I make a full-time income from house sitting apps?

  If your goal is to earn money, you should use an app like Rover, which is designed for paid pet-sitting services. You set your own rates and can potentially earn a significant income. Traditional house sitting apps like TrustedHousesitters are for saving money on accommodation, not for earning an income.