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First thing to know: we're not actually the same thing. Rover is a marketplace where pet parents find you. Nuzzo is software for running the clients you already have. Most professional sitters use Rover to find clients, then graduate to software like Nuzzo once they have repeat bookings.
If you're deciding between them, you're really asking a different question: am I ready to run a business, or am I looking for gigs?
| What matters | Nuzzo | Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Business model | Your own business — you own the clients | Marketplace — Rover owns the relationship |
| Platform fee | $29/mo flat, you keep 100% of your rate | Rover takes 20–25% of every booking |
| Pricing control | Set your own rates | Rover suggests rates, controls tiers + discounts |
| Payment timing | Card on file → your Stripe → your bank, within 2 days | Rover holds funds, bi-weekly payouts |
| Client relationship | You own the email + phone + booking history | Rover mediates — all messages in their app |
| If you leave the platform | You keep your clients forever | You lose access to everyone you met through Rover |
| Lead generation | You do (referrals, social, reviews) | Rover's marketplace demand — huge advantage early on |
| Liability insurance | You buy your own (~$200-400/yr via PSI or Pet Sitters Associates) | Built-in on every Rover booking |
| Recurring bookings | Full weekly/monthly recurrence, 8 weeks ahead | Re-book one visit at a time |
| Report cards | Branded email with inline photos, auto after every visit | In-app updates during the booking only |
| Multi-pet households | ✓ One booking, stacked avatars, all notes side-by-side | Separate bookings + separate fees |
We want you to pick the right tool. Rover is the right tool sometimes — here's when:
Finding your first clients
A brand new sitter with zero network genuinely benefits from Rover's demand. You can't replicate that with software. If you have 0-2 clients, focus on Rover until you build referrals.
Zero-admin mode
Rover handles payments, insurance, disputes, even refund decisions. If you don't want to think about any of that, the 20-25% cut is the price of peace of mind. For some sitters, that trade is worth it forever.
Flexibility without commitment
Take a break for a month. Skip holiday season. Say no to a booking without disappointing a regular. Rover sends you work when you want it; with your own business, your clients expect consistency.
Travel / vacation sits
For one-off vacation care where you'll never see the client again, Rover's quick-match model beats building an ongoing relationship.
Take home 20-25% more
If you do $2,000/mo in bookings, Rover keeps $400-500 of it. On Nuzzo you pay $29 flat + Stripe's 2.9% processing. Same revenue, ~$350/mo more in your pocket.
Recurring weekly bookings
Rover is built around one-off gigs. If you walk Charlie every Tuesday/Thursday at 2pm for the next year, Nuzzo schedules that once. Rover makes you (or your client) re-book every time.
Your brand, not Rover's
Report cards come from you. Invoices come from you. Your client portal is at your business name, not hidden inside Rover's app. When clients refer friends, they refer you.
You keep the clients
Take a 6-month break on Rover and you start over on ratings + visibility. Take a 6-month break on Nuzzo — your clients are still there when you come back.