Work From Home
Care.com Review 2026
Marketplace for family care services
Residual Income Rating
2.0 / 5Last updated:
January 15, 2026What is Care.com?
Care.com is the largest online marketplace for finding and managing family care. Connects families with caregivers for child care (nannies, babysitters), senior care, pet care, housekeeping, and tutoring. Owned by IAC since 2020.
Pros
- Free to create a caregiver profile
- Large platform with millions of families searching
- Multiple care categories: child, senior, pet, tutoring
- Set your own rates and availability
Cons
- Families must pay $40+/month subscription to contact you
- No payment processing — you arrange pay directly with families
- Background checks cost extra ($59-238 depending on package)
- Competition is intense in most metropolitan areas
- Controversial history with safety incidents and vetting
Rating Breakdown
Residual Income
2.0 / 5Simplicity
3.5 / 5Transparency
3.0 / 5Community & Support
3.0 / 5Value for Money
3.5 / 5Overall Rating
3.6 / 5Frequently Asked Questions About Care.com
How much do Care.com caregivers earn?
Rates vary significantly by location and care type. Babysitters typically earn $15-25/hour, nannies $18-35/hour, senior caregivers $15-30/hour. Rates are negotiated directly with families. Big city rates are higher; rural areas lower.
Is Care.com safe and legitimate?
Care.com is a real platform, but has faced criticism over safety incidents. They offer background checks but don't require them. Caregivers should get their own background checks for credibility. Both sides should verify credentials and references carefully.
Is Care.com free for caregivers?
Creating a profile is free. However, families must pay a subscription ($40+/month) to contact you. Optional background checks cost $59-238. Some caregivers find the free profile gets limited responses since many families use the free tier and can't message directly.
Quick Facts
Founded2006 (Waltham, MA)
Cost for CaregiversFree to create profile
Background Check$59-238 (optional but recommended)
Family Subscription$40+/month to contact caregivers
Owned ByIAC (since 2020)
CategoriesChild care, senior care, pet care, housekeeping, tutoring
📖 FREE EBOOK
The Residual Income Shortcut
Tired of MLM math that never adds up? This free guide shows the model that replaced a 600-person team with 24 customers.
No credit card required
Related Companies
Report an Inaccuracy
Spot something out of date or wrong on this page? Tell us and we will check it.