Best house and boat sitting sites to use in 2026

Heads up: this post contains affiliate links to TrustedHousesitters and HouseCarers. TrustedHousesitters is the platform I pay for and use myself. HouseCarers is one I've recently joined as a free guest member and plan to upgrade to paid membership for my next round of sits. If you sign up through my links I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, and it helps keep this blog going.

Updated May 2026.

Over the last 15 years I've house sat across Turkey, Bonaire, Antigua, Spain and Portugal. Boat sat in Greece, Turkey, the Caribbean, Australia and Mallorca. Built a small global network for the boat side, because the public platforms don't really cover it.

Two platforms I actually pay for or use. One network I built. That's it.

As someone living nomadically who's crossed oceans, trekked mountains, and lives in a van, I've found house sitting and boatsitting to be reliable travel tools. They let you rest, reset, and connect with a place at a slower pace. Whether you're taking a break between hikes, pausing between sailing passages, having a change from vanlife, or just craving a cozy space with a dog by your side, sitting opportunities are an affordable way to travel that put pets and homes at the centre.

This page is the platforms I actually use, the eight others I've looked at and where I've landed on each, and the niche almost nobody on the internet covers: boat sitting.

If you just want the quick answer: TrustedHousesitters is the platform I use most, and the one I recommend to most people starting out. HouseCarers is my second pick, less competition between sitters and a one-time low annual fee. Keep reading for the full ranked list of 10 platforms (including boatsitting and free options), a head-to-head comparison of my two paid picks, and how to actually get your first sit.

The best house sitting websites and apps in 2026: at a glance

Here's the quick-compare table. Full review of each platform below.

Boatsitting: the niche the AI list missed

If you searched “best house sitting websites,” the summary at the top of Google probably listed TrustedHousesitters, Nomador, MindMyHouse, HouseCarers, plus a few regional sites. None of them mentioned boat sitting. Most of the internet skips it entirely.

Same idea as house sitting. Owner is away, boat needs someone living on board to run the systems, air the space, check lines, and sometimes care for pets onboard. The exchange is the same. The platforms are different. Most boat sitting happens inside the sailing community rather than on public listings.

I've boat sat in Greece, Turkey, the Caribbean, Australia and Mallorca. None of those were posted on TrustedHousesitters. They happened through marina networks, sailing meetups, and the global network I built for ocean nomads (Ocean Nomads).

If boat sitting is what brought you here, scroll to section 9 below. If you want to mix house and boat sitting through your nomad year, you'll likely need two sources: TrustedHousesitters for the house sits, and a sailing community for the boats. That's the setup I run on.

What is house sitting and boatsitting?

House sitting or boatsitting is a value exchange between home owners and house sitters. While the home owners are away, you stay in their home and care for it. This usually includes looking after pets, watering plants, keeping things tidy, and being a trustworthy presence in the home.

Boatsitting works the same way, but instead of a house or apartment, you're staying aboard a sailboat or yacht. The owner might be travelling or taking a break from the boat and needs someone to check lines, air the space, or take care of pets onboard. This is especially popular in the sailing and cruising community. It's often better for the boat to simply have someone living on it running the systems. I've boatsitted in Greece, Turkey, the Caribbean, Australia, and Mallorca. Boat owners are usually very happy to have someone on board.

It's a non-monetary exchange. You provide care, company and presence; the owner provides accommodation. There are still costs involved (your travel to and from the sit, food, supplies, sometimes a contribution to utilities), so this isn't “free travel,” but it's an affordable way to stay in real homes for the cost of a night at a hotel or less.

Why pet sitting adds heart to the journey

Most house sitting jobs come with pets. As a pet sitter, you become part of their daily rhythm. Feeding, walking, cuddling, playing. It's a beautiful way to bring companionship, routine, and a sense of home to your travel lifestyle. It also lets you see a destination through a different lens. You'll discover parks, trails, and hidden corners you may never have found otherwise.

For pet parents, the appeal is that their pets stay in their own home, in their own routine, while the owners are away. No kennels, no boarding stress, no travel for the pet. It's around-the-clock care from someone who's chosen to be there because they love animals.

The 10 best house sitting, pet sitting and boatsitting platforms in 2026

Here are the top housesitting websites and apps to begin your sitting journey.

1. TrustedHousesitters: best house sitting app and website overall (2026)

This is the one I pay for and use most.

TrustedHousesitters is the best-known house sitting platform and the one with the biggest worldwide network. It focuses on pet sitting and includes built-in benefits like 24/7 vet advice, accidental damage protection, and a verified review system. Perfect for finding both short and long-term house and pet sitting jobs.

It's also the only platform in this space that's a Certified B Corporation, which means it has met independent standards for social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. For me, choosing platforms that align with my values matters as much as the listings themselves.

As a sitter, you pay an annual membership. As a home owner, you pay too. That two-sided commitment filters out the flakey ones on both sides. There are a lot of opportunities on there, sometimes for months. I'm browsing them right now to take a break from vanlife, which is part of what inspired me to write this post. If you only invest in one house and pet sitting platform, this is the one.

Try it free first: you can browse TrustedHousesitters for free to see what listings exist in your destination before paying anything. Useful for getting a feel for the platform and the kinds of homes and pets available where you're heading.

What I like:

• Biggest network of listings worldwide
• The mobile app actually works well
• Built-in 24/7 vet advice line and home protection
• Real verified reviews on both sides
• B-Corp certified, so the values check out
• Free to browse before subscribing. See what's available in your destination first
• Last-minute filter for flexible travellers

What to know:

• Popular listings can attract 30+ applicants within hours, so a strong profile matters
• Annual membership is the cheaper way to subscribe vs monthly
• Does not include “free travel.” You cover your own travel costs and any expenses during the sit

The investment: from €9.95 / month (annual plan works out cheaper). For the cost of a night at a hotel, you have a full year of access.

Get 15% off TrustedHousesitters with code TRUSTED15

(Or 25% off TrustedHousesitters as an Ocean Nomads member: boatsitting, sailing share, exchanges and nomad support network.)

2. HouseCarers: best for less competition and long-term sits

The platform I've just joined and am about to upgrade to paid.

I've been a TrustedHousesitters member for years. HouseCarers is newer to me. I signed up as a free guest member after researching the alternatives, and I'm planning to upgrade to full paid membership for my next round of sits. So consider this a “first impressions plus what I learned in research” review rather than five years of receipts. If you want a five-year-deep review, the TrustedHousesitters section above is that.

HouseCarers is the world's first house sitting site, founded in October 2000. Twenty-five years matching sitters with home owners. Not the biggest platform. No slick app. No marketing budget like the corporate sites. Their lower overhead is part of why they can keep prices flat and the listings well-managed. They're not under pressure to sign up sitters by the thousand to satisfy shareholders.

The big appeal for sitters: less competition. The smaller user base means fewer applicants per listing. Your application has a real chance of being seen and read, especially as a new sitter still building reviews.

The other thing I noticed: home owners on HouseCarers tend to be loyal repeat users. They keep coming back year after year, which means a good first sit can turn into a recurring relationship. Many of the listings are for longer durations too. A month, three months, sometimes a season. That suits anyone wanting to slow down between adventures rather than bouncing every weekend.

How it works (and why I'd start free):
HouseCarers has a smart entry point. You can register for a free guest membership and immediately:

• Browse all the listed housesits in your destination
• Receive email notifications of new sits matching your locations
• Display your profile so home owners can find you and message you
• Read summaries of the messages home owners send you

You only need to upgrade to paid membership when you actually want to respond to messages and apply for sits. So the smart move: register free, see what shows up in your destination, see if home owners message you, then upgrade only when there's a real sit you want to apply for.

What full membership gets you (EUR 45 / ~$50 per year):

• Apply for unlimited posted housesits
• Respond to messages from home owners
• Display up to 14 references in your private library
• Photo gallery of up to 14 pictures with captions
• YouTube video on your profile (huge for trust)
• Free verified ID badge (passport, driver's licence, mobile)
• Priority appearance in search results
• Featured Sitter rotation (random rotation matching visitor's location)
• Display your direct contact details to home owners you've spoken to
• Verified two-way reviews after each completed sit

The interface is dated and the design is from another era of the internet. But the listings are real, the home owners are real, and the price is hard to beat. No monthly drip pricing, no upsells, just one flat annual fee.

What I like:

• The world's first house sitting site, 25 years of operation
• Less competition per listing, better odds when you're starting out
• Higher proportion of long-term and remote sits
• Loyal repeat home owners, good for building recurring relationships
• EUR 45 (~$50) per year flat, no monthly drip pricing
• Free guest membership lets you test before paying anything
• Free verified ID badge included with paid membership

What to know:

• Smaller total number of listings than TrustedHousesitters
• The interface is functional but dated
• No mobile app, it's website-first
• No built-in insurance or vet advice line, you handle that yourself

The investment: Free to browse, EUR 45 (~$50) per year for full access. Pay only when you're ready to apply for sits.

Browse HouseCarers free first

Or go straight to full membership for EUR 45 (~$50) / year 

TrustedHousesitters vs HouseCarers: which should you choose?

The question I get asked most is: “Which one should I subscribe to?” My take: if budget allows, both. They complement each other and cost less than €15/month combined. But if you can only pick one, here's the side-by-side.

My take: if you're brand new to housesitting, start with TrustedHousesitters. The app, the verified reviews and the support make the learning curve easier, plus you'll find listings in almost any destination. Once you've built up two or three reviews and you know how this lifestyle works for you, add HouseCarers. The longer sits and lower competition become more valuable when you've proven yourself as a reliable sitter.

Or if budget is the deciding factor: HouseCarers is the cheapest paid platform with a real reputation behind it. And you can sign up for free first, only paying when there's an actual sit you want to apply for.

What about the other platforms? My take on each

I get asked all the time why my list isn't 10 platforms I personally pay for. The truth: I've found two that cover what I need (TrustedHousesitters plus Ocean Nomads for the boats), and I've just added HouseCarers as a guest member. Here's where I've landed on the others after research and conversations with sitters who actually use them.

Workaway: cultural exchange with some work expected as part of the deal. For pure house and pet sitting without work commitments, it's not quite the right fit. Strong if that exchange model genuinely interests you.

Nomador: strongest in Europe, especially France. The Stopover system is useful for shorter stays. I haven't paid for it because my travel spans further than Europe and TrustedHousesitters covers those listings already.

MindMyHouse: cheap entry point and one of the originals. From what I've seen, the listings thin out outside the UK and Australia. I'd treat it as a regional add-on rather than a primary.

HouseSit Match: solid for UK and European countryside sits. Niche but real. Worth it if that's specifically where you're heading.

Facebook groups: free and sometimes useful for last-minute local cover. Also the most scammy corner of the space. I wouldn't start here.

Rover and Pawshake: a different model entirely. Paid pet sitting in the city you live in, not the travel-exchange thing. Worth knowing about if you want to earn money while staying put.

The short version: I haven't paid for Workaway, Nomador, MindMyHouse or HouseSit Match myself. I've researched them all, talked to sitters who use them, and decided that TrustedHousesitters plus HouseCarers (just joining) plus Ocean Nomads covers everywhere I want to go. If your travel pattern is Europe-only or UK-focused, one of the regional platforms might earn its fee for you. If you're moving around the world the way I do, two solid platforms have been enough.

3. MindMyHouse: best budget house sitting website

A budget-friendly option and one of the original house sitting platforms. Simple, low-cost, and has some good international listings. A reasonable starting point if you're testing the waters before committing to a paid subscription elsewhere.

The investment: $29.95 / year.

4. Nomador: best for Europe and short stopovers

Especially popular in France and across Europe. Offers traditional house sits and shorter stays called “Stopovers,” where travellers connect with locals for 1-2 night sits or exchanges. Useful as a backup to your main platform if you're moving around Europe.

The investment: from €29 for 3 months.

5. Workaway: best for eco-homesteads and cultural exchange

Primarily a volunteer exchange platform, but includes many listings that combine house sitting, pet care, and help on eco-homesteads or tiny farms. A good option if you want more interaction or an intentional lifestyle experience as part of the exchange.

6. Facebook groups: free house sitting, but risky

A lot of pet and house sitting gigs get shared by word of mouth. Search for groups like “House Sitting World,” “House Sitters Europe,” or “Pet Sitters.” Local expat and digital nomad groups are also full of last-minute listings and hidden gems.

If you're serious about housesitting, I wouldn't invest too much time in Facebook. It's also a scam ground and I've read quite a few negative experiences. If you do go with Facebook, be proactive and post an ad yourself rather than responding to one. It's very competitive.

7. Rover: best for paid pet sitting jobs

If you want to turn pet sitting into actual paid work, Rover connects pet sitters with pet owners in major cities. Best for longer-term stops where you want to base yourself and earn a little while staying put.

8. HouseSit Match: best for UK and European countryside

A lesser-known platform with a solid reputation. Useful for finding house and pet sitting opportunities in the UK and Europe, especially for rural or countryside stays.

9. Ocean Nomads: best for boatsitting, boat sitting jobs and yacht sitting

Ocean Nomads is the global support network I founded for ocean-minded nomads. A place where the right people find each other across anchorages, ports, basecamps, and wild places. Rooted in sailing, open to all wilder lifestyles. 250+ hand-reviewed members, 75+ boat owners and projects, 40+ nationalities. Health-first, eco-minded, values-aligned.

What's inside:

• A private member hub with community feed, noticeboard, and direct messages
• A global member map: boats, vans, basecamps, projects pinned worldwide
• Crew calls, trip invites, expedition opportunities, many never posted publicly
• Monthly New Moon meetups online, plus spontaneous real-world gatherings
• 75+ guides and trainings: crossing prep, boat-buying advice, captain interviews
• Member discounts on trusted brands (including 25% off TrustedHousesitters)

What is boatsitting? The same idea as house sitting, but on a sailboat or yacht. The owner is travelling or away, the boat needs someone living aboard to check lines, run the systems, air the space, and sometimes care for pets onboard. For the sitter it's an unusual stay (sometimes in a marina, sometimes on the hook in a beautiful anchorage), for the owner it's peace of mind that systems are running and the boat is occupied.

Most boat sitting jobs and yacht sitting opportunities here aren't published publicly. They're offered or asked for inside the community, where members already know each other from trips, meetups, or shared online spaces. If you want yacht sitting opportunities specifically, this is one of the few places you can reliably find them.

Through Ocean Nomads I've stayed on boats, sailed boats, been hosted in homes, and have offered the same back to fellow nomads. We help each other out across the ocean nomadic lifestyle. I once offered a petsitting opportunity for my dog in exchange for staying in my campervan.

And it's not just boatsitting. Members host each other in homes, vans, and basecamps. I recently hiked the Fisherman's Trail and was hosted by Ocean Nomads members on three different occasions. One member sailed solo from the Azores to Ireland, hit a storm, lost his boat 400NM from shore. A fellow member on land tracked him via InReach and coordinated the rescue. That's the kind of network it is.

I also found a petsitting opportunity in the Caribbean once via Ocean Nomads. They are often looking for animal caretakers on the island of Mayreau.

10. Relocation rental vans: near-free vanlife travel

Not technically house sitting, but relocation rental vans pair beautifully with house sits. These are vans that rental companies need driven from one location to another. Often you'll pay only a symbolic fee or even drive it for free. A useful way to bridge between sits or get yourself to a region where you've lined one up.

Platforms to check:

• Imoova
• Transfercar
• Indie Campers
• Travellers Autobarn (USA)
• Local rental agencies

For homeowners: how to find a trusted house sitter

If you're on the other side of this exchange (a pet parent or homeowner looking for a reliable sitter), most of the platforms above work both ways. Here's how to think about it.

Why in-home sitting is good for your pet:

• Your pet stays in their own home, in their own routine. No kennels, no boarding stress, no travel for the pet.
• Around-the-clock care from someone who's chosen to be there because they love animals.
• Continued familiarity for puppies, kittens, senior pets, and animals with separation anxiety or medical needs.
• Someone can administer medication, keep an eye on health, and update you while you're away.
• Your home is occupied, which deters break-ins.

Where to find a sitter:

• TrustedHousesitters: biggest pool of verified sitters worldwide, ID checks, two-way reviews, included home protection and 24/7 vet advice. Best all-rounder for most homeowners.
• HouseCarers: smaller pool but loyal repeat sitters, especially good if you need someone for longer (a month or more) or you're in a less common location.

How to vet a sitter before confirming:

• Read every review on their profile.
• Have a video call before confirming. You'll learn more in 15 minutes face-to-face than in 50 messages.
• Check ID verification badges. On TrustedHousesitters and HouseCarers, sitters can verify their passport or driver's licence. Look for the badge.
• Trust your gut. If something feels off in the conversation, don't book.
• Write a clear handover document with feeding times, vet contact, house quirks, and emergency contacts.

The safest approach for vacation house sitting is using a vetted platform with reviews and ID verification, not Facebook groups or strangers responding to local ads.

How to become a house sitter in 2026

Getting started is easier than it seems, especially if you take time to craft a thoughtful and trustworthy presence online.

1. Create a strong profile
Share your experience with animals, your lifestyle, your travel background, and why you're interested in sitting. Add photos with pets and testimonials if you have them. Owners want to know who's coming into their home before they even read your message.

2. Start local
Offer to house sit for friends or join local platforms to build up your reviews. A couple of solid references go a long way.

3. Apply intentionally
Tailor your messages to each homeowner. Show that you've read their listing and understand what they're looking for. Generic applications get filtered out fast on competitive platforms.

4. Keep communication open and clear
Once accepted, ask questions, confirm expectations, and stay in touch before and during the sit. Send updates and photos while owners are away. Most love it.

5. Be proactive and respectful
Treat the home and pets with care. Continue the pet's normal routine. Leave the space better than you found it.

What makes a great house or pet sitter?

• You're responsible, honest, and communicative
• You love animals and know how to care for them
• You're tidy and respectful of others' homes
• You're comfortable being alone or in quiet, remote places
• You're flexible and able to handle unexpected changes
• You understand boundaries and don't treat someone's home like a hotel
• You can administer medication if needed and keep an eye on the pet's health

Bonus if you have gardening or off-grid experience.

My dog Wingo:

Why this lifestyle works for conscious nomads

House sitting and boatsitting let you live and travel in a way that's lighter on your wallet and on the planet. You're not consuming more resources or staying in resorts. You're stepping into someone's life, helping them out, and getting to experience a place at a slower pace.

For anyone combining remote work, creative projects, or seasonal living with nature, it's a setup that works. The good sits give you rhythm, rest, and a chance to give back while staying in motion.

House sitting FAQ (2026)

What is the best house sitting app in 2026?

TrustedHousesitters. It's the one I pay for. It has the biggest network worldwide, a solid mobile app, built-in vet advice line and home protection, B-Corp certification, and a review system that filters out unreliable users. If you can only subscribe to one platform, this is it. If you can subscribe to two, add HouseCarers for the less crowded long-term listings.

Are there free house sitting websites?

Technically yes. Facebook groups like “House Sitting World” and “House Sitters Europe” are free, but scams are common and there's no vetting. For something trustworthy and free to start, HouseCarers offers a free guest membership: you can browse all listings, receive email notifications of sits in your destination, and home owners can contact you. You only need to upgrade to paid (EUR 45 / ~$50 a year) when you want to apply for sits. You can also join a nomad network like Ocean Nomads where people already know each other.

Is house sitting really free?

No, and avoid anyone who tells you otherwise. House sitting is a value exchange. Accommodation in return for pet care, home care and presence. You still cover your own travel to and from the sit, food, and any incidental expenses during your stay. The savings on accommodation are real and significant, but it's an affordable way to travel rather than a free one.

How do digital nomads find pet sitting jobs with housing?

Most full-time nomads I know combine two or three sources. TrustedHousesitters and HouseCarers as the paid pair, plus a regional platform like Nomador (Europe) or HouseSit Match (UK), and a nomad community like Ocean Nomads for the under-the-radar gigs that never get posted publicly. Build up a strong profile and 3 to 5 reviews first, then you can land sits almost anywhere in the world with reliable Wi-Fi included.

Can you make money house sitting?

Most traditional house sitting is non-monetary. Accommodation in exchange for care. If you want to actually get paid, Rover is the main app for paid pet sitting (strongest in the US, UK and Canada). Some premium or longer sits on TrustedHousesitters also offer payment, but it's not the norm.

TrustedHousesitters vs HouseCarers, which is better?

Different platforms for different needs. TrustedHousesitters is the better all-rounder for most people: bigger network, mobile app, included insurance and vet line, B-Corp certified. HouseCarers is the better pick if you want less competition between sitters, longer-term listings, and a lower flat annual fee. I currently pay for TrustedHousesitters and have just joined HouseCarers as a free member with plans to upgrade. Many serious sitters subscribe to both. If you can only choose one and you're new to sitting, go TrustedHousesitters.

What's the best platform for last-minute house sitter gigs?

For last-minute finds, TrustedHousesitters has a “last-minute” filter worth checking weekly if your schedule is flexible. Sits that come up at short notice often have less competition. Nomador's “Stopovers” feature is also built around short-notice stays. Facebook groups can work for urgent local cover, but apply with caution and verify the homeowner.

How do homeowners find last-minute house sitting services nearby?

If you need someone urgently (illness, work trip, family emergency), TrustedHousesitters has the largest pool, so your odds of finding cover at short notice are highest there. Many sitters keep their availability open for last-minute requests, and you can filter for sitters near you. HouseCarers' Albergue de Reciprocity option allows for shorter mutual stays. For local last-minute, paid services like Rover work in major US, UK and Canadian cities.

What's the safest way to arrange a house sitter for a vacation?

Use a vetted platform with ID verification and reviews. TrustedHousesitters and HouseCarers both verify sitter IDs and run two-way review systems. Read every review on a sitter's profile, have a video call before confirming, and write a clear handover document covering pet routine, vet contact, house quirks, and emergency contacts. Avoid no-verification Facebook posts unless you already know the person or have a strong mutual connection.

How do I find long-term house sitting opportunities?

For long-term sits (one month plus), HouseCarers and TrustedHousesitters have the best selection. HouseCarers in particular tends to have a higher proportion of multi-month listings. Filter by duration, and focus on homeowners with extended travel plans. Expats, sailors, snowbirds and retired travellers are the most likely to need someone for a month or more.

What are the best countries for nomadic pet sitters?

In my experience, the UK, Portugal, Spain, Australia, the Caribbean, Turkey and France have the highest density of sits and the most pet-welcoming cultures. Of those, I've personally sat in Turkey, Bonaire (Caribbean), Antigua (Caribbean), Spain and Portugal. The UK has an insane density of sits per square kilometre. Southern Europe is my personal favourite. Good weather, dog-friendly beaches, and strong nomad communities.

Is international house sitting safe?

On vetted platforms, yes. In 15 years of travel I've never had a serious issue. Stick to platforms with ID verification and reviews like TrustedHousesitters, HouseCarers, Nomador, and HouseSit Match. Read every review carefully, have a video call before confirming, and trust your gut. I'd avoid no-verification Facebook listings unless you already know the person or have a mutual connection.

Final thoughts

If you're building a lifestyle of travel, adventure, and freedom in 2026, adding house sitting, pet sitting, and boatsitting into the mix opens up real options. A pause between hikes, a cozy stay between sailing trips, a purposeful stop on your vanlife route. These exchanges make travel more affordable and more grounded, and they put pets and homes at the centre of how you move through the world.

Looking for more tips on nomadic living, sailing life, or van travel? Explore the blog for guides, reflections, and real-life stories from the road, mountains and sea.

Curious about connecting with a like-minded ocean tribe and discovering boatsitting opportunities? Come meet us at Ocean Nomads. Maybe you'll petsit my dog one day.

Stay wild,
Suzanne