Comparison · Childcare & senior careBobby vs UrbanSitter
A straight comparison of how each one charges a family. UrbanSitter's model comes from its own page. Bobby is pre-launch, so its column describes the model it plans to run.
Pricing sourced July 2026 · Pre-launch comparison
In short
UrbanSitter takes a paid membership to contact and book sitters. Bobby's plan is no membership and a flat $1 per booking. The difference is whether you pay a subscription or only when you book.
UrbanSitter vs a flat fee, side by side
| UrbanSitter | Bobby (pre-launch) | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee model | Paid membership subscription | Flat fee per booking |
| To contact a sitter | Requires a paid membership | Included; no subscription |
| Billing | Monthly, quarterly, or annual plan | Per booking only |
| Cost in a month with no sitter booked | The membership still bills | Nothing |
The math at different sizes
The paid membership bills on its cycle no matter what you do, while a flat $1 only builds up with the bookings you actually make.
| Bookings per month | UrbanSitter | Bobby (flat) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 booking | The paid membership bills in full | $1 |
| 4 bookings | Same membership, billed regardless of use | $4 |
| 12 bookings | Same membership, billed regardless of use | $12 |
UrbanSitter's cost is a membership that bills on its plan whether or not you book. With Bobby it is nothing to browse or message and a flat $1 only when a booking happens.
For occasional childcare, paying per booking usually comes out far cheaper than a recurring subscription. If you use it constantly, weigh a membership against your own booking volume.