The short answer
Most babysitting apps are one of three kinds: large caregiver marketplaces, recommendation-based networks, or scheduling and work tools. Which one fits depends on whether you're starting from scratch or from people you already know.
“Babysitting app” can describe very different products. Some apps are designed to help families search large caregiver marketplaces. Others focus on scheduling, payments, or household management. REC'D BY is built around a different starting point: recommendations from people you know.
The Chens
Your friend · Sarah and Dan
Sitters they've rec'd
- 1Ask them about a sitter Message your friend right from here.
- 2Their go-to sitters Everyone your friend has recommended, in one place.
- 3One tap to the full profile Rates, availability, and training.
Three kinds of babysitting apps
Most apps lean toward one of these. None is right for every family — it depends on whether you're starting from scratch or from people you already know.
| Large caregiver marketplaces | Recommendation-based networks | Scheduling and work tools | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How sitters are discovered | Searching a broad pool of caregivers you don't know yet. | Through friends, family, and the sitters they already trust. | You already know the sitter; the app helps you work together. |
| What you learn about a sitter | Profiles and ratings from other users. | Who recommended them, and how they know them. | Your own history together. |
| Scheduling | Often built in. | Varies. | The main purpose. |
| Tools for the sitter | Mostly a place to find work. | Varies. | Often the focus. |
| Best fit | Families who want a wide pool and are comfortable evaluating people they have no connection to. | Families who'd rather start with people their friends already trust. | Families and sitters who already work together and want less back-and-forth. |
REC'D BY sits in the overlap of the last two: it helps you find sitters through people you know, then keep working with them — kids, pets, and the house, on one calendar.
Large caregiver marketplaces
Marketplace products can be useful when a family wants a broad pool of available caregivers and is comfortable evaluating people they don't already have a connection to.
How REC'D BY helps
Recommendation-based discovery
REC'D BY keeps personal recommendations and the relationships behind them, so families can discover care through people they already know. See how babysitter recommendations work on REC'D BY.
Maya K.
Portland · travels up to 10 mi
Services & rates
+$3/hr for each extra kid
Usually free
Evenings and weekends
Certifications & training
- 1Ask the friend first See exactly who recommended them.
- 2Close to home Where they're happy to travel.
- 3Experience at a glance The ages and care they take on.
- 4Rates before you ask Extra kids and overnights included.
- 5When they're free Their usual days and times.
- 6Training they've added CPR and first aid, on the profile.
Scheduling and work-management tools
Some families and sitters already know each other and mostly need better tools to coordinate ongoing work. REC'D BY is intentionally building both sides of that relationship — including a Work Hub for sitters.