Care.com is an online platform that helps families find caregivers and tutors. It lets users browse and connect with child care, senior care, housekeeping, pet care, and tutoring providers. This article reviews Care.com’s ratings, pricing, and services, and compares it with other platforms. We also cover how the site works for students and tutors, and where Care.com plans to go in 2025.
Care.com Reviews and Testimonials
Overall user reviews of Care.com are mixed. An aggregator of review sites found Care.com has about 2.3 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot and 3.2 on Sitejabber. Indeed (for tutors) shows 4.2/5, and Glassdoor (for employees) ~3.0/5. The Better Business Bureau gives an F rating and only 1.57/5 stars. Common positive themes include a large network of caregivers and flexible work for tutors. Negative feedback often mentions surprise fees, membership auto-renewals, and hard-to-cancel subscriptions. Some users have reported misleading “free trials” that charge full fees immediately. Overall, many customers find Care.com useful but warn about billing issues and support problems.
Trustpilot: Care.com scores around 2.3–2.4/5 on Trustpilot. Many reviewers criticize hidden fees and difficulty canceling. Very few Trustpilot reviewers say they would recommend Care.com. Sitejabber: On Sitejabber, Care.com has roughly a 3.2/5 rating, suggesting more mixed reactions. Some users report good experiences finding sitters or tutors, while others complain about fake profiles. Glassdoor: Employee reviews on Glassdoor average about 3.0/5. Workers praise the mission but note management issues and workload pressures. Indeed: Tutor reviews on Indeed give 4.2/5. Many tutors appreciate the flexibility, noting they can “charge what you want and negotiate with each family”. Reddit and Forums: Posts on Reddit and Quora share cautionary tales. Users warn that Care.com is legitimate but stress checking cancellation terms, as some say they were billed unexpectedly after a free trial.
Is Care.com legit? Yes, Care.com is a real company owned by IAC, but reviews urge caution. Many real families use it successfully. However, the FTC fined Care.com for deceptive billing, and user complaints highlight issues like auto-renewal and fees. In sum, Care.com works but be aware of its policies.
In summary, reviewers note that Care.com has a very large pool of caregivers and tutors but some serious downsides. Strengths include its extensive search tools and available jobs; weaknesses include its billing practices and customer support complaints. Families should weigh the convenience against these risks.
Care.com Pricing
Pricing Range
Tutors on Care.com set their own rates. According to Care.com, elementary tutors often start around $23/hr, while high-school and college tutors can charge $75–$100+/hr. For example, math tutors may charge $18–$98 depending on level. As for site membership, Care.com offers Basic (free) and Premium plans. Premium membership costs roughly $38.95 per month for a monthly plan, $24.95 per month on a 3-month plan, and $12.95 per month on a yearly plan. These plans allow full access to profiles and messaging. (See Care.com’s pricing page for details.)
What students say about Care.com Pricing
Many families report that Care.com feels expensive. Online forums note that Care.com often offers a short free trial, then automatically charges a yearly or monthly fee. One BBB complaint said a user signed up for a “free trial” and was immediately billed over $130 for a year. On Quora and Reddit, parents warn that Care.com will continue billing each month unless canceled, even if not used. In practice, users say the site can quickly cost $20-$40+ each month in subscription fees plus any caregiver pay. Students often feel the platform is more useful if you need multiple sessions; otherwise it may be pricey for one-time help.
Hidden costs
In addition to subscription fees, there are extra charges. Caregivers often pay for background checks; Care.com’s CareCheck (basic criminal check) costs about $24.99. (This fee is waived with a Premium tutor profile.) Families can request optional background checks and verification for their hires, which may cost extra. For one-off bookings, Care.com may charge a Trust & Support fee of up to ~10% on the caregiver’s payment. There are also add-ons like driving record checks or payroll processing that incur fees. Finally, note that membership fees are generally non-refundable once paid. In sum, users should budget for the subscription plus any background or service fees described above.
How Care.com’s pricing works
Payment for tutoring sessions is arranged privately between student and tutor. Care.com itself is a subscription service for families: you pay by credit card for your plan. Care.com accepts major credit cards, and students can use coupon codes or discounts when offered. The site often advertises promotional offers (e.g. a discount on yearly plans) to reduce fees. For caregivers, the basic profile is free except for the screening fee, while a Premium profile (about $8.99/month) boosts visibility and waives the $25 screening cost. Care.com also sometimes runs promotions on its social media or email newsletter, but official promo code links are rare. In general, families choose a plan length (monthly, quarterly, yearly) to save on per-month cost, and tutors invest in profiles or ads if they want more job leads.
Free Trial
Care.com often offers a limited free trial for new users. If you sign up for a trial, you must cancel it before it ends or you will be automatically billed for a full subscription. According to Care.com’s terms, a free trial converts into a paid plan unless canceled in time. If you are charged and do not wish to continue, you have 30 days from the charge date to cancel and request a refund. After that window, no refunds are given. Several users report accidentally paying because they did not cancel the trial in time, so always mark your calendar if you try the free trial.
Refund policy
Care.com states that subscription fees are generally non-refundable. In practice, once a payment is made, users cannot usually get it back. However, as noted, if you cancel within 30 days of a trial charge you can ask for a refund. Many reviewers warn that canceling alone does not guarantee a refund. The FTC fined Care.com for deceptive billing, which suggests the company must now honor refund requests more than before. Still, most customers report that refunds are only given in exceptional cases, so it’s best to manage your subscription carefully to avoid unwanted charges.
Care.com Alternatives
Families and students may look at other tutoring and care platforms if Care.com’s pricing or policies don’t fit. Here are some major alternatives:
My Engineering Buddy
My Engineering Buddy (MEB) is a specialized online tutoring site. It focuses on STEM and advanced academic help. The company boasts a 4.8/5 rating from 285 reviews, with 97% of students recommending it. MEB hires only top tutors and offers one-on-one help for engineering, math, and science subjects. Compared to Care.com, MEB is much more targeted: it excels at deep subject expertise and flexible hours for technical topics. Unlike Care.com’s broad marketplace, MEB provides dedicated online sessions, and users report very positive experiences. (However, Care.com covers more services like child care that MEB does not.)
Tutor.com
Tutor.com is a widely used tutoring service backed by Princeton Review. It offers on-demand help for many subjects, 24/7. A reviewer calls Tutor.com “budget friendly” and says it’s great for stretching your dollars. Key pros: flat monthly plans, quick help, and many vetted tutors. Cons vs. Care.com: Tutor.com requires a subscription (starting around $39.99/month) but has no per-job fees; it focuses on academic tutoring only. Its quality is generally high, but some students find it less flexible in scheduling. In summary, Tutor.com is often cheaper per session and more academic, but Care.com has a much larger pool of caregivers and tutors overall.
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors is another large tutoring marketplace, known for test prep and group classes. One GRE student said Varsity Tutors’ pricing was “reasonable” and the service “solid”. Pros: many subjects, live group classes, guaranteed matching. Tutors on Varsity Tutors are vetted teachers. Cons: can be expensive for one-on-one (they keep a large cut) and focus on test prep. Versus Care.com: Varsity is more structured and known for academic support, while Care.com is more general. Students who need standardized test prep (SAT, MCAT, etc.) often prefer Varsity. Care.com may be cheaper for non-test tutoring but has fewer prep class options.
Preply
Preply is a global tutor marketplace, especially popular for language learning. It lets tutors set their own rates and students book lessons directly. According to Preply, it has 32,000+ tutors in 185 countries and a 4.0/5 TrustPilot score from 10,000+ reviews. Pros: large tutor pool in many subjects and languages, pay-as-you-go pricing, tutors can offer trial lessons. Cons: platform commission (usually 18% to Preply), and quality varies tutor-to-tutor. Compared to Care.com, Preply is more focused on academic subjects and language, not daycare or caregiving. Preply often feels cheaper per hour, but you pay each tutor individually without a subscription.
Wyzant
Wyzant is an online tutoring marketplace where tutors set all their rates. It offers a wide range of academic and hobby subjects. Pros: you pick a tutor by profile, only pay for the hours you use, and tutors keep most of the fee. Wyzant quotes rates from about $35 to $60 per hour on average. Cons: Wyzant takes a 25% service fee from tutors (passed to students in higher rates) and quality can be hit-or-miss. Many families like Wyzant for the flexibility. Versus Care.com: Wyzant has no membership fee but no home care or pet care services. Care.com has more variety, but Wyzant might be better for one-off academic sessions at a known hourly rate.
How it Works?
For Students
Students or parents start by creating a free Care.com account. You can post a tutoring job or search caregiver/tutor profiles. Care.com provides filters (location, pay rate, experience, etc.) to narrow candidates. A paid Premium membership (starts at $38.95/mo) is needed to contact tutors directly. With Premium, you can view full profiles, read reviews, and message candidates. Once you find a tutor, you schedule sessions by agreeing on time and payment outside the platform (or use Care.com’s optional HomePay payroll service for taxes). In short: sign up ➔ browse and filter profiles ➔ contact tutors ➔ arrange sessions and payment.
For Tutors
Tutors sign up on Care.com as “caregivers.” They create a profile highlighting their skills, experience and hourly rates. A basic profile is free except for a background screening fee (the $24.99 CareCheck). Upgrading to a Premium tutor profile (~$8.99/mo) waives that fee and boosts search rankings. To start working, tutors must complete the required CareCheck background check. After approval, tutors can apply to jobs posted on Care.com, message families, and negotiate terms. In practice, tutors compete by being responsive, offering trial lessons, and building positive reviews on the site. Interested tutors can learn more and sign up on Care.com’s tutoring jobs page.
- How do I set my fee and earnings? You set your own hourly rate on your profile. Tutors report setting rates based on experience and subject; many start around $20–$30 for basic subjects. You keep most of what you charge (Care.com does not take a commission on wages). Expected earnings vary widely. Some tutors teach 10–20 hours/week part-time, while others teach more.
- How do I find students? Your profile’s visibility depends on your response rate and reviews. Tutors advise replying promptly to leads and asking students to leave reviews. Being available for video trials or free session samples can attract families. A helpful tutor profile and good ratings encourage families to book you.
- What do tutors like/dislike about Care.com? Tutors appreciate the flexibility and remote work opportunities. Many say there are “tons of job offers” once you have reviews. The main downside mentioned is the upfront screening fee (CareCheck). On Indeed and Glassdoor, tutors praise being able to set their hours and rates. Some note it can take time to build reputation; without reviews you may get fewer jobs. Overall, tutors enjoy meaningful work on their own schedule but warn newcomers that initial hurdles (verification fees, profile building) exist.
Care.com: Company Information
Care.com was founded by Sheila Lirio Marcelo (incorporated Oct 2006, launched May 2007). The company’s mission is to help families find quality care. It is headquartered in Austin, Texas and is owned by IAC since 2020. As of 2023, Care.com has roughly 2376 employees. Through investment and acquisitions, it now operates in the US, Canada, UK and parts of Western Europe. Services include child care, senior care, pet care, housekeeping and tutoring. Unique site features include a Safety Center with background checks and hiring guides, data-driven filters by pay or location, and HomePay payroll/tax tools for families. Care.com also offers resources like rate calculators and an online community.
USP of Care.com
- Massive caregiver network: Care.com boasts a very large pool of caregivers and jobs. One user reported finding about 1,500 local jobs on Care.com at once, versus only dozens on smaller sites. This broad reach makes it likely to find someone in most areas.
- Safety and screening: Care.com provides optional background checks and screening tools. All caregivers must complete CareCheck (criminal and sex offender check) before working. Families can access these reports and follow hiring best practices, which is more than many independent listings provide.
- Flexible membership plans: Care.com offers free basic accounts and several Premium tiers, making it adaptable to short- or long-term needs. Long-term plans save money per month. The platform promises unlimited access and easy cancellation (you keep benefits through the term).
- Variety of services: Unlike specialized tutoring sites, Care.com covers many care needs in one place. Parents like that they can find a nanny, tutor, housekeeper, or pet sitter all on the same platform.
Drawbacks of Care.com
- Billing and cancellation issues: Many reviews cite hard-to-cancel subscriptions and surprise auto-renews. The company even settled with the FTC for deceptive billing. Users must be vigilant to cancel and avoid unwanted charges.
- Extra fees: Care.com charges fees beyond subscription. Tutors pay for background checks; families may pay service fees on bookings (up to 10% of pay). These can add up unexpectedly.
- Variable quality: Because Care.com is a two-sided market, service quality varies. Some profiles may be incomplete or outdated, and response rates are not guaranteed. Several reviews mention encountering fake or inactive profiles.
- Support complaints: Customer service is not always responsive. Numerous complaints on BBB and other forums say support was slow or unhelpful. Paired with the site’s big size, this leaves some users frustrated when issues arise.
Comparison with My Engineering Buddy
My Engineering Buddy (MEB) specializes in online STEM tutoring, while Care.com is a broad caregiver marketplace. MEB’s tutors are often advanced-degree experts, and students rate MEB very highly. For example, MEB claims students “consistently rate us 5 stars” on tutoring help. In contrast, Care.com tutors cover a wider range of subjects but may not always have advanced credentials. MEB also provides around-the-clock help and instant support in tech subjects, which Care.com does not guarantee. Overall, MEB excels at rigorous academic help with targeted tutors, whereas Care.com excels at providing a huge selection of general care and tutoring options. Many reviews highlight that MEB offers excellent quality for engineering and math, making it a strong choice if that matches your needs.
Customer Support and Policies
Care.com offers a help center with articles and live chat. According to their site, you can cancel your subscription at any time via your account settings. After canceling, your benefits remain active until the end of the paid term. However, refunds are generally not given once you pay. In practice, customer support has a mixed reputation; some users report slow responses. Companies are now required to make cancellation simpler after the FTC case. It’s best to contact support promptly if you need help with billing.
Global Reach and Localization
Care.com primarily serves the USA, Canada, the UK and Western Europe. It launched in the UK and Canada in 2012 and expanded into Germany and other EU countries by acquiring Betreut.de. The platform operates in English (and local languages on acquired sites) and supports multiple currencies. While it is available in many “rich countries”, it has limited presence outside North America and Europe. In each region, Care.com adapts rates and screening standards to local norms.
Care.com’s Future Plans
No official roadmap is public, but industry trends suggest focus on technology. Care providers rank artificial intelligence as a top emerging trend for the near future, so we may see Care.com add more AI-driven features. (For example, Care.com recently introduced an AI-assisted profile summary tool for caregivers.) The company is also likely to improve its mobile apps and possibly expand into tele-care or wellness services. Watching industry and company news is recommended for updates.
FAQs About Care.com
- What services does Care.com provide? Care.com offers an online marketplace for child care, senior care, pet care, housekeeping and tutoring. You can find babysitters, nannies, tutors, home helpers and more all in one place.
- Is Care.com legit? Yes. Care.com is a well-established company (now owned by IAC) with millions of users. However, many reviews warn of billing and cancelation issues. In other words, it’s a real site, but use it knowing the policies.
- How much does Care.com cost? Basic membership is free (you can search and post jobs). Premium family plans start around $38.95/month (month-to-month) or $12.95/month (if billed annually). Tutors pay no monthly fee for basic profiles (just the $24.99 background check), or about $8.99/month for a Premium profile. We cited Care.com’s pricing page for the exact figures.
- Does Care.com offer a free trial? Care.com sometimes advertises limited free trials for new users. If you sign up for a free trial, you must cancel before it ends or you will be charged for a paid plan. If you are charged for a trial you don’t want, you have up to 30 days to cancel and request a refund.
- How do I cancel my Care.com subscription? Log in and go to your account settings. There is an option to cancel your membership. After canceling, your paid benefits continue until the term ends. Note that Care.com generally does not refund fees after payment.
- Does Care.com do background checks? Yes. Care.com requires all caregivers (including tutors) to complete a background screening called CareCheck before they can be hired. Families can also purchase optional background and driving record checks on prospective hires. However, Care.com advises families to run their own checks too, since CareCheck is a basic screening.
- How do I pay a caregiver on Care.com? Payment terms are arranged directly between you and the caregiver. Care.com itself does not process payments for one-time jobs. Families can pay tutors hourly or per session by whatever method they agree (cash, check, or a service like PayPal). Care.com offers HomePay, a payroll service, to handle regular wages and taxes if you hire someone as an employee.
- Who owns Care.com? Care.com was founded by Sheila Marcelo and went public in 2014. In 2020 it was acquired by IAC (InterActiveCorp), a media and internet company that owns brands like Match.com and Vimeo.
- What is CareCheck? CareCheck is Care.com’s background check for caregivers. It includes criminal records and other screening. All tutors and sitters must complete CareCheck before working on the site.
Conclusion
Care.com’s strengths include its huge network and wide range of services, which make it easy to find many kinds of help in one place. However, its weaknesses—especially surprise fees, auto-renewal and support issues—should not be overlooked. Students and parents should use Care.com with care, understanding the pricing terms. For intensive academic needs, a specialized site like My Engineering Buddy can be a great option. MEB focuses on advanced STEM tutoring and has very positive reviews (4.8/5 rating, 97% recommended), so it is often preferred for challenging subjects. In summary, Care.com works for general care and tutoring needs, but for specialized academic help, alternatives like MEB may be superior.
