Turn compassion into income.
Join Buddy as a companion. Set your own rates, choose your own schedule, and make a real difference in the lives of seniors and their families.
Apply as a CompanionYou keep the majority of every booking
Buddy keeps a small percentage to cover payments and platform support. Everything else goes directly to you.
$20–$50
Typical hourly rate
You choose
Your hours & schedule
2–5 days
To hit your bank account
How it works
Create your profile
Sign up in minutes. Add your bio, services, availability, and a profile photo. Your listing goes live as soon as your profile is complete.
Receive booking requests
Families browse your profile and send booking requests. You review each request and choose to accept or decline — you're always in control.
Show up and make a difference
Meet your client, provide the service, and make someone's day better. Buddy handles the payment automatically — no cash, no invoices.
Get paid
You receive funds after every booking. Payouts go directly to your bank account through Stripe within 2–5 business days after the booking completes.
You're protected on every booking
Buddy enforces cancellation protection automatically — no chasing, no awkward conversations.
Family cancels under 24 hrs
You receive your full rate automatically.
Family cancels 24–48 hrs before
You receive 50% of your agreed rate automatically.
Family no-show
You receive your full rate. No questions asked.
Build your reputation
Families leave reviews after each booking. Great reviews mean more bookings and higher rates.
Background check badge
Optional verification through Checkr. Verified companions get significantly more bookings.
Tax documents handled
Stripe issues your 1099-K automatically each January. No paperwork on your end.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before joining.
How much can I earn?
You set your own hourly rate. Most companions on Buddy charge between $20–$50/hr. You keep the majority of funds on every booking — Buddy keeps a small percentage to cover payment processing and platform costs.
Do I need to be a licensed caregiver?
No license is required. Buddy companions provide non-medical companionship and everyday assistance — walks, visits, errands, and overnight stays. You do not need any medical training or certification to join.
Can I set my own schedule?
Completely. You accept only the bookings you want. There are no minimum hours, no shifts, and no employer telling you when to work. You can toggle your availability on or off at any time from your dashboard.
What services can I offer?
Companion Walks, Drop-In Visits, Errand Runs, and Overnight Stays. You choose which services to offer and set a separate rate for each. You can update this anytime from your profile.
Do I need to pass a background check?
Yes. Every companion must pass a background check before appearing in search results or accepting bookings — it's how we keep families safe and why they trust Buddy. The check costs $65, is completed right on the site through Checkr, a leading screening provider, and typically takes 1–3 business days.
When and how do I get paid?
Payouts are processed automatically through Stripe Express. Once a booking is marked complete, your earnings are transferred to your connected bank account within 2–5 business days. You'll receive a 1099-K from Stripe in January if you earn $600 or more in a calendar year.
What if a family cancels on me?
You're protected. If a family cancels with less than 24 hours notice, you receive your full rate. If they cancel between 24–48 hours before, you receive 50%. Family no-shows pay your full rate automatically. Buddy enforces this on your behalf — you don't need to chase anyone.
Is there any cost to join?
There is no upfront cost to join. Buddy keeps a small platform fee from each booking to cover payments and support — so there is never anything to pay before you start earning.
Ready to get started?
It takes less than 5 minutes to create your profile and go live.
Apply as a CompanionNo upfront cost. You only pay when you earn.