Become a walker
Mad Paws vs TruePath — Which Pays Dog Walkers and Sitters More?
A direct earnings comparison for dog walkers: how Mad Paws and TruePath handle fees, what you actually take home per walk, and what 20 walks a week looks like annually on each platform.
By atticus · 9 min read · Last updated 17 May 2026
If you're choosing between Mad Paws and TruePath as a dog walker, the fee structure is the most important practical difference. TruePath takes the lower commission, which means more per booking goes to you. Mad Paws charges a service fee to the owner rather than the sitter — a different model with different implications for how you price your services. This article works through what both models mean for your actual take-home pay.
How the fee models work
The two platforms handle walker compensation differently, and understanding the distinction helps you price correctly on each.
TruePath charges a commission that comes out of your listed earnings. You set your rate, the platform takes its percentage, and the remainder is your take-home. The commission is the lowest of the four major Australian platforms.
Mad Paws operates differently: the platform charges a service fee on top of your listed price, paid by the owner. In theory, you receive your full listed rate minus any applicable payment processing. In practice, the owner-side fee affects the total cost the client sees, which can influence demand — owners comparison-shopping see a higher total on Mad Paws than the sitter's listed rate.
Both models result in the platform being paid. The question is who bears the cost and how it affects your pricing strategy.
Worked example: 20 walks per week at $32/walk
Let's use a concrete scenario: a walker doing 20 x 30-minute walks per week at $32 per walk, working 48 weeks per year (allowing for 4 weeks off).
Annual gross from bookings: 20 walks × $32 × 48 weeks = $30,720
| TruePath | Mad Paws | |
|---|---|---|
| Walker's listed rate per walk | $32 | $32 |
| Platform's take | Lower commission | Owner-side service fee |
| Walker's approximate take-home per walk | Higher | Closer to full $32 |
| Annual take-home (48 weeks × 20 walks) | More per walk × 960 walks | Depends on demand/volume |
| Client base for new walkers | Growing | Largest in AU |
| Time to first 5 reviews (est.) | Longer (smaller pool) | Shorter (larger pool) |
The honest calculation: TruePath's lower commission means you earn more per walk completed. Mad Paws' owner-side fee model means you keep more of your listed rate per walk, but the larger total cost shown to owners may mean you need to price slightly lower to remain competitive in a crowded listing.
The net result for most walkers is that TruePath pays more per walk, while Mad Paws delivers more walks when you're starting out. This is why the common strategy among experienced Australian walkers is to run both platforms: build volume and reviews on Mad Paws first, then use TruePath for the higher-margin bookings as your profile strengthens.
The volume factor
Earnings aren't just about per-walk rates — volume matters. At $32/walk, the difference between 15 walks and 20 walks per week is $9,984/year. Getting to 20 walks per week faster matters.
Mad Paws' advantage here is real. With the largest active client base of any Australian pet platform, new walkers in most suburbs will find their first bookings faster. If your suburb has a thin pool of TruePath clients, it may take months to build the 5–10 reviews you need to appear prominently in search.
TruePath is actively growing its client base, which means this gap is narrowing — but as of 2026, Mad Paws remains the better starting point for pure booking volume.
Tip
When you join Mad Paws, your profile is immediately competing with dozens of other walkers. Write a specific, detailed profile that mentions breed experience, suburb coverage, and any relevant training. Generic profiles get lost.
Payment timing and reliability
Both platforms pay after the service is completed and the booking period has closed. Typical payment timelines:
- TruePath: Payment processed after service completion; standard bank transfer timeline applies
- Mad Paws: Payment released after the booking concludes; processing time varies
Neither platform requires you to invoice clients directly — the platform handles payment collection and transfer. This is a practical advantage over running a solo operation where chasing payment can be awkward.
What about cancellations?
Both platforms have cancellation policies that affect your earnings. Key points:
- Late cancellations (within 24–48 hours of the booking) typically still result in partial payment to the walker
- No-shows or owner-initiated cancellations on the day are usually covered under the platform's cancellation policy
- Your own cancellation of a confirmed booking affects your reliability rating and can result in a penalty — avoid it
Heads up
High cancellation rates on your end damage your standing on both platforms. If you're regularly over-booking and cancelling, your ranking in search results will fall, which reduces future booking volume. Build in buffer time between walks and don't accept bookings you're not confident you can complete.
Which platform is actually better for pay?
If you're experienced and in a suburb with reasonable TruePath client density: TruePath's lower commission means more per walk, and the verification signal helps you win bookings from high-value, repeat clients. Over a full year at 20 walks per week, the earnings advantage of a lower commission compounds significantly.
If you're new and need to build reviews quickly: Start with Mad Paws. The volume of clients means faster access to reviews, which unlocks better search placement and more bookings. Once you have 15+ reviews and a solid profile, add TruePath.
The pragmatic answer for most walkers: Use both. Your combined profile across Mad Paws (for volume) and TruePath (for margin and client quality) gives you more income stability than relying on either platform alone.
| Feature | TruePath | Mad Paws |
|---|---|---|
| Commission model | Platform takes % from walker earnings | Service fee charged to owner |
| Walker take-home per $32 walk | Higher (lower commission) | Closer to $32 listed rate |
| Australia-only platform | ✓ | ✓ |
| Client base size (AU) | Growing | Largest in AU |
| New walker time to first 5 reviews | Longer | Shorter |
| Verification shown to clients | ✓ | — |
| Police check required | ✓ | — |
| GPS walk tracking | ✓ | — |
| Platform insurance included | ✓ | ✓ |
| Best for | Margin + trust signal | Early volume + reviews |
Tax implications of platform earnings
Both platforms pay you as a sole trader, not an employee. That means:
- No tax is withheld from your payments
- You're responsible for declaring all earnings on your personal tax return
- Your ABN is required before withdrawing earnings from either platform
The tax treatment is identical regardless of which platform the income comes from. Set aside 20–25% of your net earnings as you receive them, keep records of all bookings and amounts, and either lodge your own return using myTax or use a tax agent at year end.
Platform fees (commission or service fees) are a business expense. On TruePath, the commission is deducted before your payment — so your records already reflect net earnings. On Mad Paws, you receive close to your listed rate but you should still track the service fee charged to the owner (even though you don't pay it directly), as it affects the true cost of each booking to the owner and informs your pricing decisions.
Which platform should you start with?
If you're brand new to paid dog walking, start with Mad Paws. Get your first 5 reviews, learn how to run the meet-and-greet process, and build confidence in your service. Then apply to TruePath.
If you already have experience and references, apply to TruePath first. The more thorough application process takes 1–2 weeks, so starting it earlier means earlier access to the higher-margin client base. Running both simultaneously once you're approved on TruePath is the optimal steady-state arrangement.
If you're in a suburb where TruePath has limited client density, Mad Paws will be your primary volume driver for a while. That's fine — the goal is income, and volume on Mad Paws at slightly lower margins is better than waiting for TruePath bookings that aren't coming yet. As TruePath grows its Australian client base, this dynamic will shift.
Frequently asked questions
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