In short:
- Three models structure the market in 2026: instant booking with no commitment (Wecasa), agency-managed mode with branch follow-up (Shiva), and a subscription with a dedicated person (Otherwise).
- Hourly rates range from 20 to 28 euros depending on the platform and management mode, brought down to 10-14 euros after the 50 percent tax credit applicable to personal services.
- The professional’s status differs greatly from one platform to another: independent self-employed contractor on Wecasa, employee under the agency-managed model at Shiva.
- The home cleaning sector represents over 2 billion euros in annual revenue in France according to the French Federation of Personal Services Companies, driven by the digitalization of booking since 2015.
Understanding the home cleaning market in France
Home cleaning has historically been the top spending category in personal services in France, ahead of childcare and elderly care. The arrival of digital platforms starting in 2015 has profoundly transformed this market, enabling instant online booking where finding a housekeeper previously required word of mouth or registering at a physical agency.
Three business models coexist today, each answering a different need: one-off booking in a platform-economy style, the traditional agency-managed model with human support, and a subscription with a loyal, dedicated worker.
The three home cleaning platform models
- Instant booking: book online in a few clicks, a different worker possible at each visit
- Agency-managed mode: personalized follow-up, contract framed by a physical structure
- Subscription with a dedicated worker: same worker at every service, consistency and trust
Comparison table of the main home cleaning platforms in 2026
The table below compares Wecasa, Shiva and Otherwise on the criteria that matter for an informed choice.
| Criterion | Wecasa | Shiva | Otherwise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Instant online booking | Agency-managed with physical branch | Subscription with dedicated worker |
| Professional’s status | Independent self-employed contractor | Employee under agency-managed mode (individual employer) | Employee or self-employed depending on the plan |
| Indicative hourly rate | €20 to €25 incl. tax | €22 to €28 excl. tax before tax credit | €20 to €24 incl. tax |
| Commitment | None, on-demand booking | Regular contract possible | Monthly subscription |
| Same worker guaranteed | Not guaranteed | Generally yes | Yes, core principle of the offer |
| Geographic coverage | Major cities and surrounding areas | Nationwide, agency network | Major metropolitan areas |
| Strength | Booking flexibility and speed | Human support at the agency | Consistency and trust with a single worker |
The methodology relies on public pricing grids displayed in 2026 and the commercial positioning communicated by each platform.
Wecasa: platform-style instant booking
Wecasa imported the instant booking model from ride-hailing platforms to the home cleaning sector: the client selects a time slot online, pays by card, and an independent professional performs the service without any employment contract linking the client to the provider. This model appeals to an urban clientele looking for flexibility and no commitment.
Advantages and limitations of the Wecasa model
- Advantage: booking in a few minutes, with no administrative formality, cancellation generally possible up to 24-48h in advance
- Advantage: no employment contract or payslip management for the client
- Limitation: no guarantee of getting the same professional at every visit, unless explicitly requested
- Limitation: the provider’s self-employed status implies different social coverage compared to a regular employee
Shiva: the historic agency-managed model
Shiva has established itself since the 2000s as the reference for the agency-managed model for home cleaning, with a network of 450 physical branches in France. In this model, the individual becomes the legal employer of the worker, but Shiva’s branch handles profile selection, drafting the employment contract, and administrative management (declarations, replacements in case of absence).
This works similarly to what is detailed in our comparison of the best personal care service company, which explains in detail the differences between provider, agency-managed and direct employment modes.
“The French home cleaning market is worth over 2 billion euros in annual revenue, with online booking growth of over 15 percent per year since 2020.” — French Federation of Personal Services Companies, 2025 sector report
What individual-employer status implies
| Responsibility | Individual employer’s responsibility | Handled by the agency-managed structure |
|---|---|---|
| Profile selection | No | Yes |
| Drafting the contract | No | Yes |
| Social declarations | No (delegated) | Yes, through the mandate |
| Legal employer liability | Yes, the individual remains the employer | No |
Otherwise: the subscription with a dedicated worker
Otherwise built its positioning around a simple promise: offer a monthly subscription with the same cleaning person durably assigned to the household, rather than a different professional at each booking. This model targets families who prioritize a trusted relationship and the worker’s familiarity with the home (habits, product locations, pets) over pure flexibility.
Who the subscription model suits
- Households with a regular need — weekly or biweekly cleaning rather than occasional
- Families with children or pets — a fixed worker’s familiarity with the home simplifies the service
- Looking for stability — less suited to occasional needs or secondary residences
The tax credit: a lever common to all three models
Regardless of the chosen platform, home cleaning remains eligible for the 50 percent tax credit applicable to personal services, capped at 12,000 euros of annual spending (a maximum tax credit of 6,000 euros), increased by 1,500 euros per dependent child or person over 65 in the household, within an overall cap of 15,000 euros of spending.
This scheme applies provided the provider (self-employed contractor, agency-managed branch, or service company) is registered or approved as a personal services provider. For households combining home cleaning with specific cleaning such as fabric sofa cleaning, the same tax credit generally applies, provided the provider’s approval is verified beforehand.
For childcare needs alongside cleaning, our comparison of childcare platforms details a similar overview to optimize the household’s overall personal services budget, relying on the same payment schemes through CESU.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best home cleaning platform in 2026?
Wecasa stands out for instant online booking Uber-style, with no commitment or subscription, Shiva remains the historic reference for the agency-managed model with personalized follow-up at a physical branch, and Otherwise relies on a subscription model with the same person assigned at every visit. The best choice depends on the need: convenience and flexibility for Wecasa, human support for Shiva, consistency with a dedicated person for Otherwise.
How much does a home cleaning platform cost?
The hourly rate for home cleaning through a platform ranges from 20 to 25 euros including tax for a one-off booking on Wecasa, 22 to 28 euros excluding tax under Shiva’s agency-managed model before the tax credit, and 20 to 24 euros including tax for a regular subscription with Otherwise. The 50 percent tax credit applies in all cases for individual employers or clients of approved personal services providers, bringing the actual cost down to 10-14 euros per hour.
Wecasa, Shiva or direct employment: what is the difference in status?
On Wecasa, the cleaning professional is an independent self-employed contractor who bills the client directly, with no employment relationship with either the platform or the individual. With Shiva, the agency-managed model makes the individual the legal employer, with the agency handling the paperwork. Under classic direct employment (outside a platform), the individual is the employer and manages the contract, payroll and contributions themselves through the CESU scheme.
Does home cleaning qualify for a tax reduction?
Yes, home cleaning is part of the personal services eligible for the 50 percent tax credit, capped at 12,000 euros of annual spending (i.e. a maximum tax credit of 6,000 euros), increased by 1,500 euros per dependent child or person over 65 in the household. This tax credit applies whether the provider is a matching platform, an agency-managed structure, or a directly employed worker, provided the provider is approved or registered as a personal services provider.
Can a cleaning booking on a platform be cancelled free of charge?
Terms vary by platform. Wecasa generally allows free cancellation up to 24 to 48 hours before the service, beyond which fees may apply. Shiva and Otherwise, operating on a subscription or regular contract basis, have contractual notice periods to modify or suspend a recurring service, generally 1 to 2 weeks depending on the terms and conditions in effect in 2026.