Batmaid alternative 2026: employ your cleaner directly - same pay for them, over CHF 1,200 less for you
Batmaid, Helpling and Wecasa are convenient, and Batmaid even publishes its cost structure: only 1.84% of the hourly price is profit. Employing directly is still cheaper - Clino prepares the whole administration for CHF 19.90 a month.
Batmaid costs CHF 37.90-39.90 an hour and publishes its cost breakdown: in Zurich, out of a CHF 43.90 reference hour, roughly CHF 26.00 is gross wage, CHF 3.46 employer contributions, CHF 2.51 additional insurance, CHF 4.00 VAT and fees, CHF 6.95 operations - and CHF 0.81 profit. Employing the same person directly and running payroll with Clino costs about CHF 29.60 an hour all in, at the same pay per hour worked. Over 3 hours a week that is CHF 1,296 less per year, without the cleaner earning less. The difference is almost entirely VAT and operations, not margin.
Key points at a glance
- 1Batmaid publishes its costs: of CHF 43.90 an hour in Zurich, CHF 26.00 is wage and CHF 0.81 is profit. "The platform pockets half of it" is simply not true.
- 2Direct employment is still cheaper: no VAT share, no operations markup. At the same pay, around CHF 1,296 a year at 3 hours a week.
- 3The price difference buys convenience: employing directly, you handle sourcing, cover when your cleaner is away, and any extra insurance yourself.
Cleaning platforms like Batmaid, Helpling or Wecasa are very popular in Switzerland. They promise a vetted cleaner at the click of a button - and usually deliver. But this convenience comes at a price: between CHF 38 and CHF 45 per hour through a platform.
There’s a simple alternative: find your cleaner yourself - through recommendations, Facebook groups or classified ads - and register them properly. All the administration (AHV, payslips, insurance, contract) is prepared by Clino for CHF 19.90/month. Find a cleaner.
In this article we compare the main providers, take Batmaid's own cost breakdown as the starting point, and work out honestly what direct employment costs - including the employer contributions that most comparisons leave out.
Go deeper: what a cleaner really costs - or read our guide to employing your cleaner directly.
The 7 providers compared: which one suits whom?
The biggest difference is not the price, it is who legally employs the cleaner. With agencies it is the provider; on marketplaces and with Clino it is you. Almost everything else follows from that: the cost, the flexibility, and whether the same person comes every time.
Clino
Direct employmentOur own serviceCHF 25-35/hr wage + CHF 19.90/mo
Employer of the cleaner: You, the household
- Lowest total cost, and your cleaner takes home the most
- AHV, payslips, accident cover and contract run automatically, in all 26 cantons
- You have to find the cleaner yourself
- No automatic replacement if she is off sick
Best for
You already have someone you trust, or can find one, and you want them employed properly at the lowest total cost. Not built for a one-off clean.
Suuber
MarketplaceCHF 26.50-35/hr gross + CHF 39 one-off
Employer of the cleaner: You, the household
- Profiles show the hourly rate up front and you pick the person yourself
- AHV, unemployment, sick-pay and accident insurance are included in the hourly rate
- Heavily concentrated on the Zurich region, no cities in Romandie or Ticino
- No end-of-tenancy cleaning
Best for
You live in the Zurich region, want to pick a specific person at a transparent rate and stay their direct employer, without handling the admin yourself.
Batmaid
AgencyCHF 37.90-39.90/hr by plan, min. 2 hrs
Employer of the cleaner: Batmaid (on their own payroll)
- Cleaners are employed and insured by Batmaid
- Replacement sent if your cleaner is away, and available nationwide
- Among the most expensive providers here
- The same person is not guaranteed
Best for
You want zero admin and guaranteed cover, and would rather pay a premium than organise anything. Also the safest pick for a one-off deep clean or an end-of-tenancy clean.
Homeservice24
MarketplaceWage straight to the cleaner + membership from CHF 39.90
Employer of the cleaner: You, the household
- You pick the person yourself and keep them
- The full hourly wage goes to the cleaner, no commission
- All of the admin stays with you
- Without registering, this slides into undeclared work fast
Best for
You are happy to choose your own cleaner and want her to keep the whole wage. But AHV, contract and insurance are still yours to sort out, for example with Clino.
Helpling
Agencyfrom CHF 42.90/hr, min. 2.5 hrs
Employer of the cleaner: Helpling (on their own payroll)
- Since 2025 cleaners are directly employed by Helpling
- Book online in a couple of minutes
- More expensive than Batmaid, with a longer minimum booking
- International operator with less Swiss focus
Best for
You would rather book online in a familiar app, and availability where you live matters more to you than the price.
Wecasa
Agencyfrom CHF 44.90/hr
Employer of the cleaner: Not disclosed by the provider
- Several home services in a single booking
- All-inclusive package, clearly stated
- The most expensive provider in this comparison
- Does not disclose who employs the cleaner
Best for
You want cleaning plus other services at home from a single app, and price is not the deciding factor.
Putzfrau.ch
AgencyNot published on their site
Employer of the cleaner: Batmaid (on their own payroll)
- Same operational backing as Batmaid
- Available across several regions
- Reads as independent, but it belongs to Batmaid
- Prices are not published on the site
Best for
Nothing that Batmaid does not already cover. Worth knowing mainly so you do not 'switch' to the same company.
The rating is Clino's own editorial assessment against five criteria: value for money, who legally employs the cleaner, whether you keep the same person, coverage across Switzerland, and how transparent the pricing is. Clino rates its own service here too, so read it with that in mind. Third-party review scores are shown separately where one exists with a meaningful sample. Prices as published on each provider's own site, checked 21.07.2026.
Prices as published on the providers' own sites, checked 21.07.2026. Actual prices may vary by region, canton and availability. Wecasa does not disclose who employs the cleaner, which is why that field is left open.
Where does your money go? Batmaid's own figures
Batmaid is one of the few providers that publishes its cost structure in full. We take those figures as the starting point - there is no fairer basis available.
Batmaid: one cleaning hour in Zurich
Reference hour CHF 43.90
Figures from batmaid.ch/en/about-us, Zurich column, retrieved 30 July 2026. Batmaid calculates there on a CHF 43.90 reference hour; the booking price checked on 21.07.2026 was CHF 37.90 (Standard) and CHF 39.90 (Comfort). The shares show the structure, not the amount on your invoice.
Direct employment + Clino: the same hour
Zurich, 3 hrs/week
Against Batmaid Standard's booking price (CHF 37.90/hr) that is CHF 8.31 less per hour - with identical pay for your cleaner.
Calculated with Clino's payroll engine: canton of Zurich, 3 hours a week (13 hours a month), 4 weeks of holiday, simplified procedure.
In both cases the cleaner receives CHF 26.00 per hour worked. So the difference is not the wage - and it is not margin either: Batmaid reports 1.84% profit, CHF 0.81 an hour.
It comes from almost everywhere else. Private household employment is not a VAT-able service, and there is no operations and office markup, because you take on the sourcing, the scheduling and the cover yourself.
One thing does get lost: Batmaid insures loss of earnings and guarantees hours (CHF 2.51 an hour). In direct employment the statutory continued-pay rules still apply, but a daily sickness benefit policy is yours to arrange.
Why some households choose direct employment
Platforms are a great way to start. Over time, some households still move to employing their cleaner directly - usually for one of these reasons:
- •Cost over time: at 3 hours a week an agency comes to about CHF 490 a month, close to CHF 5,900 a year.
- •Same person every time: many want to build trust rather than see someone new every week.
- •More flexibility: changes through the platform are often cumbersome. Directly, you can arrange schedules freely.
- •What you are paying for: roughly a quarter of the hourly price is the agency's VAT and running costs (at Batmaid, CHF 4.00 plus CHF 6.95 out of CHF 43.90). Fair value if you want sourcing, scheduling and replacement bought in - expensive if you do all that anyway.
Worth knowing: some cleaners prefer direct employment, because it often means a higher agreed wage and a stable personal relationship. Others prefer having an agency as their employer, with steadier hours and no paperwork of their own. Ask rather than assume.
Platform or employ directly - what fits you?
Is Batmaid worth it for you? 5-question check
Platform or employ directly? Answer 5 quick questions and see what fits you.
1. How often do you need a cleaner?
2. How important is always the same person?
3. What matters more?
4. Does a bit of admin bother you if an app handles it?
5. How long do you want to employ the cleaner?
The alternative: register your cleaner yourself with Clino
The principle is simple: you find your cleaner yourself and register them properly as a domestic employee. Clino prepares all the administration:
- ✓AHV registration with the compensation office
- ✓Monthly payslips with all deductions
- ✓Accident insurance (UVG)
- ✓Employment contract under Swiss law
- ✓Year-end statement and salary certificate
- ✓Withholding tax processing (if applicable)
All for CHF 19.90/month. No commission, no hidden fees.
Where do you find a cleaner? Through personal recommendations, Facebook groups, ads on tutti.ch or similar platforms. In our guide Find a cleaner in Switzerland we show you all the options.
Agree a fair hourly wage. For reference: in Zurich, Batmaid pays CHF 26.00 gross per hour worked, including holidays, public holidays and a 13th salary. Pay CHF 24.00 plus the holiday supplement and you match that. From about CHF 25 your cleaner earns more than through the agency.
Cost comparison, done honestly
Many comparisons put the agency price next to the bare hourly wage. That is not fair: as the employer you also pay the holiday supplement and social contributions. Here is the full calculation - canton of Zurich, 3 hours a week, which is 13 hours a month.
Option 1: the same pay as at Batmaid (CHF 24.00/hr)
- •Batmaid Standard: 13 hrs × CHF 37.90 = CHF 492.70/month = CHF 5,912.40/year
- •Direct + Clino: CHF 338.00 gross wage + CHF 26.80 employer contributions + CHF 19.90 = CHF 384.70/month = CHF 4,616.40/year
- →Saving: CHF 108.00 a month = CHF 1,296.00 a year
Your cleaner receives CHF 26.00 per hour worked, exactly the same as at Batmaid in Zurich. Only the composition differs: there it is base pay plus a 13th salary, here base pay plus the holiday supplement.
Option 2: pay more (CHF 30.00/hr)
- •Batmaid Standard: 13 hrs × CHF 37.90 = CHF 492.70/month = CHF 5,912.40/year
- •Direct + Clino: CHF 422.50 gross wage + CHF 33.50 employer contributions + CHF 19.90 = CHF 475.90/month = CHF 5,710.80/year
- →Saving: CHF 16.80 a month = CHF 201.60 a year
Here your cleaner earns CHF 32.50 per hour worked instead of CHF 26.00, 25% more - and you still pay slightly less than through the agency.
The saving depends almost entirely on the wage you agree. At the same pay you save around CHF 1,300 a year. Raise the wage substantially and it becomes roughly neutral for your budget - and a clear gain for your cleaner. Both are legitimate choices.
Calculate your personal costs with our cost calculator.
How Batgroup evolved - and where Clino fits
Batmaid started in 2014/2015 as a platform connecting households with cleaning professionals. The administrative declaration of the employment relationship stayed with the household. The company is based in Pully (VD) and the platform is operated by Vanguard Internet SA, part of Batgroup SA.
In 2021, against the backdrop of COVID-19 and a broader rethink of employment conditions in the sector, the business was reorganised under Batgroup into three complementary models:
A managed cleaning service in which Batmaid is the legal employer of the cleaning professional.
A marketplace where households can find and directly employ a cleaner.
Software that allows private households to declare, insure, pay and manage their own domestic employee.
Closest to ClinoThis distinction matters when comparing Batmaid with Clino. Clino is not a direct replacement for the managed service: Batmaid also provides recruitment, employment, customer support and replacement coverage when your cleaner is unavailable.
Clino overlaps more closely with Batsoft. Both are intended for households that already have - or independently find - a cleaner and want to employ that person legally.
While researching this article, I spoke directly with a senior member of Batgroup's leadership team. The conversation clarified that Batsoft remains an active part of the group's offering rather than a discontinued legacy project. Clino and Batsoft therefore represent two different approaches to the same employment need.
Sources: Batmaid company history, Batgroup's published restructuring announcement, Batsoft product information and the Swiss commercial register (Vanguard Internet SA, Batgroup SA) - as of July 2026.
Worth knowing: putzfrau.ch also belongs to Batmaid
Many compare Batmaid with putzfrau.ch, assuming they're independent providers. In fact, putzfrau.ch's own contact page is simply headed 'Kontakt - Batmaid SA' and lists Batmaid's offices in Pully and Lugano.
Since July 2021, putzfrau.ch and Batmaid have officially worked together. So choosing 'putzfrau.ch instead of Batmaid' often means choosing the same company - with the same pricing model.
Source: putzfrau.ch/kontakt (page title 'Kontakt - Batmaid SA'), accessed June 2026.
What do Batmaid customers say? A look at Trustpilot
On Trustpilot, Batmaid scores 3.3 out of 5 from 1'812 reviews (as of 21 July 2026). Notably, Batmaid has claimed the profile but doesn't reply to reviews there.
Excellent quality of cleaning. Trustworthy and always with a smile!
We've used this company for years but the quality of the cleaning has always been very poor... I have also witnessed many cleaners staying shorter time than we have booked.
Real reviews from trustpilot.com/review/batmaid.ch, accessed 21 July 2026.
Honest comparison: platform vs direct employment
| Category | Platform | Direct + Clino |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | CHF 37.90-45/hr, all inclusive | CHF 29.60-36.60/hr all inclusive (wage, contributions, Clino) |
| Convenience | Very high | High (Clino prepares admin) |
| Same person every time | Not guaranteed | Yes |
| Replacement if absent | Yes (platform arranges replacement) | No (you need to find a replacement yourself) |
| Trust | Vetted by platform | Built by you personally |
| Flexibility | Platform rules | Freely arranged |
Platforms are ideal to start with, and when you need replacement cover and a fully managed service. Direct employment pays off long term: you pay less for the same work and decide yourself how much of it goes into the wage.
How to switch in 3 steps
Step 1: ask your cleaner
First check the terms of your platform: most include a non-solicitation clause for cleaners they introduced, sometimes with a notice period or a transfer fee. Once that is clear, ask your cleaner whether they would like to work for you directly. It has to suit both sides.
Step 2: agree on wages
Agree a fair hourly wage. For Zurich, Batmaid reports CHF 26.00 gross per hour worked (base CHF 21.40 plus holidays, public holidays and a 13th salary). From about CHF 24 plus the holiday supplement your cleaner is level, and above that better off.
Step 3: register with Clino
Create a Clino account and register your domestic worker. In just a few minutes, everything is set up. The first 30 days are free. → Start 30-day free trial
A detailed guide is available in our article Employ your cleaner directly - how it works.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Batmaid a bad service?+
No. Batmaid employs its cleaners, insures them and publishes its cost structure - that is more transparency than most providers offer. The question is not good or bad, but whether you need the managed service. If you already know your cleaner and organise sourcing and cover yourself, direct employment is cheaper.
Can I hire my Batmaid cleaner directly?+
You can ask your cleaner if they’d like to work for you directly. Many cleaners prefer direct employment because they earn more. However, check your platform’s terms regarding non-solicitation clauses.
How much does Clino cost compared to Batmaid?+
Clino costs CHF 19.90 a month as a flat rate. At Batmaid you pay CHF 37.90-39.90 an hour, of which 1.84% is profit according to their own breakdown - the rest is wage, social contributions, insurance, VAT and running costs. At 3 hours a week and the same pay, direct employment costs you about CHF 1,296 less a year.
Does Clino really prepare everything?+
Yes. Clino prepares the AHV registration, creates monthly payslips, calculates social insurance contributions, creates the employment contract, prepares the accident insurance and produces the year-end statement. How Clino works.
What if my cleaner gets sick?+
With direct employment, you’re required to continue paying wages during illness (duration depends on years of service). This is similarly regulated at platforms. Clino automatically calculates continued wage payments. More about illness and continued wages.
Is there a free trial?+
Yes, Clino offers a 30-day free trial. Cancel anytime. Then CHF 19.90/month.
Further reading
Disclaimer: Platform prices are based on publicly available information (April 2026). Prices may vary by region and availability. Clino is the publisher of this article and is therefore not neutral.
Updated 29 July 2026
