Rome Abroad vs. Au Pair World: Which Suits You Better?
Not sure the best way to meet a host family? What works well for one person might not be the right fit for you. Here’s an honest comparison of Au Pair World and Rome Abroad, so you can decide which path makes sense for your situation.
First, a disclaimer: this post is published by Rome Abroad, so of course we’re a little biased — take that into account as you read. Plenty of people find wonderful host families through Au Pair World, and it can be a great fit for au pairs who already have experience abroad and feel comfortable managing the search, screening, and paperwork on their own. For those going abroad for the first time, having an agency to guide you through the process can make a big difference.
Before we get into the comparison, here’s a real story from Sara, our Managing Director:
When I was an au pair in Italy, I had an amazing experience. I lived with a family in Pisa for six weeks, and we really liked each other — so I decided to come back the following summer for three months. I assumed things would be pretty much the same since I’d already lived with them once before. Sadly, this time around we had a lot of miscommunication. When we went to Sardinia for the summer, my pocket money suddenly stopped. I wasn’t sure what happened. When I talked to my host mom about it, she told me she wasn’t expecting to pay me while we were on “vacation.” I had been planning to save a certain amount before I came back, so that was an unpleasant surprise. I even thought about switching to another family, but when I weighed the time it would take against the uncertainty of whether a new match would be better — or worse — I decided to stick it out. It ended up being a good experience overall, but I definitely wish things had been clearer from the start. Having a set, enforceable contract with a clear number of hours and pocket money would have helped a ton.
— Sara May, Managing Director of Rome Abroad
Au Pair World vs. Rome Abroad: A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Au Pair World | Rome Abroad |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free — you just need to register. | Applying is free. Program fees vary by destination and length of stay — check current pricing when you apply. |
| Competition | High; there are many more au pairs than host families, so it can be hard to stand out. | Less of an issue — Rome Abroad pre-screens families and works to match you with one that’s a good fit. |
| Time | Be prepared to spend real time searching through families, messaging potential hosts, and starting over if a family chooses someone else. | Rome Abroad screens families ahead of time and sends you the ones that suit you best, so you spend less time messaging families who are talking to many other candidates. |
| Flexibility | Very flexible, though the number of other candidates may mean planning further ahead. | Very flexible — you can typically plan anywhere from a few weeks to well over a year in advance. |
| Contract and commitment | Au Pair World recommends having a contract with the important details spelled out, and links to official contract templates for some countries — though not every country has one. | Rome Abroad helps put together a contract so hours, schedule, free time, responsibilities, and pocket money are clear from the start. |
| Support | Au Pair World offers support via phone and email if disagreements come up. | Rome Abroad offers ongoing support, including help with travel arrangements, and asks Travelers to check in regularly so we can catch pay, hours, or wellbeing issues early. |
| Rematch / finding a new family | Au Pair World notes that thanks to its large user base, it’s generally possible to find another host family or au pair on relatively short notice, and encourages open, positive communication when disagreements happen. | If a host family isn’t meeting the responsibilities outlined in the contract, Rome Abroad steps in to help resolve it. If it’s not working out and both sides agree it’s not the right fit, we’ll help find a new match. |
| Visa/travel assistance | You’re on your own to research visa and travel details. | Rome Abroad provides guidance on things like flights and travel logistics, and gives direction on the visa process where one is needed — always confirm current requirements with the relevant embassy. |
| Cancellations / last-minute changes | Occasionally an au pair doesn’t show up on arrival day, or a family cancels last minute — which is frustrating for everyone involved. Au Pair World encourages both sides to stick to their agreement and communicate early if plans change, though there’s no formal penalty for canceling last minute. | Rome Abroad works to match you with an accepting host family well ahead of your departure date, and will help you explore other options if a family needs to cancel. See Rome Abroad’s Terms and Conditions for details on date changes and cancellations. |
| Typical stay length | Roughly one month up to two years. | Typically one to six months, with the option to extend. |
| Networking | You’ll need to make friends yourself, though your host family may help. | You can meet people through the program group chat, our team abroad, and your host family and their community. |
| Living arrangements | Varies by family; usually a private bedroom. | You have a say in your living arrangements, and you’ll get to meet your host family by video before you commit. |
| Cultural opportunities | You’re in charge of finding your own cultural experiences. | Rome Abroad shares ideas for weekend trips and excursions you can plan with other Travelers in the program, so you experience local life beyond the typical tourist path. |
What to Consider Before You Choose
Whichever route you’re weighing, ask yourself these questions:
- Cost — How much will this cost? Is there an upfront fee or installments? What’s included, and what will you pay for separately (flights, food, etc.)?
- Timing & flexibility — How far in advance do you need to plan? How long do you want to stay abroad? Are your start and end dates fixed?
- Support — What happens if you and your host family disagree? What if you need to switch families, or your dates change?
- Visas — Will you need one? How long does the process take, and do you want guidance applying?
- Living arrangements — Will you have a private room? Who will you be living with, and what are their habits like (pets, smoking, cleanliness)?
- Networking — How will you meet people — locals and fellow travelers alike?
- Cultural opportunities — What resources exist for learning the language and experiencing everyday local life, not just the tourist version?
Rome Abroad has been matching young women with host families in Italy, Spain, France, and Australia since 2015. We screen both our host families and our Travelers, because we believe travel — done thoughtfully — is one of the best ways to grow.
FAQ: Rome Abroad vs. Au Pair World
Is Au Pair World or Rome Abroad better for a first-time au pair?
It depends on how much guidance you want. Au Pair World gives you a large pool of families to search through on your own, which suits people comfortable managing the process independently. Rome Abroad pre-screens families, helps with the contract, and offers ongoing support, which tends to suit first-timers who’d rather not navigate everything alone.
Does it cost more to go through an agency like Rome Abroad?
Applying to Rome Abroad is free, and there’s a program fee once you’re accepted that varies by destination and length of stay. Au Pair World’s platform itself is free to use. Compare what’s included with each option — screening, contract support, and ongoing help — not just the sticker price.
Can I switch host families if it’s not working out?
With Au Pair World, you’d search for a new match yourself, though the large user base generally makes this workable. With Rome Abroad, if a family isn’t meeting the terms of the contract, we step in first to try to resolve it, and can help you find a new match if needed.
Do I still need to sort out my own visa?
With Au Pair World, yes — visa research is on you. Rome Abroad offers guidance on the process where a visa is required, though you should always confirm the current requirements with the relevant embassy or consulate before you travel.
Choosing between a DIY platform and a guided program is really a question of how much support you want as you take this leap — and we’d love to help you figure out if Rome Abroad is the right fit.
Part of the Rome Abroad team helping young women live and work abroad as au pairs since 2015.
