App-based maids are reshaping urban households

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

House-help apps are steadily gaining ground in urban India. What once sounded like a niche tech experiment is now becoming common across major cities. Platforms such as Urban Company, Snabbit, Pronto and Broomies promise trained domestic helpers at a customer’s doorstep within minutes. With rates starting around Rs 100 per hour and, during promotional offers, even lower for short visits, these services are challenging the long-standing system of full-time or part-time household maids.

Across Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad, especially among dual-income families, residents are increasingly opting for app-based help for cleaning, dishwashing, laundry, ironing, deep cleaning and even basic kitchen preparation. The appeal lies in convenience and flexibility. Instead of negotiating monthly salaries and managing long-term commitments, users can book help on demand through a mobile app with clear pricing displayed upfront.

The process is simple. Users download the app, choose the required service, enter their address and preferred time, and confirm payment. Helpers arrive on schedule, often in uniform and equipped with the necessary tools for surface cleaning, bathroom sanitization or post-party clean-ups. Payments are made hourly, with no advance salaries or binding contracts.

The rapid growth of these platforms is driven by changing urban lifestyles. Professionals balancing demanding work schedules often find traditional hiring time-consuming, involving interviews, reference checks and negotiations. App-based services also cater to urgent needs, such as when a regular maid is absent or when deep cleaning is required before guests arrive.

Beyond sweeping and mopping, many platforms offer additional services like wardrobe organization, ironing and specialized cleaning tasks. Technology has also introduced a layer of trust. Many platforms conduct background verification, provide basic training and ensure identity checks. Some even offer insurance coverage for minor workplace risks, which reassures families inviting service providers into their homes.

While quick-help apps have not completely replaced live-in or daily maids, they have created a complementary system. For many urban Indians, the focus is no longer on replacement but on coexistence, improved standards and the gradual transformation of domestic work in the digital era.