Comparison
Deeplay vs RentAFriend: hiring a local friend in Australia
Both Deeplay and RentAFriend let you pay for platonic company — someone to show you around, share a meal or join you at an event. They work quite differently, though. This page sets out the differences fairly, so you can choose what suits you.
RentAFriend details below are taken from RentAFriend's own website, checked in November 2026. Prices and terms can change, so please check their site for the latest. Deeplay is not affiliated with RentAFriend.
Side by side
| Deeplay | RentAFriend (per its website) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | An Australian marketplace for platonic social companionship, operated by DEEPLAY PTY LTD. | A website for hiring a platonic Friend. Its terms name the operator as Rentafriend Co., with a notice address in Delaware, USA. |
| Cost to the person booking | No membership. You pay the Companion's hourly rate plus a 5% service fee, only for the bookings you make. | Browsing is free; contacting a Friend requires a paid membership — $19.99 a month or $179 a year, as listed on its support centre. |
| How rates are set | Each Companion sets their hourly rate, shown on their profile before you book. | Members message Friends to negotiate rates and finalise details. |
| How payment works | Card payment through Stripe on Deeplay. Your card is held when you book and charged only when the Companion accepts; the hold is released if they decline. | Its support centre says it accepts card payments (including Visa, Mastercard and American Express) for the membership and for hiring a Friend. |
| Cost to the Companion / Friend | Free to apply. Companions keep 85% of their rate; Deeplay's commission is 15%. | Free for Friends to join, and its terms say Friends keep 100% of the money they earn on the service. |
| Verification | Every Companion is reviewed and approved by the Deeplay team and must pass Stripe Identity government-ID verification before taking bookings. Explorers verify email and mobile. | Its terms state that it does not conduct background checks on its members (while reserving the right to do so). |
| Messaging and contact details | In-app messaging. Contact details and outside payments are blocked in chat; bookings stay on Deeplay. | Its terms state that Friends' phone numbers are available to paying members. |
| Platonic only | Yes — strictly platonic, under Deeplay's Community Standards. Not a dating app. | Yes — its terms state it is not a dating service and is for platonic friendship. |
What it is
Deeplay
An Australian marketplace for platonic social companionship, operated by DEEPLAY PTY LTD.
RentAFriend (per its website)
A website for hiring a platonic Friend. Its terms name the operator as Rentafriend Co., with a notice address in Delaware, USA.
Cost to the person booking
Deeplay
No membership. You pay the Companion's hourly rate plus a 5% service fee, only for the bookings you make.
RentAFriend (per its website)
Browsing is free; contacting a Friend requires a paid membership — $19.99 a month or $179 a year, as listed on its support centre.
How rates are set
Deeplay
Each Companion sets their hourly rate, shown on their profile before you book.
RentAFriend (per its website)
Members message Friends to negotiate rates and finalise details.
How payment works
Deeplay
Card payment through Stripe on Deeplay. Your card is held when you book and charged only when the Companion accepts; the hold is released if they decline.
RentAFriend (per its website)
Its support centre says it accepts card payments (including Visa, Mastercard and American Express) for the membership and for hiring a Friend.
Cost to the Companion / Friend
Deeplay
Free to apply. Companions keep 85% of their rate; Deeplay's commission is 15%.
RentAFriend (per its website)
Free for Friends to join, and its terms say Friends keep 100% of the money they earn on the service.
Verification
Deeplay
Every Companion is reviewed and approved by the Deeplay team and must pass Stripe Identity government-ID verification before taking bookings. Explorers verify email and mobile.
RentAFriend (per its website)
Its terms state that it does not conduct background checks on its members (while reserving the right to do so).
Messaging and contact details
Deeplay
In-app messaging. Contact details and outside payments are blocked in chat; bookings stay on Deeplay.
RentAFriend (per its website)
Its terms state that Friends' phone numbers are available to paying members.
Platonic only
Deeplay
Yes — strictly platonic, under Deeplay's Community Standards. Not a dating app.
RentAFriend (per its website)
Yes — its terms state it is not a dating service and is for platonic friendship.
RentAFriend prices are quoted exactly as shown on its support centre (article last updated November 2023).
Who each one is best for
Deeplay may suit you if…
- You are in, or visiting, an Australian city and want a local.
- You would rather pay per booking than pay a membership.
- You want ID-verified, admin-approved Companions.
- You want your card charged only once the Companion accepts.
- You prefer messaging and payment to stay on one platform.
RentAFriend may suit you if…
- You expect to contact many Friends and prefer a flat membership.
- You are happy to negotiate rates and details directly with each Friend.
Questions
Deeplay has no membership fee: you pay per booking, by card through Stripe, and you are only charged when your Companion accepts. According to RentAFriend's website (checked November 2026), contacting a Friend there requires a paid monthly or yearly membership, and members negotiate rates with Friends directly.
Yes. Every Deeplay Companion is reviewed and approved by the Deeplay team and must pass government-ID verification through Stripe Identity before they can take bookings. Explorers verify their email address and mobile number.
According to RentAFriend's Terms and Conditions (checked November 2026), RentAFriend does not conduct background checks on its members, although it reserves the right to do so.
There is no subscription. Each Companion sets their own hourly rate, shown on their profile, and Explorers pay that rate plus a 5% service fee at checkout.
No. Deeplay is strictly platonic and is not a dating app. RentAFriend's own terms also state that it is not a dating service.
Sources (checked November 2026)
- RentAFriend Support — How much does a Membership cost at RentAFriend?
- RentAFriend Support — How does RentAFriend work?
- RentAFriend Support — How can I hire a Friend?
- RentAFriend — Terms and Conditions
Deeplay details: see our FAQ, Community Standards and Terms.