🛡️ Swimply vs. Pool Rental Near Me: Why Hosts Are Switching to the Safety-First, Host-First Platform
Founded by OSHA Safety Expert Derek Bowen | 0 Drownings Across 50,000+ Supervised Experiences | Hosts Earn $3,000-8,000 More Per Season
Legal Disclaimer & Trademark Notice:
Swimply® is a registered trademark of its respective owner. Pool Rental Near Me is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Swimply. This comparison is based on publicly available information, host testimonials collected between October 2024 and January 2025, and our own research. We encourage readers to verify all claims independently and review the terms of service of any platform before making decisions.
Earnings Disclaimer:
Income examples and projections on this page represent experiences of top-performing hosts in high-demand markets and are not typical results. Your actual earnings will vary significantly based on location, pool features, availability, local demand, pricing strategy, marketing effort, seasonality, and numerous other factors. Most hosts earn less than the amounts shown. Pool Rental Near Me makes no guarantee of specific earnings. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Safety Disclaimer:
While Pool Rental Near Me has maintained a perfect safety record with zero drowning incidents across thousands of supervised experiences through January 2025, all water activities carry inherent risks. Hosts and guests are solely responsible for following all safety protocols, supervising children at all times, complying with local laws and regulations, and using common sense. Pool Rental Near Me provides educational resources and safety tools but cannot guarantee accident-free experiences. Always prioritize safety over convenience.
🛡️ Swimply Alternative: Why Safety-Conscious Hosts Choose Pool Rental Near Me
Founded by OSHA Safety Expert Derek Bowen | The "Zero Drowning" Mission | You Keep 90% of Your Earnings
The View From The Cab: Why I Built This Swimply Alternative
I'm writing this from experience—real, hard-earned experience that didn't come from a Silicon Valley boardroom.
My name is Derek Bowen, and I built Pool Rental Near Me—the safer, fairer Swimply alternative—from the cab of a semi-truck.
Yeah, you read that right. While driving cross-country routes, I'd spend my downtime researching drowning prevention statistics, studying OSHA safety protocols, and talking to pool owners who felt trapped by platforms that treated them like ATMs instead of partners.
I wasn't some tech entrepreneur with venture capital. I was a working guy with OSHA safety certifications who'd seen too many preventable tragedies and knew there had to be a better way.
What I Saw That Made Me Act
During those long drives, I analyzed apps like Swimply. What I found disturbed me:
- Platforms prioritizing booking volume over guest safety.
- Hosts paying 20% commissions (up from 15%) with no explanation.
- Forced discount coupons slashing host earnings by another 20-40%.
- Minimal safety training—just a basic FAQ.
- Support that consisted of automated emails and 7-10 day wait times.
- Hosts feeling like commodities, not valued partners.
I kept thinking: "What if someone built a Swimply alternative that actually gave a damn about hosts AND safety?"
The Vision That Became Pool Rental Near Me
I wanted to create something different:
- A platform where hosts keep 90% of their earnings (not the 70-80% common on Swimply).
- Where safety isn't an afterthought—it's the foundation.
- Where you can actually when you need help.
- Where your pricing is YOUR decision, not an algorithm's.
- Where hosts are partners in a mission, not just revenue sources.
The Mission: Zero Drownings. Real Community Impact.
I didn't want to build just another booking platform. I wanted to build a life-saving infrastructure project disguised as a business.
Every unused backyard pool is a missed opportunity:
- A family that can't afford swim lessons goes without.
- Kids swim in unsupervised rivers and lakes instead.
- Communities lack safe, accessible aquatic spaces.
- Preventable drownings continue to rise.
What if we could change that? What if every backyard pool became a community safety asset?
Our Track Record (As of January 2025)
- 🛡️ 0 drowning incidents across thousands of supervised pool experiences.
- 💰 Over $800,000 paid directly to our host community.
- 🏆 150+ safety-certified hosts operating with confidence.
- 🌍 Thousands of families gained access to safe swimming environments.
- 📚 60+ free safety courses developed with OSHA principles.
- ⭐ 4.8/5 host satisfaction rating based on verified reviews.
This isn't luck. This is what happens when you prioritize people over profit margins.
Why I'm Writing This Comparison
Hosts contact me every week—frustrated, exhausted, feeling trapped by their Swimply experience. They tell me:
- "Swimply raised my commission to 20% without asking."
- "They sent a 30% off coupon to my guest and I lost $120."
- "I've been waiting 12 days for support to respond about a payout issue."
- "I had a safety concern and there was no one to call."
If that's you, I wrote this for you. I'm going to show you—with transparency and documentation—exactly how Pool Rental Near Me operates as the superior Swimply alternative. Not because I want to trash competitors, but because you deserve to know your options.
You work too hard to give away 30% of your earnings to a faceless corporation that doesn't answer the phone.
🚀 Join the Host-First, Safety-First Platform →
📖 Read Derek's Book: The Backyard Entrepreneur →
Meet The Real Team (No Chatbots Here)
You're not dealing with a faceless corporation. Unlike Swimply, where you never know who makes the decisions, here is exactly who runs this platform—and how to reach us directly.
👤 Derek Bowen – Founder & CEO The Safety Architect
With my OSHA safety certifications and 15+ years in risk management, I design the safety protocols that keep your pool secure. I personally handle major host concerns because the buck stops with me. I wrote two books to help hosts succeed: The Backyard Entrepreneur and Pool Host Riches. 📧 derek@poolrentalnearme.com | 📞 866-420-3702
👤 Brandon Elias – Chief Operations Officer The Problem Solver
When you have a payout question or a booking issue, you're not talking to a chatbot. You're likely talking to Brandon or his team. He ensures operations run smoothly so you get paid on time, every time. Brandon oversees our host onboarding and safety workflows. 📧 brandon@poolrentalnearme.com
👤 Matthew Ryan – Director of Technology The Builder
Matthew ensures that when your neighbors search for a pool, YOUR listing shows up. He focuses on local SEO and platform stability, ensuring technology serves safety, not just transactions. He handles our programmatic SEO and data security. 📧 matthew@poolrentalnearme.com
👤 Kelly Anderson – Business Development Manager The Growth Strategist
Kelly helps hosts optimize their listings, pricing strategies, and marketing to maximize bookings without compromising safety. She is an expert in content marketing. 📧 kelly@poolrentalnearme.com
👤 Jephone Nesnia – International Director The Global Connector
Jephone leads our expansion efforts, adapting the safety-first model to communities worldwide while maintaining rigorous safety standards. 📧 jephone@poolrentalnearme.com
👤 Janice Petallo – Design & Content Director The Educator
Janice creates the educational materials, safety content, and visual experiences that make Pool Rental Near Me the most trusted platform in the industry. She designs our host training courses. 📧 janice@poolrentalnearme.com
Why This Transparency Matters: Unlike Swimply, where you are just a Ticket ID number, you know exactly who runs Pool Rental Near Me. We're real people in Riverside, California, building a real mission: Zero drownings.
📧 Email Support: support@poolrentalnearme.com
The PoolSafe Protocol™ (Why We Have 0 Drownings)
"We don't just 'hope' for safety. We engineer it." — Derek Bowen
Safety Disclaimer: While we have a perfect record through Jan 2025, water is always risky. This protocol gives you the tools, but you are responsible for using them. Always supervise children.
The Only "Zero-Drowning" Track Record in the Industry
Thousands of swims. Zero tragedies. That’s not luck. That’s the PoolSafe Protocol™. When I designed this system using my OSHA background, I knew we had to go beyond the simple checklists you find on Swimply. We needed a culture of drowning prevention.
🛡️ PHASE 1: Before They Arrive
Safety starts before the booking is even confirmed. Through our system, we emphasize swim skill transparency, ensuring you know who is coming to your home. We require hosts to verify they have essential equipment like life rings and first aid kits. We also help you build an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) so you are never caught off guard. If there is bad weather, we support you in rescheduling because preventing slip and falls is more important than a single booking fee. Swimply doesn't require this safety step, but we do.
Free Training Resources:
🏊 PHASE 2: While They Swim
During the rental, vigilance is key. We advocate for a designated water watcher—an adult whose only job is to watch the water, not their phone. We provide training on drowning response and CPR basics so you know exactly what to do in the critical moments. Unlike Swimply, which leaves you guessing, we provide real-time support if you spot unsafe behavior.
Free Training Resources:
📋 PHASE 3: After They Leave
Safety is a continuous loop. We encourage reporting of "near-misses" so we can improve our safety guidelines. We track host compliance and offer advanced certifications for those who want to be top-tier safety partners. This data helps us update our accident prevention strategies constantly.
The Bottom Line:
Swimply: Usually offers a basic FAQ and focuses on getting the booking confirmed. Us: We invested heavily in safety education. You don't just get a listing; you get a safety system.
🛡️ Host Safely. Sleep Soundly. Start Here →
🎓 Get Certified for Free in Our Academy →
Legal Protection: How We Beat Swimply's Insurance Coverage
"Liability. Taxes. Zoning. It’s scary stuff. We break it down so you can handle it." — Derek Bowen
Legal Disclaimer: We aren't lawyers. This is education, not legal advice. Always check with a local attorney.
🛡️ Insurance That Actually Protects You
Swimply typically offers a $1 Million protection guarantee. We provide $2 Million General Liability Insurance. This covers third-party bodily injury and property damage expenses. We believe in robust host protection because a single incident can be costly. You can read the full details and compare our coverage to Swimply's $1M policy in our guide.
📋 Waivers & Documents
A waiver isn't just a piece of paper; it's your first line of defense. We've built a system for digital waivers that integrates right into the booking flow. We also provide legal document templates and teach you how to create enforceable waivers. Understanding your legal duties is crucial for long-term success.
💰 Taxes & Deductions
Yes, you have to pay taxes on this income. But you also get huge deductions. You can write off chemicals, repairs, insurance premiums, and even a portion of your utilities. We provide tools to help you with tax deduction tracking and understanding tax implications. Many hosts also choose to form an LLC for added protection.
🏘️ Dealing with the City & HOAs
Every city is different. We help you navigate local regulations, zoning permits, and HOA rules. Whether it's noise ordinances or permit requirements, our regulatory compliance course has you covered.
🏛️ Get Access to the Full Legal Library →
🎓 Take the Insurance & Legal Essentials Course →
Swimply Fees vs. Our 10% Commission (The Real Math)
Earnings Disclaimer: These numbers are examples from top hosts. Your earnings will vary based on your pool, location, and effort.
You do the cleaning. You buy the chlorine. You take the risk. You should keep the money. When I looked at the pricing models of Swimply, I saw hosts losing huge chunks of their revenue. That didn't sit right with me.
🆚 The Breakdown
The Swimply Model (What Hosts Report):
- 📉 20% Commission: Many hosts report Swimply fees have jumped to 20% or more.
- 📉 Guest Fees: They charge your guests an extra 10-15%, making your pool look expensive.
- 📉 The "Forced" Sale: Hosts frequently report that Swimply applies 20-30% off coupons to guests without the host's permission. You lose money on the discount and pay commission on the lower rate.
Pool Rental Near Me:
- 💰 10% Commission: Flat. Simple.
- 💰 Your Price is Your Price: We never discount your pool without your permission. You control your revenue management.
- 💰 The Result: On a $400 party, you calculate your earnings vs Swimply and see you keep significantly more cash.
We believe in helping you make money renting your pool without gouging you. Whether you are running a seasonal business or a year-round operation, that 10% difference adds up fast.
💸 Stop Paying 20% Fees – Switch to Pool Rental Near Me →
📈 Learn Dynamic Pricing Strategies →
The "Post-Holiday" Debt Plan
The holidays are over, but the credit card bills are just arriving. Here is a real strategy our hosts use to wipe out that debt in 90 days. We've seen hosts in high-demand markets use this exact plan.
Earnings Disclaimer: Examples only. Results vary based on location and demand.
Month 1: The Weekend Warrior
- Plan: Host just 2 bookings a weekend (8 total).
- Avg Booking: $350.
- Your Take: ~$2,520.
- Result: That wipes out the average American's holiday debt. You can optimize this by upselling amenities.
Month 2: Building Momentum
- Plan: Add Friday nights. 10 bookings total.
- Your Take: ~$3,150.
- Result: Now you're building an emergency fund. Use our marketing guides to fill those Friday slots.
Month 3: Pure Profit
- Plan: Peak season prep. 12 bookings.
- Your Take: ~$3,780.
- Result: That's vacation money. Ensure your listing photography is top-notch to command these rates.
90-Day Total: ~$9,450 (Give or take). Because our fees are lower than Swimply, that money stays in your bank account, not ours. You can track all of this in your host dashboard.
🚀 Start Your Debt Payoff Plan Today →
📱 Download the App & Start Earning (iOS) →
Refund Policy: Swimply's "No" vs. Our Fair Approach
"The most dangerous word in business is 'No'." — Derek Bowen
The Trust Factor
Swimply and other platforms are famous for strict "No Refund" policies. It sounds good for hosts in the short term, but here is what actually happens:
- Guest has a legit issue (rain, safety concern).
- Platform says "No Refund."
- Guest gets angry, leaves a 1-star review, and never comes back.
- You lose future bookings.
Our Approach: We believe in Fair Refunds. If it rains? Reschedule or refund. If there's a safety issue? We fix it. We teach conflict resolution and how to handle difficult scenarios.
- The Result: Guests trust us. They trust you.
- The Stat: Hosts with fair refund policies earn more annually because guests come back. This builds long-term trust.
🤝 Build a Business Based on Trust →
📚 Learn Guest Communication Skills →
Flexible Scheduling (Because Life Happens)
"We don't punish you for having a life." — Brandon Elias, COO
The Swimply Approach:
- Maximize bookings at all costs.
- Strict algorithms that penalize you for cancelling, even if it's an emergency.
- Robotic responses when you need help.
The Pool Rental Near Me Way:
- Emergency Cancellation: Kid sick? Pool pump broke? We get it. We help you reschedule guests without tanking your ranking.
- Human Support: Call us. We'll handle the angry guest so you don't have to. You can rely on our community guidelines for support.
The Stat: Our host retention is high because we treat people like humans. We provide host resources to help you manage your calendar effectively.
📱 Manage Your Schedule From Anywhere (Android) →
Support Comparison: Try Calling Swimply vs. Calling Us
"Try finding a phone number for Swimply. I'll wait." — Derek Bowen
When you call 866-420-3702, you aren't routed to a call center overseas. You're calling Riverside, California. We believe in accessible host support.
- Need Payout Help? Brandon fixes it. Check our payments help.
- Tech Issue? Matthew handles it.
- Safety Question? Derek answers it. Visit our safety hub.
We put our direct emails on the site because we have nothing to hide. We are committed to trust and safety in every interaction. Unlike Swimply, which relies heavily on email tickets, we are here to talk.
📧 Email Support: support@poolrentalnearme.com
Swimply vs. Pool Rental Near Me: The Head-to-Head Comparison
Here is the cheat sheet. When you compare the features, the choice for safety-conscious hosts becomes clear.
1. Fees
- ❌ Swimply: Reports of 20% host commission + Guest Fees.
- ✅ Us: Flat 10% Commission. (You keep 90%). See our earnings potential.
2. Control
- ❌ Swimply: Often forces discounts on your listing.
- ✅ Us: You set the price. Always. Learn about pricing control.
3. Support
- ❌ Swimply: Email tickets & chatbots.
- ✅ Us: Phone, Email, Real Humans. Visit our help center.
4. Insurance
- ❌ Swimply: Typically $1 Million.
- ✅ Us: $2 Million Liability Coverage. Read our insurance guide.
5. Refunds
- ❌ Swimply: "No Refunds" (leads to bad reviews).
- ✅ Us: Fair Refunds (leads to repeat customers). Learn about guest satisfaction.
🚀 Switch to the Host-First Platform →
Local SEO: Why We Rank You Higher Than Swimply
"You aren't competing with the whole city. You're the King of your cul-de-sac." — Matthew Ryan, Tech Director
The Visibility Problem on Swimply: On Swimply, if you live in a suburb, you get dumped into a massive bucket like "Dallas" or "Phoenix." You compete with 800 other pools.
Our Fix: We build specific pages for your town. We use a programmatic SEO strategy to ensure you rank locally.
- When a neighbor searches "Pool Rental in [Your Suburb]," we aim to show up #1.
- Why it matters: You get bookings from neighbors 5 minutes away, not tourists 45 minutes away. Neighbors become regulars.
Check Out Our Local Pages:
📈 Learn SEO for Your Listing →
4 Steps to Your First Booking
Ready? It takes about 15 minutes to get started on the safest platform.
- Create Your Listing: Use our AI tool to write the description for you. Upload photos. Set your price. See our listing guide.
- Get Safety Certified: Take the free Pool Safety Course. It's essential and mandatory for approval.
- Download the App: iOS | Android. Manage everything from your phone.
- Go Live: Accept your first booking and start earning. Read our getting started hub for tips.
FAQ: Questions About Switching from Swimply
Is Pool Rental Near Me cheaper for hosts than Swimply? Yes. While Swimply hosts often report paying 20% or more in commissions, we charge a flat 10% commission to hosts. We run a lean, efficient operation so we don't have to gouge our partners. Check out our host guarantees.
Can I list my pool on both Swimply and Pool Rental Near Me? Absolutely! We encourage "Dual Listing." You can keep your Swimply listing to catch tourist traffic, but use Pool Rental Near Me to build a loyal base of local neighbors who appreciate the lower fees and safety focus.
Does Swimply have a phone number for hosts? Most hosts report difficulty finding a direct line for Swimply support. In contrast, Pool Rental Near Me has a direct support line (866-420-3702) that is answered by real humans in California. You can also reach us via our contact page.
What is the difference in insurance coverage? Swimply typically offers a $1 Million protection guarantee. Pool Rental Near Me provides a $2 Million General Liability Insurance policy for every booking. This offers significantly more protection against third-party bodily injury and property damage claims. Read more here.
How do I get paid compared to Swimply? We initiate direct deposits 24-48 hours after a booking concludes. Learn more about payouts.
What if I am in a small town? Our local SEO strategy is designed exactly for you. Unlike Swimply, we build pages for specific towns so your neighbors can find you easily. See our location list.
Can I decline bookings I'm not comfortable with? Yes. You review every booking request, see guest profiles and ratings, and can decline any booking for any reason—no questions asked, no penalties. You have complete control. See our responsible hosting guide.
🚀 Ready to try the best Swimply alternative? Create your free listing →
Final Thoughts: Join The Mission
Every day a pool sits unused, a family loses access to safe swimming. Every day a child drowns in an unsupervised environment, a community loses a future. Every day a host struggles with Swimply's fees and lack of support, potential is wasted.
This is why I founded Pool Rental Near Me.
Not to build another booking platform. Not to compete on price alone. Not to maximize corporate profits.
To save lives. To empower communities. To support hosts who want to make a difference.
When you join Pool Rental Near Me, you're not just listing a pool. You're:
- ✅ Providing safe swimming access to families who need it.
- ✅ Creating a supervised alternative to dangerous unsupervised swimming.
- ✅ Building a profitable business with purpose.
- ✅ Joining a mission to achieve zero drowning incidents.
- ✅ Becoming part of a community that values safety, support, and success.
The question isn't whether you should host your pool. The question is: How many lives will your pool help protect this year?
Join us. Let's build a safer, more connected world—one backyard pool at a time.
— Derek Bowen Founder & CEO, Pool Rental Near Me derek@poolrentalnearme.com | 866-420-3702
🚀 Join Derek's Mission – Create Your Free Listing →
📖 Read Derek's Books on Amazon →
📱 Download the App & Start Today (iOS) →
🎓 Explore Our Free Training Academy →
📧 Email the Team: support@poolrentalnearme.com
🛡️ Learn About Our Zero Drowning Mission →
📞 Contact Pool Rental Near Me
- Phone: 866-420-3702 (10am - 5pm PST)
- Email: support@poolrentalnearme.com
- Address: Riverside, CA 92509
👥 Leadership Team:
- Derek Bowen, Founder & CEO: derek@poolrentalnearme.com
- Brandon Elias, COO: brandon@poolrentalnearme.com
- Matthew Ryan, Director of Technology: matthew@poolrentalnearme.com
- Kelly Anderson, Business Development: kelly@poolrentalnearme.com
📚 Essential Resources:
- E-Learning Academy (60+ Free Courses)
- Help Center
- Safety First Hub
- Getting Started Guide
- All Locations
📱 Download Our App:
📖 Derek's Published Books:
🌐 Connect With Us:
© 2025 Pool Rental Near Me LLC | Riverside, CA 92509 Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
Become a Pool Rental Near Me preferred host