Originally published in July 2020. Last updated on March 11, 2025.
Ever thought about using HomeAdvisor to generate new leads for your service business? It’s a popular lead generation platform many professionals use, but it’s not the only option out there.
Depending on your industry, services, customers, budget, and location, a HomeAdvisor competitor may be a better fit for your needs. Explore these alternatives to find out which tool can generate the best leads for your business so you can reach your growth goals.
Top HomeAdvisor alternatives:
What is HomeAdvisor?
HomeAdvisor is a lead generation platform service providers can use to connect with homeowners looking to book their services.
Plumbers, electricians, general contractors, HVAC technicians, and other home service professionals can use it to:
- Generate leads
- Collect reviews
- Create a business profile
Beyond generating leads, HomeAdvisor also has a booking feature so you can manage jobs within the platform.
How does HomeAdvisor work?
HomeAdvisor works on a pay-per-lead model. For each lead the platform provides, service providers pay a fee based on their location, industry, competition, and the job itself.
Pricing per lead usually ranges between $15 and $50 but can be more expensive depending on the factors above.
You’ll also have to pay a membership fee to create a business profile and be listed on HomeAdvisor’s directory. This amount also varies based on your business and service area, as well as whether you choose a standard or premium account.
If you aren’t sure whether HomeAdvisor is the right lead generation platform for you, take a look at these alternatives to find the best fit.
1. Angi
Angi and HomeAdvisor are owned by the same company but serve slightly different needs.
HomeAdvisor focuses on one-off jobs and offers no free version, whereas Angi:
- Provides both free and paid listings
- Has two different paid versions—a set monthly fee or cost-per-lead
- Supports one-time and recurring services and subscriptions, like weekly cleaning or lawn care
Like HomeAdvisor, Angi allows service providers to collect reviews, pay for additional advertising, and book jobs.
Because Angi can handle both single and recurring jobs, it works well for cleaners, handymen, painters, lawn care specialists, landscapers, roofers, movers, and renovators.
2. Thumbtack
Thumbtack is similar to HomeAdvisor in that service providers pay a fee per lead, but:
- It covers a broader range of industries, like pool cleaning, dog walking, and furniture assembly as well as standard home services like appliance repairs and pressure washing
- Contractors must bid on each lead they receive and homeowners choose the one they prefer
Thumbtack’s fees vary based on the same factors as HomeAdvisor’s, like your location and competition but usually fall anywhere between $3 and $50+.
Through Jobber’s Thumbtack integration, any leads that reach out will be entered into your CRM. Then you can send quotes, book jobs, send invoices, and receive payments all in one place, making getting leads and turning them into customers that much easier.
3. Home Depot Pro Referral
Home Depot’s Pro Referral program is a good option for service providers who frequently purchase materials and supplies at Home Depot. It’s suited for both small and large jobs as well as one-off and ongoing renovation or building projects.
Like many lead generation platforms, it connects contractors with potential customers based on a pay-per-lead model.
However, you can also earn points which can be used to purchase qualified leads by:
- Purchasing supplies, materials, and tools from Home Depot
- Receiving referrals
- Completing jobs
- Positive customer feedback
- Participating in promotions
It works best for home service providers like painters, drywallers, carpenters, remodelers, plumbers, and electricians.
4. Porch
On Porch, it’s free to get a basic listing for your service business that’s included in their directory. You can pay to access advertising and additional features, like a premium profile and lead management dashboard.
On Porch’s free version, you can still get notified about leads, but they may be less frequent and targeted than leads received through the paid version. When using the paid version, you pay a fee per lead based on your services, location, the job, and any competition.
The paid version also offers project management tools and customer reviews. Like HomeAdvisor, it works best for service providers in industries like general contracting, renovations and remodeling, plumbing, flooring, and electrical.
5. Handy
Handy is geared towards cleaners and handymen, but also works for service providers in plumbing, electrical, painting, moving, and smart home installations.
Instead of charging a fee per lead, Handy takes a percentage of each booking, which usually lands between 20% and 30%.
Unlike other lead generation platforms, Handy offers payment processing as well as online booking. But, Handy is only available in certain US cities, so be sure to check whether it will work in your area before getting started.
6. Nextdoor
Nextdoor isn’t primarily a lead generation platform. Instead, it’s a social media platform neighbors in specific communities can use to share information, ask questions, and connect.
But it does offer options service providers can use to attract new leads. The free version provides basic exposure through a business profile visible to users on the platform, including reviews.
If you pay for advertising, you can get better ad placement and increased visibility. It typically costs between $50 and $150 per month depending on competition, placement, and your target audience.
Service providers in just about any industry can use it to find local leads by advertising in specific neighborhoods.
7. ServiceWhale
ServiceWhale focuses on providing leads to service providers in home improvement industries, like HVAC technicians, landscapers, plumbers, electricians, and remodelers.
While there’s no free version, you can choose between a pay-per-lead and subscription model. The fee per lead varies but is only charged for each lead you receive.
If you have a subscription, you pay a monthly or annual fee to be listed on the platform and to receive leads.
It also comes with premium placement and access to additional features like online booking, quoting, payment processing, analytics, and reviews depending on the subscription tier you choose.
8. Houzz
Houzz targets homeowners looking for building, renovation, or remodeling projects. It works well for architects, interior designers, and general contractors.
The free version provides a basic profile that includes reviews, some exposure, lead notifications, and limited marketing tools.
The paid version offers premium placement, an enhanced profile, quoting and invoicing, project management tools, and reporting.
As well as a subscription fee, you’ll also pay per lead (around $20-$60) for any referrals sent your way.
9. Jiffy
Similar to Handy, Jiffy charges service providers a fee per job completed as opposed to a fee per lead. This prevents you from paying for leads that don’t turn into jobs, but it doesn’t offer a free version for you to try out.
Jiffy serves a variety of industries, including lawn care, moving, mold remediation, and house cleaning.
To use the platform, you’ll need to apply to become a service provider. Then undergo a screening process that includes a background check, validating credentials like licenses or certifications, and confirming insurance when applicable.
If you’re approved, you’ll have access to leads and features like invoicing, job dispatching, and payment processing.
10. Fixr
Fixr is a HomeAdvisor alternative that works best for service providers in remodeling, renovations, and home improvement.
For example, popular projects on the platform are window and solar panel installations.
There’s no free version, and like many other lead platforms, users pay a fee per lead that varies between $20 and $200+.
Aside from lead generation, it also offers review collection and quoting.
11. Bark
Bark covers a variety of home services, including builders, handymen, residential and commercial cleaners, lawn care specialists, gardeners, and more.
Unlike other platforms, Bark allows homeowners to post job requests that you can review and respond to by purchasing credits, which act as currency for leads.
There’s no free version and leads cost between $10 and $80+ depending on your location, competition, and services.
12. Networx
Networx connects homeowners with local contractors like plumbers, landscapers, roofers, and HVAC technicians.
Service providers typically pay $15-$50 per lead on the platform. You can also pay to advertise your services to increase your profile’s exposure.
It also offers project management tools for accepted jobs, like job tracking, customer management, scheduling, and invoicing.
13. BuildZoom
BuildZoom is all about building, so it works best for service providers in construction, home improvement, and renovations.
Where HomeAdvisor targets one-off jobs and smaller projects, BuildZoom is made for large and ongoing work, like building a house, renovating a commercial space, or remodeling a bathroom.
It’s free to sign up for an account, which provides you with a basic listing in their directory and allows you to receive leads.
Otherwise, you can pay-per-lead to generate more targeted and relevant leads for $20-$200 per referral, as well as a membership fee which will get you better profile placement and more exposure.
14. TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit is a popular option for one-off jobs, like mounting a TV, fixing a leaky faucet, painting a room, or assembling IKEA furniture.
Of all the lead generation platforms, its pricing is one of the most straightforward. While there’s no free version, service providers pay a one-time fee of $25 to get set up and an additional 15% of the total for each completed job.
For example, if you completed a job worth $250, TaskRabbit would take $37.50.
It’s a good option for contractors looking to fill out their schedules with one-time jobs or pick up extra work in the off-season.
READ MORE: Thumbtack vs TaskRabbit
How to choose the best lead generation platform
With so many lead generation platforms to choose from, it can be hard to commit. To figure out which one is the best fit for your service business, consider:
1. Your goals
Different lead generation platforms can work better for different businesses. For example, if you want to quickly fill a gap in your schedule, TaskRabbit is a good option. But if you’re looking for bigger or long-term jobs, Thumbtack could be a better fit.
And while lead generation platforms are a good choice for some, there are many other digital marketing tactics you can use to attract customers, from referral programs and email campaigns to online reviews and websites.
Your business goals directly impact the marketing strategies you use, so use them to help choose the right method.
2. Your budget
HomeAdvisor competitors come with a variety of price tags. Before you commit to one, review your budget and filter out the platforms that are too expensive.
For example, service providers with smaller budgets may prefer a free option, like BuildZoom, Porch, or Houzz. Or, you can put your business purchases to work at HomeDepot by using the referral points you collect to buy leads.
3. Your customers
Not all lead generations work for every industry. Some are better suited to certain services and projects than others. Take a look at different platforms to see what they work best for by evaluating whether your customers or competitors use them.
4. Your needs
Some lead generation platforms offer project management tools and payment processing while others provide straightforward lead generation. Which you choose depends on your business needs and how much support you want.
For example, if you just want to try out basic lead generation without the bells and whistles, give a simple platform like Nextdoor TaskRabbit a try. Or if you already use Jobber to handle quoting, invoicing, and payment processing, you may want to explore Thumbtack’s integration.
Whichever option you go with, make sure you take things slow and give it a test run before fully committing. That way, you can find the best option, for the best price, and generate leads that will turn into real customers.