Originally published in December 2021. Last updated on December 12, 2024.
If you’ve looked into lead generation platforms for your service business, then you’ve probably heard of Thumbtack. And while it’s a great option, it’s not the only tool on the market.
Finding the right lead generation platform for your industry, services, and customers is key to getting the best return on investment and attracting high-quality leads.
Take a look at these Thumbtack competitors to see which one may work best for your business so you can start winning more jobs.
Try one of these Thumbtack alternatives:
What is Thumbtack?
Thumbtack is a lead generation platform that helps home service businesses attract new customers and win more jobs.
It works well for contractors who offer home services, like cleaners, painters, electricians, and carpenters.
READ MORE: Thumbtack for contractors: A complete guide to the lead generation platform
1. Taskrabbit
Taskrabbit is a lead generation platform that most customers use for one-off jobs, like mounting a TV or assembling a piece of furniture. It serves a wide range of industries, from dog walking and wedding photography to HVAC and plumbing.
Who should use it?
Taskrabbit is best for handymen or other contractors who offer single services, like installing a dishwasher or painting a room. It can be a good option if you’re looking to make some extra money during the off-season or you’re just starting out and want to generate revenue to grow.
How does pricing work?
To become a Tasker, you pay a one-time $25 fee. There’s no charge to generate leads.
How do I sign up?
- Create your account
- Build your profile by adding your service area, industry, and what you offer
- Submit any required business certifications or proof of experience
READ MORE: Thumbtack vs. TaskRabbit: Which lead generation service is right for you?
2. Angi, HomeAdvisor, and Handy
HomeAdvisor (now Angi Leads), Handy, and Angi (previously Angi Ads) are all part of Angi Pro. They work together to connect homeowners with professional contractors in various industries, including electrical, general contracting, and roofing.
For example, with Angi Ads, you pay to advertise your business to potential clients by promoting your listing. Angi Leads sends you prospective customers who match your profile and services. Handy acts as a separate platform that chooses service providers for customers, sets contractor rates, and facilitates payments.?
Who should use it?
Angi Pro can be used for both one-off and ongoing home service jobs, like remodeling a bathroom or replacing a broken window. Both new and established businesses can use the platform to gain exposure and bring in new work.
Handy is specifically geared toward cleaning, moving, and handyman services. It’s also a more robust platform that handles matching customers with service providers, rates, and payments, and places less focus on advertising or promotion.
How does pricing work?
Angi Pro works on a cost-per-lead model, and how much you pay depends on the job, your location, type of services required. While costs vary greatly, you only pay for leads you respond to.
How do I sign up?
- Create an account on Angi Pro
- Fill out your business details, like your business name, services, and industry
- Complete a background check and provide any required certification
READ MORE: Angi vs. HomeAdvisor
3. Porch
Porch is a Thumbtack competitor geared toward home improvement jobs, like renovations and remodels as well as lawn care and landscaping.
Who should use it?
Porch is best for contractors looking to take on larger home projects instead of one-off jobs.
How does pricing work?
Porch’s pricing is typically based on the cost of the job. Contractors pay Porch a commission for bringing in a lead, which can vary based on the size of the project.
How do I sign up?
- Sign up for a Porch account
- Add your business information
- List your services
- Complete any verification requirements, like providing your business license, proof of insurance, or a background check
4. Pro Referral
Pro Referral is a lead generation service offered through Home Depot. It connects contractors with homeowners looking for home improvement services, like electrical, plumbing, and general contracting.
Who should use it?
Pro Referral is a good option for home improvement professionals who purchase materials and supplies at HomeDepot, like lawn care specialists, landscapers, painters, and fence contractors.
How does pricing work?
Like other lead generation platforms, there’s no cost to join, but you will have to pay for the leads you acquire. The price per lead is based on the job, your location, and the services you offer.
For every Home Depot purchase, you’ll earn points which can be used to purchase leads.
How do I sign up?
- Create a Pro Referral account
- Fill out your business details
- Provide any required certifications
5. Houzz
Houzz focuses on home renovations, remodels, and design. It caters to contractors looking for high-end and custom projects.
Who should use it?
Houzz works best for general contractors, architects, and home designers.
How does pricing work?
Houzz charges subscription fees based on the type of advertising service providers want. Costs vary based on the services you offer and the level of exposure you choose.
How do I sign up?
- Create a free account
- Choose a subscription plan
- Complete any required background checks and provide proof of certification if you have it, like if you’re a Certified Remodeler
6. Yelp
Yelp is a review platform that offers lead generation through business profiles and paid advertising. It works well for generating new leads through positive customer feedback from happy clients.
Who should use it?
Yelp is a good starting point for any service business as it can centralize reviews and develop your online presence.
How does pricing work?
Creating a profile on Yelp is free, but you can also invest in paid advertisements that work based on a pay-per-click model. Costs vary but you pay to increase visibility for your ad based on terms or phrases a potential customer searches for, like “handyman in Dallas” or “dryer repair in my city”.
You’re only charged if a customer clicks on your listing.
How do I sign up?
- Claim your business listing
- Fill out a profile with business information and photos
- Ask for reviews from happy customers
- Choose whether you want to pay for ads
7. ServiceWhale
Using ServiceWhale, homeowners request estimates for services like roofing, plumbing, and HVAC repairs. Then, contractors submit quotes based on the information provided.
Who should use it?
ServiceWhale works best for service providers who rely on quotes to win jobs.
How does pricing work?
ServiceWhale charges contractors a fee per lead, similar to other Thumbtack competitors. It’s based on the job and location.
How do I sign up?
Unlike other lead generation platforms, you can’t simply sign up for ServiceWhale. Instead, you have to request a demo and decide whether it would work for your business and budget.
8. LawnStarter
LawnStarter is a lead generation platform that connects homeowners with lawn care and landscaping services.
Who should use it?
LawnStarter is specific to lawn care contractors things like mowing, trimming, tree pruning, yard design, weeding, fertilizer applications, etc.
How does pricing work?
LawnStarter charges a commission for each job completed through the platform.
How do I sign up?
- Join for free
- Set up your business profile
- Provide any additional documentation
9. BuildZoom
BuildZoom helps homeowners find licensed service providers for large-scale home construction projects, remodels, and renovations.
Who should use it?
BuildZoom is ideal for licensed contractors who specialize in building, renovating, and remodeling homes.
How does pricing work?
BuildZoom works on a pay-per-lead model. That means you don’t pay for customers who view or click on your ad. You only pay for the ones that submit a detailed request for a quote or show interest in hiring you for a specific job.
How do I sign up?
- Create an account
- Add your business information
- Complete any necessary verification
10. Bark
Bark is a Thumbtack competitor similar to Taskrabbit in that it covers a variety of industries and services. It works for both one-off and recurring jobs.
Who should use it?
Any home service providers looking to generate more leads and grow their business.
How does pricing work?
Bark charges contractors per lead based on the type of work and how urgent the job is.
How do I sign up?
- Join as a professional
- Complete your business profile
11. Fixr
Fixr helps contractors from a variety of industries connect with homeowners who need jobs done. It works particularly well for contractors who need to provide estimates for their work.
Who should use it?
Fixr works well for contractors in home improvement, like remodeling, repairs, and construction as it’s focused on developing and managing estimates.
How does pricing work?
Fixr offers both free and paid plans. You can create a business listing for free or use the paid version to advertise your services and access their lead generation tools and advanced quoting features.
How do I sign up?
- Register your company
- Fill out a profile
- Provide any necessary verification, like your business license, proof of insurance, and any trade-specific certifications like a Journeyman Electrician License
12. Contractor Connection
Contractor Connection is a lead generation platform that helps contractors connect with homeowners looking for home repairs, remodeling, or disaster restoration.
Who should use it?
Contractor Connection works best for contractors who are looking to partner with insurance companies. For example, contractors who specialize in mold removal, repairing water or fire damage, or restoration after major storms.
How does pricing work?
There’s no fee to join, but contractors pay a referral fee for each lead they receive.
How do I sign up?
13. Nextdoor
Nextdoor is more of a networking platform neighbors can use to communicate and connect, but it does provide opportunities for contractors to find local leads through paid advertisements and business listings.
Who should use it?
Home service providers looking to generate local leads for things like lawn care, plumbing, painting, fence installations, cleaning, landscaping, pressure washing, and more.
How does pricing work?
Nextdoor offers a free business plan, but you can also pay for premium ads or neighborhood sponsorships.
How do I sign up?
- Claim your business page
- Complete your business listing
14. HomeStars
HomeStars is another Angi-owned lead generation platform, but this one is only for Canadian contractors. It connects homeowners with contractors in many different industries, including cleaning, plumbing, painting, and renovation services.
Who should use it?
Canadian service providers who want to generate local leads and get verified reviews to boost their online presence.
How does pricing work?
HomeStars offers both free and paid listings to contractors. Paid accounts offer lead generation tools like review management and lead alerts for customers in your area who are searching for your services. They also offer premium features such as a featured profile, verified business badge, and business insights and reporting.
How do I sign up?
How Thumbtack stacks up to its competitors
Thumbtack is a lead generation platform that helps home service providers get more leads to grow their business.
Who should use it?
Home service providers in a variety of industries can use Thumbtack to bring in new business. It works for both small and large projects as well as one-off and recurring jobs.
Thumbtack is also the only lead generation platform that integrates with Jobber, allowing you to seamlessly manage new leads in your field service management software.
How does pricing work?
It’s free to create a Thumbtack account, but you will be charged for each lead you receive.
As you use Thumbtack, you can gain badges like “Resonds Quickly” or “In High Demand” that enhance your profile and help you generate more leads.
How to pick the best lead generation platform for your business
When it comes to choosing a lead generation platform for your business, the options are endless. And with so many tools to choose from, it can be hard to know which one will work best for you.
Follow these steps to figure out which one is best suited to your industry, goals, and budget.
1. Do your research
Before choosing a lead generation platform, look into each option to find out:
- How much will you be paying for leads or subscriptions?
- Do my potential customers use this platform?
- Are there any other hidden fees, like cancellation fees?
- What does the competition look like in your area and industry?
- How does your pricing compare to the competition?
- What other services or features does the platform offer that would benefit your business?
Consider your budget, how you want to grow and scale, and your target customers to help narrow down your options.
2. Review each platform as a customer
Get a better understanding of your competition by searching service providers on the customer side of each platform.
This will help you see how much competition exists within your industry, and how your business, your services, and your prices stack up.
It will also show you what potential customers will experience using the platform so you can decide whether it aligns with your customer experience goals. For example, if it loads slowly, takes you to a broken page, or is filled with irrelevant ads, that may not be an indication it doesn’t prioritize customers.
3. Test them out
If the lead generation site is free, runs on a pay-per-lead basis, or offers a free trial period, test the waters before you make a major investment.
Keep detailed notes on the leads you receive and the profit they bring to your business.
Then, after you have enough data, choose the platform that works best for your business. Either because it brings in the most leads, costs the least amount of money, or integrates with your existing CRM to seamlessly guide new leads through the funnel.