Thumbtack vs Angi for contractors
Thumbtack and Angi are the two best known places for home service pros to buy leads. They work differently, and pros have strong opinions about both. Here is how each one charges, what is documented, and what pros most often report.
How each one charges
| How it works | Thumbtack | Angi |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Pay per lead, with your own maximum price and weekly budget (reported by third parties) | Leads within a monthly budget, discounted leads in subscription packages, and fixed price jobs, per Angi's annual report |
| Membership | No membership fee reported | Pro memberships, typically annual, per Angi's annual report; third parties report around $290 to $350 a year |
| Charged if you do not win the job? | Pros are charged when the customer reaches out (per a Thumbtack moderator) | Yes; lead fees are charged regardless of whether the pro provides the service (Angi annual report) |
| Lead prices | Reported by third parties as roughly $10 to over $100 by trade and market | Reported by third parties as roughly $15 to $85, higher in competitive trades |
"Reported" means the figure comes from third party guides; the platforms themselves do not publish it. Prices change, so ask for current pricing in your trade and area.
Shared leads
On both platforms, customers can contact or be matched with several pros. Pros commonly report competing with three or more others for the same job, which makes speed of response critical.
What is on the record
- Angi: In April 2023 the FTC finalized an order requiring HomeAdvisor, now part of Angi, to pay up to $7.2 million to service providers over claims about the quality of its leads. It was a settlement, without an admission. In May 2023 the San Francisco District Attorney announced a $6.82 million settlement over HomeAdvisor's "background checked pros" advertising.
- Thumbtack: We found no regulatory actions in our research.
What pros report
As of 2 November 2026:
| Rating | Thumbtack | Angi |
|---|---|---|
| BBB | A rating, not accredited, 898 complaints in three years | A+ rating, not accredited, 1,736 complaints in three years |
| Trustpilot | 2.1 out of 5, more than 6,600 reviews | 2.0 out of 5, more than 7,000 reviews |
Common complaints from pros on both: paying for leads that never respond, and costs adding up. Angi complaints also mention annual commitments and difficulty cancelling. BBB letter grades do not include customer reviews.
Which one, if any?
- Thumbtack gives more direct control over budget and lead prices.
- Angi offers more product types, including memberships and fixed price jobs.
- Both are rented: the leads stop when you stop paying.
Many contractors use one platform to fill gaps while building a source of calls they own, from Google Maps and referrals. See HomeAdvisor and Angi alternatives and local SEO vs Local Services Ads. To see how close you are to ranking on the map, start with a free Maps audit.
Questions owners ask
Are Thumbtack and Angi leads shared with other pros?
Customers on both platforms can contact or be matched with more than one pro, and pros commonly report competing with several others for the same job. Ask each platform how many pros a lead goes to in your trade and area.
Does Angi charge if I do not get the job?
Angi's annual report says lead fees are charged regardless of whether the pro ultimately provides the requested service.
Is HomeAdvisor still separate from Angi?
HomeAdvisor is part of Angi Inc., which says it continues to operate under several brands, including Angi, Angie's List, HomeAdvisor and Handy.
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