Thumbtack vs Angi leads: which one is better for your trade?
Both sell you a homeowner’s request, and both send that request to other contractors too. They differ in how the price is set, how much control you have over spend, and what happens when a lead turns out to be junk.
By the HelloSetter team · Updated · 7 min read
How Thumbtack and Angi charge for leads
On Angi Leads (the old HomeAdvisor) you pay a fee for each lead you match to, and bigger jobs carry bigger fees. Angi sends each request to several pros. On Thumbtack, you auto-pay the price set for a lead when a customer contacts you or their request matches your job preferences. With both, you pay at the moment of connection, and a homeowner who never answers still costs you the lead.
| Thumbtack | Angi Leads | |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Per lead, at the price set for that service | Per matched lead, fee varies with job size |
| Monthly fee | None | None on Angi Leads; Angi Ads is a separate monthly product |
| Spend control | Price per service plus a weekly budget | Lead types, ZIP codes and pausing |
| Cheaper option | Opportunities: you pay only if they reply | None listed |
| Bad leads | Refund requests; staff mention a 72-hour automatic refund | Written credit rules, 45-day and 24-hour conditions |
| Pros per lead | Several (the customer compares) | 3 to 5 reported for most trades |
Thumbtack vs Angi lead prices by trade
Neither site posts prices, so these are the ranges a 2026 lead marketplace breakdown reports. They are close enough that price alone rarely decides it.
| Trade | Thumbtack, per lead | Angi, per lead |
|---|---|---|
| Minor plumbing | $15 to $25 | $15 to $40 |
| Electrical | $15 to $35 | $15 to $35 |
| HVAC | $25 to $45 | $20 to $50 |
| Roofing | $35 to $70 | $25 to $60 |
| Kitchen remodel | $50 to $100 | $50 to $100+ |
The details of each are in our Thumbtack lead cost and Angi leads cost guides.
Which gives you more control over spend
Thumbtack does. You set a lead price per service and a weekly budget; once it is spent, leads stop until Monday. You can also pause Thumbtack leads when the schedule is full, and try Opportunities, which cost nothing unless the customer writes back. On Angi Leads your levers are the lead types you accept, your ZIP codes and pausing. Angi Ads works differently again: monthly spend, which Jobber reports averages about $300, on a one-year contract.
What happens when a lead is bad
Angi’s lead credit article lists what it will consider: wrong contact details, a project outside your ZIP codes or services, a duplicate charge within 45 days, or a charge while you were paused. The lead must be under 45 days old and you should have tried to call within 24 hours. Annual subscribers can report a lead but don’t get credits.
Thumbtack is less specific in public. Staff in its community have described a 72-hour automatic refund for customers who never respond, and they review refunds using the messages and calls that went through Thumbtack, so keep first contact on the app. Our guide to Thumbtack leads not responding has what staff have said and a follow-up schedule.
Which one suits which shop
- Small jobs and a tight budget: Thumbtack, because the weekly cap and Opportunities limit what a bad week can cost.
- Bigger tickets like roofing and remodels: both can work. Track cost per booked estimate on each for two or three months before you drop either.
- Busy season with a full schedule: pause, or lower your budget. Paying for leads you can’t reach in time is the most common way both sites lose money.
- Little time to call back: neither will work well. With several pros on every lead, the first one to talk to the homeowner usually books the visit.
Both are a race to the first call
On both sites the homeowner asked several contractors at once. Angi tells pros to call within 15 minutes, and a Thumbtack moderator notes that customers are usually comparing a few pros. Our speed to lead guide has the research on why minutes matter. HelloSetter, our product, calls Angi and Thumbtack leads within 60 seconds of arriving and books the estimate on your calendar; the follow-up guide covers the leads who don’t pick up.
Frequently asked questions
Is Thumbtack or Angi better for contractors?
Neither wins for every trade. Thumbtack gives more control over spend with a weekly budget and Opportunities; Angi has clearer written credit rules for bad leads. Compare your cost per booked estimate on each over a few months.
Which is cheaper, Thumbtack or Angi?
Reported prices are similar. A 2026 breakdown puts roofing at about $35 to $70 per lead on Thumbtack and $25 to $60 on Angi, and HVAC at $25 to $45 and $20 to $50. Your own account shows your real prices.
Do Thumbtack and Angi share the same leads?
They are separate companies with separate customers, but a homeowner can post on both. Within each site, the same request goes to several pros, usually 3 to 5 on Angi.
Can I use Thumbtack and Angi at the same time?
Yes, many contractors do. Track each source separately so you can see which one books jobs at a cost you can live with.