Thumbtack vs Angi: Thumbtack lets you set lead prices and a weekly budget, Angi charges for each matched lead
By Sharrk Team · October 17, 2026
Thumbtack and Angi differ mainly in how you pay: Thumbtack lets you set your own lead prices and a weekly budget and "pay only for the jobs you want," while Angi charges for each lead it matches to you "as soon as it's sent." Whichever you use, Sharrk replies to every lead from both platforms in under 30 seconds by text, call or email, so the leads you pay for get answered first.
This post is about fit: how each platform's model works, and which kind of contractor each one suits. If you want dollar figures per lead, see our guides to what Thumbtack leads cost and what Angi leads cost.
How are Thumbtack and Angi different for contractors?
Here is the side-by-side, using only what each company says on its own pages and filings (checked October 17, 2026).
| Sharrk (works with both) | Thumbtack | Angi (Angi Leads) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What you pay for | Credits for AI calls, texts and emails, from $0 (Sharrk Free) or $99/mo (Sharrk Core) | Leads you choose: "Set lead prices and pay only for the jobs you want" | Each matched lead: "charged for each new lead as soon as it's sent" |
| How spend is controlled | Monthly plan credits plus optional credit packs | A weekly spending budget you can change "as often as you want" | A monthly Spend Target, which "is not a hard cap" |
| How many pros see a lead | Not a lead seller: your leads stay yours | "Customers get quotes from up to 5 pros" | Market Match: "up to four pros"; Exact Match and Instant Booking: as many as the homeowner chooses |
| Refunds and credits | 30-day money-back guarantee on the first payment, minus what you've used | Staff say "refunds can apply in certain cases," with eligibility that varies | Lead credits for set reasons (duplicate, wrong zip, wrong service, bad phone number), 24 hours to 30 days after the lead |
| Membership or ads | No contracts, no setup fees | Free to sign up | Membership subscriptions plus contracted advertising, per Angi's FY2025 10-K |
| Reply speed | Under 30 seconds, 24/7 | Depends on you | Depends on you |
How does Thumbtack charge pros?
Thumbtack's pro page says you "sign up for free to view requests from customers in your area," and when a request is a good fit, you "pay to send a quote and a personal message." Its pro app adds that you set lead prices, set a weekly budget, and "get as many leads as possible within it."
In practice, that makes Thumbtack a model where you steer volume yourself. You decide which job types and prices you'll accept, and you can turn the budget up in a busy season or down when the crew is booked. Thumbtack's own moderators also suggest revisiting your maximum lead price settings when leads feel too expensive, which tells you price control is in your hands.
The trade-off is competition: a customer can get quotes from up to five pros, so the first useful reply often wins the conversation.
How does Angi charge pros?
Angi's pro help center (still hosted on the HomeAdvisor domain, since HomeAdvisor Pro is now Angi Leads; see how HomeAdvisor and Angi are related) says you are "charged for each new lead as soon as it's sent," based on a homeowner's project matching your services and availability. Price "depends on several factors" including project size, location and type.
You set a monthly Spend Target, which Angi describes as an estimate of what you'd like to spend, not a hard cap. Market Match leads go to up to four pros. Exact Match and Instant Booking leads go to as many pros as the homeowner chooses to connect with, and can cost more because the homeowner picked you directly.
Angi's FY2025 annual report also lists membership subscriptions sold to approved pros and revenue from pros "under contract for advertising," so Angi offers more ways to buy visibility beyond pay-per-lead.
What is each platform's refund or credit policy?
Angi spells out its lead credit rules. A lead can qualify if it is a duplicate, has the wrong zip code, is for a service you aren't profiled for, came from a competitor testing the system, or has a wrong or disconnected phone number. The lead must be at least 24 hours old and under 30 days old, and Angi lists prerequisites: call tracking enabled, a call to the homeowner within 24 hours, attempts on multiple days, and no overdue balance. Approved credits go toward future leads.
Thumbtack is less specific in public. A Thumbtack community administrator wrote that "refunds can apply in certain cases, though eligibility can vary based on factors like local regulations." Check your pro account for the rules that apply to you.
The takeaway for both: working every lead quickly and on more than one day protects your spend, and Angi's credit rules ask for exactly that.
Which is a better fit for your business?
Neither platform is the right answer for everyone; each fits a different way of running a shop.
Thumbtack tends to fit you if:
- You want to pick job types and set your own lead prices.
- You like a weekly budget you can change any time.
- Your trade has many small or mid-size jobs where a quick quote closes the deal.
Angi tends to fit you if:
- You want leads sent to you automatically when a project matches your profile.
- You'd like options beyond pay-per-lead, such as membership and advertising.
- You value homeowners being able to pick you directly through Exact Match or Instant Booking.
Many contractors run both. The common thread is speed: on both platforms several pros can see the same customer, so the business that replies first and follows up best has the strongest shot at the job.
How do you get more booked jobs from Thumbtack and Angi leads?
- Reply in seconds, not hours. Connect both lead sources to Sharrk so every new lead gets a text, call or email in under 30 seconds, day or night.
- Qualify on the first touch. Ask about the job, address and timing right away so you know which leads to prioritize.
- Book while they're engaged. Offer times and put the appointment on Sharrk's calendar, Calendly or Cal.com, or straight into ServiceTitan.
- Follow up on multiple days. A Strike can follow up by text, call and email over several days for leads who don't answer the first time.
- Hand off hot leads. Live transfer puts a ready-to-book customer on the phone with you or your office.
Example first text (placeholders, adjust to your business):
Hi [Name], this is [Company]. Thanks for your request for [service] on [Platform]. We can come out as soon as [day]. What's the best time for a quick call, or would you like me to book a visit now?
How does Mako set this up for you?
Mako is the AI assistant inside Sharrk that builds all of this from plain English. Tell Mako something like "reply to every new Thumbtack and Angi lead in under 30 seconds, ask about the job, book estimates on my calendar, and follow up for three days if they don't answer," and Mako drafts the agent and the Strike. Before anything changes, Mako shows an Apply card with exactly what it will set up, so you stay in control. Want a different follow-up schedule for Angi than for Thumbtack? Ask Mako, and it builds that too.
How does Sharrk handle Thumbtack and Angi leads?
Sharrk brings in leads from Angi, Thumbtack, Networx, web forms, webhooks and API connections, replies in under 30 seconds, answers calls 24/7, books jobs and live-transfers hot leads. Strikes keep following up by text, call and email. Sharrk Free is $0 with 2,500 credits to build and test unlimited agents with Mako, no card needed, and Sharrk Core is $99 a month with 47,500 credits and every feature. See Sharrk pricing for every plan.
Sources
- Thumbtack: Find more customers for your business (checked October 17, 2026)
- Thumbtack for Professionals, App Store listing (checked October 17, 2026)
- Thumbtack Community: How leads are priced (checked October 17, 2026)
- Thumbtack Community: Lead / Opportunity format and refunds (checked October 17, 2026)
- Angi Leads: How leads work (checked October 17, 2026)
- Angi Leads: Leads FAQ (checked October 17, 2026)
- Angi Leads: How to request lead credits (checked October 17, 2026)
- Angi Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal year 2025 (checked October 17, 2026)
Related on Sharrk: Speed to lead · AI receptionist · Pricing
Frequently asked questions
Is Thumbtack or Angi better for contractors?
It depends on how you like to buy leads: Thumbtack lets you set lead prices and a weekly budget, while Angi sends you matched leads and charges for each one when it's sent. Many contractors use both and connect them to Sharrk so every lead gets a reply in under 30 seconds.
How does Thumbtack charge pros?
Thumbtack lets pros set lead prices and a weekly budget and says you "pay only for the jobs you want." Signing up to view requests is free, according to Thumbtack's pro page (checked October 17, 2026).
How does Angi charge pros?
Angi charges for each new lead as soon as it's sent, based on a project matching your services and availability. Price depends on project size, location and type, and you set a monthly Spend Target that is not a hard cap.
Are Thumbtack and Angi leads exclusive?
No, leads on both can reach several pros. Thumbtack says customers get quotes from up to 5 pros, and Angi's Market Match leads go to up to four pros, while Exact Match and Instant Booking go to as many pros as the homeowner chooses.
Can I get credits for bad Angi leads?
Yes, Angi offers lead credits for set reasons such as duplicates, wrong zip codes, services you aren't profiled for, and wrong or disconnected phone numbers. The lead must be 24 hours to 30 days old, and Angi requires call tracking, a call within 24 hours and attempts on multiple days.
Can Sharrk respond to Thumbtack and Angi leads automatically?
Yes, Sharrk brings in leads from Thumbtack and Angi and replies in under 30 seconds by text, call or email, 24/7. Strikes follow up over several days, and Mako builds the whole setup from plain English, showing an Apply card before anything changes.