Both Thumbtack Pro and HomeAdvisor are strong platforms for connecting users with service professionals. Thumbtack Pro excels in project management integration and payment security, while HomeAdvisor stands out with its real-time cost data and quicker response times. The choice depends on the user's specific needs and priorities, such as the importance of verified licensing versus immediate professional contact.
| Attribute | Thumbtack Pro | HomeAdvisor True Cost Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Vetting Process | Includes submitting personal information, identity verification, and checks for criminal background and sex offender status. Periodic re-checks are performed. | Extensive screening process for businesses and their owners/principals, including background checks. |
| Service Provider Variety | Features over 400 different service providers, offering almost 1,000 different types of local services for home improvement, health and wellness, photography, and pet care, among others. | Connects homeowners with over 130,000 pre-screened home professionals specializing in more than 500 types of home projects. |
| Cost Estimation Accuracy | Provides cost estimates for popular services based on analysis of millions of bids from professionals. | Offers real local and national home remodeling and repair cost data based on real costs from real home projects, updated daily. |
| Project Management Tools | Integrates with customer management tools like Housecall Pro, GoSite, Service Titan, and Google Calendar. Offers plans for managing home upkeep, repair, and improvement projects. | Aims to tie together research, contractor search, quote and hiring processes, and payment into one system, but explicit project management tools are not detailed. |
| Customer Support Responsiveness | Offers a help center and encourages users to contact them if they run into any problems with a pro. | Tries to help resolve situations if things don't go as planned. |
| User Interface and Experience | Designed to be easy to use, allowing users to search for contractors, check prices and reviews, and chat directly with professionals. | Sleek and easy to use app, allowing homeowners to research and compare home service professionals. |
| Mobile App Availability | Mobile app available for both iOS and Android devices. | Mobile app available for iOS and Android devices with features such as instant booking and cost comparisons. |
| Background Check Quality | Performs background checks through a third-party provider, typically looking back about 7 years. | Uses third-party data sources to conduct a criminal search; business owners/principals with certain felony arrests or convictions are not admitted. |
| Insurance Verification | Allows occupational licenses to qualify for a license badge. Users can ask to see a copy of the pro's proof of insurance and call the pro's insurance provider to verify the policy is current. | Encourages professionals to carry insurance and requires them to attest to having appropriate licensing, but does not confirm licensing. |
| Response Time of Professionals | 'Top Pro' status requires professionals to regularly reply to leads within an hour at least 75% of the time. | Likely to be talking to a qualified professional within minutes when using ProFinder during business hours. |
| Geographic Coverage | Offers pros covering every county in the U.S. | National platform. |
| Payment Processing Security | Thumbtack Pay works with Stripe to process payments, which encrypts sensitive data and communication. | Not available |