The short answer
Choose Thumbtack if you serve local demand and want to buy your way into an established stream of buyer requests, accepting that you pay per lead regardless of whether it turns into work. Choose Mindhyv if you’d rather list free, keep 100% of what you earn, and not pay for leads that ghost — while accepting a newer, smaller buyer base today.
As of mid-2026, Thumbtack’s model has pros paying for leads (check their current pricing). Mindhyv doesn’t charge for leads and takes no commission. Thumbtack has local liquidity now; Mindhyv protects your downside.
The real differences
| Mindhyv | Thumbtack | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to get work | Free listing, no commission | Pay per lead as of mid-2026 (verify) |
| Pay for dead leads? | No | Yes — leads are charged, not jobs |
| Buyer volume today | New and growing | Established, local |
| Format | Storefront and booking | Lead requests |
| Repeat business | Direct, keep the client | Often pay again to re-reach |
| Best for | Predictable costs | Local demand right now |
Where each one wins
Thumbtack wins: established local demand across home and personal services. If your area has active buyers on it, the leads are there — you’re paying for access to volume that already exists.
Mindhyv wins: cost predictability and margin. Paying per lead means your acquisition cost climbs even when leads don’t convert; a commission-free listing means a slow month costs you nothing and a good month is entirely yours. Repeat clients stay yours without re-paying to reach them, and buyer protection plus a seller verification program build trust both ways.
What it means for your costs
Lead fees are a cost of doing business whether or not you get the business. Total what you’d spend on leads in a month and compare it against zero — the commission savings calculator helps frame it. While Mindhyv’s buyer base grows, some pros run both and lean on the free channel for repeat work.
Get found faster with write a service listing that sells and reach nearby buyers via local networking.