Mindhyv vs Thumbtack — free listings vs paid leads
One charges you for each lead whether or not it converts; the other charges no lead fees and a lower platform fee but is younger — here's the honest comparison.
Updated August 25, 2026On this page
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, pay nothing for leads that ghost, and keep more of what you earn on a lower platform fee — 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; it charges a platform fee only on completed sales — as low as 5% (5–12% by plan). Thumbtack has local liquidity now; Mindhyv protects your downside.
What is the real difference?
| Mindhyv | Thumbtack | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to get work | Free listing, no lead fees; 5–12% fee on sales | 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 |
Which one should you choose?
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 free listing with no lead fees means a slow month costs you nothing, and you only pay Mindhyv’s platform fee on the sales you actually close. 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 paying nothing per lead and a single-digit fee only on the work you win — 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.
Frequently asked questions
How do Mindhyv and Thumbtack differ on cost? Thumbtack sells leads — pros pay per lead whether or not it converts, as of mid-2026. Mindhyv charges a platform fee of 5–12% on completed sales depending on plan. One charges for the opportunity, the other for the outcome.
Which is cheaper? It depends entirely on your conversion rate. Paying only on completed work is safer if you convert poorly; buying leads can be cheaper per job if you convert very well. Check Thumbtack’s current pricing directly, as lead costs vary by category and area.
Which is better for local services? Thumbtack has established local demand, which is genuinely valuable if you serve a local market. Mindhyv is newer and does not have that volume yet — that is the honest position.
What is the main structural difference? Risk. With per-lead pricing you carry the cost of every quote that goes nowhere. With a sales fee you pay only when you earn.