Thumbtack alternative: flat $5 listing, no pay-per-lead
For local pros, started in California. Post your service for $5, and talk to every customer who writes, at no extra cost.
Contract Lists vs Thumbtack
Facts about Thumbtack come from its own public pages, as of October 2026. They may change, so check its site for the latest.
| Contract Lists | Thumbtack |
|---|---|
| Cost for customers | |
| Free. Customers never pay Contract fees. | Free to find, contact and hire a pro.As of October 2026 · Source 1 |
| How pros pay | |
| $5 per listing, services or goods. Stays up 30 days, plus one free renewal. | Pros pay for leads. Leads that match a pro's job preferences are paid automatically.As of October 2026 · Sources 2, 3 |
| Price per lead | |
| No charge per lead or per message. Buyers who write about your listing cost nothing extra. | Thumbtack says lead prices vary with the type and size of the job, how many pros are available, and the market. Pros set their own lead prices, choosing how competitive to be.As of October 2026 · Source 2 |
| Reaching out first | |
| Customers post requests for free. Helpers reply with a Requests pass ($5/week, cancel any time). | Pros can message customers from Opportunities, and pay the price shown only if the customer responds.As of October 2026 · Source 2 |
| How customers pay | |
| Paying in the app is coming soon. For now, buyer and seller agree how to pay. | Customers pay the pro directly for the work.As of October 2026 · Source 1 |
What we do differently
A flat $5 per listing, not per lead
Every listing stays up 30 days. Renew once for free for 30 more days. After that, relist for $5. The small listing fee is for safety. It helps keep scammers off Contract Lists.
Messages don't cost extra
No charge per lead or per message. Buyers who write about your listing cost nothing extra.
Show your licenses
Sellers can show licenses, certificates and insurance, say whether they're licensed or insured, and explain their price.
Chats stay in the app
Phone numbers, emails and links are blocked, and you both keep a record.
Report button everywhere
On every listing, seller profile and chat. Listings reported by several people are hidden until we review them.
Local, started in California
Listings are for people who can meet nearby. We started in California; sellers anywhere in the 50 states and DC can post.
Questions
Do I pay when a customer messages me?
No. You pay $5 when you post the listing. Messages about it are free, however many you get.
How long does my listing stay up?
Every listing stays up 30 days. Renew once for free for 30 more days. After that, relist for $5.
Can customers post what they need?
Yes. Customers post requests for free. Helpers reply with a Requests pass ($5/week, cancel any time). See requests
Can I show my license?
When you post, you can add licenses, certificates or insurance, say whether you're licensed or insured, and explain your price (for example, why licensed work costs more).
In California, a job of $1,000 or more in total (labor and materials), or any job that needs a building permit, needs a licensed contractor.
Sell on Contract Lists
A flat $5 per listing. Free. Customers never pay Contract fees.
See how selling worksSources
- Thumbtack, “How to find a pro on Thumbtack” (checked October 2026): help.thumbtack.com/article/find-pros-on-thumbtack (opens in a new tab)
- Thumbtack, “How much do I pay for leads and opportunities?” (checked October 2026): help.thumbtack.com/article/pay-for-leads (opens in a new tab)
- Thumbtack, “How Thumbtack works” (checked October 2026): help.thumbtack.com/article/how-thumbtack-works (opens in a new tab)
Thumbtack is a trademark of its owner. Contract Lists isn't affiliated with, or endorsed by, Thumbtack.