Comparison · Home services & handymanBobby vs Thumbtack
A straight comparison of how each platform charges a professional. The Thumbtack figures come from its own pro documentation. Bobby is pre-launch, so its side describes the model it is planned around.
Pricing sourced July 2026 · Pre-launch comparison
In short
Thumbtack charges pros per lead, dead leads and shared leads included. Bobby's plan is to charge providers nothing for leads and a flat $1 only on a completed booking. The two models split on when, and whether, you pay for work you never win.
Thumbtack vs a flat fee, side by side
| Thumbtack | Bobby (pre-launch) | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee model | Pay per lead (charged before any job is won) | Flat fee per completed booking |
| When the pro pays | On each lead, whether or not it converts | Only when a booking happens |
| Lead exclusivity | Leads are typically shared with several pros | A booking is the customer choosing one provider |
| Cost of a job that never lands | Still charged for the lead | Nothing |
The math at different sizes
Their charge lands on every lead whether it converts or not, so a single won job carries the price of all the leads it took. The flat model only charges $1, and only on the booking.
| Leads to win one job | Thumbtack | Bobby (flat) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 leads | You pay for both leads even though only one became work | $1 |
| 5 leads | You pay for all five, and each may be shared with competing pros | $1 |
| 10 leads | You pay for all ten to land the single booking | $1 |
Thumbtack's cost hits before the work does. You pay for the lead up front, win or lose. With Bobby the cost only hits when a booking is confirmed, a flat $1, with no charge to get matched.
The gap matters most when leads fall through. Five Thumbtack leads for one won job means paying for all five. On Bobby's planned model, the four that never booked cost nothing.