Side-by-side comparison

AfterHoursLead vs Thumbtack

Thumbtack sells leads to multiple contractors at once. AfterHoursLead captures leads exclusively from your website — no bidding, no sharing, no per-lead fees.

The Thumbtack problem

When you buy a lead on Thumbtack, so do 3–5 other contractors. You're competing on price and speed from the moment the lead lands in your inbox. The average plumbing lead costs $35–$80 — and you win maybe 1 in 5. That's $175–$400 per closed job, before you've even bought materials.

AAfterHoursLead

Captures leads from people who already searched Google and landed on your website. They're not comparing you to 4 other contractors — they came to you.

100% exclusive leads — yours only
Flat monthly fee, no per-lead costs
No competing or bidding
Customers already found you
$199/mo
Unlimited leads · No per-lead fee
TTThumbtack

Lead marketplace where homeowners post jobs and multiple contractors compete. You pay per lead, often sharing that lead with several competitors.

Shared with 3–5 competitors
$15–$80+ per lead
Must bid and compete on price
Homeowners compare contractors
$15–80+ /lead
Shared lead · Competitive market
Feature
AfterHoursLead
Thumbtack
Leads from your own website
Thumbtack leads are shared with competitors
No per-lead fee
Exclusive leads (not shared)
24/7 lead capture
Instant SMS when lead arrives
AI qualifies leads before sending to you
Works while you sleep
Partial
No bidding or competing
You own the customer relationship
Builds your brand, not theirs
Monthly cost (predictable)
$199–$399/mo
Varies wildly
Cost per lead
$0 extra
$15–$80+

The math: owning vs buying leads

For a plumber closing 10 jobs/month from bought leads at $50/lead average:

Thumbtack (shared leads)
Leads to win 10 jobs (~20% close)50 leads
Cost per lead (avg)$50
Monthly lead cost$2,500
AfterHoursLead (own your leads)
Monthly subscription$199
Per-lead cost$0
Monthly lead cost$199

Stop paying per lead. Own your lead flow.

14-day free trial. 5-minute setup.

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