Rent or own? Side by side.
Fair, sourced comparisons of the lead marketplaces, field software and tools service businesses pay for every month, and what owning the alternative looks like.
Contract and ownership terms for all 50 vendors in one table: home-service vendor terms 2026, with the data free as CSV and JSON.
Marketing agency contracts and ownership, compared
Contract length, how you cancel and what you keep on exit at 19 marketing agencies, from their own FAQs and legal terms as read in October and November 2026.
Read comparisonPodium alternative: texting and reviews from a number and CRM you own
Podium's list prices as of November 3, 2026, its 12-month annual-in-advance terms and 30-day export window, set against texting and reviews you own.
Read comparisonBusiness phone plans compared: Quo (formerly OpenPhone), Google Voice, RingCentral, Grasshopper and Dialpad
Quo (formerly OpenPhone), Google Voice, RingCentral, Grasshopper and Dialpad: per-user prices, extra numbers, texting limits, 10DLC fees and port-out rules.
Read comparisonYext alternative: listings you claim yourself and keep when the subscription ends
Yext now sends small businesses to Corvo: free for four sites or $40 a month. What changed, plus BrightLocal, Semrush Local, Synup and claiming listings.
Read comparisonNiceJob alternative: a review request flow that runs from your own CRM
NiceJob's $75 and $125 plans and its Sites add-on costed out, as seen October 2026, next to a review request flow that runs from your own CRM and number.
Read comparisonJobber's included website or a custom website: which one is yours?
Jobber's website comes with plans of $29 to $529 a month in October 2026. Its domain and cancellation articles, Housecall Pro's sites, and a site you own.
Read comparisonThe Angi alternative: leads you own instead of leads you rent
Looking for an Angi alternative? How Angi charges pros today, who it still suits, and the owned website, phone and CRM stack that keeps leads coming.
Read comparisonA Thumbtack alternative for pros who want their own customers
A fair look at how Thumbtack charges pros, its refund rules and who it suits, plus the owned website, search and phone setup that replaces paid leads.
Read comparisonAngi vs Thumbtack vs owning your leads: a side-by-side for service pros
Angi vs Thumbtack, side by side: how each charges, how many pros compete, refund and credit rules, and how both compare with leads from channels you own.
Read comparisonYelp Ads alternative: what you pay for, and what you could own instead
How Yelp Ads charge per click from $150 a month, what the paid plans include, who they suit, and the owned search and website channels that compete with them.
Read comparisonJobber alternative: off-the-shelf field software or a CRM built for you
Jobber is a strong product. Its October 2026 list prices, who it suits, and when a custom CRM built around your own workflow is the better long-term fit.
Read comparisonHousecall Pro alternative: when to keep it and when to build your own
A fair look at Housecall Pro: October 2026 list prices, per-user costs, features, the shops it fits, and when custom software fits your business better.
Read comparisonServiceTitan alternative: a CRM sized to your company
ServiceTitan quotes per technician and publishes no prices. Who it suits, what third parties estimate it costs, and when a custom CRM fits a smaller shop.
Read comparisonWebsite builder or custom website: which one should a service business use?
Wix, Squarespace or GoDaddy versus a custom-built site: cost of entry, speed, ownership and what you can take with you if you leave. A fair comparison.
Read comparisonAI receptionist vs answering service vs voicemail: which should answer your calls?
AI receptionist, live answering service or voicemail: how each handles a contractor's calls, where each falls short, and how to choose for your call volume.
Read comparisonWorkiz alternative: a phone-first field app or a CRM built for your company
What Workiz offers on each plan, how to get a price when none is published, which trades it suits, and when software built around your workflow fits better.
Read comparisonGorillaDesk alternative: route-based field software or a system you own
GorillaDesk's October 2026 prices per route, what each plan adds, who it suits in pest, lawn and pool work, and when a custom-built CRM is worth it instead.
Read comparisonFieldEdge alternative: dispatch software for multi-truck shops or a CRM built around your shop
FieldEdge's Select, Premier and Elite plans, why it quotes prices only after a demo, who it suits in HVAC, plumbing and electrical, and when custom wins.
Read comparisonService Fusion alternative: unlimited-user field software or a custom CRM
Service Fusion's October 2026 list prices with unlimited users, what Starter, Plus and Pro include, which crews it fits, and where custom software wins.
Read comparisonA Bark alternative: stop buying credits to reach customers
How Bark's credit system charges pros, when credits expire, which pros it fits, and how your own site, phone line and CRM replace buying credits.
Read comparisonA Networx alternative for contractors who want their own pipeline
How Networx shared and exclusive leads are priced, its credit rules, which contractors it fits, and how an owned site, phone and CRM replace bought leads.
Read comparisonA HomeAdvisor alternative, and what HomeAdvisor is today
HomeAdvisor is now part of Angi. Its history, the FTC matter it settled, how pros pay today, and the owned website and phone setup that replaces it.
Read comparisonGoogle Local Services Ads alternative: rank and answer on your own terms
How Google Local Services Ads bill per lead, including missed calls, what Google won't credit, the 2026 move into Google Ads, and the owned setup beside it.
Read comparisonWix alternative for contractors: keep building on Wix or own a custom site
Wix plan prices as listed in October 2026, the SEO tools Wix provides, what staying on its servers means, and when a contractor should move to a custom site.
Read comparisonSquarespace alternative for contractors: a polished template or a site built to win jobs
Squarespace plans and card fees as listed in October 2026, what it does well for trades, what its export leaves behind, and when custom is the better buy.
Read comparisonA Ruby Receptionist alternative for contractors and home service companies
What Ruby's live receptionists do, how its per-minute plans were listed in October 2026, who Ruby suits, and when an AI receptionist you control fits better.
Read comparisonA Smith.ai alternative for service businesses that want calls in their own CRM
Smith.ai's AI-first and human-first plans as listed in October 2026, per-call add-ons, who it suits, and when an AI receptionist tied to your CRM fits better.
Read comparisonJobber vs Housecall Pro: a side-by-side for small crews
Jobber vs Housecall Pro, compared fairly: October 2026 list prices, how each charges for users, trials, contract terms, plan features and which shops fit each.
Read comparisonJobber vs ServiceTitan: two very different answers to the same job
Jobber vs ServiceTitan: published prices against quote-only pricing, self-serve trial against demo, contract terms, features and the shop each is built for.
Read comparisonHousecall Pro vs ServiceTitan: choosing software for a dispatch-driven trades shop
Housecall Pro vs ServiceTitan: October 2026 list prices against per-technician quotes, contract terms, trial or demo, dispatch and membership tools, and fit.
Read comparisonWorkiz vs Jobber: a phone-centered field app against a quote-centered one
Workiz vs Jobber compared from each vendor's own pages: pricing you can see versus pricing on request, trials, phone and AI answering, automations and fit.
Read comparisonAngi vs Thumbtack: how the two lead platforms compare for service pros
Angi vs Thumbtack head to head: how each bills pros, how many competitors you face, credit and refund rules, and which kind of business each platform suits.
Read comparisonThumbtack vs Bark: per-lead pricing against prepaid credits
Thumbtack vs Bark compared: per-lead pricing against prepaid credits, who makes first contact, competition, credit expiry, refund rules, and who each one suits.
Read comparisonGoogle Local Services Ads vs Google Ads: pay per lead or pay per click
Google Local Services Ads vs Google Ads search campaigns: per lead or per click, how ads rank, budgets, credits, and what the 2026 move into Google Ads changes.
Read comparisonRuby vs Smith.ai: per-minute or per-call answering for contractors
Ruby vs Smith.ai as listed in October 2026: per-minute against per-call billing, plan prices, add-ons, contracts, AI options, and which call pattern suits each.
Read comparisonAccuLynx alternative: other roofing software, a custom CRM, and when to stay
AccuLynx's Pro and Elite plans, quote-only pricing and data terms, four off-the-shelf alternatives, and when a custom CRM or staying put makes sense.
Read comparisonJobNimbus alternative: when to change roofing platforms, build your own CRM, or stay
JobNimbus quotes every tier on request (October 2026). Who it suits, what to ask before you leave, other roofing platforms, and when a custom CRM fits.
Read comparisonServiceM8 alternative: job-credit field software or a CRM of your own
ServiceM8's October 2026 plans, priced by jobs per month, who it suits, what to check before you leave, other trade apps, and when a custom CRM fits better.
Read comparisonKickserv alternative: what to check before you leave, and where to go next
Kickserv's October 2026 prices, user limits and terms, who it suits, what to check before leaving, and how Jobber, Housecall Pro, ServiceM8 and custom compare.
Read comparisonYardbook alternative: stay free, pay for an upgrade, or build a CRM around your routes
Yardbook's free Starter plan and paid tiers as of October 2026, who each suits, questions to settle before leaving, other lawn software, and when custom fits.
Read comparisonPestPac alternative: how WorkWave's pest software compares with other platforms and a custom CRM
What PestPac by WorkWave includes on each tier, its quote-only pricing, who it suits, and when another pest platform or a custom CRM fits your company better.
Read comparisonSkimmer alternative: pool route software you rent or a CRM your company owns
Skimmer's per-location prices as listed in October 2026, what each plan covers, who it suits, other pool software to weigh, and when a custom CRM fits better.
Read comparisonAngi vs Google Local Services Ads: how the two pay-per-lead options compare
Angi vs Google Local Services Ads: how each bills per lead, who you compete with, credits and commitments, key features, and which kind of pro each suits.
Read comparisonThumbtack vs Google Local Services Ads: a marketplace profile or an ad on Google
Thumbtack vs Google Local Services Ads: how each one bills per lead, who you compete with, refunds, credits and commitments, key features, and who each suits.
Read comparisonYelp Ads vs Google Local Services Ads: paying per click or per lead
Yelp Ads vs Google Local Services Ads: pay per click or per valid lead, who you compete with, credits, canceling, key features, and which suits your business.
Read comparisonHousecall Pro vs Workiz: two dispatch apps compared on price, terms and phones
Housecall Pro vs Workiz from each vendor's own pages: listed prices vs quotes, contract and refund terms, phone tools, lead integrations and who each suits.
Read comparisonServiceTitan vs FieldEdge: two quote-only platforms for trades shops, compared on terms and fit
ServiceTitan vs FieldEdge: quote-only pricing, renewal and early-exit terms, data export, plan-by-plan features and which trades shop each one suits best.
Read comparisonGorillaDesk vs Jobber: pricing by the route against pricing by plan and team
GorillaDesk vs Jobber from each vendor's own pages, October 2026: per-route versus per-plan pricing, refund and contract terms, routing, texting and fit.
Read comparisonNextdoor Ads vs Facebook Ads: choosing between them for local service work
Nextdoor Ads vs Facebook Ads for contractors: how each bills, who you bid against, refunds, housing ad targeting limits, lead tools and who each one suits.
Read comparisonCustom CRM vs Jobber: rent the software or own it
Custom CRM vs Jobber, read October 2026: Jobber's prices, renewal and refund terms, export limits, and when Jobber is plainly the better choice for your crew.
Read comparisonCustom CRM vs Housecall Pro vs ServiceTitan: three ways to run the office
Custom CRM vs Housecall Pro vs ServiceTitan, read October 2026: published prices, per-technician quotes, contracts, API access, export and who each one fits.
Read comparisonJobber vs Housecall Pro vs ServiceTitan: which fits your crew size and trade
Jobber vs Housecall Pro vs ServiceTitan by crew size and trade: published prices, contracts, data export and built-in AI phone answering, read October 2026.
Read comparisonIs ServiceTitan worth it for a small business?
Is ServiceTitan worth it for a small business or 3 tech shop? Its pricing page and 10-K, read October 2026, third-party estimates, and better-fit options.
Read comparisonJobber vs Service Fusion: when unlimited users beat a lower starting price
Jobber vs Service Fusion, read October 2026: team-size tiers vs flat unlimited-user plans, cost at 1 to 15 users, contracts, QuickBooks, trials and exports.
Read comparisonBuilt-in AI receptionist or an independent one: what you gain, and what you give up when you switch
Jobber Receptionist, Housecall Pro CSR AI and ServiceTitan Voice Agent vs independent AI receptionists like Smith.ai: price, booking and who owns the number.
Read comparisonA Scorpion alternative for owners who want the site and the phone number in their name from day one
Scorpion's typical 12-month term, what you keep when you leave, reviews as of October 31, 2026, and when owning the site and number yourself fits better.
Read comparisonA Hibu alternative for owners who want the domain and the tracking number to stay theirs
Hibu One's six-month minimum, $299 setup fee, early termination fees and domain terms, read October 31, 2026, plus reviews and when owning it all fits better.
Read comparisonA Thryv alternative for service businesses that want to own the website, the numbers and the CRM
Thryv's $99 and $399 plans, auto-renewal and cancellation terms, who owns the website design and texting number, and reviews read October 31, 2026.
Read comparisonA LocaliQ alternative for owners who want answering, texting and the website on accounts they own
LocaliQ's Dash plans at $119 and $199 a month, its 50% early cancellation fee, website license and number terms, and reviews read October 31, 2026.
Read comparisonA Townsquare Interactive alternative for owners who want to keep the website
Townsquare Interactive's packages, what its Terms of Service say about term, cancelling and website ownership, reviews read October 2026, and who it suits.
Read comparisonA Marketing 360 alternative for contractors who want their accounts in their own name
Marketing 360's Terms on renewal, early cancellation, Websites 360 hosting, tracking numbers and ad accounts, reviews read October 2026, and who it fits.
Read comparisonA Footbridge Media alternative for owners who want the site to keep working after they leave
Footbridge Media's $249 program and add-on prices, its Terms on ownership and refunds, what stops working when you cancel, and its reviews as of October 2026.
Read comparisonThryv vs HighLevel: two all-in-one platforms sold in very different ways
Thryv vs HighLevel as read October 31, 2026: plan prices, who each is built for, renewal and refund terms, and what happens to your site, numbers and data.
Read comparisonPodium vs Birdeye: what each sells, what you sign, and what you keep
Podium vs Birdeye as read in October and November 2026: who each suits, Podium's list prices, renewal notice, the 8% renewal fee, data on exit and reviews.
Read comparisonQuo vs Grasshopper: per-user or flat-rate phone service for a small crew
Quo (formerly OpenPhone) vs Grasshopper, checked October and November 2026: per-user against per-account pricing, texting fees, porting out, terms and reviews.
Read comparisonGoogle Voice vs Quo (formerly OpenPhone): which business line fits a contractor
Google Voice vs Quo (formerly OpenPhone) as read October 31, 2026: real per-user cost with Workspace, texting rules, 10DLC fees, porting out and reviews.
Read comparisonMailchimp vs Constant Contact for contractors: prices, texting, refunds and your list
Mailchimp vs Constant Contact for service businesses as read October 31 and November 3, 2026: plan prices, texting add-ons, refunds, your list and reviews.
Read comparisonA RealGreen alternative for lawn companies that want to own their site, texts and data
RealGreen by WorkWave as read October 31, 2026: unpublished prices, a default 12-month auto-renewing term, outbound-only texting, data on exit and reviews.
Read comparisonA Rosie alternative for contractors who want calls booked into their own CRM
Rosie's AI answering plans as listed October 31, 2026, its overage, number and data terms, how booking and CRM links work, and when an owned setup fits better.
Read comparisonFind out what your leads really cost.
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