Estimating the Cost to Create An App Like Thumbtack in 2025

It can be hard to balance daily jobs around the house with a busy work schedule. 

So handyman apps like Thumbtack come in handy, making it easier for people to get in touch with local professionals for a wide range of home services. 

These apps make it easy to hire trained workers on demand, whether you need help with plumbing, electricity, or cleaning.

There are a lot of new home services entering the market. The global home services business is projected to reach $1,133.40 billion by 2026, according to study. This is because more and more people want easy and reliable ways to book services.

How much does it cost to create an app like Thumbtack? is a question that many business owners and service providers have when considering joining this market.

Depending on the features, platforms, and development method, making an app like Thumbtack usually costs between $20,000 and $100,000 in 2025.

This blog post will explain the important parameters that affect development costs and how you can build a cost-effective Thumbtack-like app.

Overview of Thumbtack with Some Amazing Facts

Thumbtack is an online platform that connects customers with local workers across various service categories, including home repair, events, wellness, and more.

Founded in 2009 and based in San Francisco, California, Thumbtack allows users to find and hire workers for their projects by offering thorough profiles, reviews, and cost information.

This streamlined approach simplifies the process of finding and getting qualified service providers for a wide range of needs.

Amazing Facts about Thumbtack:

• Revenue Milestone: In 2023, Thumbtack surpassed $300 million in revenue and achieved EBITDA profitability, reflecting its strong financial growth.
• Business Growth: Between 2021 and 2023, Thumbtack experienced a nearly 40% increase in new business openings on its platform, indicating a significant rise in service provider engagement.
• User Base: Thumbtack has millions of users, facilitating connections between customers and professionals nationwide.
• Service Categories: The platform offers services in nearly 1,100 unique categories, catering to diverse customer needs across various sectors
  
• Projects Facilitated: By 2022, Thumbtack had facilitated over 70 million projects, highlighting its extensive reach and popularity among users seeking professional services.
• Company Valuation: In 2021, Thumbtack was valued at $3.2 billion, reflecting its significant impact and growth in the home services industry.
• Funding Raised: The company has raised more than $698.2 million in funding, enabling continuous expansion and enhancement of its platform.

These impressive figures highlight Thumbtack's role as a top marketplace for connecting customers with local workers, facilitating millions of projects, and continually growing its reach and services.

Now let’s get to the main question “ how much does it cost to develop an app like Thumbtack?”. The next sections will give you the answer to this question in detail.

Average Cost To Create A Handyman App Like Thumbtack

The cost to create an app like Thumbtack depends on several factors, including app complexity, features, development team location, and technology stack. 

On average, the Thumbtack-like app development cost ranges from $20,000 to $100,000.

For a basic version, the cost to develop an app similar to Thumbtack starts at $20,000 to $50,000, covering essential features like user registration, service listings, and booking functionality. 

A feature-rich app with AI-driven recommendations, real-time tracking, and multi-payment support can cost to build a handyman app like Thumbtack between $50,000 and $100,000.

If you're looking for a Thumbtack clone app development cost, leveraging ready-made solutions may reduce expenses. However, to develop an app like Thumbtack with custom features and scalability, it's crucial to invest wisely.

Want to create a handyman app like Thumbtack? Partnering with the mobile app development company ensures a high-quality, profitable solution. 

Let’s analyse the factors that affect the cost to make an app like Thumbtack:  

Key Factors Influencing The Thumbtack-Like App Development Cost

Creating a Thumbtack-like app involves multiple factors that contribute to the overall handyman app development cost. Each component, from feature selection to post-launch maintenance, impacts the total investment required. 

Below are the major elements affecting the cost to create an app like Thumbtack:

1. App Features and Complexity

The number and complexity of handyman app features directly impact the cost to develop an app like Thumbtack. A basic handyman app includes user registration, service listings, booking management, and payment integration. 

However, to stand out in the competitive market, you might need AI-powered service recommendations, real-time job tracking, in-app messaging, multi-payment support, and analytics dashboards. 

The more advanced the features, the higher the Thumbtack clone app development cost. Prioritizing essential features initially and scaling up later can help optimize costs.

2. UI/UX Design

A well-designed app enhances user engagement and satisfaction, influencing retention rates. 

The cost to build an app like Thumbtack increases if you incorporate custom animations, micro-interactions, intuitive navigation, and responsive layouts.

 A visually appealing and easy-to-use design improves the overall user experience, making your app more competitive. 

Investing in high-quality UI/UX design ensures seamless interaction for both customers and service providers, reducing churn rates and boosting app success.

3. Technology Stack 

The technology stack determines the app’s scalability, security, and performance. 

The cost to develop a handyman app like Thumbtack depends on whether you choose a native (iOS & Android separately) or cross-platform development approach.

Additionally, integrating AI, machine learning for smart service recommendations, blockchain for secure transactions, or cloud-based databases can further impact the cost to create a handyman app like Thumbtack. 

4. Development Team's Location

The geographical location of your development team significantly influences the cost to create a handyman app like Thumbtack. 

Hiring dedicated developers from North America and Western Europe is generally more expensive than outsourcing to India, Eastern Europe, or Southeast Asia. 

The cost also varies based on the team's expertise, whether you're hiring freelancers, an in-house team, or a professional app development agency. 

A balanced approach is to partner with a reliable on-demand app development company that offers high-quality services at competitive rates.

5. Platform Choice

Deciding between Android, iOS, or both platforms significantly affects the cost to build a home service app like Thumbtack. 

Android development requires extensive testing due to device fragmentation, but it offers a larger user base. 

On the other hand, iOS app development is generally more expensive due to Apple's strict guidelines, but it provides better monetization opportunities. 

A cross-platform approach can reduce development time and costs by using a single codebase for both platforms; however, it may have slight performance trade-offs compared to native apps. 

The ideal platform choice depends on your target audience, business objectives, and budget constraints.

6. Third-Party Integrations

Integrating third-party APIs enhances app functionality but also adds to the Thumbtack-like app development cost. 

Essential integrations include payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, Google Pay, and Apple Pay for secure transactions. Maps and navigation services such as Google Maps and Mapbox help with location tracking. 

Communication tools like Twilio for SMS and Firebase for push notifications improve user engagement, while CRM and analytics solutions such as Google Analytics and Mixpanel provide valuable insights into user behavior. 

While pre-built APIs save time and reduce cost to develop an app like Thumbtack, custom-built solutions offer more flexibility but require a higher investment.

7. App Testing and Maintenance

A well-tested app ensures smooth functionality, security, and bug-free performance. 

App testing involves manual, automated, and performance testing, which increases the initial development cost but prevents long-term issues.

Post-launch app maintenance includes regular updates, bug fixes, security patches, and feature enhancements. Ignoring this phase can lead to performance issues, security vulnerabilities, and a decline in user retention. 

Allocating a yearly maintenance budget helps in ensuring a seamless user experience.

8. App Deployment

Deploying an app on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store requires compliance with their policies, security standards, and submission guidelines. 

There are associated mobile app development costs, such as a one-time fee for submitting an app to Google Play and an annual fee for App Store submission. Additionally, post-launch success depends on ongoing updates based on user feedback, security patches, and feature improvements. 

Marketing efforts, including App Store Optimization (ASO), play a crucial role in increasing visibility and downloads. Proper deployment planning ensures a smooth launch, long-term growth, and a competitive edge in the market.

Thumbtack-Specific Factors Affecting The Development Cost 

While general development factors influence the cost to create an app like Thumbtack, certain Thumbtack-specific features require additional investment due to their complexity. 

These unique functionalities enhance user experience but also increase development efforts. Let’s explore some key Thumbtack-specific factors affecting the development cost.

A] AI-Driven Service Matching

Thumbtack uses AI technology to connect users with the right service providers based on their needs, location, and past preferences. 

This smart system analyzes user requests and provider availability to offer the best match. Adding this feature will increase the cost to create a home service app like Thumbtack, as it requires advanced AI programming and data analysis. 

However, it makes the app more user-friendly and improves customer satisfaction by ensuring they find the best professionals quickly.

B] Smart Pricing Model

Thumbtack allows service providers to bid on customer requests, giving users multiple price options. This competitive pricing system helps users get the best deal while service providers can adjust their rates. 

However, implementing such a pricing model requires complex coding to manage bidding, payments, and real-time updates. 

The cost to build an app like Thumbtack increases due to the extra effort needed to build a reliable and efficient system.

C] In-App Communication & Scheduling

Thumbtack makes it easy for customers and service providers to connect with real-time chat, video calls, and automated appointment scheduling. 

This feature eliminates the need for external messaging apps, ensuring smoother communication. 

However, building these features requires secure messaging systems, calendar integration, and cloud storage, which increases the cost to develop a home service app like Thumbtack. Still, it improves the user experience by making everything accessible within the app.

D] Multi-Payment Integration & Subscription Plans

For a seamless payment experience, Thumbtack supports multiple options, including credit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and direct in-app payments. 

It also offers subscription plans for service providers to access premium features, helping them get more visibility and leads. 

To ensure secure and smooth transactions, developers need to integrate payment gateways and fraud detection systems, which adds to the Thumbtack clone app development cost.

However, providing multiple payment options makes the app more convenient and increases revenue.

Each of these factors plays a critical role in determining the cost to develop an app similar to Thumbtack. 

If you're looking to develop an app like Thumbtack from scratch or modify an existing solution, careful cost planning ensures a high-quality and budget-friendly outcome.

Tips to Optimize the Cost to Build a Thumbtack-Like App

To make sure you get the best features without paying too much, you need to carefully plan how to make an app like Thumbtack.

You can cut down on the cost of making a handyman app while keeping the quality high by choosing wisely about development, technology, and connections.

Here are some key techniques to keep your budget in check:

► Prioritize MVP Development

Instead of making a feature-rich app from the start, focus on developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

Important features like user registration, business lists, booking, and payment options are part of this. An MVP allows you to test the app with real users, gather feedback, and grow gradually without unnecessary beginning costs.

 ► Choose the Right Development Approach

The choice between native, cross-platform, or mixed development greatly impacts costs. Native apps (for both iOS and Android) work better but cost more because they need to be coded separately.

Cross-platform frameworks, like Flutter and React Native, let you develop the same code for both systems, lowering costs without compromising speed.

 ► Use Pre-Built APIs Instead of Custom Development

Instead of building every feature from start, use third-party APIs for functions like payment processing, location tracking, and alerts.

Services like Google Maps, Stripe, Firebase, and Twilio provide solid solutions at a fraction of the cost of custom-built options.

► Outsource Development to Cost-Effective Regions

Hiring remote developers in the US or Western Europe can be expensive, while outsourcing to regions like India, Eastern Europe, or Southeast Asia can lower costs greatly without reducing quality.

Choosing a skilled development team with a strong portfolio guarantees you get value for money.

► Optimize UI/UX Design

A great user experience is important, but overly complicated designs with heavy animations and unique graphics can drive up costs.

Opt for a clean, user-friendly design that balances aesthetics and usefulness to keep expenses in check while improving usage.

► Plan for Scalable Architecture

Building a scalable backend from the start avoids costly reworks as your user base grows. Using cloud-based options like AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure provides flexibility while optimizing system costs.

By following these strategies, you can effectively manage the cost to develop a handyman app while ensuring a high-quality, feature-rich result. 

If you want to create a mobile app from scratch or scale an existing one, careful planning and cost-saving measures will make a big difference in your budget.

How Apps Like Thumbtack Make Money?

Apps like Thumbtack have a well-structured business plan that produces revenue through multiple income streams. These platforms connect users with local service providers and market various parts of their operations. 

If you're planning to create a mobile app similar to Thumbtack, knowing these handyman app monetization strategies can help you build a profitable business. 

Here are some of the main ways Thumbtack-like apps make money:

1] Commission-Based Revenue

One of the most common revenue-generating models for a handyman app is commission-based earnings. 

Thumbtack charges service providers a commission fee for each successful booking. This ensures a steady revenue flow while keeping the site free for customers to use.

2] Pay-Per-Lead Model

Unlike traditional marketplaces, Thumbtack follows a pay-per-lead strategy, where service companies pay to accept job requests. 

Providers fight for leads by buying points, which increases their chances of getting jobs. This plan promises revenue regardless of whether a service provider is hired.

3] Featured Listings & Advertisements

Service providers can pay for featured ads to show at the top of search results, increasing their exposure. 

Thumbtack also offers in-app advertisements, where workers can present their services to possible customers. These ad-based revenue streams significantly boost earnings for such sites.

4] Subscription Plans for Service Providers

Apps like Thumbtack offer subscription-based models where workers pay a monthly or yearly fee to access premium features. 

This includes perks like better ranking, endless leads, enhanced profiles, and direct customer message. Subscription plans create a regular and predictable revenue stream.

5] Corporate Partnerships & Enterprise Solutions

Thumbtack works with companies and enterprises to offer bulk service bookings and workforce management solutions. 

Large companies or property management firms use the site to hire workers for maintenance services, generating extra revenue.

6] Transaction & Convenience Fees

Some handyman apps charge customers a small service fee on each transaction. This helps cover payment handling, customer support, and platform maintenance costs, ensuring a smooth user experience.

By combining these mobile app monetization models, Thumbtack and similar platforms increase profits while offering value to users and service providers. 

If you're considering the cost to develop a handyman app, adopting a diverse revenue plan can improve long-term business sustainability.

Build a Profitable Handyman App with JPLoft

Looking to develop a handyman app like Thumbtack? 

JPLoft is a leading handyman app development company, offering end-to-end solutions to create feature-rich, scalable, and high-performing mobile apps. 

Our expert developers specialize in on-demand service platforms, ensuring seamless user experiences, AI-driven service matching, and secure payment integration. 

Whether you need a custom app from scratch or a Thumbtack-like clone, we tailor solutions to match your business goals. 

With JPLoft, you get advanced features, cost-effective development, and post-launch support for long-term success. 

Let’s turn your handyman business into a thriving digital platform! Get in touch with us today to build a mobile app that stands out in the competitive market!

Wrapping Up

Creating an app like Thumbtack takes careful planning, the right features, and a good monetization strategy.

The cost to develop a handyman app like Thumbtack varies on various factors, including app complexity, technology stack, third-party connections, and platform choice. 

By optimizing development costs, choosing the right business plan, and deploying AI-driven features, you can build a competitive home service marketplace.

If you're looking to create a mobile app that connects service providers with users smoothly, investing in expert development is crucial. 

Partnering with an experienced team ensures that your app is feature-rich, scalable, and future-ready. 

Get started today and turn your handyman business into a successful internet platform!