Opus Group

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Opus Group vs Thumbtack: Which Fits Your Business?

Summary: Thumbtack and Opus Group solve different problems. Thumbtack is a marketplace where you set lead prices and a weekly budget and pay per matching lead. Opus Group runs your own Google Ads and Local Services Ads. Choose Thumbtack if want a marketplace with lead prices they set and no ad management. Choose Opus Group if want enquiries from their own Google channels, measured on cost per booked job.

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We're Opus Group, so read this with that in mind. Everything about Thumbtack below comes from its own website or help pages, checked 12 October 2026.

How Thumbtack works, in its own words

  • Thumbtack shows your business to customers who describe their project, and sends you leads that match your job preferences.
  • You pay for those leads automatically, at lead prices you set, within a weekly budget.
  • For 'Opportunities' you message the customer and pay only if they respond, with the price shown upfront.
  • Thumbtack says your budget isn't a subscription, but some fees can sit outside it.

How Opus Group works

  • We run Google Search ads, Local Services Ads and landing pages for home-service trades, plumbing first.
  • You own your Google Ads account, website and tracking numbers, and we work month to month on 30 days' notice.
  • Across the accounts we run, clients win $1M+ of work every month, at a 27x return on ad spend and a $63 average cost per lead.
  • Ad spend is paid straight to Google.

Side by side

ThumbtackOpus Group
Who it suitsContractors who want a marketplace with lead prices they set and no ad managementContractors who want enquiries from their own Google channels, measured on cost per booked job
Where the leads come fromThumbtack's own platform or programmesYour own Google Ads and Local Services Ads accounts
Who owns the accountsCheck Thumbtack's termsYou do

Using both

Many contractors keep a capped budget on a marketplace while their own Google channels ramp up, then compare what a booked job costs from each.

FAQ

What's the difference between Opus Group and Thumbtack?

Thumbtack is a marketplace where you set lead prices and a weekly budget and pay per matching lead. Opus Group runs your own Google Ads and Local Services Ads.

Is Thumbtack or Opus Group better for contractors?

Neither is better for everyone. Thumbtack suits contractors who want a marketplace with lead prices they set and no ad management. Opus Group suits contractors who want enquiries from their own Google channels, measured on cost per booked job.

How does Thumbtack charge pros?

Thumbtack's help centre says you pay automatically for leads that match your preferences, at prices you set within a weekly budget, and pay for Opportunities only if the customer responds.

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