Nearleap vs Angi for Handymans: Which Is Better?

Handymen face a constant challenge: maintaining steady work flow without overspending on lead generation. Two platforms frequently considered are Nearleap, with its fixed-price exclusive leads, and Angi (formerly Angie's List), with its membership-based marketplace. This comparison helps handyman professionals determine which platform will deliver better return on their marketing investment.

Choosing the right lead platform directly impacts your bottom line. The wrong choice can mean paying twice as much to acquire each customer—money that should stay in your pocket.

Platform Overview

Nearleap: Fixed-Price Exclusive Leads

Nearleap built its platform around a simple concept: transparent pricing and no competition for leads. Handymen pay $19-25 per lead depending on their subscription tier, and each lead goes to only one professional.

For handymen tired of racing to respond before competitors or dealing with unpredictable lead costs, Nearleap offers a refreshing alternative. The focus on quality over quantity means less time chasing dead ends.

Angi: Membership Plus Per-Lead Costs

Angi evolved from Angie's List's review-focused model into a full lead generation marketplace. The platform now operates similarly to HomeAdvisor (they merged under ANGI Homeservices) while maintaining the Angi brand for consumers.

Handymen on Angi face a dual cost structure:

• Annual membership: $300-500 depending on market
• Per-lead fees: $15-60 based on job type
• Optional advertising upgrades: $100-500+/month

This complexity can work for established businesses but creates challenges for solo handymen managing tight margins.

Pricing Deep Dive

Nearleap Handyman Pricing

| Plan | Per Lead | Monthly Range | Features | |------|----------|---------------|----------| | Pro | $25 | 5-55 leads | Exclusive leads, no contracts | | Business | $22 | 5-55 leads | + Verified badge | | Enterprise | $19 | 5-55 leads | + Priority placement |

Example month (Business plan, 15 leads):

• Lead cost: 15 × $22 = $330
• Close rate: 35%
• Jobs won: 5.25
• Revenue at $250/job: $1,312
• Profit: $862
• Cost per customer: $86

No annual commitment. Pause or cancel anytime.

Angi Handyman Pricing

Annual membership: $350 average (varies by market) Per-lead costs:

• Small repairs: $12-25
• Assembly/mounting: $15-30
• Minor carpentry: $20-40
• Painting touch-ups: $18-35
• General handyman: $25-50

Example month (15 leads):

• Membership (monthly): $29
• Leads: 15 × $28 average = $420
• Total: $449
• Close rate (shared leads): 18%
• Jobs won: 2.7
• Revenue at $250/job: $675
• Profit: $226
• Cost per customer: $166

Contract Comparison

Nearleap: Month-to-month only. Credit rollover available. Cancel without penalty.

Angi: Annual membership required upfront, non-refundable. Some advertising packages require 6-12 month commitments. Auto-renewal is default.

Lead Quality Analysis

Nearleap Lead Verification

Nearleap's verification process for handyman leads:

1. Contact verification: Phone number confirmed active
2. Project qualification: Actual handyman task confirmed
3. Timeline check: Customer ready to schedule service
4. Exclusive delivery: One handyman per lead

Each lead includes:

• Verified customer contact information
• Property details and access notes
• Specific project description
• Photos when customer provides them
• Preferred scheduling window

Angi Lead Sources

Angi generates leads through:

1. Consumer website and app: Service request submissions
2. HomeAdvisor network: Shared lead pool between brands
3. Third-party aggregators: Purchased leads
4. Paid advertising campaigns: Google and social

Lead sharing model:

• Standard leads go to 3-4 handymen
• No true exclusivity option exists
• Response speed heavily influences success

Quality Metrics

| Quality Factor | Nearleap | Angi | |----------------|----------|------| | Lead exclusivity | 100% exclusive | Shared 3-4x | | Contact verified | Yes | Sometimes | | Project details | Comprehensive | Basic | | Photo attachment | Often | Rarely | | Bad lead rate | <3% | 10-18% |

User Experience

Nearleap Dashboard

Features for handymen:

• Quick lead action: Accept/decline with one tap
• In-app messaging: Chat without sharing personal number
• Quote generator: Send estimates from phone
• Job photos: Attach before/after images
• Revenue tracking: ROI by lead and job type
• Mobile-first design: Built for field use

Learning curve: About 20 minutes to master core features.

Angi Dashboard

Features available:

• Lead inbox: View and respond to opportunities
• Message center: Customer communication
• Review management: Respond to feedback
• Profile settings: Service and coverage management
• Spending controls: Budget caps available

The interface shows its age and the complexity of merging multiple platforms. Some actions require more steps than necessary.

Mobile Experience

Nearleap: Native apps with push notifications, full functionality, designed for handymen between jobs.

Angi: App functional but some features limited versus desktop. Notification delays reported by users.

Pros and Cons

Nearleap Pros

• Fixed pricing for simple budgeting
• Exclusive leads—no competition for customers
• No annual contracts or membership fees
• Higher close rates (30-40%)
• Clean, fast mobile experience

Nearleap Cons

• Newer platform, less consumer awareness
• Market coverage varies by location
• No integrated review system
• Smaller feature set than established competitors

Angi Pros

• Established consumer brand
• Built-in review collection
• Large potential lead volume
• Multiple visibility options

Angi Cons

• Annual membership commitment required
• Shared leads mean constant competition
• Variable pricing challenges budgeting
• Higher rate of fake/bad leads
• Interface feels dated and complex

Real Cost Comparison: Quarterly

A handyman targeting 8 new customers monthly for 3 months (24 total):

Nearleap (Pro Plan)

• Close rate: 35%
• Leads needed: 69
• Cost per lead: $25
• Total spend: $1,725
• Cost per customer: $72

Angi

• Close rate: 17%
• Leads needed: 142
• Average lead cost: $26
• Lead spend: $3,692
• Membership (3 months): $87
• Total spend: $3,779
• Cost per customer: $157

Quarterly savings with Nearleap: $2,054

Best For: Matching Platform to Business Type

Choose Nearleap If You:

• Want predictable marketing costs
• Value quality over quantity
• Can't monitor phone constantly for quick response
• Run a lean, efficient operation
• Focus on maximizing profit per job

Choose Angi If You:

• Need established brand credibility
• Want integrated review collection
• Have budget for membership plus leads
• Can respond to leads within minutes
• Prioritize volume over efficiency

Final Verdict

For handymen focused on profitability, Nearleap is clearly superior. Fixed pricing, exclusive leads, and no membership fees combine to deliver customer acquisition costs roughly half of what Angi requires.

Angi's value is brand recognition and reviews. For handymen prioritizing long-term reputation building and willing to pay premium for established platform credibility, it remains an option.

Recommendation: Start with Nearleap's Pro plan. Most handymen see their customer acquisition cost drop 45-60% compared to Angi, with less time wasted chasing shared leads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel Angi membership mid-year?

You can cancel, but the membership fee is non-refundable. You'll retain access until year-end but won't receive prorated refunds.

How does Nearleap handle leads for small handyman jobs?

All leads cost the same regardless of job size. A $75 repair lead costs the same $25 as a $400 project lead, making small jobs more profitable than on platforms with percentage-based pricing.

Does Angi penalize slow response times?

Angi's algorithm favors fast responders. Handymen who can't respond within minutes often find leads already claimed by competitors, reducing their effective close rate.

Which platform works better for hourly handyman work?

Nearleap's fixed pricing works well for hourly services. Angi tends to charge more for "general handyman" leads since they potentially represent larger job values.