Nearleap vs Angi for Plumbers: Which Is Better?

Choosing between Nearleap and Angi (formerly Angie's List) for your plumbing business lead generation requires understanding how each platform's pricing model affects your profitability. This detailed comparison examines both platforms through the lens of a working plumber averaging $350 per job.

Why This Comparison Matters for Plumbers

Angi has been a household name in home services since 1995, while Nearleap represents the new generation of lead platforms built to address contractor frustrations. Both promise to connect you with customers, but their approaches couldn't be more different.

The wrong choice can mean thousands in wasted marketing spend. The right choice can transform your business growth.

Platform Overview

Nearleap

Nearleap operates on a straightforward model: you pay a fixed price for exclusive leads. No annual contracts, no membership fees, no bidding against other plumbers.

The platform emphasizes:

• Transparent, fixed per-lead pricing ($19-25)
• 100% exclusive leads
• Month-to-month flexibility
• Credit rollover for unused leads
• Real-time delivery and response tools

Angi

Angi combines a membership/advertising model with pay-per-lead options. The platform underwent significant changes after merging with HomeAdvisor in 2021, creating a more complex pricing structure.

Angi offers:

• Annual membership/advertising packages
• Pay-per-lead options for additional leads
• Directory listing and profile visibility
• Consumer reviews and ratings
• Brand recognition from decades of marketing

Pricing Deep Dive

Nearleap Pricing Structure

Nearleap's pricing is refreshingly simple:

Pro Plan: $25 per lead

• Choose 5 to 55 leads monthly
• Example: 15 leads = $375/month
• Overage leads: $35 each
• 1.6x rollover on unused credits

Business Plan: $22 per lead

• Verified badge displayed on profile
• Priority search placement
• Overage leads: $30 each
• 2x rollover on unused credits

Enterprise Plan: $19 per lead

• Top placement in all searches
• Dedicated account manager
• Overage leads: $25 each
• 2.4x rollover on unused credits

No annual contracts. No hidden fees. Pause or cancel anytime.

Angi Pricing Structure

Angi's pricing has multiple components:

Annual Membership/Advertising Packages:

• Basic visibility: $300-500/year
• Enhanced placement: $1,000-3,000/year
• Premium advertising: $3,000-10,000+/year

Pay-Per-Lead Costs:

• Standard plumbing leads: $15-45 each
• High-value leads (remodeling): $40-80 each
• Shared with 2-4 other professionals

Additional Costs:

• Profile enhancement fees
• Photo/video upload features
• Response rate penalties
• Annual contract requirements (typically 12 months)

The total annual commitment for a plumber on Angi often ranges from $3,000 to $8,000 before you count individual lead purchases.

ROI Calculation Example

Scenario: 10 leads per week over one month (40 leads total)

Nearleap (Business Plan):

• Lead cost: 40 × $22 = $880
• Exclusive lead conversion: 40%
• Customers acquired: 16
• Revenue at $350/job: $5,600
• ROI: 536%
• Cost per customer: $55

Angi (Mid-tier advertising + leads):

• Annual advertising (monthly portion): $250
• Lead purchases: 40 × $35 = $1,400
• Total monthly: $1,650
• Shared lead conversion: 18%
• Customers acquired: 7.2 (round to 7)
• Revenue at $350/job: $2,450
• ROI: 48%
• Cost per customer: $236

Lead Quality Analysis

How Nearleap Sources and Verifies Leads

Nearleap generates leads through:

• Hyper-local SEO landing pages
• Targeted digital advertising
• Home improvement content partnerships
• Referral programs

Verification process:

• Phone number validation
• Email confirmation
• Job detail requirements
• Geographic matching

Each lead is exclusive - you're the only plumber who receives it. This eliminates the "race to respond" that plagues shared lead platforms.

How Angi Sources Leads

Angi generates leads through:

• Angi.com marketplace traffic
• Extensive TV and digital advertising
• The legacy Angie's List customer base
• HomeAdvisor integration

Lead quality concerns on Angi:

• Leads shared with multiple pros increases competition
• Annual contract creates incentive to send volume over quality
• Integration with HomeAdvisor muddied lead sources
• Customer intent varies widely (researching vs. ready to hire)

Many plumbers report that Angi leads often come from price shoppers comparing multiple quotes rather than customers ready to hire.

User Experience

Nearleap Platform Experience

Dashboard features:

• Clean, modern interface
• Mobile-optimized for on-the-job access
• One-tap calling and messaging
• Lead analytics and tracking
• Simple subscription management

Lead delivery:

• Instant push notifications
• Email alerts with full details
• SMS notifications (optional)
• All contact info immediately visible

Time investment: Minimal. Leads arrive ready to contact.

Angi Platform Experience

Dashboard features:

• Comprehensive business profile tools
• Review response system
• Advertising campaign management
• Lead inbox and CRM features
• Performance analytics

Complexity factors:

• Managing advertising budget vs. lead budget
• Optimizing profile for search visibility
• Responding quickly to compete with other pros
• Navigating the merged Angi/HomeAdvisor interface

Time investment: Significant. Success requires active platform management.

Pros and Cons

Nearleap Pros

• Predictable, fixed costs
• Exclusive leads eliminate competition
• No annual contract
• Higher conversion rates
• Less platform management required
• Credit rollover protects your investment

Nearleap Cons

• Smaller brand recognition
• Fewer consumer reviews on platform
• Newer company track record
• Limited to service professional market

Angi Pros

• Established brand consumers trust
• Large customer review database
• Multiple advertising options
• Comprehensive business profile
• Recognition from 25+ years of operation

Angi Cons

• Complex, often confusing pricing
• Annual contracts lock you in
• Shared leads reduce conversion rates
• High total cost of participation
• Platform changes since HomeAdvisor merger
• Hidden fees and upsells common

Real Cost Comparison: Annual Perspective

First-Year Costs for a Plumbing Business Targeting 12 New Customers Monthly

Nearleap Route:

• Plan: Pro at 25 leads/month
• Monthly: $625 (25 × $25)
• Annual: $7,500
• Expected customers: 120 (40% conversion on 300 leads)
• Cost per customer: $62.50
• Revenue at $350/job: $42,000
• Net after lead costs: $34,500

Angi Route:

• Annual advertising package: $2,400
• Lead purchases (30/month at $40): $14,400
• Total annual: $16,800
• Expected customers: 65 (18% conversion on 360 shared leads)
• Cost per customer: $258
• Revenue at $350/job: $22,750
• Net after lead costs: $5,950

Annual Advantage with Nearleap: $28,550 in additional net revenue

Best For: Which Platform Suits Your Business?

Nearleap is Best For:

• Plumbers prioritizing ROI and efficiency
• Businesses wanting predictable marketing costs
• Professionals tired of competing for shared leads
• Those who value their time
• Plumbers ready to scale with consistent lead flow

Angi is Best For:

• Plumbers who want broad brand association
• Businesses that can commit to annual contracts
• Those in markets where Angi has strong consumer adoption
• Plumbers who value extensive review displays
• Larger companies with dedicated marketing staff

Final Verdict

Nearleap wins for most plumbing professionals seeking profitable growth.

The fundamental issue with Angi is complexity. Between annual contracts, advertising packages, and per-lead fees, it's difficult to know your true cost per customer. And when leads are shared with competitors, your conversion rate suffers.

Nearleap's model is built on transparency. You know exactly what each lead costs, you're the only plumber receiving it, and you can adjust or cancel without penalty.

For plumbers who've felt burned by Angi's locked-in contracts and declining lead quality, Nearleap offers a refreshing alternative.

Our Recommendation: If you're currently on Angi, don't renew your annual contract until you've tested Nearleap's 14-day free trial. Compare your conversion rates and cost per customer. Most plumbers find Nearleap delivers significantly better ROI.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my Angi reviews to Nearleap?

Reviews are platform-specific and cannot be transferred. However, Nearleap integrates with Google reviews, which are often more visible to potential customers anyway.

What if I'm locked into an Angi annual contract?

You can run both platforms simultaneously and shift budget to Nearleap as your Angi contract expires. This lets you compare performance directly.

Does Nearleap have the same consumer brand recognition as Angi?

Nearleap is newer and building its consumer brand. However, since leads are generated through targeted advertising and SEO rather than marketplace browsing, brand recognition matters less - customers find you through their search for services.

How do I know Nearleap leads are actually exclusive?

Nearleap guarantees exclusivity in their terms of service. Each lead is sent to exactly one professional. If you ever receive evidence that a lead was shared, you're entitled to a full credit refund.