Looking to make money doing handyman work, cleaning, moving, or other services? Or hiring someone for a job? Here's how the three biggest platforms compare in 2026 with real pay data, fees, and what each platform is actually best for.
| Feature | TaskRabbit | Thumbtack | Handy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Odd jobs, moving, assembly | Skilled trades, home pros | Cleaning, handyman |
| Provider fee | 15% service fee | Pay per lead ($5-100+) | Set by Handy |
| Set your own rate? | Yes | Yes (quote-based) | No |
| Avg hourly (provider) | $25 - $60 | $30 - $80+ | $18 - $28 |
| Background check | Yes (required) | Optional (badge) | Yes (required) |
| Registration fee | $25 one-time | Free | Free |
| Available cities | ~60 US cities | Nationwide | ~30 US cities |
| Payment | In-app, same day | Direct from client | Weekly direct deposit |
| Insurance | Up to $1M liability | Provider's own | Limited coverage |
TaskRabbit (owned by IKEA since 2017) connects people who need tasks done with local Taskers. You set your own rates, choose which jobs to accept, and work on your own schedule.
The catch: TaskRabbit takes a 15% service fee from every job. So your $50/hr rate means you net $42.50. Plus, the $25 registration fee includes a background check.
Thumbtack works differently. Instead of hourly work, pros send quotes to potential customers. You pay for leads, not a percentage of the job. This favors higher-value services where winning one job covers the cost of many leads.
The catch: Lead costs vary wildly. A cleaning lead might cost $5, but a home renovation lead could cost $50-100. Not every lead converts. You might spend $200 on leads before winning a $2,000 job. Track your conversion rate carefully.
Handy is primarily a cleaning and handyman platform. Unlike TaskRabbit, Handy sets the prices for you. You can't negotiate. This means consistent work but lower earnings potential.
The catch: You're essentially a gig worker with no control over pricing. Cancellation penalties apply. Many providers report inconsistent booking volume. Handy has faced multiple lawsuits over worker classification.
The most successful service providers use all three (plus direct clients). Run TaskRabbit for steady odd jobs, Thumbtack for high-value quotes, and eventually transition to direct bookings through your own website and word of mouth. The platforms are a starting point, not the destination.
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