Lead sites for tradies are platforms where homeowners post a job or search for a business, and tradies pay to be seen, by subscription, per lead, as a percentage of earnings or as an annual fee. As at 14 November 2026, six are live across Australia and New Zealand: hipages, ServiceSeeking, Airtasker, Bark, Builderscrack and NoCowboys.
The table below compares them with your own ads, an agency and PreBuild Systems. No option here suits every business, and none is ranked. Each fact is dated and linked to the platform’s own page. Prices change, so check them before you commit.
The comparison, as at November 2026
| Option | How you pay | Businesses per job | Contract | Homeowner checks | Markets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| hipages | Monthly subscription with lead credits. Starter is $139 a month plus GST; no commission | Up to 3 | 6 month introductory term, then 12 month term | Checks the business: ABN, licence where needed, ID. Homeowner checks not stated on pages we read | Australia |
| ServiceSeeking | Paid membership to contact and quote | Not published where we looked | Terms say future payments can be cancelled at any time | Not found | Australia |
| Airtasker | Percentage service fee on earnings, 12.5% to 20% by tier, excluding GST | Not published where we looked | None stated on the fee page | Not found | Australia |
| Bark | Credits spent per lead to respond; no commission | Not found | No subscription; credits valid 3 months | Customers are sent a phone code to confirm their number; a skip option is shown | Australia, New Zealand |
| Builderscrack | Prepaid or Fixed Term subscription, tokens used on connection | Max 3 | Fixed Term: 6 months, then 12 month renewals | Mobile and email verified, unique ID | New Zealand |
| NoCowboys | $999 a year, no commission, no per click charge | Directory, not stated | Not stated | Reviews confirmed by email | New Zealand |
| Your own ads | You pay the ad platform | Depends on the homeowner | None | You do the checking | Both |
| An agency | Varies. Ask in writing | Ask | Ask | Ask | Varies |
| PreBuild Systems | Per homeowner, by trade and job size, in writing on a call. Prices not published | One, never resold | No retainer, no lock-in | Every homeowner rung and checked on six things | Australia and New Zealand |
Oneflare is not in the table. Airtasker retired it on 30 June 2026 and moved its business customers to Airtasker, per its FY26 results release. See what tradies use now that Oneflare is closed.
What each model is good at
- hipages: demand and tools. Homeowners come to it, and it adds job and business tools. Prices are published. See what hipages costs and whether it is worth it.
- ServiceSeeking: an Australian site where future payments can be cancelled at any time, per its terms. Its terms also say products and services are non-refundable at payment, subject to Australian Consumer Law. See ServiceSeeking for tradies.
- Airtasker: you pay a percentage when you earn. Compare it in hipages vs Airtasker.
- Bark: no subscription, and you see the credit cost before you respond, per its pricing page.
- Builderscrack: capped at 3 tradies, with homeowner contact details verified. See Builderscrack for tradies.
- NoCowboys: a reputation and directory product with a flat yearly fee, not a jobs board.
How to choose
Start with three questions about your own business.
By job size
Work out what a signed job is worth to you. A site that charges per lead or connection only makes sense if a normal signed job covers what you spend on the ones you lose. Our guide on what a lead is worth has the sum. If most of your work is under $5,000, PreBuild Systems is not the right fit. If it is $5,000 or more, ask for a price per homeowner.
By speed
When several businesses can take the same job, the first to call often wins. If you are on the tools all day, a shared lead can go cold before you pick up the phone. Fewer businesses per job, or someone ringing first, takes that pressure off. See how fast to call a bought lead.
By admin time
Directories and job tools such as hipages’ reduce paperwork. Your own ads give you control but every enquiry is yours to answer. Paying someone to ring and check each homeowner first moves that time off your day. Our guide on types of leads explains the trade-offs.
Check any seller the same way
- How many businesses get each job, in writing?
- Do you pay when a lead arrives, when you connect, or when you win?
- What is the term, and what does it cost to leave?
- Is any refund or replacement stated in writing?
On the PreBuild side, see hipages vs PreBuild Systems and hipages alternatives.
Common questions
What are lead sites for tradies?
Platforms where homeowners post jobs or search for a business, and tradies pay to be put in front of them, by subscription, per lead, as a share of earnings or as an annual fee.
Which lead site has the fewest businesses per job?
Of the platforms in the table, hipages and Builderscrack publish a cap of 3. For the others we could not find a published number. PreBuild Systems sends each homeowner to one business.
Is Oneflare still running?
No. Airtasker retired the Oneflare brand and platform on 30 June 2026 and moved its business customers to Airtasker.
Where do I get leads as a tradie without paying a platform?
Your own ads, a Google Business Profile, a website and referrals. Our guide on buying leads for your trade business covers the choices.
Is Google Local Services Ads available in Australia?
We could not confirm it, so it is not in the table. See how Local Services Ads charge.