Comparison · 2026-10-25 · By David Linda, Founder
HomeProFax vs Angi: where to hire vs how to check
Angi is where you find and book a pro. HomeProFax is where you check one. Angi is a marketplace: it lists pros, takes bookings and offers a guarantee on jobs booked and paid through it. HomeProFax is a free contractor report from public records: it shows what license boards and permit offices have on file for a contractor, whether or not that contractor has ever heard of us.
How Angi works, in its own words
- Money: Angi is free for homeowners. It says it earns money from pros who pay to advertise, from paid memberships and from bookings through Angi Services (Angi FAQ).
- Who appears: Angi's FAQ says it does not show results for businesses that have not claimed a free profile, and that Angi Approved pros are listed above others in search.
- Screening: for Angi Approved pros, the owner must pass a criminal background check; Angi says "Approved (Corporate)" pros are not background-checked by Angi. Pros attest to their licenses, and Angi recommends confirming licenses with the regulator.
- Guarantee: when you book and pay through Angi, the Happiness Guarantee can cover up to the purchase price, plus limited damage protection (up to $2,500 for pre-priced services under its Book Now terms). Limitations apply.
How HomeProFax works
- Money: reports are free, and contractors can't pay to change a score. Claiming a profile is free (for contractors).
- Who appears: profiles come from state license boards, city license lists and permit records, so a contractor doesn't need to sign up to have one.
- What it checks: license status and expiry, board discipline flags, permits where the city publishes them, business registration in Colorado and New York, BBB grades where researched and approved homeowner reviews (methodology).
- What it doesn't do: no bookings, no payments, no guarantee, and no background checks on people. We don't store or score Angi, Google, Yelp or Houzz ratings; reports link out to them instead.
Where Angi is stronger
- Booking and paying in one place, with upfront prices on pre-priced services.
- A guarantee on jobs booked and paid through Angi. HomeProFax offers none.
- An owner background check for Angi Approved pros.
- Reviews at scale. Angi says it has more than 200,000 pros in its network, and its reviews can't be anonymous (Angi FAQ).
Where HomeProFax is stronger
- Contractors who never signed up. A profile exists because the contractor holds a license or pulled a permit, not because it joined a marketplace.
- License status from the board. The license line is the board's record, with a source link, rather than the pro's own attestation.
- Order you can explain. Nobody pays for placement in a HomeProFax report, and the score formula is published.
Using both: a five-step routine
- Find two or three pros on Angi, or anywhere else.
- Look each one up on HomeProFax and note the license status, expiry and any discipline flag.
- Confirm the license on the board's site. In Colorado, roofers and general contractors are licensed by cities; see our Colorado contractor check guide.
- Ask for a certificate of insurance and call the insurer.
- If you book through Angi, read the guarantee terms first so you know what's covered.
When to use which
| You want to… | Angi | HomeProFax |
|---|---|---|
| Find and book a pro this week | Yes | Partly: Get matched is reviewed by a person |
| Pay through a platform with a guarantee | Yes, on qualifying bookings | No |
| Check a contractor you found elsewhere | Only if it has an Angi profile | Yes |
| See license status and expiry from the board | Angi recommends checking the regulator | Yes, with a source link |
| See permits the contractor pulled | Not described in Angi's FAQ | Where the city publishes permits |
Last updated October 25, 2026. HomeProFax is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA, and its reports may not be used for credit, insurance, employment or tenant screening decisions. Full disclaimer.
Common questions
How does Angi make money?
Angi says it is free for homeowners and earns money from pros who pay to advertise, from paid memberships and from bookings through Angi Services.
Does Angi background-check contractors?
Angi says the owner of an Angi Approved business must pass a criminal background check, and that Approved (Corporate) pros are not background-checked by Angi. Pros attest to their own licenses, and Angi recommends confirming licenses with the regulator.
What does the Angi Happiness Guarantee cover?
When you book and pay through Angi, it can cover up to the purchase price plus limited damage protection, up to $2,500 for pre-priced services under its Book Now terms. Limitations apply; read the terms on Angi's site.
What is the difference between HomeProFax and Angi?
Angi is a marketplace for finding, booking and paying pros. HomeProFax is a free contractor report from public records that shows license status, permits and board discipline flags for contractors whether or not they have signed up.
Can I use a HomeProFax report to screen an employee or tenant?
No. HomeProFax is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA, and its reports may not be used for credit, insurance, employment or tenant screening decisions.
Sources
Details about other companies come from their own public pages, linked in the Sources list and checked on October 25, 2026. They can change. Product names are trademarks of their owners; HomeProFax is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.