When you need a plumber or electrician in India, you have roughly three options: JustDial (old-school directory), Urban Company (managed marketplace), or a verified directory like Solve24. They look similar on the surface but work very differently under the hood — and the difference shows up in your final bill.
Business model at a glance
| Feature | JustDial | Urban Company | Solve24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worker status | Paid listing | Platform employee / partner | Independent, self-listed |
| Worker keeps | 100% (you pay them directly) | 60–75% (platform takes cut) | 100% |
| Customer sees phone | Free (often unverified) | No — only via platform | Via ₹11+ subscription |
| Verification | Paid by listing | Vetted & trained | Phone + ID |
| Reviews | Limited | Strong | Growing |
| Pricing set by | Worker | Platform | Worker |
| Best for | Quick phone lookups | Standardised home services | Hyperlocal & long-tail services |
When JustDial wins
JustDial is a great tool if you already know exactly what you want and just need a phone number fast. Restaurants, big shops, chains — it has the largest database in India. Downsides: profiles are thin, many listings are bought rather than verified, and you're on your own for quality.
When Urban Company wins
Urban Company shines for standard, packaged services — deep cleaning, salon-at-home, AC service. The prices are fixed, the professional is trained, the experience is predictable. Downsides: the "markup" vs the worker's own price is large (you pay 25–40% more than you'd pay the same worker directly), and availability can be patchy outside metros.
When Solve24 wins
Solve24 is built for hyperlocal needs — a plumber two streets away, a grocery shop that still takes phone orders, an AC technician who knows the quirks of your building. Profiles are verified, ratings are real, and you contact workers directly. You pay the worker their own rate — Solve24 never marks up the job. The premium subscription (from ₹11 for 3 days) unlocks phone numbers; the worker keeps every rupee you pay them.
Which should you use?
- You need a fixed-price, standard service (deep clean, AC service) → Urban Company
- You need a quick phone number for a known business → JustDial
- You want a verified local worker, independent pricing, direct contact → Solve24
Most households end up using all three at different times. That's fine — but be aware of what each one is optimised for. A ₹99 Standard plan on Solve24 pays for itself in one Urban-Company-sized savings.