Lots of online platforms that make it easier to hire workers and find one-time or full-time gigs. LaborHack and GigSmart are some of the prominent platforms in this regard. They both connect clients with skilled service workers but have different approaches.
In this article, we’ll break down the differences between the two, helping you decide which platform is ideal for your needs.
Let’s get started!
What is GigSmart?
GigSmart is an online gig platform that connects businesses to workers and provides opportunities for individuals to find various side gigs to supplement their income.
Jobs here are referred to as “gigs” and come in various types. From full-time roles to part-time, project-based gigs, shift gigs, and one-off tasks, all these are available for service workers on GigSmart.
As a two-sided marketplace, GigSmart benefits both employers and employees. Businesses can directly access on-demand laborers for both short- and long-term projects with GigSmart Get Workers. While employees on the other hand can choose the jobs that align with their experiences through GigSmart Get Gigs.
Unlike other platforms, GigSmart aims to have the largest pool of workers to give businesses more options to hire the ideal people they need. This pool includes verified, unverified, and rated workers with reviews and ratings gathered from the community.
How does GigSmart Work?
As a business;
- Sign up on GigSmart and post a job opening for free.
- Workers on the platform are notified of the job opening
- Select from a pool of workers who bid for the job.
As a worker;
- Sign up and create your worker profile including your photo, work history, education, and summary.
- Browse through available job opportunities on the platform
- Accept offers you want to work at.
- Get paid
What is LaborHack?
LaborHack is an online artisan platform that connects businesses and homeowners with skilled and certified workers. Through their pool of over 4,500 artisans, you can easily find the right artisan for your needs.
The platform supports a wide range of services including plumbers, welders, AC technicians, carpenters, masons, painters, solar technicians, and so much more. Its seamless interface makes it easy to submit a request for the task you need and get matched with the best artisan around you.
Compared to other artisan platforms, LaborHack takes a slightly different approach. They focus on empowering artisans to offer high-quality services. One of the ways they do this is by providing educational loans and migration support to Canada for certified workers on their platform.
Additionally, they offer soft skill training to these artisans enabling them to properly communicate with clients. All of this together, makes LaborHack a go-to platform to hire skilled workers.
How does LaborHack Work?
For businesses;
- Signup on LaborHack
- Submit a request explaining the services you need
- Get matched with vetted artisans on LaborHack
- Enjoy clean and high-quality service.
For homeowners;
- Submit a request explaining the services you need.
- Arrange an inspection to enable LaborHack to properly assess the services you require.
- Receive a quote for the work to be done.
- After payment, your task will be done within the agreed timeframe.
LaborHack vs GigSmart: Compared
1. Hiring a worker
To hire a worker on GigSmart, create a Get Workers account by signing up via the web or the app.
Next, you’ll have to create your first shift gig. This is especially helpful for businesses that need workers in a shift schedule, as it helps them rotate workers easily without getting involved.
When creating a shift gig, select a category that your gig falls under and the relevant positions you’re hiring for. You must have at least one category and position to move forward with creating your Shift Gig.
After you’re done, fill in other required details like your shift schedule, and payment. GigSmart shows your job offers to workers on its platform. Once you’ve gotten enough applicants, you can close the gig and manually review applicants.
GigSmart’s proprietary technology SmartHire, helps you manage the process of speaking with workers, and if they accept you’ll be notified immediately.
It’s free to create a shift gig on GigSmart. You’ll only pay workers when work has been completed.
On LaborHack, it’s a lot more straightforward. As a homeowner, you’ll need to specify the type of worker you need, the nature of the job, its urgency, and the timeline. You’ll also need to set up an inspection date to enable LaborHack to assess the scope of work to be done.
Businesses who want to hire through LaborHack will need to sign up and make a direct request detailing the services required. LaborHack assesses its network and connects you with the right pro for the job.
Similar to GigSmart, it is free to make a service request, LaborHack only sends you a quote when the scope of work has been analyzed.
2. Quality of service
When it comes to finding reliable service workers whether for business needs or personal projects, the quality of service can make all the difference.
LaborHack workers are certified by local and international education bodies, enabling them to provide high-quality services.
They also undergo a thorough vetting process that aims to evaluate their skill level, background, and authenticity to ensure the safety of clients and the provision of high-quality services.
Additionally, before artisans are matched to service requests, they must have passed all background and authenticity checks. In a situation where an unsatisfactory service is provided, LaborHack Guarantee ensures that the service is redone at no extra cost.
GigSmart on the other hand is entirely different. There are no specific vetting processes for workers on the platform. As long as you are 18 years or older, you can get started on the platform.
After signing up, you can scroll through the job opportunities on the platform and apply for suited jobs in your area.
Nonetheless, GigSmart uses a review and rating system to help clients hire workers proven to deliver excellently. Each review helps clients decide who to hire and enables workers to choose where to work. Every worker is rated and reviewed, and the more positive reviews a worker gets, the higher their chances of earning.
3. Worker registration process
To become a worker on GigSmart, you’ll need to sign up and create a Get Gigs account through the GigSmart app or mobile platform.
You’ll be required to fill out your personal information including your email address, ZIP code, password, and phone number. You’ll also undergo a mobile phone verification to check the validity of your number.
Once you’re done, your profile is set and you can see available gigs and apply to the one that best suits your schedule.
It’s important to however know that there’s no assurance of getting hired by an employer on
GigSmart especially if you’re not actively applying for gigs or have undergone verification.
On LaborHack, things are a lot more structured. After signing up, you’ll undergo a series of background checks and online assessments to evaluate your skill level and authenticity. Afterward, you’ll be matched to clients online.
4. Services Rendered
On LaborHack, there are a wide variety of services you can get from different categories. There are 15 different artisan categories which are; Masons, Tiling, Furniture Making, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, POP, Painting, DSTV, Cleaning, Fumigation, Solar Technicians, Aluminium Workers, Welders, and Carpentry. These roles can be either full/part-time, project-based, or one-off.
Businesses also get various services from LaborHack such as; LaborHack for Construction, LaborHack for Maintenance, LaborHack for Facility Managers, and LaborHack for Installations.
This variety of services allows them to cater to various businesses including; Construction businesses, Facility management companies, Offices, SMEs, and others.
GigSmart offers a more flexible option for hiring across various industries which includes; staffing for warehousing, construction, restaurant, landscaping, moving, delivery services, retail, and more.
Additionally, these roles can be shift-based, part-time, hourly work, full time or contract.
So whether you want to hire workers or complete work in an office, hotel, food-related industry, promotional events, or more you can easily get workers through GigSmart.
5. Finding jobs
After signing up on GigSmart, you can browse available positions in your area and get hired as soon as possible.
However, some jobs on GigSmart require verification of staff members before hiring. This type of gig is called a Verified Gig. Here, GigSmart will conduct a background check and/or motor vehicle record check. Once you’re cleared, you’ll receive a notification that you are hired for the job.
Additionally, instant hiring is not promised once you’re onboarded to GigSmart. You’ll have to either apply for gigs on the platform or wait till a client accepts your offer.
On LaborHack, you are matched to service requests aligning with your skillsets after onboarding. So you don’t have to manually bid for jobs to be hired.
Some differences with applying for jobs on LaborHack vs GigSmart include;
| LaborHack | GigSmart | |
| Types of clients | Homeowners, small-to-medium businesses, entrepreneurs, and Large enterprises. | Small-to-medium businesses, and large enterprises |
| Types of jobs | One-time jobsRecurring jobsContractFull time | ContractFull-time opportunitiesHourly gigsShift gigsPart-time gigsProject-based gigs |
| How to apply for jobs | Receive notifications for job postings on LaborHack. | Bid for jobs and wait to be hired. |
| Special features | Set up inspection datesSet task urgency. | Receive feedback and ratings on your profile. Artisan showcaseJobs showcase |
6. Pricing
Prices on LaborHack are set based on the services provided. There are no hidden charges or extra fees to be paid.
GigSmart’s pricing is a bit complex when compared because it charges for various services on its platform.
Here’s a pricing breakdown for Get Workers on GigSmart.
| Job type | Add-on | Fee |
| Shift Gig | No add-on | Fee: 25%. Minimum: $25.00 Gig fee applies to Gigs with a total less than $100.00 |
| Shift Gig | Background Check | Fee: 25%Minimum: $25.00 Gig fee applies to Gigs with a total of less than $100.00 |
| Shift Gig | MVR (Motor Vehicle Report) Check | Fee: 35%Minimum: $35 Gig fee applies to Gigs with a total of less than $100.00 |
Pricing for full/part-time positions depends on the duration of the job ad. Below is the pricing breakdown;
| Duration | Fee |
| 1-week plan (7 days) | $90 |
| 2-week plan (14 days) | $150.00 |
| 3-week plan (21 days) | $220.00 |
| 1-month plan (30 days) | $270.00 |
| 3-month plan (90 days) | $600.00 |
All workers pay a $1.00 Trust and Support fee per hour for benefits, which may include insurance. This Trust and Support fee is deducted from each Gig’s total earnings.
Funds transfer from a worker’s wallet attract a 3% fee plus the $1 minimum fee. GigSmart also charges fees for advertising job boards on its platform. Prices range from $5 for a one-day plan to $50 for a 3-month plan.
7. Insurance Coverage
Shift Gig workers on GigSmart who are at least 18 years of age are eligible for Occupational Accident Insurance (OAI).
This insurance is similar to compensation for workers who suffer work-related injuries, as a means to cover medical costs and disability benefits. The coverage offered by GigSmart includes up to $1,000 for accidental death, up to $90,000 in survivor benefits for qualifying dependents, $500 weekly disability coverage, and up to $1 million in medical expense coverage.
But to access this insurance, the worker must be a member of the On-Demand Independent Contractors Association (ODICA). To become a member of ODICA, the worker must execute the updated Terms of Service through the Get Gigs app. Once a member of ODICA, the GigSmart Shift Gig worker is automatically covered by GigSmart’s OAI policy.
LaborHack, on the other hand, offers insurance to both artisans and clients for jobs made through its platform, as well as health insurance for its artisans. Additionally, the LaborHack Guarantee ensures that clients who experience unsatisfactory service can have their jobs redone at no extra cost.
LaborHack vs GigSmart: Pros and cons
Pros
- All artisans are vetted and globally certified
- Guaranteed work for artisans on its platform
- All artisans undergo a thorough screening and vetting process before being matched to clients.
- Prices are only for the volume of work to be done.
- Artisans can work both locally and globally
- On-the-job insurance for both clients and workers.
- LaborHack Guarantee ensures unsatisfactory tasks are reworked to your satisfaction at no extra cost
- A wide range of gigs to apply for
- Workers are in charge of their schedule: Choose when and where to work.
- Available in all 50 states in the United States
- Variety of opportunities and job types to apply for.
Cons
LaborHack
- Most services require a 24-hour notice
GigSmart
- No guaranteed work
- Full-time positions are hard to find
- GigSmart charges workers for every gig.
LaborHack vs GigSmart: Which One Should You Use?
Both LaborHack and GigSmart have their strengths. On LaborHack, artisans are globally certified and matched to service requests online. Additionally, you don’t have to apply for jobs to be hired, you just need to have the skills and be willing to offer high-quality skills.
Also, artisans all undergo thorough background checks and can get a variety of jobs, whether part/full-time or one-time gigs.
GigSmart on the other hand is a great platform to get temporary, hourly, or shift gigs. Due to its easy access policy, the competition is tough and it may be difficult to get gigs on the platform. However, once you get a gig, things begin to kick off from there.
In general, the platform you work with largely depends on the scope of work to be done, and plans. But to enjoy the comfort of working with skilled, verified artisans from an organized organization, LaborHack is a better option. Sign up and see for yourself.
Would you like to hire skilled and well-vetted artisans for your home and office repair/maintenance needs? Vist www.laborhack.com to Hire a Pro
