GreenPal vs. TruGreen: Which Lawn Care Service is Right for You?

GreenPal vs. TruGreen: Which Lawn Care Service is Right for You?

When comparing GreenPal and TruGreen, the most important thing to understand is that these services solve fundamentally different lawn care problems. GreenPal is a marketplace that connects you with local professionals for lawn mowing and basic maintenance. TruGreen is a traditional lawn care company that provides fertilization and weed control treatments through its own technicians.

This means you're not choosing between two versions of the same thing. You're deciding whether you need someone to cut your grass, someone to treat your lawn with fertilizers and herbicides, or both. TruGreen doesn't offer lawn mowing services. GreenPal focuses primarily on mowing rather than chemical treatments. Many homeowners use both services together for complete lawn care.

We created GreenPal to make finding reliable lawn mowing simple and affordable. After spending years in the landscaping industry ourselves, we saw how difficult it was for homeowners to find quality lawn care. We now serve over 1 million homeowners nationwide with an average customer rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. In this comparison, we'll help you understand what each service offers so you can make the right choice for your lawn care needs.

What is GreenPal?

GreenPal operates as an on-demand marketplace for lawn care services. We connect homeowners with vetted local lawn care professionals through our web platform and mobile app.

The process is straightforward. You enter your address, and our system uses satellite imagery to calculate your lawn size. Local lawn care providers in your area then submit competitive bids for your job, typically within 15 minutes. You review the quotes, check provider ratings and reviews, and choose the professional who best fits your needs and budget.

Our platform handles payment processing after the job is completed. Providers send photo proof of their work, and you only pay once you're satisfied with the results. There are no contracts, membership fees, or sign-up costs. You can schedule one-time services or set up recurring weekly or bi-weekly maintenance.

We've grown to serve over 1 million homeowners across 48 states with more than 45,000 lawn care professionals on our platform. Our average Trustpilot rating is 4.6 out of 5 stars.

GreenPal Services

Our core service is professional lawn mowing. Every standard mowing service through GreenPal includes:

• Grass cutting to optimal height

• Weed-eating and trimming around edges and obstacles

• Edging along sidewalks, driveways, and walkways

• Blowing or cleanup of grass clippings from hard surfaces

• Mulching of clippings (left on lawn for natural fertilization)

We also facilitate snow removal services in select markets including Boston, Detroit, Denver, and throughout Colorado. The same bidding system applies so you can find competitive pricing for driveway and sidewalk clearing.

Many of our lawn care professionals offer additional services you can arrange directly with them, such as:

• Yard cleanups and seasonal maintenance

• Light pruning and shrub trimming

• Basic garden bed maintenance

• Leaf removal

What is TruGreen?

TruGreen is America's largest lawn care company, founded in 1969 and operating nationwide. Unlike GreenPal, TruGreen is not a marketplace. It's a direct service provider that sends its own technicians to treat your lawn.

TruGreen specializes in lawn health treatments rather than basic maintenance. Their services focus on making your grass greener and healthier through professional applications of fertilizers, herbicides, and pest control products.

Customers typically sign up for annual lawn care plans with scheduled treatments throughout the growing season. TruGreen offers different plan tiers (TruBasic, TruNatural, TruComplete, TruSignature) that bundle various levels of service.

TruGreen Services

TruGreen's core offerings include:

• Fertilization on a regular schedule

• Weed control applications

• Insect and pest management

• Disease prevention treatments

• Soil amendments and pH testing

• Aeration and overseeding (additional cost)

• Tree and shrub care programs

One critical limitation: TruGreen does not offer lawn mowing. You'll need to handle grass cutting yourself or hire a separate service like GreenPal to maintain your lawn between treatments.

GreenPal vs. TruGreen: Key Differences

Pricing Comparison

GreenPal Pricing

Our pricing model is transparent and competitive. When you request service, multiple local providers bid on your job. This competition typically results in fair market rates without promotional gimmicks or introductory discounts.

For a standard residential lawn (roughly 0.25 acres), mowing typically costs between $25 and $45. Larger properties or yards with more complexity may range from $55 to $90 or more. Pricing varies by region based on local market conditions and cost of living.

There are no hidden fees or surprises:

• Platform use: Free for homeowners

• Quote requests: Free with no obligation

• Membership fees: None

• Cancellation fees: None

You only pay for the services you schedule, and payment is processed after completion. Our 5% commission comes from the provider's earnings, not from your bill.

TruGreen Pricing

TruGreen operates on a subscription model. According to industry data, individual treatment applications typically cost between $35 and $56. With most plans including 6-8 treatments per year, annual costs generally range from $400 to $800 for an average-sized lawn.

Additional services like aeration and overseeding often cost around $150 extra. Many customers report that TruGreen sales representatives frequently upsell additional treatments, which can increase the total cost beyond the base plan.

While TruGreen offers various plan options, the subscription model means you're committing to a season of service rather than paying for individual treatments as needed.

Customer Reviews and Satisfaction

GreenPal Customer Experience

We maintain a 4.6 out of 5 star rating on Trustpilot. Customers consistently praise several aspects of our service:

• Easy scheduling through the app

• Quick turnaround (often next-day service available)

• Competitive pricing through the bidding system

• Quality of work from vetted professionals

• Flexibility without contracts

Common positive feedback includes: "Scheduling was easy and we had a great experience with the person mowing our lawn. Would definitely use again."

The most frequent complaints relate to occasional no-shows or inconsistent work from individual providers. Because we operate as a marketplace rather than directly employing lawn care professionals, the experience depends on the specific provider you choose. We address this through our rating system, which helps identify top performers and allows customers to switch providers if needed.

TruGreen Customer Experience

TruGreen's customer satisfaction scores are significantly lower. The company holds a 1.4 out of 5 star rating on Trustpilot, with approximately 40% of reviews giving the lowest possible rating.

Some customers report positive results, particularly regarding lawn appearance improvements. One satisfied customer noted: "Since we started using TruGreen, I have seen a real difference in the appearance of our yard, greener thicker grass and very few weeds."

However, common complaints include:

• Technicians rushing through applications or missing sections of the lawn

• Aggressive sales tactics and upselling

• Billing disputes and difficulty canceling service

• Inconsistent service quality depending on local branch

• Damage to lawns from misapplied chemicals

The wide variation in reviews suggests that TruGreen's service quality depends heavily on which local branch serves your area.

Coverage and Availability

GreenPal Coverage

We currently operate in over 250 major markets across 48 states. Our network includes more than 45,000 lawn care professionals, providing coast-to-coast coverage in most suburban and urban areas.

Service availability is strongest in cities and suburbs where we have dense networks of providers. Rural areas may have fewer providers available, though our coverage continues to expand.

In 2023, we launched in Pittsburgh as our 250th market, demonstrating our ongoing geographic growth.

TruGreen Coverage

TruGreen operates nationwide with local branches serving all 50 states. As the largest lawn care company in America, they have extensive geographic reach.

However, national presence doesn't guarantee consistent quality. Service effectiveness varies by region because TruGreen relies on local crews. Some branches maintain high standards while others struggle with the complaints mentioned earlier.

When to Choose GreenPal

GreenPal is the right choice when your primary need is regular lawn mowing and basic maintenance. We're ideal for homeowners who:

• Need affordable, reliable grass cutting on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule

• Want flexibility without long-term contracts

• Prefer competitive pricing through multiple provider bids

• Value the ability to choose their lawn care professional based on ratings and reviews

• Need occasional services like snow removal in winter months

• Appreciate contactless service with photo proof of completion

We designed our platform specifically to solve the frustration of finding reliable lawn mowing service. The competitive marketplace model means you typically get better pricing than calling lawn care companies directly. Our vetting process ensures providers have legitimate equipment and good track records.

For over 30% of our users who are 60 years or older, the contactless service option provides independence and safety. Providers can complete the work while you're away, with photo confirmation sent to your phone.

When to Choose TruGreen

TruGreen makes sense if your lawn struggles with weeds, poor nutrition, or other health issues that require professional treatment programs. Consider TruGreen when you:

• Have significant weed problems that basic mowing won't solve

• Want expert fertilization and soil management

• Need pest control for lawn-damaging insects

• Prefer a hands-off approach to lawn health treatments

• Have the budget for subscription-based service

• Already have a separate solution for lawn mowing

TruGreen's expertise in lawn treatments can transform struggling lawns when the service is performed properly. Their technicians receive training in agronomy basics and can identify issues that might not be obvious to homeowners.

However, carefully research your local TruGreen branch before committing. Given the significant variation in customer satisfaction, it's worth checking reviews specific to your area. Also, understand exactly what's included in your plan and be prepared to clearly communicate if you don't want additional upsold services.

Can You Use Both Services Together?

Many homeowners use GreenPal for weekly mowing and TruGreen for lawn treatments. This combination addresses both basic maintenance and lawn health.

If you choose this approach:

• GreenPal handles the grass cutting and routine maintenance

• TruGreen provides fertilization, weed control, and treatments

• You get comprehensive lawn care without doing either task yourself

The main consideration is cost. Using both services means paying for two separate providers. However, some homeowners find this worthwhile if they want professional treatment programs but don't want to mow themselves.

Alternatively, you could use GreenPal for mowing and handle fertilization and weed control yourself with store-bought products. This gives you more control over what goes on your lawn and often costs less than a TruGreen subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does GreenPal offer fertilization and weed control?

GreenPal primarily facilitates lawn mowing services. While fertilization and weed control aren't part of our standard platform offerings, many individual lawn care professionals on GreenPal can arrange these services directly with you once you establish a relationship through our platform.

Does TruGreen mow lawns?

No, TruGreen does not offer lawn mowing services. They specialize exclusively in lawn treatments like fertilization and weed control. You'll need a separate service or solution for regular grass cutting.

Which service is more affordable?

The costs aren't directly comparable because they provide different services. GreenPal's mowing typically costs $25-$45 per visit, and you might need service every 1-2 weeks during growing season. TruGreen's annual treatment plans generally cost $400-$800 per year for 6-8 treatments. Your total lawn care budget depends on which services you need.

Can I use GreenPal without a contract?

Yes, GreenPal requires no contracts. You can schedule one-time services or set up recurring maintenance, and you can stop at any time without cancellation fees.

How quickly can I get service through GreenPal?

Most customers receive competitive quotes within 15 minutes of posting their service request. Many providers offer same-day or next-day service availability, depending on your location and current demand.

Get Started with Professional Lawn Mowing Today

If you're looking for reliable, affordable lawn mowing service, GreenPal offers the easiest way to connect with vetted local professionals. Our marketplace model gives you competitive pricing, flexibility, and the freedom to choose providers based on real customer reviews.

Visit YourGreenPal.com or download our mobile app to get free quotes from lawn care professionals in your area. Join over 1 million homeowners who have made lawn care simple with GreenPal.