Marketing 360 vs Thryv vs GoHighLevel: which should a contractor pick?
These three get compared all the time, but they are not the same kind of thing. Here is what each one really is, and what I would tell a solo contractor to do.
The short answer: GoHighLevel is the cheapest and most flexible, but someone has to build it. Marketing 360 is the closest to done-for-you, with a sales process and pricing you only get on a call. Thryv sits in the middle as an all-in-one office tool. A true solo contractor should usually skip all three at first and get a solid website, Google Business Profile, and missed-call text working before paying for a platform.
My bias, up front: I build on GoHighLevel for my clients. I picked it because contractors can own their data and the software cost stays low, but you should read this knowing that. I have linked the outside sources so you can check me.
How do they compare?
| Marketing 360 | Thryv | GoHighLevel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Marketing software plus a team | Small business office and marketing software | A toolbox: CRM, texting, automation, sites |
| Who does the work | Mostly them | You and their support | You, or someone you hire |
| Published price | Not published, quote on a call | Sold by product and bundle, and sources disagree, so get it in writing | $97 or $297 a month, plus usage |
| Biggest complaint | Add-on costs and contract terms | Billing and canceling | Hard to set up alone |
Prices above are what I could find in November 2026, and they change. GoHighLevel lists its plans publicly. Texts, calls, and AI features cost extra on top of the plan.
Marketing 360: closest to done for you
Marketing 360 is sold by Madwire. It is software plus people who run your marketing, and it does not publish prices. Third-party guides put the software entry point well under $100 a month and a working setup with ads and services at several hundred or more, but those are estimates. Reviews are split. Capterra shows a strong average across a lot of reviews, while G2 is lower. The complaints that repeat are extra charges and contract terms. Before you sign, get the term length and the early cancellation cost in writing, and ask who owns your website if you leave.
Thryv: an all-in-one office tool
Thryv does scheduling, invoicing, messaging, and marketing tools in one login. It can make sense if you want one simple place to run the office and do not want to think about it. The trouble people report tends to be billing and canceling. I went through that in detail in my honest Thryv breakdown. Pricing sources disagree enough that I will not quote one number here. Ask for the total monthly cost, any onboarding fee, and the minimum commitment.
GoHighLevel: powerful, if someone builds it
GoHighLevel gives you the CRM, texting, automation, booking, and websites, and its plans are public. The catch is that it arrives close to empty. It is a box of tools, and a lot of contractors pay for it, get lost, and quit. You either learn it or hire someone. If you want that route, here is what a contractor setup looks like, and here is when I would tell you to use something else.
Which should a solo contractor pick?
- You are one truck and under about 20 leads a month: none of them yet. Get your website and Google Business Profile right, turn on a missed-call text, and put the savings into the work that gets the phone ringing.
- You want someone else to run everything and will pay for it: Marketing 360 is built for that, once you are comfortable with the written terms. A local person you can actually call is also worth pricing out.
- You want one simple office tool and do not love tech: Thryv can fit. Read the cancellation terms first.
- You want to own your system and keep software cheap: GoHighLevel, if you will learn it or have someone build it.
Three questions for any of them: What is my total monthly cost including usage? How long am I locked in, and what does leaving cost? If I leave, do I keep my website, my phone number, and my customer list?
Not sure which one you need?
In 20 minutes I'll look at what you have now and tell you what I'd do, even if the answer is that you don't need any of them.
Frequently asked questions
Marketing 360 vs Thryv vs GoHighLevel: which should a solo contractor pick?
Usually none of them at first. A solo contractor should get a good website, Google Business Profile, and missed-call text working. After that, pick Marketing 360 if you want it run for you, Thryv for a simple all-in-one office tool, and GoHighLevel if you want to own the system and will learn it or hire someone.
Is GoHighLevel cheaper than Thryv?
Usually the software is, since GoHighLevel lists plans at $97 and $297 a month plus usage. But it takes setup time or a paid setup, so compare the total cost of getting it working, not only the monthly plan.
How much does Marketing 360 cost?
Madwire does not publish Marketing 360 pricing, so you get a quote on a sales call. Third-party estimates vary, and the real cost depends on ads and services added on top. Get the total and the contract terms in writing.
Do I own my website with these platforms?
It depends on the provider and your agreement. Ask directly whether you keep your website, phone number, and customer list if you leave, and get that answer in writing before you sign.