If you're comparing Optuno vs Thryv, the first thing to understand is that these two companies solve different problems. Optuno is a local SEO and web design agency that focuses on getting your business found in local search results. Thryv is an all-in-one business management software platform that combines CRM, scheduling, invoicing, marketing automation, and more into a single dashboard.
According to LocaliQ's Small Business Marketing Trends Report, 45% of small businesses say getting new leads and customers is one of their biggest challenges. Both Optuno and Thryv claim to help with that, but they go about it in very different ways.
Company Backgrounds
Thryv has its roots in the print directory business. The company was formed through a 2017 merger of Dex Media and YP Holdings, two major yellow pages publishers. It rebranded to Thryv to reflect a shift from traditional advertising to business management software. Thryv went public on NASDAQ in 2020 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
Today the company serves over 100,000 SaaS clients and is actively transitioning away from its legacy marketing services toward a SaaS-first model, with plans to fully exit its legacy business by 2028.
Optuno started as a web design company focused on making professional websites affordable for small businesses. Since then it has expanded into a full-service digital marketing agency. Headquartered in North Miami Beach, Florida, Optuno offers custom website design, local SEO, review management, and lead generation to thousands of small businesses in over 300 cities across the United States.
What Each Company Actually Does
This is the most important distinction in the entire comparison.
Thryv is primarily a software platform. You log in and use tools to manage appointments, send invoices, process payments, post to social media, send email and text campaigns, manage your online listings, and track customer interactions. It's designed to centralize your day-to-day business operations. Thryv also offers marketing add-ons like SEO tools and a website builder, but these are supplementary features within a broader software suite.
Optuno is a service-based agency. You work with a team that handles the marketing work for you. Optuno builds and manages your website, optimizes your Google Business Profile, manages your local citations, helps you generate reviews, and creates content designed to help your business rank in local search. You're not logging into a dashboard to do the work yourself. Instead, a team does it on your behalf.
If you need software to run your business operations, Thryv is designed for that. If you need someone to handle your local marketing so you can focus on running your business, that's what Optuno does.
Pricing and Contracts
Thryv publishes its pricing on its website, with individual products starting around $199 per month per location. Bundles that combine CRM, marketing, and business management tools range from roughly $456 to $761 per month, according to Capterra. Third-party review sites also report onboarding fees ranging from $199 to $499 depending on the plan. According to Thryv's own pricing page, the software requires a six-month initial subscription period and auto-renews month to month after that. A 5% discount is available if you pay semi-annually.
Optuno also publishes its pricing online. Standard plans are month-to-month with no long-term commitment required and no setup fees. For businesses that want professional local SEO and web design without a multi-month lock-in, the lower barrier to entry may be appealing.
Local SEO Capabilities
This is where the comparison gets especially relevant for businesses that depend on local customers.
Thryv includes some local SEO tools within its platform. You can manage your online listings, monitor reviews, and build a website using their website builder add-on (starting at $19 per month). A higher-tier option where Thryv's team designs the site for you is also available. However, Thryv's SEO features are largely self-service. You're managing the listings yourself, and the built-in website tools are part of a broader business management platform rather than a dedicated local SEO solution. For businesses that need hands-on local SEO work like Google Business Profile optimization, local link building, or locally targeted content creation, Thryv's built-in tools may not go deep enough.
Optuno's entire model is built around local search visibility. The team handles Google Business Profile optimization, citation management, on-page SEO, review generation strategy, and custom website design and content. You're not learning a new software tool or managing it yourself. The work gets done for you.
If you want to see where your business currently stands in local search, Optuno's free local SEO report gives you a quick snapshot.
Customer Experience
Thryv has a mixed reputation across review platforms. On Capterra, the software holds a solid rating based on over 500 verified user reviews, with users praising the all-in-one convenience and responsive customer support during onboarding. On the BBB, Trustpilot, and ConsumerAffairs, however, complaints surface around billing issues, difficulty canceling, onboarding fees that were not refunded, and marketing services that underperformed expectations.
It's worth noting that Thryv serves a very large customer base, and a company of that size will naturally have more visible complaints. Many users report positive experiences, especially those who fully adopt the platform for managing daily operations.
Optuno's customer reviews highlight responsiveness, attentive support, and the benefit of having a managed service rather than a DIY tool. The company emphasizes unlimited website updates, 24-hour response times, and a hands-on approach where clients don't need to manage the technical side themselves.
Who Is Each Provider Best For?
Thryv is best for small businesses that want a single platform to manage operations: scheduling, invoicing, CRM, payments, email marketing, social media, and online listings. It's particularly well-suited for service-based businesses like salons, contractors, and wellness providers who need to manage their client workflow alongside their marketing. If you're comfortable using software to handle these tasks yourself, Thryv gives you the tools to do it.
Optuno is best for small businesses whose primary need is getting found online by local customers. If you want a custom-designed website, professional local SEO, and a team that handles the marketing work on your behalf, Optuno fills that role. It's especially useful for business owners who don't have time to learn or manage another software platform and would rather hand the marketing off to professionals.
Can You Use Both?
Potentially, yes. Since Thryv is primarily operational software and Optuno is a marketing agency, they don't directly overlap in most areas. A business could use Thryv for scheduling, CRM, and invoicing while using Optuno for website design and local SEO. That said, paying for both would increase your monthly costs, so most small businesses will want to prioritize based on their biggest need right now.
Visit Optuno's homepage to learn how the service works. If you're ready to see specific plans and pricing, the pricing page lays everything out.
FAQ
Is Thryv a marketing agency or a software platform?
Thryv is primarily a software platform, not a marketing agency. It provides tools that you use to manage your own business operations and marketing. It does offer some managed marketing services like Thryv Leads, but the core product is self-service software.
Does Thryv require a contract?
Yes. According to Thryv's pricing page, the software requires a six-month initial subscription period. After that, it auto-renews on a month-to-month basis.
Does Optuno require a contract?
No. Optuno's standard plans are month-to-month with no setup fees and no long-term commitment required.
How much does Thryv cost?
Individual Thryv products start around $199 per month per location. Bundles range from roughly $456 to $761 per month, according to Capterra. Third-party review sites also report onboarding fees ranging from $199 to $499 depending on the plan.
Does Thryv build custom websites?
Thryv offers a website builder add-on starting at $19 per month for a DIY option. A professionally designed option where Thryv's team builds the site for you is also available at a higher tier.
Which is better for showing up in Google Maps?
Optuno, because its service specifically focuses on local SEO and Google Business Profile optimization. Thryv offers listing management tools, but the hands-on optimization work that drives Map Pack rankings is not the platform's core strength.
Can I use Thryv and Optuno together?
Yes. Since Thryv handles business operations and Optuno handles local marketing, they serve different functions and can work alongside each other.


View Printer Friendly Version


