TruGreen vs. Lawn Doctor | 2024 Guide

By Amanda Lutz Updated August 19, 2024

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No matter the size or type of grass, an excellent lawn care company can improve the quality of your outdoor space. You’ll want to choose the right provider to nourish your yard and foster a healthy, green lawn for years to come. However, it can be hard to tell which option is ideal for your unique property.

We spent hours researching the most important facets of each company to find the best lawn care services. From customer reviews to availability, we’ve outlined how these two stack up. To make the most informed choice, use this guide to TruGreen versus Lawn Doctor.

Rating:
Our Top Pick

TruGreen vs. Lawn Doctor: Quick Overview

Comparison FactorsTruGreenLawn Doctor
States available48 states*40 states**
Frequency of serviceQuarterlyBiannually, quarterly, or weekly options
Service guaranteeReturn as often as necessary to guarantee satisfaction on any TruGreen planWill return to reapply lawn treatments or refund the cost of the application
Customer service weekend availabilityLimited hours on Saturdays, not available on SundaysNo
Mobile appYesNo

*Trugreen is available in all but Alaska and Hawaii. 

**Lawn Doctor is available in all but Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming.


TruGreen vs. Lawn Doctor: Comparison of Service Programs

In examining the service programs of TruGreen versus Lawn Doctor, it’s clear that the two companies present fairly similar stand-alone treatment options and ongoing lawn care programs. Perhaps the most significant difference is that TruGreen’s á la carte services come with a guarantee, while Lawn Doctor’s á la carte options do not. Note that the offerings listed here may vary slightly based on your region and the local office you use.

TruGreen Service Programs

TruGreen has a variety of service plans for lawn treatment and pest control services, as well as a large range of á la carte offerings. Plans and additional services from TruGreen include these:

Soil amendment and analysis: Offered along with a TruGreen plan or on its own, this service treats your lawn’s pH to be ideal for grass growing.

Tree and shrub care: For seasonal protection, disease and pest prevention, and overall health, this service keeps your foliage full.

Perimeter pest control: To protect against wasps, spiders, and other seasonal pests, TruGreen can spread a granular treatment around the outside edges of your home. Pests treated may vary by season.

Mosquito control and defense: The company offers a program designed to eliminate and prevent mosquito infestations, using a potent spray that works in less than 24 hours in most cases. This service can also be combined with personalized tick control.

Grub control and prevention: This service allows you to prevent the unsightly damage grubs can cause and prevents an infestation.

Lawn aeration: The process of spike or core aeration loosens tightly compacted soil, allowing roots room to grow and nutrients to penetrate the soil.

TruLawn care annual plans: The provider offers multiple options. TruMaintenance includes lawn fertilization and preemergent and targeted weed control, and TruHealth adds grub control and prevention to those services. TruComplete tacks on overseeding and aeration, and TruSignature provides all these treatments along with top-of-the-line tree and shrub care. Each of these lawn care plans involves treatments spread out over multiple visits throughout the growing season.

Lawn Doctor Service Programs

The Lawn Doctor service programs offer homeowners stand-alone and recurring options for a healthy lawn, providing various professional lawn care options:

Mosquito control: Lawn Doctor’s mosquito control program aims to prevent new mosquitoes, control any infestations, and maintain a yard free of these pests through regular applications during mosquito season. This lawn care provider also offers special-event sprays for one-time insect control.

Lawn fertilization: Lawn Doctor offers customized plans for lawn fertilization to nourish a wide array of grasses with choices for enriched fertilizer and slow-release fertilization.

Tick control: Lawn Doctor tailors its tick treatments to each yard’s needs and the homeowner’s preferences. A professional will assist you in identifying potential areas of concern before treating them and providing ongoing maintenance applications.

Seeding and aeration: The lawn care service provider offers power seeding for thicker grass as well as guidance on seed mixture. The company often recommends aeration in combination with this service.

Tree and shrub care: To maintain healthy plants, Lawn Doctor performs disease treatments, insect treatments, and fertilization after a thorough inspection of your lawn’s trees and shrubs.

Annual programs: Options for annual plans include a program for fertilization and weed control, traditional mosquito control, natural mosquito control, and tick control. Combinations of these services are also available on an annual basis. Lawn Doctor’s annual plans are all provided over the course of services spread across the pest or lawn season.


TruGreen vs. Lawn Doctor: Service Pricing

Although the services offered are quite similar, we found that, across the country, TruGreen’s pricing was more competitive than Lawn Doctor. We obtained sample quotes for properties with a four-bedroom home and a half-acre lawn. When viewing these pricing averages below, remember that the size of your lawn and services you choose can affect your cost significantly. 

TruGreen Service Pricing

Based on our research on lawns around the United States, the average TruGreen customer will pay between $690 and $1,700 per year for a TruGreen plan, with TruMaintenance typically being the most cost-efficient option and TruSignature’s comprehensive coverage costing more. Aeration service averages between $141 and $300, and mosquito service may cost between $449 and $532 each year.

Lawn Doctor Service Pricing

Based on our research on yards across the nation, we found that Lawn Doctor customers will pay between $928 and $2,900 per year for a Lawn Doctor plan. The most cost-effective choice is a simple fertilizer and weed control package, while adding aeration and power seeding will increase the price significantly. Aeration services typically cost between $150 and $350, and mosquito control averages between $500 and $725 each year.


TruGreen vs. Lawn Doctor: Reviews

In researching customer reviews of both providers’ branches across the nation, we found that TruGreen customers often mentioned being pleased with the company’s reservicing guarantee and friendly technicians. Dissatisfied customers often cited difficulty canceling their policies and receiving persistent phone calls about their TruGreen service.

The Lawn Doctor’s positive reviews often cited thicker, greener grass after service and responsive local offices. The negative reviews of Lawn Doctor commonly mentioned no visible changes after service and dissatisfaction with the company’s satisfaction guarantee.

TruGreen Reviews

3 YEars of Routine CAre

"TruGreen has been doing lawn care for me for the last three years. This year my lawn is looking great. I am very pleased with the routine care they have given to my lawn, such as fertilizing, weed control, and instructions about how to get the… best growth after they seeded my lawn in the fall." Read more
—Rebecca P. via Google Reviews

KeEps Yard Looking Great

"TruGreen does an awesome job keeping my yard looking great. My specialist Allen C is very professional and answers all my questions and concerns about what’s being applied each time."
—Jim K. via Google Reviews

Didn't Meet Expectations

"Have used them for years, but they can't seem to get the lawn to stay green/alive all year. Also, they never got control of the weeds. True to their advertising, they came out every time we called for additional service. However, they… never got our yard to ever look like we wanted. We ultimately canceled our contract." Read more
—Dave C. via Google Reviews

Lawn Doctor Reviews

Grass is Thriving

"Victor Davis and Taras Datshyshyn have helped us transform our newly purchased and neglected lawns into a much more enjoyable place to be. The grass is thriving, the weeds are gone, and we can really enjoy ourselves."
—Nathan C. via Google Reviews

Prompt and Careful

"Lawn Doctor has helped us transform our once difficult lawn. Techs Victor Davis and Steve Thornhill are always prompt and careful with seasonal services and let us know anything we need to watch out for. Definitely recommend."
—David E. via Google Reviews

Fighting Weeds on My Own

I've used Lawn Doctor now over two years and I have been fighting weeds on my own, day in and day out. I've talked to my rep but can't seem to get together with him to improve what I have. I don't feel like I'm listened to,… and I don't think I'm getting the correct amount of application. I receive more spot spraying then pre emergent which I constantly spot spray myself to keep after what I'm paying for. Read more
—Alex R. via Google Reviews
Rating:
Our Top Pick

Our Recommendation

After comparing these lawn providers’ programs, pricing, availability, customer service, and reviews, our lawn service company recommendation is TruGreen. Thanks to its widespread availability, online quote and chat features, mobile app, and competitive pricing, this provider stands above the rest. 

For those hoping for a more do-it-yourself (DIY) approach to their lawn, Sunday offers user-friendly subscriptions. Its plans are ideal for hands-on lawn care, shipped straight to your home. Each product comes with clear instructions for use, and there are even pet products for a lawn that’s friendly for fluffy friends.


TruGreen and Lawn Doctor FAQ

Is Lawn Doctor the same as TruGreen?

Lawn Doctor is not the same as TruGreen—these are two distinct lawn care services available for fertilization, weed control, and other yard treatments. TruGreen is available in 48 states, while Lawn Doctor is available in 40 states. In our research of third-party reviews, service plans, and secret-shopping for quotes across the nation, we find TruGreen to have superior guarantees, service, and pricing, making it our top choice for lawns.

How much does Lawn Doctor cost?

We found that Lawn Doctor’s lawn plans cost between $928 and $2,900 per year. However, the number of services you choose and size of your lawn will play a part in your price. Plans for mosquito or perimeter pest control can average between $312 per year and $750 per year.

Do you need a lawn care company to use TruGreen?

TruGreen provides lawn care services, including fertilization, preemergent weed control, seeding, and more, but you may need a separate landscaping company if you are looking to ditch your lawn mower and DIY lawn maintenance. However, TruGreen’s technicians can give you tips on everyday lawn maintenance so that a professional landscaper is not required.

Does TruGreen offer natural lawn care?

For those looking for an eco-friendly lawn care service, many TruGreen branches offer TruNatural. This plan includes natural fertilizer and natural weed control upon request.


How We Chose the Top Lawn Care Services

We researched and analyzed widely available lawn care services, spoke with customer service representatives, and analyzed customer experiences based on hundreds of consumer reviews and call listening sessions to find common pain points and lawn care service requests.

We also secret-shopped for quotes from six providers to simulate the customer experience with each process and compare pricing for similar services. Although lawn care offerings can vary based on seasonality and location, we reviewed and compared each provider’s service programs, frequency of service, customer support, pest and weed control options, contact options, industry reputation, ingredients, and state availability.