One of the most satisfying things about being a homeowner is to look out the window and see a lush, green yard. However, if you have been in the homeownership club for some time, you likely know this is easier said than done. Unfortunately, there is quite a bit involved in maintaining a healthy lawn, and it’s best to have some professional help. Our review will look at TruGreen vs. Scotts and compare the differences and features.
TruGreen services will handle everything you need for your home landscaping and is known as one of the best lawn care companies on the market. The Scotts Lawn Service is a DIY plan that is affordable and user-friendly. If you have been searching for the best lawn care companies to help take your yard to the next level, let’s take a look at whether TruGreen or Scotts could be the better solution.
Compare TruGreen vs. Scotts
Provider | TruGreen | Scotts |
Website | TruGreen.com | ScottsMiracleGro |
Our rating | 4.9/5 | 4.4/5 |
Type | Full Service | DIY |
State availability | 48 States | 50 States |
Online chat options | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
TruGreen vs. Scotts
TruGreen and Scotts both aim to make lawn fertilization, weed control, and insect control considerably more manageable for homeowners. TruGreen offers things like mowing and aeration in addition to their treatments to your turf. The differences between these two providers are very important as they will impact the experience you have as a homeowner.
TruGreen Overview
TruGreen is known as the largest and most comprehensive lawn service provider in the United States. Whether you are looking to prevent crabgrass or retire your mower for good, TruGreen can help. TruGreen’s services will address the reasons for a browning lawn, and other lawn issues, ensuring that your healthy lawn stays that way all year long. Customers are impressed with the options for plans like TruHealth, TruSignature, and TruComplete. TruGreen will have a solution regardless of your budget and concerns about kid and pet safety. If you have been wondering about methods for speedy grass cultivation, TruGreen is your ready solution.
Some homeowners use TruGreen as a full-service provider, and others will pick and choose services that work for their homes. TruGreen’s cost structure is quite affordable, and they offer a free quote and will be fair in working with your budget. From the time of the first application to the day your lawn looks perfect, TruGreen simply asks for patience and communication. This company has proven results to show its system works.
Scotts Overview
The Scotts Company has been a significant player in lawn care service since 1998. The Scotts Lawn Care company has changed its business model through the years, and at this point, they primarily focus on seed, fertilizers, and gardening products. The day-to-day maintenance and additional services like trimming and overseeding are no longer part of Scotts’ offers.
At one point, Scotts had lawn care programs that were not DIY but were acquired by TruGreen. You may have seen a local company with Scotts name at one point, but those are likely changed to TruGreen providers. Today, Scotts offers a wide range of products to help with lawn care, shrub care, gardening, and more. The latest addition to the company website is a DIY lawn care program where a Scotts representative determines a lawn care plan specific to the needs of your turf.
TruGreen vs. Scotts Services and Plans
TruGreen has five plans that can work for a variety of homeowners. A TruGreen representative can come to your home and discuss options with you, or you can choose your plan through the website. Scotts is no longer a lawn care provider, and instead, they will create a DIY program for homeowners using their award-winning products.
TruGreen Plans and Services
TruGreen has five plans that will focus on what your lawn needs the most. These include soil testing, lawn fertilization, a health lawn guarantee, and a customer satisfaction guarantee. The combination of dedication to customer service and knowledge in the landscaping industry help to set TruGreen apart from other providers.
One of the most critical features of the TruGreen plans is that they all will tackle weeds. Weeds need to be treated in order for homeowners to see major changes in the look and health of their lawns. The only time TruGreen will not treat weeds is if you choose the TruNatural plan and want to stay away from chemicals and pesticides altogether.
Although TruGreen has plan options with set pricing depending on the number of square feet your property takes up, they also have a la carte choice for those that want simple one-time applications. These applications can help those that want a combination of DIY and paid services. Some of the benefits include:
- Pre-emergent weed control
- Soil treatment for pH and nutrient balance
- Lawn fertilization
- Grass seed application
- Lawn aeration
- Perimeter and targeted insect control
- Mosquito control
- Lawn grub treatments
- Termite baiting stations
- Tree and shrub maintenance
- Targeted and preventive weed killer application
- Natural lawn care treatments
The individual locations of TruGreen are packed with knowledgeable professionals that understand the needs of your local area. These are genuine professionals that will do everything to get your grass growing beautifully and keep it that way all season long.
Plan | TruComplete | TruHealth | TruMaintenance | TruSignature | TruNatural |
Soil Test | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Fertilization | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Seeding | ✓ | X | X | ✓ | X |
Aeration | ✓ | X | X | ✓ | X |
Pre-emergent Weed Control | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X |
Targeted Herbicide Application | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X |
Grub Control | ✓ | ✓ | X | ✓ | X |
Tree Care | X | X | X | ✓ | X |
Shrub Care | X | X | X | ✓ | X |
All Natural Products | X | X | X | X | ✓ |
Customer Guarantee | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Scotts Plans and Services
For the most part, Scotts is going to provide products as opposed to services. The lawn care products from Scotts can help you maintain a green lawn and ensure that things like chinch bugs and grubs are a thing of the past. There are, however a few programs that will help with lawn care guidance. These include:
- The Scotts Lawn Care Program
- Scotts My Lawn App
- Scotts 4 Step Program
The programs help make it much easier to give your lawn what it needs without having to increase your budget to a full-service company like TruGreen. Some homeowners actually enjoy taking care of their yard themselves; they simply need guidance from a professional to ensure that it is done correctly.
- Scotts Lawn Care Program: The Scotts Lawn Care Program helps you decide which products should be put on your lawn and when. Remember that application timing is just as important as the products you are applying to your turf. This lawn care program gives you everything you need for the year all at once, and then you will get reminders on when to apply.
- Scotts My Lawn app: The My Lawn app from Scotts allows you to enter information about your grass type, lawn size, and your location, and then you will get recommendations on what you need and when to apply it. The app is a bit different than the lawn care program, as you will decide what you want for your home instead of letting Scotts decide for you with the Scotts Lawn Care Program.
- Scotts 4 Step Program: The 4 Step Program from Scotts is really simple and will give you a way to start improving your lawn maintenance while also keeping the price in check. Things that can be included in the 4 Step program include weed control and fertilizer. This is still customized to the type of lawn you have and the area where you live.
Plan | Scotts Lawn Care Program | Scotts My Lawn App | Scotts 4 Step Program |
Soil Test | X | X | X |
Fertilization | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Seeding | ✓ | ✓ | X |
Aeration | X | X | X |
Pre-emergent Weed Control | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Targeted Herbicide Application | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Grub Control | ✓ | ✓ | X |
Tree Care | X | X | X |
Shrub Care | X | X | X |
All Natural Products | Option | Option | X |
Customer Guarantee | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Wondering how Scotts compares to DIY lawn options? Check out our Scotts vs Sunday Lawn Care guide.
TruGreen vs. Scotts Availability and Locations
TruGreen and Scotts have excellent availability throughout the entire United States. Each of these providers is considered a leader in the lawn care industry. Most customers will have access to a TruGreen location nearby, and Scotts can deliver their products throughout the entire United States.
TruGreen availability
Available in 48 states, excluding:
- Alaska
- Hawaii
Scotts availability
Available in all 50 states.
TruGreen vs. Scotts Customer Reviews
There is no shortage of customer reviews for both TruGreen and Scotts. With each of these companies being able to meet most of your lawn needs, it’s essential to hear from other customers what the company offers. The best lawn care service can depend on the type of property you have and your location. Reading customer reviews is a great way to determine which is best for your needs.
TruGreen Customer Reviews
“My grass looks awesome. Using them for over one year now, and I am pleased with the results. And, I don’t need to beg my husband to take care of the grass anymore.”
– Janella A.
“I use TruGreen services for lawn maintenance, mosquito control, and flea and tick control. The service team is exceptional, the quality of products that they use is great, their overall customer service is terrific, and prices are reasonable.”
– Carrie O
“My TruGreen service technician is knowledgeable and courteous, exactly what one would expect from a company that expects to keep my business and our contract. I only have to answer my neighbors’ questions with one answer; patience and TruGreen, so that part is easy. The best part is that if I have a problem or an application doesn’t seem to be doing its job, they gladly return and repeat the service application. What’s not to like??? Another thing, when I ask my service tech. About an issue or I need something explained to me, he takes the time and makes sure that I understand, even though he is busy and has other customers to attend to. I feel valued, appreciated, and respected. How do you spell that??? L.O.Y.A.L.T.Y. Service scheduling is easy, and the company’s “back office” is very responsive. Thanks, TruGreen!”
– Robert B
Scotts Customer Reviews
“I use the 4 Step yearly and love it. It works as they say, and I have a beautiful lawn. The only thing I have noticed for the past two years, is the product has been very lumpy. This year is the worst ever; it took me almost an hour to get all the lumps broken up by hand so it wouldn’t plug up my spreader. Does anyone know of a better way to break up lumps? Great product, love it!”
– Ronald F.
“I will never purchase lawn care products from another company! I’ll start by saying, every product I’ve purchased from Scotts has been of great quality and worked as advertised. More than that, the peace of mind of Scotts’ guarantee is great! If you don’t believe me go to their website and look at the few bad reviews, they proactively offer to make it right! What other company does that? I love my Scotts products!”
– Curtis D
“I had bought their EZ Seed from ****** and had some issue due to cold weather in ******* area this April. I then contacted them and got their CS support right away with the tips provided… I really appreciate their outstanding support with extra efforts. Highly recommend!”
– Jack W.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you now feel more confident in choosing between TruGreen and Scotts. If you want a true lawn care service provider that will handle everything from pest control services to mowing to trimming, TruGreen is the best option. Although TruGreen Lawn Care is a bit more expensive, you will earn back your time to enjoy your lawn. No more spending a Saturday doing your lawn aeration; instead, enjoy all the peace and satisfaction that having a wonderful yard and garden can bring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are TruGreen and Scotts the same company?
At one point, Scotts was in the lawn care industry and not in the lawn product industry. However, all Scotts accounts are now TruGreen accounts, and Scotts just holds a small percentage of the company.
Is TruGreen worth the money?
TruGreen is one of the best lawn care service providers in the nation. They have a tremendous reputation, strong customer service, and proven results. If you are in the market for a lawn care product that can take your lawn from mediocre to lush and green, TruGreen can do it for you.
What type of lawn care service does TruGreen provide?
TruGreen is a full-service lawn care provider with everything from aeration and mowing to pest control and fertilization. TruGreen will also help with shrub and tree care when needed. If you have been in the market for a company that can handle it all, TruGreen will check all the boxes.
Methodology: How We Rank Lawn Care Companies
At Today’s Homeowner, we strive to bring you the most accurate information for your home improvement projects. Our lawn company ratings emphasize what matters most to you — a wide range of useful products with reliable service and impressive results.
Our ratings are based on publicly available information about each company, secret shopping via phone and internet, customer-review analysis, and discussions with lawn and landscaping specialists.
Each company can earn up to 100 points divided across five categories. We assess those point scores, then convert them to a five-star scale to determine rankings. We researched popular lawn care companies across the country to develop the following category breakdown:
- Plan Options (36 points): Lawn care companies earn the most points in this category if they offer a wide range of plans to fit various homeowner needs. Companies providing services like fertilization, aeration, seeding, and tree/shrub care will earn more points than providers with base-level plans.
- Additional Offerings (11 points): We score this category by evaluating additional offerings that enhance a company’s overall service selection. Companies that provide pest control services, organic lawn care products, and a la carte options score the highest in this category.
- Customer Service (25 points): We considered how far each company goes to ensure customers have convenient, intuitive access to products and services with contact forms, online chat features, and additional learning resources.
- State Availability (8 points): We factored each company’s state availability into its overall score. Companies with more locations and wider service areas score higher than those with limited availability.
- Trustworthiness (20 points): We score each company’s trustworthiness based on its Better Business Bureau accreditation and score, number of years in business, and Google Star ratings.
We monitor company data on an ongoing basis to keep rankings and information up to date.