UK TRADES

Checkatrade Alternatives: Sites Like Checkatrade for UK Tradespeople (and Owning Your Leads)

MarketStreet Websites Editorial Team • October 22, 2026

If you are looking for Checkatrade alternatives, you are probably weighing what you pay against the work you actually win. This guide explains how the main sites like Checkatrade work, so you can compare them on the same terms. It doesn't quote prices, because they vary by trade and area and change often. Get current quotes before you sign. For the cost and value of Checkatrade itself, see our Is Checkatrade worth it? guide.

Two pricing models to understand first

• Membership or subscription: a set fee to be listed, whatever work comes in. Checkatrade, TrustATrader and Which? Trusted Traders broadly work this way.
• Pay per lead: you pay to contact or be shortlisted for individual jobs. MyBuilder, Rated People and Bark use versions of this, sometimes alongside a membership.

Membership suits trades with steady local demand. Pay-per-lead suits trades that want to control spend, but costs can climb if you pay for leads you don't win.

The main sites like Checkatrade

MyBuilder

Homeowners post jobs; tradespeople express interest and pay when shortlisted. Good for testing demand without a long commitment. Check its current fee per shortlist for your trade.

Rated People

Homeowners post jobs; tradespeople pay to respond, with membership options. Reviews build a profile over time.

TrustATrader

A membership directory with vetting and reviews, positioned similarly to Checkatrade. Ask about contract length and cancellation terms.

Which? Trusted Traders

An endorsement scheme from the consumer group Which?, involving an assessment of the business. The Which? brand carries weight with careful customers.

Bark

Covers many service categories beyond trades. Customers submit requests; professionals buy credits to respond. Watch how many credits a lead costs in your category.

How to compare them fairly

1. Cost per won job, not cost per lead: total annual spend divided by jobs actually won.
2. Lead exclusivity: how many other trades receive the same request.
3. Contract terms: minimum length, auto-renewal, notice period.
4. Who owns your reviews: can you take them with you if you leave?
5. Area fit: how active the platform is in your postcode.

Track every enquiry's source for three months. It's the only reliable way to know which platform pays.

The alternative you own: website plus Google Business Profile

Directories rent you visibility. A Google Business Profile is free, and Google's help pages explain how service-area businesses can show their coverage instead of an address. Paired with a fast website, it sends enquiries directly to you, with no lead fees and reviews you keep.

That's the model we use on our own UK site, IAmSurveyors: service pages, area pages and a quote button on every page, so enquiries come straight to the business. Many trades do best with a mix: a platform for steady leads while their own site and Google profile build up, then cutting back on paid leads as direct enquiries grow.

Our view

This is opinion: no platform is right for every trade. If you are busy from referrals, a directory may add little. If you're new to an area, one good platform can fill the diary while you build assets you own. Either way, measure cost per won job and keep investing in channels you control.

Frequently asked questions

What are the main alternatives to Checkatrade?

Common options are MyBuilder, Rated People, TrustATrader, Which? Trusted Traders and Bark, plus a free Google Business Profile and your own website.

Which is cheaper than Checkatrade?

It depends on how many jobs you win and each platform's current pricing, which changes. Compare annual cost against the jobs you actually win, not the leads you receive.

Is Checkatrade free for customers?

Yes, customers can search Checkatrade for free. Tradespeople pay for membership.

Do I need a website if I'm on Checkatrade?

A directory profile helps, but you don't own it. Your own website and Google Business Profile keep working if you leave a platform.

How much does Checkatrade cost?

Checkatrade sets membership pricing by trade and area and changes it over time, so get a current quote from Checkatrade directly. Our guide on whether Checkatrade is worth it covers the trade-offs.

Sources

• Checkatrade: www.checkatrade.com
• Which? Trusted Traders: trustedtraders.which.co.uk
• Bark: www.bark.com
• MyBuilder: www.mybuilder.com
• Rated People: www.ratedpeople.com
• TrustATrader: www.trustatrader.com
• Google Business Profile Help: support.google.com