Checkatrade Alternatives for UK Trades: A Fair Comparison

Quick answer: The main Checkatrade alternatives for UK tradespeople are MyBuilder (a fee each time you're shortlisted), Bark (credits per lead), TrustATrader (a yearly membership), free listings such as Yell, your Google Business Profile (free) and your own website. They all charge differently, so compare cost per won job and contract length, not just the monthly price. Many trades use one directory alongside channels they own.

There's no single "best" alternative. A bathroom fitter in a busy city and a roofer covering rural villages will get very different results from the same platform. This guide sets out how each option charges, using only prices the platforms publish themselves (checked October 2026), so you can work out which fits your trade. Where a price isn't published, we say so.

Why tradespeople look for a Checkatrade alternative

Checkatrade is the biggest name in UK trade directories, and plenty of trades renew with it every year. People look for alternatives for a few practical reasons:

• Commitment. Checkatrade's pricing page says Fixed Plan memberships are for 12 months. Some trades would rather pay as they go.

• Fit. A plan built around a yearly lead estimate suits some trades and postcodes better than others.

• Spreading the risk. When Rated People closed every trade membership in September 2026, many trades lost a lead source overnight (what happened to Rated People). Not relying on one platform is simply sensible.

• Fewer choices. Rated People jobs now go to Checkatrade members. Rated People's own post says you can only buy its leads by becoming a Checkatrade member (Rated People).

How each option charges (checked October 2026)

This table only shows figures each platform publishes itself. Prices change, and several platforms only quote after you enter your trade and postcode, so always check current pricing before you sign.

Sources: Checkatrade pricing, MyBuilder terms, Bark help centre, TrustATrader FAQs, Google Business Profile.

The main options, one by one

Checkatrade

How it works: you choose your trade, the postcode areas you want to work in and how many leads you want each year, then pay a fixed monthly cost. There's also a free profile for collecting reviews and an Approved plan that Checkatrade aims at trades who mainly want the credibility of its tick.

Good fit if: you want a recognised badge, a steady flow of enquiries and you're happy to commit for a year.

Check before signing: the exact Growth price for your trade and postcode, the 12-month term, renewal terms and any extras, like Checkatrade Pay card fees (listed from 1.29% to 1.79%).

MyBuilder (a common pay-as-you-go alternative)

How it works: homeowners post jobs and you express interest in the ones you want. If the customer shortlists you, their contact details are shared and you pay a shortlist fee. MyBuilder's terms say the fee is shown before you act and is calculated on the likely size, value and location of the job. The fee is non-refundable except under its refund policy, and any refund comes as account credit.

Good fit if: you want to pick individual jobs rather than pay a monthly membership.

Looking for a MyBuilder alternative? The closest models are other pay-per-job platforms such as Bark or MyJobQuote. Or reduce how much you depend on paid leads by building your Google profile and website (more below).

Bark

How it works: you buy credits and spend them to contact customers whose requests match your services. Bark's help centre lists a standard rate of £1.80 per credit, cheaper in bigger packs. The number of credits a lead costs depends on the service and the size of the job, and it's shown before you respond. Each customer can receive up to 5 responses from professionals (Bark help centre), and you can see how many have already responded before you buy.

Good fit if: you want to dip in and out, and you can respond quickly.

Watch for: credit expiry (3 months for credits bought from 1 November 2025) and the fact that paying to respond doesn't guarantee the customer replies.

Looking for a Bark alternative? If you like paying per lead, compare MyBuilder's shortlist model, where you pay once the customer has picked you. If you want to stop paying per lead, put the effort into channels you own.

TrustATrader

How it works: TrustATrader charges a yearly membership fee and says membership numbers are limited for each trade within an area. It doesn't publish its price, so you'll need a quote.

Good fit if: you prefer one yearly fee and like the idea of fewer competing members in your area.

Check before signing: the exact fee, whether it's paid up front, and what happens at renewal.

Other sites like Checkatrade

Other platforms are inviting trades too. MyJobQuote says it's free to sign up, offers a one-month free trial and lets you pay only for the leads you want. Book a Builder UK says it has no subscription and no credits to buy. Both are their own claims, so read the terms. Rated People is no longer an option for trades on its own: its jobs go to Checkatrade members.

Yell and other free listings

Yell offers a free business listing. Free listings won't flood you with work, but they help customers find your correct name, number and address. Keep your details identical everywhere: Yell, Apple Maps, Bing Places and any trade body you belong to.

Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile is free, and it's what shows up when someone searches "roofer near me" or "emergency electrician" in Google Maps. Google says local results are mainly based on relevance, distance and prominence, and that more reviews and positive ratings can help your local ranking. It also says there's no way to pay for a better local ranking (Google Business Profile Help). For the full checklist, see how to rank higher on Google Maps.

Your own website

This is the one you own. An enquiry from your own website goes to you, not to several trades at once. Your reviews, photos and pages stay put whatever happens to any directory. It takes longer to build up than a lead site, which is why most trades run it alongside one rather than instead of one at first.

Directory or your own website? Usually both

Think of it as renting versus owning. A directory rents you access to its homeowners. That can be worth it, especially when you're new and your diary is empty. Your own website, Google profile and customer list are the things you own. They get stronger the longer you run them, and nobody can switch them off.

A sensible setup for many trades:

1. Keep one directory if it pays its way on cost per won job.

2. Build your Google Business Profile with photos, services, service area and steady reviews.

3. Run your own website with a page for each main job and town you cover.

4. Reply fast to everything, whatever the source. Directory leads and Google leads both go to whoever answers first.

5. Keep every customer in your own list so repeat work and referrals don't depend on any platform.

How to compare: cost per won job

The monthly price or the price per lead doesn't tell you much on its own. What matters is what each job you actually win costs you. For each platform, track for a few months:

• What you spent (membership, credits or shortlist fees, plus VAT if you can't reclaim it).

• How many enquiries you got.

• How many became paid jobs.

Then divide spend by jobs won. Example with made-up numbers: if you spent £120 in a month and won 2 jobs, each job cost £60 in fees. If your profit on a typical job is well above that, the platform is paying its way. If not, put that money into something else.

Before you sign any contract, ask: How long am I tied in? How many other trades see the same job? What happens at renewal? Do my reviews stay if I leave?

How WebScaling can help

WebScaling is a web agency for small businesses in Morocco and around the world. We start with your website and the 5-service pack: a website that turns visitors into calls and messages, your Google Business Profile and reviews, SEO, visibility in AI answers (GEO) and a client dashboard. When your business is ready, we add premium services such as Google & Meta Ads, AI agents, automations and dashboards.

Book a free call: you get a clear plan and a fixed quote, with no hidden fees.

FAQ

What is the best alternative to Checkatrade?

There isn't one best option for every trade. MyBuilder and Bark suit trades who want to pay per job or lead, TrustATrader suits those happy with a yearly fee, and a Google Business Profile plus your own website suit anyone who wants enquiries they own. Many trades use one directory alongside their own channels.

Is there a free alternative to Checkatrade?

Yes. Your Google Business Profile is free, Yell offers a free listing, and Checkatrade itself has a free profile for collecting reviews. Some platforms offer free sign-up or trials, but check what you pay once you start taking leads.

How long is a Checkatrade contract?

Checkatrade's pricing page says Fixed Plan memberships are for 12 months. Check the exact terms, including renewal, for your plan before you sign.

Is Bark better than Checkatrade?

They work differently. Bark charges credits per lead (£1.80 per credit at the standard rate, checked October 2026) with up to 5 professionals responding to each customer. Checkatrade charges a monthly membership on a 12-month fixed plan. Which is better depends on your trade, area and how quickly you can respond.

What are some sites like Checkatrade?

MyBuilder, Bark, TrustATrader, MyJobQuote and Book a Builder UK are all UK platforms that connect homeowners with trades. Rated People is no longer open to trades directly, as its jobs now go to Checkatrade members.

Can I use Checkatrade and my own website at the same time?

Yes, and many trades do. Use the directory for enquiries now and build your own website and Google profile for work you don't have to pay for each time. Put your website link on your directory profile, your van and your quotes.