Best Checkatrade Alternatives in the UK (2026 Comparison)
Checkatrade isn't the only directory in town. Whether you're looking for a faster quote, fairer pricing, or a more specialist platform, there are now several strong UK alternatives — each with a different model. Here are the seven worth knowing in 2026.
Quick navigation: AllSorted · MyBuilder · Bark · Rated People · TrustATrader · Houzz · Local Trustpilot trades
1. AllSorted — best for fast competitive quotes
Model: App marketplace preparing for Cardiff launch. Pro offer: Six free calendar months for the first 50 eligible Cardiff Pros from the relevant trade/area launch. Fixed subscription afterwards only with explicit opt-in; price unconfirmed.
AllSorted is preparing for launch in Cardiff, initially recruiting cleaners, non-gas plumbers and electricians. Relevant trade/area launch dates are unset. Response times, quote volumes, savings and bookings are not guaranteed.
- Consider: Cardiff recruitment is open; launch dates, response times and job availability are not guaranteed.
- Cons: Newer platform, fewer historical reviews per pro than Checkatrade
- Verdict: The best Checkatrade alternative for everyday home services in 2026
2. MyBuilder — best for considered quotes on bigger jobs
Model: Job posting + shortlist + quote. Pro fees: Per-lead fees of £5–£30+ once shortlisted. Best for: Larger structural projects where review depth matters.
MyBuilder has been operating since 2008 and has one of the deepest verified-review datasets in the UK trades market. Quotes typically arrive in 1–3 days because the shortlist step adds friction. The per-lead fee model means pros tend to quote a little higher to recover lead costs.
- Pros: Long history, deep review counts, quality vetting
- Cons: Slower quotes, lead fees baked into pricing
- Verdict: Worth using on £5,000+ jobs where you want extensive review history
3. Bark — best for niche or non-home-services categories
Model: Lead distribution to multiple pros. Pro fees: £15–£100+ per lead. Best for: Niche services Checkatrade doesn't really cover (tutors, photographers, fitness coaches).
Bark covers 1,000+ service categories. For home services specifically, the per-lead model usually produces phone-call spam (5–10 pros calling within an hour) and quotes tend to be inflated to recover lead fees. For niche services beyond traditional trades, Bark has the broadest coverage.
- Pros: Massive category coverage, fast initial responses
- Cons: Phone-call spam, high lead fees inflate prices, vetting depth varies by category
- Verdict: Use for niche services, avoid for home services
4. Rated People — established lead-based platform
Model: Job posting + lead fees. Pro fees: Per-lead fees, typically £4–£25+. Best for: Established alternative with mature review system.
Rated People works similarly to MyBuilder but with a slightly higher emphasis on local trades. Verified reviews, ID checks and trade certification make up the vetting. The lead-fee model means quotes carry similar overhead-recovery pricing to MyBuilder.
- Pros: Mature platform, good local coverage, verified reviews
- Cons: Lead fees push prices, slower than bidding marketplaces
- Verdict: Solid second-opinion source — pair it with AllSorted to triangulate fair pricing
5. TrustATrader — directory with high trust signals
Model: Paid directory with strong review verification. Pro fees: Annual membership. Best for: Browsing a curated list of vetted local trades.
TrustATrader operates as a paid directory like Checkatrade. The platform has a strong focus on review verification and badge-style trust signals. As with all directory models, you do most of the chasing work to get quotes — there's no live bidding.
- Pros: Verified reviews, vetted directory
- Cons: Slower quote times, fewer pros per area than the bigger platforms
- Verdict: Reasonable Checkatrade alternative if you prefer browsing to bidding
6. Houzz — best for renovation and design projects
Model: Discovery + portfolio + quote requests. Pro fees: Pro membership packages. Best for: Renovation projects, kitchen / bathroom design, architects and interior designers.
Houzz is the go-to for design-led home projects. Profiles are portfolio-heavy with photos of completed work, which is invaluable for picking a kitchen designer or interior architect. Less useful for one-off plumbing or electrical jobs.
- Pros: Strong portfolios, design-focused, mature in UK
- Cons: Not built for fast quotes on small jobs
- Verdict: Best companion to a bidding platform for visualisation, not for sourcing competitive quotes
7. Trustpilot-vetted local trades (the DIY route)
Model: Direct discovery via Google + Trustpilot. Pro fees: None. Best for: Specific local pros you've heard of through reputation.
Skip the platforms entirely: search Google for '[trade] near [postcode]', read Trustpilot and Google reviews, call directly. This often finds excellent local pros who aren't paying any platform fees, but you do all the work yourself — and verifying credentials manually is your responsibility.
Summary table
| Platform | Model | Time to first quote | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| AllSorted | Real-time bidding | Not guaranteed | Cardiff launch preparation |
| MyBuilder | Quote requests | 1–3 days | Big jobs, deep review history |
| Bark | Lead distribution | Minutes (calls) | Niche services beyond home |
| Rated People | Quote requests | Hours | Local trades alternative |
| TrustATrader | Directory | 1–3 days | Browsing curated profiles |
| Houzz | Discovery + quotes | Days | Renovation & design |
| Trustpilot/Google | DIY | Hours–days | Specific local pros by reputation |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Checkatrade?
Read reviews critically: look for specific job details, recent dates and evidence of completed work. Ask the platform how reviews are checked; a profile or badge alone is not a guarantee of quality.
Is Checkatrade better than MyBuilder?
Checkatrade is a directory; MyBuilder uses a quote-request flow. Checkatrade is better for browsing established profiles passively. MyBuilder usually delivers more comparable quotes once you've shortlisted. Both are slower than real-time bidding marketplaces like AllSorted.
Why should I avoid Bark for home services?
Bark sells the same lead to multiple service providers — each pays £15–£100+ to contact you. Homeowners often report 5–10+ phone calls within an hour, and pros build the lead-fee cost into their quotes. Use Bark for niche services not covered well by home-services-specific platforms.
Are platforms with annual membership fees better quality?
AllSorted offers the first 50 eligible Cardiff Pros six free calendar months from their relevant trade/area launch. No per-lead fee or commission. Available leads only, with no guaranteed work. A fixed subscription afterwards requires explicit opt-in; price is unconfirmed. Read the offer.
Can I trust new platforms with fewer reviews per pro?
Yes — provided the underlying credentials are verified. Newer platforms have less review history per pro by definition; what matters is the vetting depth (ID, insurance, trade certifications), platform-level review verification (no fakes), and whether photos accompany reviews.
What's the cheapest way to find a tradesperson in the UK?
For homeowners, all the major platforms are free to use. The cheapest quotes come from real-time bidding marketplaces (like AllSorted) where pros aren't recovering annual membership or per-lead fees through their pricing. Posting the same job on 2 platforms takes minutes and is a strong way to triangulate fair market price.
About the author
AllSorted Editorial Team
Home services research & UK trades industry analysis
Practical guidance from AllSorted for customers and home service professionals. Check current local prices, provider terms and relevant official registers before making a decision.
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Customer app on iPhone. Cardiff launch dates are not yet set; service availability will vary.