Checkatrade vs Bark vs MyBuilder: 2026 Comparison for Tradesmen

Which trade directory is best? The quick answer

Checkatrade wins for volume in mainstream trades, if you can wear a 12-month term on a Growth plan starting at £59/month. Bark suits flexible pay-per-lead top-ups at £5-40 a lead. MyBuilder gives you the most control over which jobs you quote. Rated People closed to tradespeople in September 2026, so it is off the list. None of them build anything that keeps working after you stop paying. For that, you need SEO for your trade.

Almost every tradesman we speak to has used at least one of these platforms. Most have tried several. And almost all of them have the same question: which one is actually worth paying for?

This is a comparison based on what real tradesmen experience, not what the platforms’ marketing teams say.

The quick comparison

Checkatrade figures taken from its published pricing page, checked September 2026. Bark figures come from quotes and accounts shared by tradespeople in Northern England, checked October 2026. MyBuilder’s fee mechanics come from its own terms and support centre, checked October 2026; it does not publish a full fee table.

Checkatrade in detail

How it works

You pay a monthly fee to appear on the Checkatrade website and app. Customers in your area can find you by searching for your trade, see your reviews, and contact you directly. On the Growth plan you choose how many enquiries you want across the year and which postcodes to cover, and that sets your fixed monthly price. There is no joining fee, and the published plans charge a fixed monthly price rather than a fee per lead. Our guide to what Checkatrade costs per month covers each plan, the 12-month contract and Checkatrade’s separate pay as you go terms.

Pros

• Strong brand recognition: customers trust the Checkatrade name thanks to heavy TV advertising
• Review system builds credibility: a good Checkatrade rating carries weight
• Vetting adds trust: up to 12 checks, repeated on an ongoing basis, at no extra cost
• Good for high-demand trades: plumbers, electricians, and roofers get consistent enquiries

Cons

• Priced by volume: the more enquiries and postcodes you want, the higher the monthly figure climbs above the £59 starting point
• 12-month contract: locked in even if it’s not working
• Lots of competition: in busy areas, you’re one of many
• You don’t own the reviews: leave Checkatrade and your reviews stay behind
• Lead quality varies: customers often contact multiple tradesmen, leading to low conversion rates

For a deeper look, read our full post on whether Checkatrade is worth it.

Bark in detail

How it works

Customers submit a request describing what they need. Bark sends the lead to relevant tradesmen, who buy credits to unlock the customer’s details and make contact.

Pros

• No contract: buy credits as needed and stop any time (credits bought since November 2025 expire after three months)
• You choose which leads to pursue: skip jobs that don’t suit you
• Wide range of trades covered: from pest control to landscaping
• Quick to start: leads can arrive within days

Cons

• Credit costs add up: easy to spend £200+ per month
• Leads are shared: 3-5 tradesmen get each lead
• Inconsistent lead quality: some leads are tyre-kickers or price shoppers
• No meaningful review system: you don’t build long-term credibility on the platform
• No profile browsing: customers can’t find and choose you; you have to buy every lead

For a deeper look, read our full post on whether Bark is worth it.

MyBuilder in detail

How it works

Homeowners post a job describing what they need. Tradesmen browse the jobs and respond to the ones they want, which costs nothing. The homeowner then decides who to shortlist, and MyBuilder charges each shortlisted tradesman a fee for the homeowner’s contact details.

Pros

• Free to join and free to respond: you pay only when a homeowner shortlists you
• You choose which jobs to quote: browse jobs and only respond to the ones you want
• Strong review system: detailed reviews build your profile over time
• Less direct competition: customers see your profile and reviews, not just a price
• Feedback loop: you can see what customers prioritise

Cons

• Shortlist fees whether you win or not: MyBuilder charges the fee when the homeowner shares their details, win or lose. It varies with the size, value and location of the job, you see it before you respond, it excludes VAT, and MyBuilder does not refund it if you lose out. The company says it can start from £7
• Takes time to build a profile: new tradesmen with no reviews struggle to win jobs
• Some areas have low demand: not as effective outside major cities
• Customer expectations can be skewed: some expect the cheapest quote to win

What happened to Rated People

Rated People closed to tradespeople in September 2026. Memberships ended, and Checkatrade Group then bought selected assets, including the brand and the website. Homeowner jobs posted on Rated People since 18 September go to Checkatrade members instead.

If you were a Rated People member, your subscription has gone, and so have the profile and the reviews you built there. The same thing can happen on any of the three platforms above, which is why we keep saying to point happy customers at Google first. Your choices now are those three, or putting the same budget into your own Google presence.

Which is best for your trade?

High-value trades (roofers, builders, kitchen fitters)

Best pick: Checkatrade or MyBuilder

When average job values are £2,000+, even a low conversion rate can be profitable. Checkatrade’s brand recognition helps for big jobs where trust is critical. MyBuilder’s bidding system lets you be selective about which projects to pursue.

High-demand trades (plumbers, electricians)

Best pick: Checkatrade

For trades where people need someone urgently, Checkatrade’s brand recognition and search visibility mean more enquiries. The volume makes up for the competition.

Specialist or niche trades

Best pick: Bark

If you’re in a less common trade (drainage, fencing, tiling), Bark’s request-based model means you only pay when someone actually needs your specific service. Checkatrade may not have enough traffic for niche trades in smaller areas.

Budget-conscious or just starting out

Best pick: MyBuilder or Trustatrader

MyBuilder is free to join and free to respond, so you can test the water without commitment. Trustatrader is usually the cheaper paid directory, but you pay for a 12-month membership up front, so you are committing for the year.

The option nobody talks about

Every platform in this comparison has the same fundamental problem: you’re renting your leads.

Every month you stop paying, the leads stop. Every review you earn stays on their platform. Every customer you win cost you money to acquire.

Compare that to building a presence on Google that keeps working:

The starting point is a website built for your trade that Google can read, plus a complete Google Business Profile. Everything in the right-hand column builds on those two.

Our recommendation

1. If you need leads today: Start with Bark (fastest) or MyBuilder (best control), depending on your trade
2. If you can invest in one platform: Checkatrade gives the most consistent volume for mainstream trades
3. If you’re thinking long-term: Put the money into local SEO for trades and a website that ranks. It’s the only marketing channel where the cost per lead goes down over time
4. If you want leads now without sharing them: Pay-per-lead Google Ads. This one is our own service, so weigh that: you fund the ad budget, we charge £30 per genuine lead, and each enquiry comes to you alone. Get a cost-per-lead estimate for your trade.

Not sure which mix of directories and SEO suits your trade? Book a free call and we’ll break down the cost-per-lead for each option in your area.