TL;DR: Checkatrade has the most brand recognition but costs the most. Bark is flexible but leads are shared. MyBuilder gives you more control over which jobs you quote for. Rated People is declining. None of them build an asset you own – for that, you need your own SEO.
Every tradesman I 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 | Bark | MyBuilder | Rated People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | £60-120+ | Credits (£50-300) | Free to join, pay per lead | £15-50 |
| Contract | 12 months | None | None | Monthly |
| How leads work | Customers find you | Leads sent to you | You bid on jobs | Customers find you |
| Leads shared with | 10-20+ tradesmen | 3-5 tradesmen | You choose to bid | 5-10+ tradesmen |
| Vetting | Yes (£300-500) | No | Basic checks | Basic checks |
| Brand recognition | Very high (TV ads) | Medium | Medium | Declining |
| Review system | Strong | Weak | Strong | Moderate |
| Best for | High-demand trades | Quick, flexible leads | Selective quoting | Budget-conscious |
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.
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 – customers know you’ve been checked
- Good for high-demand trades – plumbers, electricians, and roofers get consistent enquiries
Cons
- Expensive – monthly fees plus the vetting cost add up
- 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, stop any time
- 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
Customers post a job describing what they need. Tradesmen browse available jobs and choose which ones to bid on. Customers then review bids and select a tradesman.
Pros
- Free to join – you only pay when you express interest in a job
- You choose which jobs to quote – browse jobs and only bid on 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
- Per-lead costs – you pay for each job you express interest in, whether you win it or not
- 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
Rated People in detail
How it works
Similar to Checkatrade – you create a profile, customers find you, and you receive leads. Monthly subscription model.
Pros
- Cheapest monthly fee – starting from £15/month
- Monthly rolling contract – low commitment
- Decent in some regions – still has a user base in certain areas
Cons
- Declining brand – less investment in marketing, fewer customers using the platform
- Lead quality has dropped – many tradesmen report leads drying up
- Interface feels dated – the platform hasn’t kept up with competitors
- Reviews are less impactful – the brand doesn’t carry the same weight as Checkatrade or MyBuilder
Rated People was a strong platform five years ago. Today, most tradesmen find better value elsewhere.
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, so you can test the water without commitment. Trustatrader is the cheapest subscription option with rolling monthly contracts.
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 owning your own online presence:
| Directories | Your own SEO | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per lead | £10-40 per lead, forever | Drops toward £0 over time |
| Lead exclusivity | Shared with competitors | 100% yours |
| Reviews | Stuck on the platform | On Google, yours forever |
| What happens when you stop | Leads disappear | Rankings persist for months/years |
| 12-month total cost | £1,200-3,600 | £2,400-4,800 |
| 12-month lead value | 30-80 leads | 60-150+ leads (growing) |
The smartest approach is to use directories to fill the gap. Keep Checkatrade or Bark running while your website and SEO build up. Once organic leads are flowing, scale back on directories and pocket the savings.
My recommendation
- If you need leads today: Start with Bark (fastest) or MyBuilder (best control), depending on your trade
- If you can invest in one platform: Checkatrade gives the most consistent volume for mainstream trades
- If you’re thinking long-term: Invest in your own web presence and SEO – it’s the only marketing channel where the cost per lead goes down over time
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.