If you're using TrustATrader, you already know how it works:
- You pay a yearly fee just to be listed
- You still compete with other trades across multiple platforms
- You're relying on homeowners choosing you from a list
And that last point is the issue.
Even if TrustATrader limits competition in your area, customers don’t use just one platform.
They’ll find you on TrustATrader… then compare you with two or three other trades on Checkatrade or elsewhere.
You’re still competing. You’re still one of several options.
That’s why more tradespeople in 2026 are looking for alternatives.
How Do Other Platforms Compare?
Most alternatives solve one problem, but create another.
Below are the main TrustATrader alternatives, and what they actually look like in practice.
➡️ Checkatrade
The Problem: High fees and pressure to buy advertising or stand out via paid upgrades.
- Typically £400–£1,200+ per year
- No limit on trades per area → more competition
- Leads are shared with multiple trades
- Fastest response usually wins the job
Reviews:
- 4.6 ⭐ on TrustPilot
- ❌ No Review page found on Google
➡️ Rated People
The Problem: You pay for leads whether you win the job or not.
- Credits can go fast with little return at prices of £65+
- Monthly fee up to £200+
- Up to 3 trades competing per job
- Some reviews from tradespeople reporting multiple leads never answer the phone
Reviews:
- 4.3 ⭐ on TrustPilot
- 2.0 ⭐ on Google Reviews
➡️ MyBuilder
The Problem: You pay to show interest, even if the homeowner never replies.
- Pay-as-you-go quoting system with costs of up to £50+
- Multiple trades compete for each job (reports of 8+ businesses quoting for the same job)
Reviews:
- 4.5 ⭐ on TrustPilot
- 3.7 ⭐ on Google Reviews
➡️Bark
The Problem: High volume, low-quality leads.
- Many leads are poor quality - Some reviews from tradespeople reporting multiple leads never answer the phone and questioning legitimacy
- Often sent to multiple trades
- Expensive — £10 to £40+ per lead
Reviews:
- 4.1 ⭐ on TrustPilot
- ❌ No Review page found on Google
Your Own Website
The Problem: Most websites don’t convert visitors into leads.
- You work hard to get traffic — but lose enquiries to slow response times
- No instant response when you're busy or offline
- Information about your business is not always clear
What is Kantr?
Trades spend a huge amount of time and money getting people to their website, from ads and social media to reviews and word of mouth.
When someone lands on your site, their intent is at its highest. That's the moment they're most likely to become a customer. So they fill out a form, send an email, or leave a voicemail.
And then they wait.
78% of homeowners hire the first business to respond. Not the best. Not the company with the highest Google rating. The first to get back to them.
Kantr makes sure that's always you. It's a 24/7 Sales Assistant that lives on your website and knows your business inside out.
It responds instantly to every enquiry, answers common questions about your services and coverage area, and captures exactly the details you need, leaving you with a ready-to-quote lead while you're still out on the tools.
No missed jobs. No desk required.
Who It's For
- Builders
- Plumbers
- Electricians
- Glazing Companies
- Kitchen & Bathroom Fitters
- Landscapers
- Decorators
- Any trade with a website
Final Verdict
TrustATrader and similar platforms can still bring in work — but they all share the same issues:
- Shared competition
- Rising costs
- No control over your pipeline
The trades seeing the most consistent results in 2026 are building their own lead flow — not relying entirely on platforms.
Kantr helps you do exactly that by converting the traffic you already have into qualified enquiries, automatically.
This article is an independent review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by TrustATrader. All trademarks and brand names mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Readers should carry out their own research before making business decisions.