Checkatrade vs MyBuilder vs Bark for UK Tradespeople
Three of the biggest names in UK trade lead generation — but they work completely differently and suit very different businesses. Here's an honest breakdown of Checkatrade, MyBuilder, and Bark so you can decide where to spend your marketing budget in 2026.
Quick Verdict
Best overall
Checkatrade
Best brand trust and conversion — but only if you have reviews and can respond to leads fast.
Pay per lead
MyBuilder
Lower risk entry point — you only pay for leads you want. Good for testing a new area or trade.
Most flexible
Bark
Widest reach but mixed lead quality. Works best if you're fast to respond and selective with credits.
How Each Platform Works
Before comparing them, it's worth understanding that these three platforms use fundamentally different business models — and that affects everything from cost to lead quality.
- Checkatrade — flat monthly subscription. You pay to be listed and vetted. Customers find and contact you directly.
- MyBuilder — pay per lead. Customers post jobs, you browse and buy the ones you want. No monthly fee.
- Bark — credit-based system. Customers post requirements, Bark matches them to tradespeople. You spend credits to respond to leads.
Checkatrade — Subscription Directory
Checkatrade
Flat monthly subscription — customers find you
The most recognised trade directory in the UK. Checkatrade vets its members and runs heavy TV and radio advertising, which drives genuine consumer search. Your profile shows qualifications, insurance, and verified customer reviews.
Pros
- Strong brand recognition — consumers actively search for "Checkatrade" by name
- Vetting process builds trust with customers, especially for high-value jobs
- Flat subscription means unlimited enquiries once you're listed and ranked well
- Well-established review system — reviews carry genuine weight with customers
Cons
- Expensive — typically £100–£200/month + VAT for full membership
- 12-month contracts with a strict 30-day cancellation window — easy to get trapped
- New members with no reviews rank poorly and get almost no enquiries
- Prices can increase significantly at renewal with little warning
- Saturated in many areas — you're competing with established members who have 100+ reviews
MyBuilder — Pay Per Lead
MyBuilder
Browse and buy leads — no monthly subscription
MyBuilder works differently to Checkatrade — customers post jobs on the platform, and tradespeople browse available work in their area and pay to submit a quote. You only spend money on leads you actually want, which removes the subscription risk entirely.
Pros
- No monthly subscription — only pay for leads you choose to pursue
- Lower financial risk — easy to test the platform without committing to a long contract
- You see the job details before paying, so you can filter out irrelevant work
- Good for testing a new area or trade category before committing marketing budget
- Review system similar to Checkatrade — builds credibility over time
Cons
- Multiple tradespeople can buy the same lead — you're still competing on response speed
- Lead quality varies — some jobs are poorly specified or from non-serious customers
- Lower brand recognition than Checkatrade — customers are less likely to search MyBuilder directly
- Cost per lead can add up quickly if you're buying volume
Bark — Credit-Based Matching
Bark
Credit-based — respond to matched customer requests
Bark operates a matching model — customers describe what they need and Bark sends their request to matched tradespeople in the area. You then spend credits to respond. The platform covers a huge range of trades and services, which means wide reach but also more variable lead quality.
Pros
- Wide reach — one of the largest lead generation platforms in the UK
- No subscription — buy credits as needed
- Covers a huge range of trades and services
- Can generate a high volume of leads in busy areas
- Profile and review system builds credibility over time
Cons
- Lead quality is inconsistent — many tradespeople report high volumes of tyre-kickers
- You pay credits to respond even if the customer never replies
- Up to five tradespeople can receive the same lead — response speed is critical
- Credits can run out quickly if you're not selective
- Less brand trust with consumers compared to Checkatrade
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Checkatrade | MyBuilder | Bark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Monthly subscription | Pay per lead | Credit based |
| Monthly cost | £100–£200+ | Variable | Variable |
| Contract required | ✕ 12 months | ✓ None | ✓ None |
| Brand recognition | ✓ Very high | ⚠ Moderate | ⚠ Moderate |
| Vetting / trust badge | ✓ Yes | ⚠ Basic | ✕ No |
| Review system | ✓ Strong | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Lead quality | ✓ Generally high | ⚠ Variable | ⚠ Variable |
| Risk level | ✕ High — contract | ✓ Low | ✓ Low |
Which Platform Should You Use?
The Alternative Worth Considering First
All three platforms rely heavily on Google for their own traffic. A tradesperson with a well-optimised Google Business Profile and 20+ genuine reviews can rank above all three in local search results — permanently, at zero ongoing cost.
Before spending money on any lead generation platform, spend an afternoon on your Google Business Profile. It costs nothing, builds over time, and generates leads that belong to you — not to a platform that can raise its prices or change its algorithm at any time.
Whatever platform generates your leads, Jobber makes sure every enquiry gets followed up fast — automated quote reminders, on-site invoicing from your phone, and a client portal so customers can approve and pay without the back and forth.
Try Jobber Free for 14 Days →The Bottom Line
There's no single winner — it depends on where you are in your business. Checkatrade has the best brand recognition and lead quality but carries the most financial risk. MyBuilder and Bark are lower risk because there's no contract, but lead quality is more variable and you're often competing on response speed.
If you're going to use any of them, make sure your business is set up to respond to leads fast, follow up consistently, and convert enquiries into booked jobs. That last part — converting leads — is where most tradespeople lose money, not in the lead platform itself.
TradeStack HQ helps UK tradespeople find the best tools to run smarter businesses. Some links on this page are affiliate links — we may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.