Lead generation · United Kingdom · Head-to-head
Checkatrade vs MyBuilder
Two United Kingdom lead generation options, compared side by side for United Kingdom trades.
Which should you choose?
MyBuilder edges ahead on our United Kingdom tiering (Tier S vs A), but both are workable — the right pick depends on your trade, region, and the United Kingdom-specific notes below.
Checkatrade
Tier A · WorkableThe UK's largest vetted trades directory — annual subscription model with verification + reviews
Checkatrade is the most recognizable UK trades-directory brand among consumers — 22% market share and 850K+ vetted member businesses. The vetting process (DBS check, insurance verification, reference checks) is the trust mechanism that makes UK homeowners willing to call a stranger from the directory. Annual subscription pricing (£950-£2,000+/year) is meaningfully different from US pay-per-lead models — once you're in, you pay flat regardless of lead volume.
Pros
- + Strongest consumer-side brand recognition in UK trades — homeowners actively search Checkatrade by name
- + Annual subscription means cost predictability vs pay-per-lead variance
- + Vetting + review process keeps the competitive pool curated (lower-quality competitors filtered out)
- + Postcode-based exclusivity caps prevent endless dilution within a service area
Cons
- − £950-£2,000+/year annual subscription is significant up-front commitment for new businesses
- − Annual contract structure means low flexibility if the leads don't materialize at expected volume
- − Heavy reliance on customer-leaving-reviews — bad early reviews can damage long-term profile
- − No formal affiliate program for publishers means most third-party reviews are either marketing puff or anonymous complaints
United Kingdom note
Vetting requires UK business registration, valid insurance, and the relevant trade certification (Gas Safe for gas work, NICEIC for electrical, etc.). The £200 referral scheme is the closest thing to an affiliate program — no formal publisher partnership.
MyBuilder
Tier S · RecommendedUK's largest trades marketplace by tradesperson volume — shortlist-pay model means you only pay when shortlisted
MyBuilder is the largest UK trades marketplace by registered tradesperson count (1.2M tradies, ~35% market share). The shortlist-pay model differentiates it structurally — instead of paying per quote sent (Thumbtack model) or annual subscription (Checkatrade model), you only pay when the customer specifically shortlists you for further conversation. This shifts cost-per-lead economics meaningfully in favor of tradies who have specialty or geographic advantage.
Pros
- + Shortlist-pay model means no payment for quotes that go nowhere — cost-per-lead economics structurally favorable
- + Largest UK tradie registration (1.2M) creates network effect for consumers
- + Strong organic search position for 'tradesperson in [postcode]' queries
- + Founded in Ireland, expanded UK + Ireland coverage with cross-market consistency
Cons
- − Lighter vetting than Checkatrade means consumer-side trust signals depend more heavily on individual reviews
- − Some categories (smaller specialty trades) have thin consumer demand vs registered tradies
- − No formal affiliate program for publishers
United Kingdom note
MyBuilder verification is lighter-touch than Checkatrade — open registration with insurance proof but no DBS checks. Reviews matter more here than vetting does. Strong consumer-side traffic from organic search ('plumber in [postcode]').
More United Kingdom options
See all United Kingdom lead generation vendors and the rest of the United Kingdom directory.