Is TrustATrader worth it for a sole trader?

It depends on whether you want to pay a year up front for a directory listing. TrustATrader charges an annual membership, paid in advance and non-refundable under its terms, with no per-lead fees; homeowners find you in its directory and contact you directly. Tradelynx charges nothing to receive work: no membership, no lead fees, no commission. Our comparison gives sources and dates.

By Mike Fellows, Founder, Tradelynx · IT and service management backgroundPublished 17 September 2026Last reviewed 17 September 2026

A free TrustATrader alternative for tradespeople

TrustATrader is a paid annual directory: tradespeople pay a yearly membership to be listed, homeowners search by trade and area and contact a listed trader directly, and TrustATrader limits how many members it lists per trade in each area. Tradelynx works differently: it’s free for tradespeople, routes one job to one verified trader, and takes no commission on jobs. Card processing is passed through at cost.

Join free: no lead fees

Tradelynx vs TrustATrader, side by side

How Tradelynx and TrustATrader compare, as of September 2026. TrustATrader details from TrustATrader for tradespeople (join us, FAQs and trader terms); check their site for current terms.
TradelynxTrustATrader
ModelA workflow, not a directory or a lead auction. One job is routed to one verified trader at a time.An annual membership. TrustATrader's own FAQ says it charges a yearly fee, and its trader terms say the subscription fee is payable annually in advance, that a year's membership starts when the profile goes live, and that there is no automatic renewal.
FeesNothing to pay to receive jobs: no membership, no per-lead charges, no commission on jobs. Card payment processing is passed through at cost.A yearly fee, paid in advance and, per the trader terms, non-refundable; the amount is not published and is quoted when you speak to them. There are no per-lead charges and no commission: the join page says members never pay for their leads. The terms also say a live membership cannot be cancelled before the 12 months are up (as of September 2026).
Your leadOne job goes to one trader. Your lead is never sold to several tradespeople to compete over.TrustATrader is a directory rather than a lead-selling service: a homeowner picks a listed trader and contacts them directly by phone, text or email, so an enquiry goes to whoever the homeowner chose. TrustATrader also caps the number of members listed per trade per area.
Your booksTradelynx Pro includes your books, for £15 per month including any VAT that applies, free until we're HMRC-recognised plus three months: MTD-ready records with VAT worked out. It does not file to HMRC yet; you file from the export until recognition.Not part of the product: accounting software is a separate purchase, usually quoted ex-VAT.

Where TrustATrader might be the better fit

If you want a directory listing with direct enquiries, are happy to commit to a year up front, and can supply five references and two years' trade experience, TrustATrader's model may suit.

TrustATrader alternative: FAQs

Is there a free alternative to TrustATrader?

Yes. Tradelynx is free for tradespeople: no annual membership, no lead fees and no commission on jobs.

Does TrustATrader charge per lead?

No. TrustATrader charges a yearly membership fee, paid in advance, and says members never pay for leads (as of September 2026). Tradelynx charges neither a membership nor lead fees.

What's the difference between Tradelynx and TrustATrader?

TrustATrader is a paid annual directory where homeowners contact listed traders directly. Tradelynx routes one job to one verified trader, free, with no commission, and every trader has passed an identity check and holds public liability cover.

Free for tradespeople. No commission on jobs.

No membership, no per-lead charges, and no subscription needed to receive jobs. One job, one verified trader. Your lead is never sold to several tradespeople to compete over.

Join Tradelynx free

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