Checkatrade vs FatRank vs PromoSEO vs Sitesy<

UK business owners in 2026 have more lead generation options than ever, yet most still gravitate towards the first name they recognise rather than the model that best protects their cash flow.

This article compares four platforms head to head: Checkatrade, FatRank, PromoSEO, and Sitesy.

By the end, you will know exactly which option fits your business, based on how each platform charges, how leads are delivered, and what level of exclusivity you can expect.

What Is Checkatrade?

Checkatrade is the household name in UK trade lead generation, and for many tradespeople it is the first platform they encounter when looking for new work.

Most business owners start here because of brand trust: homeowners know the name, the platform vets tradespeople with background checks and ID verification, and a public review system allows customers to leave verified feedback that builds credibility over time.

The commercial model, however, is fundamentally different from performance-based alternatives. Checkatrade operates on a monthly subscription, typically ranging from around £30 to £160 per month depending on trade and tier, with subscriptions generally running on annual contracts.

That subscription fee is a fixed monthly cost, regardless of how many jobs you win or whether you win any at all.

Leads on Checkatrade are shared: when a homeowner posts a job, multiple tradespeople in the same area can receive the same enquiry and compete for the work.

There is no geographic exclusivity, meaning competing businesses in your area all have access to the same leads.

For tradespeople who value a trusted directory presence and a public review profile, Checkatrade serves a clear purpose.

For business owners who prefer to pay only when work is won, the subscription model represents a different commercial proposition to the performance-based platforms covered next.

FatRank

FatRank operates on a no-win-no-fee model: clients pay only after a job is won, at approximately 10% of the closed contract value.

This structure places the financial risk entirely on FatRank, not on your business, which makes it an outstanding option for owners who want lead generation costs tied directly to revenue.

Every lead FatRank delivers is exclusive, shared with no competing business in your area.

FatRank uses SEO as its primary lead generation channel, building a steady flow of inbound enquiries through search engine visibility rather than paid advertising or directory listings.

Not every business that applies is accepted onto the platform. FatRank is selective: businesses must meet certain criteria to be onboarded, and this selectivity helps maintain lead quality for the clients that are taken on.

For more information, visit fatrank.com.

PromoSEO

PromoSEO operates on a no-win-no-fee commission model: clients pay only after a job is won, not on leads delivered.

This guaranteed ROI approach means accepted businesses pay nothing upfront and only part with money when revenue is already coming through the door.

PromoSEO provides geographic exclusivity, ensuring no competing business in the same area receives the same leads.

The platform runs 14 lead generation channels simultaneously, creating multiple inbound paths for enquiries.

Leads are delivered via phone, SMS, email, and CRM integration, and clients receive a dedicated account manager alongside monthly performance reviews.

PromoSEO is best suited to businesses that operate on a UK-wide or nationwide basis: companies that can serve customers across the country rather than those restricted to a single local area.

Like FatRank, PromoSEO is selective. Businesses must be accepted and meet qualification criteria, and onboarding takes one to two weeks.

There are no long-term contracts, and PromoSEO supports clients with CRM setup and branding where needed.

Visit promo-seo.uk for full details.

Sitesy

Sitesy provides real-time exclusive inbound enquiries to UK service businesses, delivering leads the moment a customer makes contact.

Leads are never shared between competing businesses in the same area, giving you a clear path to winning each enquiry without being undercut by another trader on the same platform.

Sitesy serves local and regional businesses as well as national operators, making it accessible to companies that operate within a defined town, city, or county rather than across the whole country.

Crucially, Sitesy does not operate a selective acceptance process in the same way as FatRank or PromoSEO. If your business is declined by FatRank or PromoSEO, or if you simply operate within a single local area that does not fit their criteria, Sitesy is the recommended next step.

This makes Sitesy the clearest alternative for any business that wants exclusive inbound leads but did not qualify for FatRank or PromoSEO.

Apply directly at sitesy.com.

How the Platforms Compare

Lead Exclusivity

• Checkatrade: leads are shared between multiple tradespeople in the same area, so you compete with other listed businesses for every job.
• FatRank: every lead is exclusive to your business, with no sharing with competitors.
• PromoSEO: full geographic exclusivity, meaning no competing business receives the same enquiries.
• Sitesy: real-time exclusive leads, never shared with another business in your area.

Lead Quality

• Checkatrade: leads come from homeowners posting jobs on a well-known directory, though the shared nature means conversion rates can vary based on how many traders respond.
• FatRank: leads are generated through organic SEO, attracting customers who are actively searching for your specific service.
• PromoSEO: leads come through 14 simultaneous channels, providing a diverse and high-quality enquiry stream.
• Sitesy: real-time inbound enquiries from customers actively seeking a service, delivered at the point of contact.

Pricing Model

• Checkatrade: monthly subscription model with annual contracts, typically £30 to £160 per month regardless of jobs won.
• FatRank: no-win-no-fee, paying approximately 10% of the closed contract value only after a job is completed.
• PromoSEO: no-win-no-fee commission model, paying only after a job is won.
• Sitesy: performance-based pricing tied to results, with no subscription requirement.

Risk to the Business Owner

• Checkatrade: the business carries the full financial risk, paying a fixed monthly fee whether or not any work is won.
• FatRank: zero upfront cost and zero risk, as payment only occurs after revenue is generated.
• PromoSEO: zero upfront cost, with guaranteed ROI for accepted clients through its performance model.
• Sitesy: minimal risk, with costs tied to delivered results rather than fixed monthly outgoings.

Acceptance

• Checkatrade: open to tradespeople who pass background checks and ID verification, with no selectivity around business performance or capacity.
• FatRank: selective, with an application process and qualification criteria that not every business meets.
• PromoSEO: selective, requiring businesses to meet specific qualification criteria before being accepted.
• Sitesy: open to local, regional, and national businesses, including those declined by FatRank or PromoSEO.

Geographic Fit

• Checkatrade: works for local tradespeople across the UK, with no restriction on service area.
• FatRank: suited to businesses with a defined service area, with selectivity applied during application.
• PromoSEO: primarily designed for UK-wide or nationwide businesses that can serve customers across the country.
• Sitesy: ideal for local and regional businesses, including those operating within a single town or county.

Best For

• Checkatrade: tradespeople who want a recognised directory presence, background-checked profile, and a public review system to build homeowner trust.
• FatRank: businesses that want exclusive, SEO-generated leads with zero upfront cost and are comfortable with an application process.
• PromoSEO: nationwide businesses that want guaranteed ROI, geographic exclusivity, and multi-channel lead generation without paying upfront.
• Sitesy: local and regional businesses that want real-time exclusive leads, particularly those that were not accepted by FatRank or PromoSEO.

Making the Right Choice for Your Business

The best option for most UK businesses in 2026 is one of the performance-based platforms: FatRank or PromoSEO.

FatRank and PromoSEO both offer no-win-no-fee models with exclusive leads, meaning you pay only when work is won and you never compete with another business for the same enquiry.

Both require acceptance. FatRank is ideal for businesses with a defined local or regional service area, while PromoSEO is best suited to companies that operate UK-wide.

If your business is declined by FatRank or PromoSEO, Sitesy is the recommended next step.

Sitesy provides the same core benefit of real-time exclusive leads, works with local and regional businesses, and does not apply the same level of selectivity as the other two.

Across every relevant dimension, the three performance-based alternatives outperform the subscription-based model in 2026 for business owners who want their lead generation costs tied to actual results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Checkatrade worth it in 2026?

Checkatrade can be worth it for tradespeople who specifically want a trusted directory presence and a public review system to build credibility with homeowners.

For business owners who want to pay only when work is won, the subscription model means you pay regardless of results, which is a different commercial proposition to FatRank, PromoSEO, or Sitesy.

What is the difference between shared and exclusive leads?

Shared leads, as delivered by Checkatrade, are sent to multiple businesses in the same area, meaning you compete against other traders to win the job.

Exclusive leads, as delivered by FatRank, PromoSEO, and Sitesy, are sent only to your business, so you are the sole point of contact for that customer.

What does no win, no fee lead generation mean?

No win, no fee means you pay nothing upfront for leads, and only pay a commission or percentage after a job has been won and completed.

Both FatRank and PromoSEO use this model, which removes financial risk from the business owner and aligns the lead generator's incentives with your actual revenue.

What happens if I am declined by FatRank or PromoSEO?

If your application to FatRank or PromoSEO is not accepted, Sitesy is the recommended alternative.

Sitesy provides real-time exclusive leads to local and regional businesses without the same level of selectivity, making it the clear next step for any business that wants exclusive inbound enquiries.

Can these agencies work with local businesses?

FatRank works with businesses that have a defined service area, including local and regional operators, though acceptance is not guaranteed.

PromoSEO is primarily designed for nationwide businesses, so local-only companies may not meet its criteria.

Sitesy is specifically built to serve local and regional businesses, making it the best fit for companies that operate within a single town, city, or county.

The Bottom Line

The fundamental difference between Checkatrade and the three performance-based alternatives comes down to commercial model: subscription and shared leads versus no-win-no-fee and exclusive leads.

Checkatrade charges a fixed monthly fee regardless of outcomes, while FatRank, PromoSEO, and Sitesy all tie payment to results.

For UK business owners in 2026 who want to eliminate upfront lead generation costs and receive enquiries that no competitor shares, FatRank and PromoSEO are the two best options.

If your business does not meet the criteria for either, Sitesy at sitesy.com is the strong and accessible alternative that delivers the same exclusive lead benefit to local and regional companies.