Screwfix runs more than 900 trade counters in the UK and ships small parcels overnight, which is why it’s the default tab for most plumbers, electricians, and weekend tilers. The model strains when the local branch is out of a 24-pack of fixings on a Saturday morning, or when a tool listed as in stock turns out to be online-only. The Screwfix Sprint delivery promise also covers a shrinking list of postcodes once you leave the M25. Tradespeople ask the same question often: what else is fast, cheap, and reliable?
This guide compares seven Screwfix alternatives for trade buyers and serious DIY shoppers. We mix direct rivals (Toolstation), the high-street DIY chains (B&Q, Wickes), one general-purpose option for non-trade items (Argos), and the online routes (Amazon, AliExpress) for niche tools or bulk imports.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Free plan | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toolstation | Direct Screwfix swap | Free | 500+ branches, click & collect in five minutes |
| B&Q | Larger items and timber | Free | Free Click+Collect on most lines |
| Wickes | Kitchens, bathrooms, timber | Free | Trade-pro rates, design service |
| Argos | Power tools for occasional jobs | Free | Same-day collection, finance options |
| Amazon | Niche brand-name tools | Prime trial | Next-day delivery on stocked lines |
| AliExpress | Cheap import accessories | Free | Direct-from-factory pricing |
| Halfords | Automotive and bike tools | Free | In-store fitting, motoring add-ons |
Why people leave Screwfix
Screwfix’s reputation is solid. The complaints stack up around three predictable points.
Local stock runs out on the popular lines
The popular trade items (fixings, drill bits, jointing compound) vanish on Saturday mornings at smaller branches. The app shows the bigger nearby store, but a 15-minute drive for one box of screws is a poor use of a working hour.
"Online only" forces a delivery wait
A significant chunk of the catalogue is online-only, which means a 24-hour wait via Screwfix Sprint or the standard parcel. Toolstation, B&Q, and Wickes hold more of their range in-store.
The trade card stops at small jobs
The Screwfix trade-card system covers small jobs well but doesn’t compete with the credit terms, account managers, and bulk-volume pricing that builders’ merchants like Travis Perkins or Selco offer for project-scale spending.
The alternatives
Toolstation — Best direct Screwfix swap
Toolstation is the closest thing to a like-for-like Screwfix swap: same trade-counter model, same overnight delivery, similar catalogue depth. The app’s “find in store” filter shows live stock at the nearest five branches, and click & collect typically takes five minutes from the order confirmation. Prices on consumables run a few pence either way of Screwfix, depending on the week.
Where it falls short: Branch network is smaller than Screwfix at around 580 UK sites in 2026, with thinner coverage in rural Scotland and Wales. Opening hours close 30 minutes earlier than the equivalent Screwfix on weeknights.
Pricing:
- Free to use
- Trade prices ex-VAT
- vs Screwfix: roughly within 5 percent on consumables, occasionally cheaper on power tools
Migrating from Screwfix: Your existing Trade Card translates straight across: open a Toolstation account online with your trade details, link to the app, and the basket flow looks almost identical.
Bottom line: Pick Toolstation when the local Screwfix branch is out of what you need.
B&Q — Best for larger items and timber
B&Q stocks the chunkier end of DIY: sheet timber, plasterboard, MDF, paving, and full bathrooms. The TradePoint counter inside larger B&Q stores runs trade pricing and bulk discounts that the Screwfix app doesn’t match for project-scale buys. Click+Collect runs free across most lines.
Where it falls short: The main B&Q app is consumer-focused; trade buyers need the separate TradePoint account for the better pricing. Smaller stores carry a fraction of the catalogue and turn click-and-collect into a regional run.
Pricing:
- Free
- TradePoint discount tiers based on monthly spend
- vs Screwfix: pricier on consumables, cheaper on volume timber and building materials
Migrating from Screwfix: Open a TradePoint card alongside your Screwfix trade account. Use B&Q for anything bigger than a parcel, Screwfix for everything else.
Bottom line: Pick B&Q when the load won’t fit in a car boot.
Wickes — Best for fitted kitchens and bathrooms
Wickes mixes a builders’ merchant range with a free kitchen and bathroom design service that Screwfix doesn’t try to match. The TradePro card delivers solid contractor pricing on timber, plumbing, and tiles, and the app supports order tracking across the design-and-fit jobs that take weeks rather than minutes.
Where it falls short: Wickes has fewer branches than Screwfix, and the trade pricing only kicks in with the TradePro membership, which means an in-store sign-up. The app’s search isn’t as fast as Screwfix on the small-fixings end.
Pricing:
- Free
- TradePro discounts ex-VAT
- vs Screwfix: comparable on plumbing and timber, kitchens and bathrooms substantially cheaper than buying separate components
Migrating from Screwfix: Use Wickes for the project basket (kitchen, bathroom, garden room), and keep Screwfix for the consumables. Pair the trade cards rather than choosing between them.
Bottom line: Pick Wickes when a fitted job is on the books.
Argos — Best for occasional power tools
Argos isn’t a trade store, but it sells DeWalt, Bosch, Makita, and Black & Decker tools at competitive prices with same-day collection from more than 700 UK points. Spread the cost finance kicks in at £99, which is useful for a one-off SDS drill or a circular saw the household needs once a quarter.
Where it falls short: No trade discount, no bulk fixings, no plumbing or electrical fittings worth mentioning. Returns are easy but the in-app catalogue won’t help for the trade-counter staples.
Pricing:
- Free
- Tools £15 to £400 mostly
- vs Screwfix: similar headline prices on power tools, no consumables, faster collection in town centres
Migrating from Screwfix: Use Argos for the one-off tool purchase when a Screwfix branch run feels like overkill, and check Argos clearance for end-of-line discounts on premium brands.
Bottom line: Pick Argos for the once-a-quarter tool you’d rather not store.
Amazon — Best for niche brand-name tools
Amazon carries thousands of trade tools and accessories from brands Screwfix doesn’t stock or stocks thinly: Knipex, Wera, Wiha, Festool consumables, plus the long tail of replacement parts. Prime delivery the next day matches Screwfix Sprint on speed, and the review pool is deeper for buying decisions.
Where it falls short: Counterfeits exist on big brands. Tool-grip safety items in particular sometimes ship as look-alikes from third-party sellers. Trade prices and bulk discounts aren’t on offer.
Pricing:
- Free, optional Prime subscription
- Wide range
- vs Screwfix: comparable to pricier on stocked lines, broader on niche brands
Migrating from Screwfix: Use Amazon for the items Screwfix flags as “online only” anyway; you’ll often beat them on price for branded tools. Stay on Screwfix for own-brand fixings and consumables.
Bottom line: Pick Amazon when Screwfix says “online only” and you’d rather have choice.
AliExpress — Best for cheap import accessories
AliExpress carries drill bit sets, sanding sheets, work gloves, and storage cases at a fraction of UK trade-counter pricing. The Choice programme groups popular items with seven-to-ten-day UK delivery, and the buyer-protection scheme covers most disputes within 30 days.
Where it falls short: Quality on safety-critical items is a serious gamble. Don’t trust the listings for power-tool batteries, RCDs, or anything that carries an electrical or load rating. Postage on heavier items often kills the saving.
Pricing:
- Free
- Small-tool kits £2 to £80
- vs Screwfix: 50 to 80 percent cheaper on accessories, longer waits, variable quality
Migrating from Screwfix: Bulk-buy the consumables that don’t carry liability: drill bits, sanding belts, work gloves, organiser cases. Keep certified electrical and safety gear on the Screwfix list.
Bottom line: Pick AliExpress for low-risk accessories, never for the gear that protects your life.
Halfords — Best for automotive and bike tools
Halfords is the UK leader on automotive and cycling tools: torque wrenches, socket sets, brake-line gear, bike-specific spanners, and workshop add-ons that Screwfix doesn’t carry seriously. The Trade Club discount (free to join) shaves 10 percent off most workshop items, and in-store fitting handles wipers, bulbs, and batteries while you wait.
Where it falls short: No plumbing, no electrical, no building materials. The general DIY range is small and pricier than equivalents at B&Q or Wickes.
Pricing:
- Free; Trade Club discount free to join
- Tools £10 to £600
- vs Screwfix: pricier on common tools, broader on motoring and cycling specifics
Migrating from Screwfix: Pair the two. Halfords for anything involving a vehicle or bike, Screwfix for everything else.
Bottom line: Pick Halfords when the tool fits a vehicle, not a wall.
How to choose
- Pick Toolstation when the local Screwfix is out of stock and you need the same model fast
- Pick B&Q when the load won’t fit in a small van
- Pick Wickes for kitchens, bathrooms, and timber-heavy projects
- Pick Argos for an occasional power-tool purchase with finance
- Pick Amazon for niche brand-name tools and replacement parts
- Pick AliExpress for cheap accessories that don’t carry safety liability
- Pick Halfords for automotive or cycling tools
- Stay on Screwfix for the daily consumables and trade-counter habit; the network is still the densest in the country
FAQ
Is Toolstation cheaper than Screwfix? On most lines, prices land within a few percent. Toolstation runs more aggressive weekend offers on power tools, while Screwfix typically wins on own-brand fixings.
Can I use my Screwfix trade card at B&Q or Wickes? No. Each retailer issues its own trade card. The good news is they’re free to open and don’t cap how many you carry.
What is the cheapest Screwfix alternative for fixings? AliExpress for low-risk consumables, Toolstation for everything else. Avoid AliExpress on anything that fails safe is critical (RCDs, climbing or load-bearing gear).
Does Screwfix Sprint deliver everywhere in the UK? No. Sprint serves selected postcodes around larger trade counters. The standard next-day service covers most of the UK, but rural Scotland and the islands still see longer windows.
Is there a free version of Screwfix for trade pricing? The Screwfix app and the Trade Card are both free. Trade pricing applies once you’ve registered the card and signed in.
What do UK tradespeople use instead of Screwfix? The most common pairings on trade forums are Toolstation for the like-for-like swap, B&Q TradePoint for volume timber, Wickes for fitted kitchens and bathrooms, and Amazon for branded power tools.
