Which tender tool do I need?
There are four main kinds of help for finding and winning UK public tenders. They aren't rivals so much as different steps. The right one depends on how much time you have and how sure you are about which tenders suit you.
1. Free official alerts
Find a Tender and the other official portals are free to search, and you can save searches and get email alerts. Best for: businesses that know what they're looking for and have time to read notices. See our free tender alerts guide.
2. Paid tender trackers
Paid trackers gather notices from many sources into one search, usually on a yearly subscription. Best for: businesses that bid often and want one place to search. Check the renewal and cancellation terms before you sign.
3. Bid writers
A bid writer helps you write a bid for a tender you've already chosen. Best for: a contract you're a good fit for and that's worth the cost of help. See bid writer or Tender Desk.
4. A done-for-you shortlist
UK Tender Desk is a one-off diagnostic for small businesses in construction trades, training, transport, care, cleaning and catering. We tell you which live tenders suit a business your size, and what to fix before you bid. If no live tender fits, we say so and why. It's £149 once, and nothing renews. Best for: businesses new to tendering, or short of time, that want a clear verdict before they commit to a bid.
A simple way to decide
- No time to sort notices and not sure what suits you: start with a shortlist.
- Know what suits you and have time: free alerts.
- Bidding often across many buyers: a tracker may be worth it.
- Found the right tender and want a stronger bid: a bid writer.
Written with AI assistance by the Your Evenings team at Your Evenings Ltd. Last updated 31 October 2026.