Trusted Business Award
vs BBB Accreditation
They are often mentioned in the same breath, but they are different things. Here is an honest side-by-side of what each one is, how it is earned and what it costs — and why many businesses hold both.
The short answer
BBB accreditation is an ongoing membership: you join, agree to its standards and pay an annual fee. A Trusted Business Award is a one-time recognition: you are evaluated first, and pay only if you are approved. One is not a substitute for the other — in fact, BBB accreditation is one of the things we look at when deciding who wins.
How They Compare
| BBB Accreditation | Trusted Business Award | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A membership: businesses apply to become BBB Accredited and agree to uphold the BBB Standards for Trust. | A recognition: an award granted to businesses that pass our independent evaluation. |
| Who runs it | The Better Business Bureau, a nonprofit network of local BBBs. | Trusted Business Awards, an independent awards and verification platform. |
| How it’s earned | The business applies, is reviewed by its local BBB, and commits to its standards. | The business is nominated (free), screened, and scored on legitimacy, tenure, reviews, complaint history and accreditation. |
| Cost | An annual accreditation fee, set by the local BBB and usually based on business size. | Free to nominate. A one-time fee from $99, charged only after approval. |
| Duration | Ongoing while the business keeps meeting the standards and paying the annual fee. | Lifetime. No renewals or recurring fees. |
| Ratings & complaints | Publishes A+ to F ratings and handles consumer complaints and dispute resolution. | Does not handle complaints. We check a business’s complaint history before awarding. |
| How customers verify it | The BBB’s online seal links to the business’s BBB profile. | The badge links to a verification page that checks the displaying website matches the winner’s registered domain. |
| Where it applies | The United States and Canada. | Businesses worldwide. |
What it is
BBB: A membership: businesses apply to become BBB Accredited and agree to uphold the BBB Standards for Trust.
Trusted Business Award: A recognition: an award granted to businesses that pass our independent evaluation.
Who runs it
BBB: The Better Business Bureau, a nonprofit network of local BBBs.
Trusted Business Award: Trusted Business Awards, an independent awards and verification platform.
How it’s earned
BBB: The business applies, is reviewed by its local BBB, and commits to its standards.
Trusted Business Award: The business is nominated (free), screened, and scored on legitimacy, tenure, reviews, complaint history and accreditation.
Cost
BBB: An annual accreditation fee, set by the local BBB and usually based on business size.
Trusted Business Award: Free to nominate. A one-time fee from $99, charged only after approval.
Duration
BBB: Ongoing while the business keeps meeting the standards and paying the annual fee.
Trusted Business Award: Lifetime. No renewals or recurring fees.
Ratings & complaints
BBB: Publishes A+ to F ratings and handles consumer complaints and dispute resolution.
Trusted Business Award: Does not handle complaints. We check a business’s complaint history before awarding.
How customers verify it
BBB: The BBB’s online seal links to the business’s BBB profile.
Trusted Business Award: The badge links to a verification page that checks the displaying website matches the winner’s registered domain.
Where it applies
BBB: The United States and Canada.
Trusted Business Award: Businesses worldwide.
Can You Have Both?
Yes — and many of our winners do. Accreditation by the BBB or a local equivalent counts in a nominee’s favour during our evaluation, and many of our nominees come from accredited, pre-vetted pools. The two signal different things to a customer: accreditation says a business has committed to a set of standards; an award says it has already shown the track record to back them up.
See How Winners Are SelectedWhich one is right for you?
Consider BBB accreditation if you trade in the United States or Canada and want an ongoing membership with a public rating and a formal complaint process.
Consider a Trusted Business Award if you want a lifetime, independently verifiable credential for your website — wherever in the world you operate — with no annual fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Trusted Business Award a replacement for BBB accreditation?
No. They do different jobs. BBB accreditation is an ongoing membership with ratings and complaint handling. The Trusted Business Award recognises a business that has already shown a track record of trust. Many businesses hold both.
Does BBB accreditation help a nomination?
Yes. Accreditation by the BBB or a local equivalent is one of the factors in our evaluation, alongside legitimacy, time in operation, customer reviews and complaint history. It is not required, which matters for businesses outside the United States and Canada.
Can a business without BBB accreditation win?
Yes. Many excellent businesses operate where the BBB does not, or simply have not applied. We look at the full picture, including other accreditation bodies, licences and professional certifications.
Is Trusted Business Awards affiliated with the BBB?
No. Trusted Business Awards is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the Better Business Bureau.
Which costs more?
BBB accreditation is an annual fee set by each local BBB, so the total depends on the business and the years it stays accredited. The Trusted Business Award is free to nominate and has a single one-time fee, from $99, charged only after a business is approved.
BBB, Better Business Bureau and related marks are trademarks of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus. Trusted Business Awards is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the BBB. Details of BBB accreditation are summarised from publicly available information and may change; see bbb.org for current terms.
Does Your Business Meet the Standard?
Nomination is free and carries no obligation. You pay nothing unless you are approved.