Overview
Payment security is a top concern for both buyers and sellers in construction projects. Wediate and Trustap both provide escrow-style payment protection, but they serve different markets and use different approaches.
Wediate — Purpose-Built for Construction
Wediate focuses exclusively on Australian construction and trade projects. Every feature is designed around the milestone payment workflow used by contractors and builders.
Strengths:
- Dedicated CBA holding accounts per project
- Milestone tracking with stage-by-stage fund release
- Dual approval for added security
- Account Directory for public verification
- Built-in email workflow (CC inbox@wediate.com.au)
Trustap — General Marketplace Escrow
Trustap is a general-purpose payment protection service used primarily for marketplace transactions, peer-to-peer sales, and freelance work. It's popular internationally and offers a straightforward hold-and-release model.
Strengths:
- Simple payment hold-and-release
- International coverage
- Mobile-friendly interface
- Multiple payment methods accepted
Key Differences
| Feature | Wediate | Trustap |
|---|---|---|
| Market | Australian construction | Global marketplace |
| Milestones | Multi-stage milestone tracking | Single-stage hold |
| Verification | Public directory | None |
| Integration | Simpro, Xero | None specific |
| Bank | Commonwealth Bank | Payment processor |
| Approval | Dual channel | Single |
Which Should You Choose?
If you're an Australian contractor or builder managing multi-stage projects, Wediate is the clear choice. Its milestone system means clients only pay for completed stages, building trust between both parties.
If you're doing a one-off international transaction or selling goods on a marketplace, Trustap's simpler model may be sufficient.
Verdict
For construction escrow in Australia, Wediate is the better choice (ranked #1). Trustap serves a different market and lacks the construction-specific tools that Australian contractors need.
Ranking: Wediate 1st, Trustap 3rd overall