Stairlift Alternatives: 8 Options Compared (UK Costs & Funding)
When a flight of stairs becomes difficult, a stairlift is often the first thing people think of. It is not the only option, and it is not always the best one. Depending on your needs, your home and your budget, there may be a more suitable — or more affordable — way to keep using every floor of your house.
This guide covers the main alternatives to a stairlift available in the UK, what each one suits, roughly what it costs, and how you might fund it. We do not sell any of these products or take payment to recommend a brand, so the aim here is simply to help you work out what fits.
At a glance: the alternatives compared
| Alternative | Best for | Typical UK cost | Permanent? |
| Through-floor lift | Wheelchair users; long-term needs; no straight run of stairs | £10,000–£20,000+ | Yes |
| Home lift | Comfort and resale value; carrying items between floors | £10,000–£30,000+ | Yes |
| Platform lift | Short rises; wheelchair access over a few steps | £6,000–£20,000 | Yes |
| Perch / sit-to-stand stairlift | People who struggle to bend hips or knees | £2,500–£4,500 | Yes (on the stairs) |
| Stair-climbing handrail aid | Those still able to walk stairs with support | £1,500–£3,000 | Semi |
| Wheelchair stair climber | Occasional stair access; rented or listed buildings | £3,000–£10,000 | No (portable) |
| Access ramp | Thresholds, single steps, scooter/wheelchair access | £100–£3,000+ | Either |
| Grab rails | Extra steadiness on stairs you can still manage | £10–£100 | Yes |
These are broad UK guide figures for orientation, not quotes. Always get an in-home assessment before deciding.
Through-Floor Lifts
A through-floor lift is one of the closest like-for-like alternatives to a stairlift, and for wheelchair users it is often the better answer. Rather than running a seat up the side of your stairs, it carries you — and, on larger models, a wheelchair — vertically through a sealed opening in the ceiling, travelling between a downstairs room and the room directly above. When it is parked upstairs, the downstairs floor closes over.
It suits homes where the stairs are awkward, where the user is a permanent wheelchair user, or where two people may need to travel together. It needs clear space directly above and below, and a small amount of building work, so it is a bigger decision than a stairlift. Well-known UK names include Stiltz, Terry Lifts and Lifton. Expect roughly £10,000 to £20,000 or more depending on the model and the work involved.
Home Lifts
A home lift — sometimes called a residential lift — is a more substantial version of the same idea: a cabin that travels vertically between floors on its own rail. Compared with a stairlift it offers a smoother ride, can carry more than one person or heavier items, and tends to add value to the property. Against that, it costs more and needs dedicated space for the cabin and shaft.
Home lifts can usually be tailored to suit the room they sit in, with different finishes and door styles. Safety features such as emergency stops and battery back-up are standard. Prices typically start around £10,000 and rise to £30,000 or more depending on size, travel height and installation. UK suppliers include Stiltz, Lifton and Terry Lifts.
Platform Lifts
A platform lift carries a wheelchair user, or someone with a walking aid, on a sturdy open platform rather than in an enclosed cabin. They are well suited to short rises — a few steps, a split level, or access between two floors where a full home lift would be overkill. Because they take up little space and rarely need major structural work, they are a practical retrofit.
The trade-off is range: a platform lift handles modest height differences well but is not ideal for several full storeys. Vertical platform lifts typically start around £6,000 and can reach £20,000 with larger sizes and extra features. Inclined platform lifts, which follow the line of the staircase, are an option where a curved or split staircase rules out a straight vertical run. UK suppliers include Gartec, Axess2 and Stannah.
Perch & Sit-to-Stand Stairlifts
Not everyone who struggles with stairs can comfortably sit down and stand up again, and a standard stairlift seat assumes you can. A perch (or “stand and perch”) stairlift gives you a small padded support to lean against rather than a full seat, so you travel in a near-standing position. A sit-to-stand model does something similar. These suit people with stiff hips or knees, or conditions that make bending painful.
Because they run on a rail on your existing stairs, they are far cheaper than a lift — typically £2,500 to £4,500 — and they are a genuine alternative many people are never told about. We review several of these; see our straight perch stairlift reviews.
Stair-Climbing Aids & Assisted Handrails
If you can still manage the stairs but feel unsteady, an assisted handrail can be a low-cost middle ground between a grab rail and a powered lift. Systems such as the AssiStep add a moving handle that travels along a fixed rail; you push it ahead of you and it locks in place each time you put weight on it, giving you something secure to pull against on the way up and control on the way down. There is no motor and no power supply.
It will not help a wheelchair user, but for someone who is still walking and wants to stay confident on the stairs for longer, it is worth knowing about. Expect roughly £1,500 to £3,000 installed.
Wheelchair Stair Climbers
A wheelchair stair climber is a powered device that takes a seated or wheelchair user up and down stairs without anything being fixed to the staircase. Because it is portable, it can be used on different staircases and in different buildings, which makes it useful in rented homes, listed properties, or anywhere a permanent installation is not allowed.
The downsides are that it is bulkier than a standard wheelchair, usually needs a trained helper to operate, and takes some practice. Most models include brakes, a seatbelt and stability systems. Prices generally run from about £3,000 to £10,000 or more. UK suppliers include AAT, SANO Liftkar and The Stair Climbing Company.
Access Ramps
An access ramp gives a gradual incline in place of a step, allowing a wheelchair, scooter or walker to pass where stairs would block the way. Ramps are most useful at thresholds, single steps and entrances rather than as a way between floors. They range from lightweight portable or folding ramps for occasional use to permanent fixed ramps built to last outdoors.
Portable ramps start at around £100; permanent, built-in ramps for heavier use can run to several thousand pounds depending on length and materials. Any ramp should have a non-slip surface and, where the rise is significant, handrails — UK installations should meet the relevant accessibility standards.
Grab Rails
Grab rails are the simplest and cheapest aid of all. Fitted beside steps, in bathrooms or along a hallway, they give a secure handhold that reduces the risk of slips and trips for someone who can still move around but wants extra steadiness. They come in many sizes and finishes, including folding versions for tight spaces.
Basic grab rails cost from around £10 to £40; specialist or folding designs run higher. Fitting matters more than the rail itself — a grab rail is only as safe as its fixing, so for anything bearing real weight it is worth having it installed properly, ideally on the advice of an occupational therapist.
Living on One Floor & Wet Rooms
Sometimes the simplest alternative to a stairlift is to stop using the stairs altogether. If you can move a bedroom downstairs and convert a downstairs room or cloakroom into a wet room — a level-access shower with no tray to step over — you may be able to live comfortably on one floor without any lift at all.
This works best in homes with the space downstairs to spare. It can be considerably cheaper than a lift and removes the daily risk of the stairs entirely. It is worth discussing with an occupational therapist, who can assess your home and may also open the door to funding (see below).
Paying for It: Grants & Funding
Adaptations like these can be expensive, but you may not have to pay the full cost yourself. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, a Disabled Facilities Grant from your local council can contribute towards equipment and adaptations that help you stay in your home, including stairlifts and several of the alternatives above. It is means-tested for adults and the amount varies, but it is the first thing to check before paying out of pocket. Scotland has a separate scheme run through local authorities.
The process usually starts with a free assessment by an occupational therapist, who recommends what you need. You can find your council’s details using the GOV.UK tool at https://www.gov.uk/disabled-facilities-grants. It is also worth knowing that VAT relief is available on many mobility products if you are disabled or have a long-term illness, which reduces the price you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a cheaper alternative to a stairlift? Yes. Grab rails and assisted handrails cost far less, and they suit people who can still walk the stairs with support. If you need to be carried up the stairs, a perch stairlift is usually the cheapest powered option.
What is the best alternative to a stairlift for a wheelchair user? A through-floor lift or a platform lift, because they carry the wheelchair itself rather than asking you to transfer to a seat.
Can I get a grant to help pay for an alternative to a stairlift? Often, yes — through a Disabled Facilities Grant from your local council. Start with a free occupational therapist assessment.
Do I have to install anything permanent? Not necessarily. Wheelchair stair climbers and portable ramps need no fixed installation, which makes them useful in rented or listed homes.
Bringing it all together
Whichever route you are weighing up, it is worth getting a professional assessment before you commit. An occupational therapist or mobility specialist can look at your home and your needs, point you towards the most suitable option, and tell you whether you qualify for funding. And after considering all the alternatives, you may decide a stairlift is the right answer for you after all — which is fine. The point is to choose it knowing what the other options were.
This guide is maintained by the Independent Mobility Guide team. We research every guide against manufacturer information, UK supplier pricing and official sources such as GOV.UK, and we update them as the market changes. We do not sell stairlifts or take payment to recommend a particular brand. Last reviewed: June 2026.