Compare.
An agency, a team of freelancers, or a studio of one. Each is right for someone. Here is how they differ on what decides a project, stated as plainly as I can about my own column.
What decides itA full agencyA freelancer teamApexify
Who actually does the workA full agencyA rotating team — the people who pitch are rarely the people who build.A freelancer teamSpecialists you find, vet and coordinate yourself.ApexifyOne person, end to end. The person you brief is the person who builds.
How pricing behavesA full agencyQuoted after discovery calls; rate cards on request.A freelancer teamPer-person day rates; the total emerges as the work does.ApexifyStarting prices published for every discipline, and a fixed price in writing before work starts.
AccountabilityA full agencyAn account manager relays between you and the makers.A freelancer teamEach specialist owns their slice — the joins between them are yours.ApexifyOne name accountable for the whole outcome.
Consistency across brand, web and softwareA full agencyDepends how many departments your project crosses.A freelancer teamSeveral hands, several styles — you reconcile them.ApexifyOne eye across all five disciplines, so it all matches.
Speed of decisionsA full agencyMeetings scale with headcount.A freelancer teamFast per task; coordination is the tax.ApexifyNo handoffs. Questions answered in hours, not standups.
After launchA full agencyA support contract, or a new statement of work.A freelancer teamWhoever is still available.ApexifyRetainers from £400/mo, month to month. Apex has a three-month minimum.
Where it honestly winsA full agencyEnterprise scale, and large teams at short notice.A freelancer teamA single-discipline task with a clear spec.ApexifyEnd-to-end builds for founders and small teams.
If your project needs twenty people tomorrow, hire the agency. Sincerely. For everything at this site’s scale, the prices are already public.
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