Model comparison
Fractional CTO vs. agency vs. consultant
Three common paths to technical leadership. One gives you an embedded owner who scales with you.
Fractional CTO
Dev agency
Independent consultant
Accountability
Fractional CTOSingle owner, embedded in your team
Dev agencyRotating team, project-scoped
Independent consultantAdvisory only, no execution
Cost structure
Fractional CTOFixed monthly retainer
Dev agencyProject-based or hourly, often $150-300/hr
Independent consultantHourly or day-rate, $200-500/hr
Knowledge retention
Fractional CTOStays with you long-term
Dev agencyWalks out with the team
Independent consultantDocumented recommendations only
Team building
Fractional CTOHires and mentors your engineers
Dev agencyAugments with their own staff
Independent consultantNo hiring involvement
Strategic alignment
Fractional CTOAttends board meetings, shapes roadmap
Dev agencyExecutes specs, limited strategy input
Independent consultantAdvises but does not own outcomes
Speed to start
Fractional CTO1-2 weeks
Dev agency2-6 weeks (scoping + SOW)
Independent consultant1-2 weeks
Want an embedded technical leader, not a vendor?
Book a free 30-minute call. We will map your current gaps and see if a fractional CTO is the right model.
