In-house team vs agency: what does each really cost?

Results are estimates to guide decisions, not financial advice. Your numbers stay in your browser.

What the calculator counts

An in-house team costs more than its salaries. We add your overheads, software, and roughly one month's salary per person to recruit (job ads, a recruiter's fee or your own time).

In-house, first year = salaries × 12 × (1 + overheads) + tools × 12 + one month's salary per hire
Agency, first year = retainer × 12

When each makes sense

In-house works best when you need five or more people working full time on one brand, every day.
An agency gives you more skills for the money below that size, and you can start in weeks rather than months.
Both: many growing companies keep a marketing lead in-house and use an agency for strategy, identity and specialist work.

Questions

Why is the first year more expensive in-house?

Recruitment costs and the months it takes to hire fall in the first year. From the second year the in-house cost is lower, so compare both years before you decide.

Does the agency cost include ad spend?

No. Media budgets are the same either way, so leave them out of both sides.

What about skills?

Four hires usually cover four skills. An agency team typically includes strategy, design, writing, media, SEO and analytics, used as and when you need them.

Is my data saved?

No. The calculation runs in your browser. Nothing is sent unless you choose to email yourself the result.

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