Free Tool
Dev Agency vs
Dedicated Team ROI
Compare what a local dev agency retainer costs against hiring a dedicated remote team that works only for you.
Quick Answer
A local agency retainer buys shared, part-time attention at a high blended rate. The same budget hires a dedicated remote team (from $6/hour) that works only for you — usually 2–3 dedicated engineers for the price of an agency. Enter your retainer to compare.
Based on Zedtreeo's actual pricing. Dedicated remote staff from $1,056/month.
These figures are estimates for planning only. Your actual rate depends on role, scope, seniority, and engagement; market comparisons use representative benchmarks, not live quotes. Spotted a number that looks off, or have an idea to make this tool better? — we read every note and use it to improve these tools.
Methodology
How the Dev Agency vs Dedicated Team ROI Calculator works
How the number is produced
- Take the agency retainer you enter as the monthly cost of the agency option.
- Cost the dedicated option as engineers × hourly rate (mid $9 or senior $13) × 176 hours.
- Savings = retainer − dedicated cost, annualised ×12; the percentage is savings ÷ retainer.
Assumptions built in
- Compares cost only — a dedicated team also gives you exclusive attention, your process and your tools, which the number does not capture.
- This is a software/engineering configuration; for marketing or design retainers use the role-specific service pages.
Benchmarks & sources
- Zedtreeo Rate Index (2026)Used for: the offshore hourly rate per role used on the Zedtreeo side of every comparison — the same figures quoted on our service pages.
- Zedtreeo pricing engine (site-wide constants) (2026)Used for: 176 billable hours per full-time month; local-market multipliers of ~3.5× (US), ~3.0× (Europe avg.), ~3.2× (Australia), ~2.8× (Canada) applied to the offshore rate when you pick a comparison market.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 — Software Developers (SOC 15-1252) (2024)Used for: US developer wage baseline behind agency pricing.
Methodology and constants last reviewed against the Zedtreeo pricing engine and Rate Index. Estimates are for planning; your quote depends on role, scope and engagement.
Dev Agency vs Dedicated Team ROI Calculator FAQs
Common questions about this tool and the roles behind it.
Zedtreeo's offshore rates start at $6/hour and are the same figures used across all our calculators. Local market comparisons use representative benchmarks for the US, EU, AU, and CA — not live quotes. Your actual rate depends on role, scope, and engagement.
An agency splits its people across many clients and charges a blended markup. A dedicated remote team works only for you, in your tools and process, under NDA and IP assignment — like in-house staff, at offshore rates.
Request a quote and we'll shortlist pre-vetted candidates matched to your needs within 48 hours, with a free 5-day trial so you can confirm fit before committing.
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Try it free →Ready to Put This Into Action?
Zedtreeo places pre-vetted remote staff from $1,056/month with a free 5-day trial — replacement at no cost, no contracts.