Continuum vs. Traditional Development Agency
Not sure whether to hire a development agency or work with Continuum? Here's an honest, detailed comparison to help you decide.
The Short Answer
- You need strategic guidance, not just execution
- You want to launch fast (6-8 weeks, not 3-6 months)
- You value flexibility and month-to-month engagements
- You are building a B2B SaaS or AI-enabled product
- You want ongoing support post-launch
- You have very detailed specs and just need execution
- You need 10-20 person dedicated team for large project
- You require enterprise compliance certifications
- You have $200K+ budget and formal RFP process
- You want a one-time build and clean handoff
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | Traditional Agency | Continuum | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approach | Outsourced execution - build what you spec | Strategic partnership - challenge and guide | |
| Pricing Model | Fixed project cost ($80-200K+) | Flexible retainer ($8-25K/month) or project | |
| Timeline | 3-6 months typical | 6-8 weeks for MVP | |
| Ownership | Agency owns process and IP during project | You own everything from day one | |
| Post-Launch | Contract ends, handoff often messy | Ongoing partnership, seamless transition | |
| Leadership Level | Project manager (not technical) | CTO-level strategic leadership | |
| Team Size | Large team (10-20 people) | Lean team (2-5 senior people) | Tie |
| Scalability | Hit capacity limits, need to switch | Scale with you or help you hire | |
| Communication | Weekly status meetings, formal updates | Async daily + bi-weekly deep dives | |
| Specialization | Generalists - build anything | Specialists in B2B SaaS + AI products | Tie |
Real Scenarios: Who's a Better Fit?
Scenario 1: SaaS Founder with Clear Specs
You have detailed mockups, a tech stack chosen, and clear requirements. You just need execution.
If you genuinely have everything figured out, an agency can execute efficiently. But are you sure you have everything figured out?
Scenario 2: Non-Technical Founder with Idea
You know the problem you're solving but need help figuring out the solution, tech stack, and roadmap.
Agencies will build what you tell them. Continuum will help you figure out what to build first.
Scenario 3: Scaling from MVP to Series A
You have an MVP with users, but it's breaking under load and you need to scale quickly.
Agencies specialize in greenfield projects. Continuum specializes in rescue and scale.
Scenario 4: Enterprise Product with Compliance
You need a large, complex product with HIPAA/SOC2 compliance and a formal RFP process.
Large agencies have the processes and certifications for enterprise compliance. Continuum is better for agile startups.
True Cost Comparison
Traditional Agency: $80-200K
- "Typical Project: $120K for 4-5 month MVP build
- "Team Size: 8-15 people (PMs, designers, developers, QA)
- "Hidden Costs: Change requests ($5-15K each), post-launch support (separate contract), knowledge transfer delays
- "Total Cost: Often $150-250K by the time you launch and stabilize
Continuum: $40-70K
- "Typical Project: $55K for 6-8 week MVP build + launch
- "Team Size: 3-5 senior people (fractional CTO + developers)
- "What\'s Included: Discovery, design, development, QA, launch, 30-60-90 growth plan, hiring scorecards
- "Post-Launch: $8-12K/month part-time CTO retainer if you want ongoing support (optional)
Continuum typically costs 50-70% less than agencies for similar scope, with faster delivery and ongoing partnership flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Continuum cheaper than most agencies?
We have lower overhead (no sales team, no fancy office) and we work lean. A 3-person senior team moves faster than a 15-person agency team with coordinators, account managers, and junior developers. We also use AI-assisted development to accelerate routine work.
Can Continuum handle large, complex projects?
Yes, but our sweet spot is $40-250K projects. For $500K+ enterprise builds, a large agency with dedicated compliance and legal teams might be better. That said, we have built and scaled products to $100K+ MRR and millions of users.
What happens if I am not happy with the work?
For discovery sprints, we offer a satisfaction guarantee. For retainers, contracts are month-to-month with 30 days notice. For project-based work, we deliver milestones incrementally so you can course-correct early if needed.
Do agencies offer better quality than Continuum?
It depends on the agency. Top-tier agencies (charging $200K+) often have excellent quality. Mid-tier agencies ($80-150K) are hit or miss. We focus on CTO-level oversight, test coverage, code reviews, and scalable architecture as standardnot extras.
Can I start with Continuum and switch to an agency later?
Absolutely. Some clients use Continuum for discovery and early MVP, then bring in an agency for scale once product-market fit is proven. We will hand off cleanly with full documentation. That said, most clients stick with us because switching is expensive and risky.
When should I choose an agency over Continuum?
Choose an agency if: (1) You have a massive budget ($300K+) and need a dedicated 10+ person team, (2) You need enterprise compliance certifications (HIPAA, SOC2, FedRAMP), (3) You have very detailed specs and just need execution, or (4) You are building hardware, blockchain, or something outside our expertise.
Still not sure which is right for you?
Book a free 30-minute strategy call. We'll review your needs and give you an honest recommendationeven if that means we're not the best fit.