[solved]
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How [solved] compares

[solved] and seven other ways to hire, side by side.

[solved] is a fixed-fee search firm: one senior talent partner runs each search end to end, and every shortlisted candidate is assessed on evidence of their work and identity verified, for $10,000 (Specialist Search) or $20,000 (Leadership Search). Here is how that compares with recruiting agencies, retained search firms, LinkedIn Recruiter, AI sourcing tools, Paraform, Lemonly and Funded.club, with a full comparison for each.

Every option, on your hire

Set your role's first-year compensation and choose the search type. Fees that depend on salary update as you move it.

First-year compensation

$180,000

How it chargesA fixed fee by the search's scope
On your hire$10,000
Who runs the searchOne of our senior talent partners, end to end
Best fitConsequential and leadership hires, where evidence matters
How it chargesTypically 20% to 25% of first-year base salary, on hire
On your hire$36,000 to $45,000
Who runs the searchThe agency's recruiters; several firms can work one role
Best fitContract hiring at volume
How it chargesTypically 25% to 35% of first-year total compensation, in thirds
On your hire$45,000 to $63,000
Who runs the searchA partner or consultant, exclusively
Best fitBoard-level and public-company appointments
How it chargesA seat subscription: about $170 a month for Recruiter Lite
On your hireAbout $2,040 a year per seat
Who runs the searchYour own team
Best fitTeams with recruiter time, hiring steadily
How it chargesA seat subscription: from about $99 a month, billed annually
On your hireFrom about $1,188 a year per seat
Who runs the searchYour own team, with AI search and outreach
Best fitStarting on your own, or mapping a market
How it chargesAbout 20% to 25% of first-year salary, on hire
On your hireAbout $36,000 to $45,000
Who runs the searchThree to five recruiters from its network, in parallel
Best fitIn-house teams adding top-of-funnel sourcing
How it charges$8,000 flat per hire, on the hire's start
On your hire$8,000
Who runs the searchIts recruiters, with AI assessment
Best fitThe lowest flat fee, with nothing due upfront
How it chargesA fixed fee by salary band, from $4,900 to $21,900
On your hire$15,900
Who runs the searchA dedicated recruiter per search
Best fitRoles up to about $110,000

Agency, retained and Paraform figures are typical ranges as stated on each comparison page; retained fees apply to total compensation. Tool figures are subscriptions billed annually, before your team's time. Lemonly and Funded.club fees as listed on their own pricing pages, October 2026.

Last reviewed October 2026.

Behind every [solved] search

  • Replacement coverage of 90 days, or 180 with Exclusive Search
  • The retainer returned in full if the shortlist misses the criteria you agreed
  • Three-quarters of the fee due only when your hire signs
  • Your own candidates assessed too: up to three in Specialist Search, five in Leadership
  • A Candidate Evidence Brief with every shortlisted candidate
  • A private Hiring Workspace, current as the search moves
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Questions

Retained search firms, recruiter marketplaces such as Paraform, flat-fee services such as Lemonly and Funded.club, tools your own team runs such as LinkedIn Recruiter and AI sourcing tools, and fixed-fee search firms such as [solved]. Each comparison above sets one of them beside [solved].

It depends on the hire. Tools cost least per month, and your team runs the search. Among services, Lemonly and Funded.club charge less than [solved] for roles paying up to about $110,000. For senior technology and leadership hires, a [solved] fixed fee of $10,000 or $20,000 is usually lower than a percentage of salary or a band fee.

A tool suits a team with recruiters who have time to source and screen. A search firm suits a consequential hire, where someone accountable runs the whole search and every candidate arrives with evidence. Many teams use both: a tool for daily sourcing, a search firm for the hires that matter most.

A retainer begins the search: $2,500 for Specialist Search or $5,000 for Leadership Search. The balance is due when your hire signs. If the shortlist misses the criteria you agreed, the retainer is returned in full.

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Figures as set out on each comparison page, last reviewed October 2026. LinkedIn, LinkedIn Recruiter, Pin, Juicebox, SeekOut, Paraform, Lemonly and Funded.club are trademarks of their respective owners. [solved] is not affiliated with them.