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Comparison Guide

Fractional CTO vs Full-Time CTO

A complete comparison to help UK founders decide which technical leadership model is right for their startup's stage and budget.

Quick Answer

Choose a Fractional CTO if: You're pre-seed to Series A, have under 15 engineers, need to preserve runway, or want to move fast without a 3-6 month hiring process.

Choose a Full-Time CTO if: You're post-Series A with 15+ engineers, technology is your core competitive moat, or you've found a perfect cultural fit willing to join.

Side-by-Side Comparison

FactorFractional CTOFull-Time CTO
Annual Cost£48,000-£180,000 ✓£210,000-£320,000+
Equity DilutionNone ✓1-4%
Time to Start1-2 weeks ✓3-6 months
Weekly Availability8-20 hours40+ hours ✓
FlexibilityScale up/down monthly ✓Fixed commitment
Hiring RiskLow (easy to end) ✓High (severance costs)
Team IntegrationPart-time presenceDaily presence ✓
Long-term CommitmentProject-basedCompany-building ✓

The Real Cost Breakdown

Fractional CTO

  • Monthly retainer£4,000-£15,000
  • Employer NI£0
  • Pension contribution£0
  • Benefits£0
  • Recruitment fees£0
  • Equity0%
  • Year 1 Total£48,000-£180,000

Full-Time CTO

  • Base salary£150,000-£220,000
  • Employer NI£18,000-£26,000
  • Pension (3%)£6,000-£9,000
  • Benefits£5,000-£15,000
  • Recruitment fees£30,000-£50,000
  • Equity1-4%
  • Year 1 Total£210,000-£320,000+

Savings with fractional: £130,000-£200,000 in Year 1, plus preserved equity

When to Choose Each Option

Choose Fractional CTO When:

  • You're pre-seed to Series A stage
  • Your engineering team is under 15 people
  • Runway is under 18 months
  • You need leadership fast (1-2 weeks)
  • You want to test the relationship first
  • You're a non-technical founder

Choose Full-Time CTO When:

  • You're post-Series A with strong funding
  • You have 15+ engineers to manage
  • Technology is your core competitive moat
  • You found a unicorn candidate
  • Your board specifically requires it
  • You need 40+ hours/week of technical leadership

Still Not Sure Which Is Right for You?

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