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
| Factor | Fractional CTO | Full-Time CTO |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Cost | £48,000-£180,000 ✓ | £210,000-£320,000+ |
| Equity Dilution | None ✓ | 1-4% |
| Time to Start | 1-2 weeks ✓ | 3-6 months |
| Weekly Availability | 8-20 hours | 40+ hours ✓ |
| Flexibility | Scale up/down monthly ✓ | Fixed commitment |
| Hiring Risk | Low (easy to end) ✓ | High (severance costs) |
| Team Integration | Part-time presence | Daily presence ✓ |
| Long-term Commitment | Project-based | Company-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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