Comparison
OpsWork vs Agency: Which is Right for You?
Agencies offer resources, processes, and the ability to handle large projects. But the agency model also introduces layers between you and the work. Here's how to think about the trade-offs.
Quick comparison
| OpsWork | Agency | |
|---|---|---|
| Who You Talk To | Same person throughout | Sales → PM → developers |
| Who Does the Work | Senior operator (founder) | Assigned team members |
| Communication | Direct, async-friendly | Through project manager |
| Pricing Model | Fixed price after assessment | Often hourly or retainer |
| Project Size | Right-sized for small teams | Often built for enterprise |
| Flexibility | Adapts to what you need | Follows established process |
| Overhead | Minimal, no layers | Account managers, PMs, etc. |
Why choose OpsWork
No telephone game
You talk directly to the person building your system. No translation through layers of project managers and account executives.
Senior expertise throughout
The founder handles every project. You're not getting work handed to junior team members after the sales pitch.
Right-sized for small teams
Process and pricing designed for companies with 5-50 people, not enterprise clients with enterprise budgets.
Fixed pricing
After the Architecture Assessment, you know exactly what you're paying. No surprise overages or scope creep billing.
Why choose a agency
More resources
Agencies can throw more people at a problem and handle multiple workstreams simultaneously.
Established processes
For companies that want structure and predictability, agency processes provide clear expectations.
Broader capabilities
Full-service agencies can handle design, development, marketing, and more under one roof.
Scalable
Can scale up quickly for large projects that need significant resources.
Choose OpsWork when...
- You want to work directly with the person doing the work
- You're a small team that doesn't need enterprise-scale solutions
- You value efficiency over process
- You've been frustrated by agency overhead and communication layers
- You want fixed pricing and clear scope
Choose a agency when...
- Your project genuinely requires multiple specialized disciplines
- You need significant resources deployed quickly
- Your organization requires vendor processes that match corporate procurement
- The project is large enough that dedicated project management adds value
The bottom line
Agencies make sense when you need scale and resources. OpsWork makes sense when you want senior expertise, direct communication, and efficiency. Most small teams are better served by working directly with an expert than navigating agency layers.
Ready to talk about what you need?
Every situation is different. Let's figure out what makes sense for yours.