There is no single right answer. It depends on how much you publish, your budget and how much of the work you want to manage. Here is an honest comparison, including when we are not the best choice.
| In-house hire | Freelancer |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Salary, software and management | Per video, and it varies | From $499 a month |
| First cut | After you finish hiring | Depends on their schedule | Within 24–48 hours |
| Who does the work | One or more new hires | One person | A dedicated team |
| Revisions | Part of the job | Often limited | Unlimited |
| When things slow down | You still carry the cost | You find someone again later | Pause or cancel anytime |
Where it works: A freelancer can be a great choice when you publish now and then, have a clear style, and enjoy working one to one. Good freelancers often cost less per video, and you can find one quickly.
What to watch: You depend on one person. If they are busy, ill or move on, your publishing stops while you find someone new. Quality and speed vary from person to person, and you still manage the briefs, deadlines and feedback yourself.
Where it works: A full-time editor learns your brand deeply, sits close to your team and can react quickly. This makes sense when you have a constant, high volume of video and enough work to fill every week.
What to watch: You take on a salary, software, equipment and management, plus the time it takes to hire. You also keep paying when output slows down, and one person rarely covers short-form, podcasts and motion graphics equally well.
Where it works: An agency gives you a team and a process for a predictable monthly price. You can usually cover several formats in one place, and the work continues when one editor is away. It suits teams that publish regularly and want editing off their plate.
What to watch: A new agency needs time to learn your style, so the first few videos may need more notes. You also have less day-to-day control than with your own employee, so clear feedback and a good brief matter.
Volume and consistency usually matter more than price per video. Work out how many videos you need each month, then count the time you would spend managing them.
Estimate your monthly costStart with a freelancer. You do not need a monthly commitment yet.
An agency usually fits best, because one team can handle reels, podcasts and long-form together.
Consider an in-house editor, possibly with an agency for overflow and special projects.
Per video, a freelancer can be cheaper. Compare the full picture, though: the time you spend managing the work, delays when someone is unavailable, and the cost of finding a replacement. Our monthly packages start at $499.
With us, yes. You can start with a single project, or use a monthly package that you can pause or cancel anytime.
It depends on who you hire. We deliver a first cut within 24–48 hours. A freelancer's speed depends on their schedule, and hiring in-house can take far longer before work begins.
Yes. Many teams keep an editor for daily work and use an agency for extra volume, or for formats their editor does not cover.
