Compare
Outsourcing vs in-house
Every function can be run in-house or outsourced, and neither is right for everything. The question is which model fits a given process, your stage and your priorities. Here is how they compare.
| Outsourcing | In-house | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost model | Variable, scales with volume, no fixed overhead | Fixed cost of salaries, tools and management |
| Speed to scale | Add or reduce capacity quickly | Limited by hiring and training time |
| Control | Shared, set through the contract and service levels | Full, direct control day to day |
| Best for | Processes that scale, spike or sit outside your core | Work central to your product or that must stay in-house |
How to choose
- Keep in-house the work that is core to your product, your differentiation or your regulatory accountability.
- Outsource processes that scale or spike, sit outside your core, or need capacity and coverage you cannot staff cost-effectively in-house.
- It is rarely all or nothing: keep the accountable owner in-house and outsource the delivery capacity behind them.
Common questions
No. Control shifts from direct management to a contract with agreed service levels, a named accountable person and regular review. You set the standards; the partner works inside them.
Tell us what you need to outsource
Share your requirement and model your savings. We reply within six hours with a clear next step.
Six-hour response. UK GDPR compliant. Named UK accountability.