Comparison
Pay per lead vs retainer: the honest comparison
We sell pay-per-lead, so take this with that in mind. But a retainer is genuinely the better choice for some brokers.
- Exclusive
- No lock-in
- No ad spend
| Pay per lead | Agency retainer | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | None – pay per lead | Monthly retainer, plus ad spend |
| Contract | No lock-in | Often 3–12 months |
| Who carries ad risk | Us | You |
| Lead ownership | Exclusive to you | Exclusive to you |
| Control over campaigns & brand | Limited – our campaigns | Full – your brand, your ads |
| Builds your own brand | No | Yes |
| Predictable cost per lead | Yes, fixed | Varies month to month |
| Time to first lead | Days | Weeks to months |
When a retainer makes sense
If you want to build a recognisable brand, own your ad accounts long term and have the budget to absorb a few slow months, a good agency can be worth it.
When pay per lead makes sense
If you want predictable costs, no risk on ad spend and leads this month rather than next quarter, pay per lead wins. Many brokers run both.
Start with your first batch this week
From $120 + GST per lead. No contract. No retainer. Pause anytime.