Agencies.co vs Acquire.com: Agency M&A Compared
Choosing the right platform or advisor for your agency M&A transaction is one of the most important decisions you will make. Both Agencies.co and Acquire.com offer pathways to buying or selling a business, but they differ in focus, approach, and the type of seller they serve best. This comparison breaks down the key differences to help you make an informed choice.
We believe in honest comparisons. Acquire.com has genuine strengths, and there are situations where they may be the better fit. Our goal is to help you understand the differences so you can choose the right partner for your specific situation.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Agencies.co | Acquire.com |
|---|---|---|
| Specialization | Marketing agencies only | Startup and SaaS acquisition marketplace |
| Deal Size Range | $500K – $30M+ | $50K – $30M |
| Pricing Model | Transparent tiered pricing | Freemium + success fee |
| Advisory Support | Full M&A advisory included | Marketplace with premium advisory tier |
| Time to Close | 90 days average | 1-4 months typical |
| Buyer Network | Vetted agency buyers | Tech-focused buyer community (200K+) |
| Free Valuation | Yes | Yes (self-serve) |
About Agencies.co
Agencies.co is a marketplace and advisory platform built exclusively for marketing agency M&A. Every aspect of the platform — from valuation methodology to buyer network to deal structuring — is designed specifically for the marketing and communications agency sector. Founded to help agency owners navigate the complex process of buying, selling, or merging their businesses, Agencies.co offers transparent pricing, hands-on advisory, and a vetted network of agency-focused buyers. With a target close time of 90 days, the platform is built for speed, simplicity, and outcome.
About Acquire.com
Acquire.com (formerly MicroAcquire) has rapidly become one of the most popular acquisition marketplaces for startups and SaaS businesses. Founded by Andrew Gazdecki, the platform has facilitated thousands of transactions and built a buyer community exceeding 200,000 registered acquirers. Their freemium model lets sellers list for free with basic features, while premium tiers offer enhanced visibility and advisory support. Acquire.com excels in the startup and SaaS space, where their buyer community is highly active and deal velocity is impressive.
Key Differences
Business Type Focus
Acquire.com is built for startups and SaaS businesses — their buyer community, valuation frameworks, and deal processes reflect this focus. Agencies.co is built for marketing and communications agencies. Service businesses like agencies have fundamentally different valuation drivers (retainer revenue, team depth, client relationships) than product businesses like SaaS (ARR, churn, LTV). Using a platform designed for your business type means better valuations and buyer matching.
Buyer Community Composition
Acquire.com’s 200K+ buyers are predominantly tech founders, angel investors, and SaaS acquirers. Agencies.co’s buyers are agency acquirers — PE firms building marketing platforms, strategic agency buyers, and experienced agency operators. For agency sellers, a buyer who understands agency economics will value your business more accurately than one applying SaaS multiples.
Valuation Methodology
Acquire.com uses SaaS and startup valuation metrics — ARR multiples, churn rates, and growth metrics. Agencies.co uses agency-specific metrics — EBITDA multiples adjusted for retainer quality, client concentration, team depth, and service line profitability. The right methodology for your business type can mean a significant difference in valuation.
Who Should Use Acquire.com
Acquire.com may be a better fit if you are selling a SaaS product, tech startup, or app, want exposure to a massive tech-focused buyer community, prefer a self-serve marketplace experience, or have a product-based business with recurring revenue metrics that align with SaaS valuations.
Who Should Use Agencies.co
Agencies.co is the better choice if you are selling a marketing, creative, PR, or communications agency, want agency-specific valuation methodology rather than SaaS metrics applied to a service business, need buyers who understand and appreciate agency business models, or want advisory support for agency-specific deal complexities.
Pricing Comparison
Acquire.com offers a freemium model — free basic listings with premium tiers for enhanced features and advisory. Success fees apply to completed transactions. Agencies.co offers transparent tiered pricing for agency sellers. Both platforms align incentives around successful closings.
The Verdict
Acquire.com is an excellent platform for SaaS and startup acquisitions, with impressive scale and community. However, marketing agencies are not SaaS businesses — they have different revenue models, different valuation drivers, and different buyer profiles. Listing an agency on a SaaS-focused marketplace risks attracting buyers who will undervalue your retainer revenue, team depth, and client relationships because they are applying product business frameworks. Agencies.co ensures your agency is valued and presented as a marketing agency, to buyers looking specifically for marketing agencies.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you are leaning toward Agencies.co or still evaluating options, the best next step is to understand what your agency is worth. Our free valuation gives you an honest, data-driven assessment with no obligation.
Get an Instant Valuation | Sell Your Agency | Browse Listings | Schedule a Call