Agencies.co vs FE International: 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 FE International 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. FE International 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 | FE International |
|---|---|---|
| Specialization | Marketing agencies only | SaaS and digital business M&A advisory |
| Deal Size Range | $500K – $30M+ | $100K – $50M+ |
| Pricing Model | Transparent tiered pricing | Success fee (10-15% typical) |
| Advisory Support | Full M&A advisory included | Full M&A advisory with deal team |
| Time to Close | 90 days average | 3-6 months typical |
| Buyer Network | Vetted agency buyers | Broad digital business buyer network |
| Free Valuation | Yes | Yes (for qualified businesses) |
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 FE International
FE International is one of the most established names in digital business M&A, having brokered over $1.5 billion in transactions across SaaS, e-commerce, and content businesses. They offer full-service M&A advisory with dedicated deal teams, extensive buyer databases, and a strong track record of successful closings. Their team includes former operators and financial professionals who understand digital business models. FE International serves a broad range of digital businesses, from small content sites to large SaaS platforms, and has built a reputation for professionalism and deal execution.
Key Differences
Industry Specialization
Agencies.co focuses exclusively on marketing and communications agencies, while FE International covers SaaS, e-commerce, content businesses, and some agencies. This specialization means Agencies.co has deeper knowledge of agency-specific valuation drivers like retainer revenue quality, creative talent retention, and service line profitability. FE International offers broader deal experience but may apply generalist frameworks to agency-specific situations.
Buyer Network Composition
Agencies.co’s buyer network consists primarily of agency acquirers — PE firms doing agency roll-ups, strategic acquirers expanding services, and experienced agency operators. FE International’s network is broader, including SaaS buyers, e-commerce acquirers, and financial buyers across digital sectors. For agency sellers, a specialized buyer network means more relevant introductions and potentially higher valuations from buyers who understand agency business models.
Deal Size Sweet Spot
FE International handles deals from $100K to $50M+, with a sweet spot in the $1M to $20M range across all digital business types. Agencies.co focuses on the agency M&A sweet spot, typically $500K to $30M, with deep expertise in the valuation ranges and deal structures most common in agency transactions.
Fee Structure
FE International typically charges success fees in the 10-15% range depending on deal size. Agencies.co offers tiered, transparent pricing with options from self-serve listing to full advisory. For smaller deals, fee differences can significantly impact the seller’s net proceeds.
Who Should Use FE International
FE International may be a better fit if you are selling a SaaS business or e-commerce company rather than a marketing agency, need a broker with extensive experience in $20M+ digital business transactions, want access to a very large and diverse international buyer network, or value a long track record with publicly reported deal statistics.
Who Should Use Agencies.co
Agencies.co is a better choice if you are selling a marketing, creative, PR, or communications agency and want advisors who understand your specific business model, value transparent pricing over commission-based fees, want access to a buyer network specifically built for agency acquisitions, or need an advisor who can speak credibly about agency-specific metrics like retainer quality, creative team valuation, and service line profitability.
Pricing Comparison
FE International charges success-based fees typically ranging from 10-15% of the transaction value, with percentages decreasing for larger deals. They may also charge upfront preparation fees for certain engagements. Agencies.co offers published tiered pricing with clear costs for each level of service, from DIY listing to full advisory. For a $2M agency sale, the fee difference between the two models can be significant.
The Verdict
FE International is a strong, established firm with a proven track record across digital businesses. If you are selling a SaaS product or e-commerce business, they are an excellent choice. However, for marketing agency owners specifically, Agencies.co offers deeper specialization, agency-focused buyer network, and pricing designed for the agency market. The right choice depends on whether you value breadth of experience (FE International) or depth of agency-specific expertise (Agencies.co).
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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.
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