Agencies.co vs Flippa: 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 Flippa 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. Flippa 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 | Flippa |
|---|---|---|
| Specialization | Marketing agencies only | Marketplace for online businesses and digital assets |
| Deal Size Range | $500K – $30M+ | $1K – $5M (mostly smaller) |
| Pricing Model | Transparent tiered pricing | Listing fees + success fees |
| Advisory Support | Full M&A advisory included | Marketplace with optional broker matching |
| Time to Close | 90 days average | Varies widely |
| Buyer Network | Vetted agency buyers | Very large, broad buyer community |
| Free Valuation | Yes | Yes (automated tool) |
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 Flippa
Flippa is one of the oldest and largest online business marketplaces, handling transactions for websites, apps, domains, and digital businesses of all sizes. Their marketplace model offers maximum exposure with low barriers to listing, and their auction and classified formats give sellers flexibility in how they present their business. Flippa has recently added broker matching services and premium listing options for higher-value businesses. The platform attracts a very large buyer community, though the broad focus means buyers range from first-time website purchasers to experienced acquirers.
Key Differences
Curation vs Volume
Flippa maximizes volume and exposure — anyone can list, and a vast buyer community browses listings. Agencies.co curates listings exclusively for marketing agencies and vets buyers before they access deal details. For agency sellers, curation means less noise and more qualified buyer interest, though Flippa’s volume can generate faster initial interest.
Buyer Quality
Flippa’s broad marketplace attracts buyers at every level — some with significant acquisition experience and capital, others browsing casually or looking for very small deals. Agencies.co’s buyer network is specifically composed of agency acquirers — PE firms doing roll-ups, strategic agency buyers, and experienced operators looking for agency acquisitions. Higher buyer quality typically translates to better valuations and smoother deals.
Deal Support
Flippa provides marketplace infrastructure, optional broker matching, and basic transaction support. Agencies.co provides full M&A advisory for agency transactions including valuation, buyer matching, negotiation support, and closing management. For complex agency deals, this support is valuable.
Deal Size Alignment
Flippa handles a very wide range of deal sizes, from $1K domains to multi-million dollar businesses, with most volume in the sub-$500K range. Agencies.co focuses on the $500K to $30M range where most marketing agency transactions occur. Platforms perform best when they operate in their core deal size range.
Who Should Use Flippa
Flippa may be a better fit if you are selling a website, app, domain, or digital asset rather than a marketing agency, have a very small business (under $100K) where marketplace listing costs are proportionate, want maximum marketplace exposure and are willing to filter through inquiries yourself, or prefer an auction format for price discovery.
Who Should Use Agencies.co
Agencies.co is the better choice if you are selling a marketing agency of any meaningful size, want qualified buyer introductions rather than marketplace browsing, need advisory support for deal structuring, negotiation, and closing, or value confidentiality — Agencies.co uses NDAs before sharing agency details, while Flippa listings are publicly visible.
Pricing Comparison
Flippa charges listing fees (ranging from free to several hundred dollars for premium placements) plus success fees on completed transactions. Agencies.co offers transparent tiered pricing for agency sellers. For meaningful agency deals ($500K+), the total cost comparison should include the value of advisory support, buyer vetting, and deal management included in Agencies.co’s pricing.
The Verdict
Flippa is a useful marketplace for smaller digital assets and businesses, offering broad exposure at low cost. However, selling a marketing agency — with its team, client relationships, and operational complexity — through a general marketplace creates challenges. Agencies.co’s specialization means your agency is presented to buyers who understand agency business models and are specifically looking for agency acquisitions. For any marketing agency sale above $250K, the advisory support and buyer quality available through Agencies.co will likely produce a better outcome.
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.
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