What is the difference between SEM Remedy and fractional executive marketplaces?

SEM Remedy hand-selects and vets every fractional executive. Marketplaces rely on self-reported profiles and ratings. Our executives come with a bench of senior engineers—marketplaces offer solo practitioners.

Are marketplace fractional executives cheaper?

Marketplace rates may appear lower initially but often lack the integrated engineering bench, quality guarantees and long-term accountability that SEM Remedy provides. The total cost of engagement is comparable.

What happens if a marketplace fractional executive does not work out?

With marketplaces you typically restart the search yourself. SEM Remedy provides a replacement guarantee and maintains a bench of pre-vetted executives ready to step in immediately.

SEM REMEDY

STRATEGY / ENGINEERING / MANAGEMENT

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/vs/marketplaces

A marketplace sends you a person. Then you are the manager.

Platforms are good at one thing: producing a vetted shortlist quickly. What they do not provide is a team behind the person, or anyone accountable when the engagement does not work.

Talk to us instead

Four differences that show up later

The shortlist is the easy part. What happens in month four?

Who implements

On a platform, you do, or you hire again. Here the bench is on the same retainer as the seat.

What it costs over time

An ongoing percentage compounds across an engagement that lasts years. Premium platforms are reported to take commission of up to 40 per cent.

Who owns the relationship

Where talent works through the platform, you do not hold the relationship, and converting to full time usually triggers a fee or buyout.

What happens if it fails

A platform rematches you and the clock restarts. A firm carries the engagement, because the outcome is ours as well.

Commission and conversion terms as described in independent 2026 comparisons of the major platforms. Terms change; check current ones.

When a platform is the better buy

One defined project, one specialist skill, a fixed end date.

If you know exactly what you need built and by whom, a marketplace will get you there faster and cheaper than we will. Come to us when the problem is not yet defined, or when the answer needs an owner rather than a contractor.

Still deciding? Start with the assessment.

One week, fixed fee, written findings, and a straight answer about which model you actually need. Including the answer that it is not us.

support@semremedy.com 216 200 8232