Comparison: hire straight into a contract vs test through validated missions first.
UpFlo vs sales recruiting firm
A recruiting firm charges fees on a bet: the candidate's future success. UpFlo lets you test a vetted freelance salesperson on real missions, validated and paid on results, then hire afterwards if it's a match.
Who this comparison is for
- You were quoted 15-25% of the annual package for a sales profile.
- Your last sales hire did not make it through the trial period.
- You need results this quarter, not after a three-month process.
When to choose UpFlo
- When you want to see a salesperson actually sell your product before committing.
- When the need is immediate: a mission starts in days, not months.
- When your cash flow prefers result-based missions over upfront placement fees.
When not to choose UpFlo
- If you are hiring a VP Sales or an executive profile: dedicated search remains relevant.
- If the role requires full-time internal presence from day one.
- If you already have a qualified candidate pool and a solid hiring process.
Quick comparison
What you buy
UpFlo
Validated sales results, mission by mission.
Firm
A promise of a successful hire, assessed on CVs and interviews.
Timeline
UpFlo
Mission posted in minutes, start within days.
Firm
Brief, sourcing, interviews: 2-3 months before the start date.
Cost
UpFlo
Ex-VAT price per validated mission + 8% UpFlo fee ex VAT (min €5 ex VAT), no fixed fees.
Firm
15-25% of the annual package, due at hire, limited guarantee.
Risk of error
UpFlo
You judge on real deliverables; if it's a match, you hire with full knowledge.
Firm
The real test starts after signing, during the trial period.
Common objections
Can a freelancer really replace a salaried salesperson?
For prospecting, closing, or customer success, yes, often faster, because UpFlo freelancers are already practiced. And if the need becomes permanent, the mission will have been the best possible trial period.
Don't recruiting fees include a guarantee?
Usually a replacement guarantee limited to a few months, not a refund. On UpFlo, payment follows each validated mission: the risk is spread and controlled from the start.
What if I end up wanting to hire the freelancer?
That's a great outcome: you will have seen the person sell your product in real conditions, with validated deliverables and tracked reviews, before offering the contract.