How Much Does a Fractional CTO Cost?
TL;DR: A fractional CTO costs £2,000-£10,000/month in the UK (or £800-£2,500/day). This is 60-70% less than a full-time CTO's £150k-£250k annual cost. Most startups pay £2,500-£5,000/month for 1-2 days/week of senior technology leadership. See our pricing plans for specific rates.
UK Fractional CTO Pricing (2025)
| Engagement Level | Time/Month | Monthly Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advisory | 2-4 hours/week | £1,500-£3,000 | Strategy guidance, board prep |
| Foundation | 2 days/month | £2,499-£4,000 | Early-stage startups, specific projects |
| Momentum | 1 day/week | £4,000-£6,000 | Growing teams, active hiring |
| Breakthrough | 2 days/week | £8,000-£10,000 | Series A/B, complex scaling |
Fractional CTO Day Rates
Junior
1-2 CTO roles
£800-£1,200/day
~£3,200-£4,800/month @ 1 day/week
Mid-Level
3-4 CTO roles
£1,200-£1,800/day
~£4,800-£7,200/month @ 1 day/week
Senior
5+ CTO roles
£1,800-£2,500/day
~£7,200-£10,000/month @ 1 day/week
Fractional vs Full-Time CTO Cost
Full-Time CTO (Annual)
- Base salary: £120,000-£180,000
- Benefits/pension: £15,000-£25,000
- Equity: 1-3% (significant value)
- Recruitment: £30,000-£50,000
- Total: £150,000-£250,000+/year
Fractional CTO (Annual)
- 1 day/week: £48,000-£72,000
- 2 days/week: £96,000-£120,000
- No equity required
- No recruitment costs
- Savings: 60-70% vs full-time
What Affects Fractional CTO Pricing?
Experience Level
5x CTOs with exits command 50-100% premium over first-time fractional CTOs
Time Commitment
Higher commitment (2+ days/week) often gets better effective day rates
Engagement Type
Pure advisory is cheaper than hands-on architecture/team building
Company Stage
Series B+ typically needs more senior (expensive) leadership
Industry
Regulated industries (fintech, healthtech) may require premium expertise
Location
London rates typically 10-20% higher than other UK regions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a fractional CTO cost?
A fractional CTO typically costs £2,000-£10,000 per month in the UK, depending on engagement level. Day rates range from £800-£2,500. This is 60-70% less than a full-time CTO.
What is the day rate for a fractional CTO?
UK fractional CTO day rates: Junior (1-2 CTO roles): £800-£1,200. Mid-level (3-4 roles): £1,200-£1,800. Senior (5+ roles): £1,800-£2,500.
Is a fractional CTO worth the cost?
Yes, if you need senior tech leadership but can't justify £150k+/year. You get strategic guidance, architecture oversight, and team building at 30-40% of full-time cost.
Can I negotiate fractional CTO rates?
Yes. Longer commitments (6+ months), higher time allocation (2+ days/week), and retainer models often get better rates than ad-hoc day rates.
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