How much does a fractional CTO cost in the UK?

Fractional CTO day rates in the UK typically range from £800-£1,600 per day, with monthly retainers between £2,499-£10,000+ depending on engagement level. This represents 60-70% savings compared to a full-time CTO salary of £120,000-£180,000 plus benefits.

What is included in a fractional CTO retainer?

Retainers include a set number of days per month, strategy sessions, architecture reviews, team mentoring, and async communication support. Higher tier plans include more hands-on involvement, delivery leadership, and board participation.

Fractional CTO Pricing UK 2025

Transparent pricing for technology leadership. No hidden fees, no long-term lock-in. Get senior CTO expertise at 60-70% less than a full-time hire.

Foundation

£2,499

/month

2 Days/Month

Strategic oversight
Monthly planning sessions
Architecture reviews
Team mentoring
Async Slack/email support
Tech stack decisions

Best for: Early-stage startups needing occasional senior guidance

Momentum

£4,799

/month

1 Day/Week

Everything in Foundation
Active roadmap involvement
Architecture decisions
Hiring support & interviews
Delivery leadership
Weekly syncs
Code & PR reviews

Best for: Seed to Series A startups with active development

Breakthrough

£9,599

/month

2 Days/Week

Everything in Momentum
Deep hands-on engagement
Lead major initiatives
Transformation projects
M&A preparation
Board presentations
Investor readiness

Best for: Scale-ups, PE-backed companies, major transitions

Compare all plans in detail

Cost Comparison: Fractional vs Full-Time CTO

See the real cost difference and why fractional makes sense for most startups.

Cost Element	Full-Time CTO	Fractional CTO
Annual Base Cost	£120,000 - £180,000	£30,000 - £115,000
Employer NI & Pension	£20,000 - £35,000	Included
Recruitment Fees	£25,000 - £45,000	None
Benefits (Healthcare, etc.)	£5,000 - £15,000	N/A
Time to Start	3-6 months	1-2 weeks
Total Year 1 Cost	£170,000 - £275,000	£30,000 - £115,000
Your Savings	—	60-70%

Calculate Your Savings

See how much you could save with a Fractional CTO vs full-time hire

1Full-Time CTO Cost

Base salary

Benefits & taxes (~30%)£45,000

Equity (estimated value)£50,000

Recruiting costs (~25%)£37,500

Ramp-up time (3 months)£18,750

Total Annual Cost£301,250

2Fractional CTO Cost

Choose your engagement

Annual cost£57,588

Your Annual Savings

£243,66281% savings

Plus: No equity dilution, immediate start, flexibility to scale

Project-Based Day Rate

For specific projects like due diligence, architecture reviews, or short-term initiatives.

£1,200

/day

Fixed day rate for project-based work. Ideal for due diligence reports, architecture assessments, or specific technical challenges.

Technical Due DiligenceArchitecture ReviewsTeam AssessmentsAI Strategy Workshops

Pricing FAQs

What is the minimum commitment?

Most engagements require a minimum 3-month initial commitment to ensure meaningful impact. After that, engagements are month-to-month with 30 days notice.

Can I change plans?

Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade your plan with 30 days notice. Many clients start with Momentum and adjust based on their needs.

What payment terms do you offer?

Monthly invoicing, payable within 14 days. Quarterly payment with 5% discount available for annual commitments.

Are there additional costs?

The retainer covers all remote work. For on-site visits outside London, reasonable travel expenses are charged at cost. No hidden fees.

Do unused days roll over?

Days don't roll over month-to-month, but I'm flexible within reason. If you need extra time one month and less the next, we can usually accommodate.

Get a Custom Quote

Every company is different. Let's discuss your specific needs and find the right engagement model.