The honest arithmetic. Every assumption below is editable — put in your own market's numbers. The calculation runs on this page; nothing is submitted.
This compares cost, not value — a great agency beats a mediocre fractional, and a full-time hire wins once there's 40+ hours a week of proven playbook to run. Fractional fits the stage before that: when the playbook still needs building and the work is senior, varied and part-time by nature. If the calculator tells you full-time is right for you, hire full-time.
Send me your scenario as it stands above and I'll reply with a straight answer — including "don't hire fractional, do X instead" when that's the truth. Written personally, usually within 24 hours. No sequence, no spam.