An honest breakdown of how we stack up against website builders, freelancers, and traditional agencies. We're not the right fit for everyone - here's how to decide.
| Feature | TIZZLECustom studio | Squarespace / WixDIY builder | FreelancerIndependent dev | Traditional AgencyFull-service firm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custom design (not a template) | check | close | Varies | check |
| Professional UX & strategy | check | close | Varies | check |
| Mobile-first & responsive | check | Varies | Varies | check |
| SEO built in from day one | check | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Fast page load performance | check | close | Varies | Varies |
| You own all the code | VariesOne-off only* | close | check | Varies |
| Hosting included | check | Varies | close | Varies |
| 24/7 support | check | close | close | Varies |
| Unlimited edits (monthly plan) | check | close | close | close |
| Scales to web app / SaaS | check | close | Varies | check |
| Transparent, fixed pricing | check | check | Varies | close |
| Dedicated point of contact | check | close | check | Varies |
| Fast turnaround (from 48hrs) | check | close | Varies | close |
| No lock-in or proprietary platform | check | close | check | Varies |
| Typical cost | $189/mo or from $949 | ~$15-$50/mo + your time | ~$500-$5,000one-off, variable | $10,000+project-based |
* Code ownership applies to one-off builds only. Monthly plan clients license the design and code for the duration of their subscription.
Cheap and fast for simple sites. Easy to update content yourself.
Template designs, slow performance, limited SEO, you don't own the code, can't scale beyond basic sites. You're renting, not owning.
Can be affordable. Direct communication. Flexible on scope.
Inconsistent quality. Risk of ghosting or abandonment. No ongoing support. You manage hosting, security, and updates yourself.
Full-service. Large teams. Established processes.
Expensive (often 5-10x higher). Slow timelines. Account managers instead of direct access. You pay for their overhead, not just your project.
We're a small, focused studio. No account managers, no layers of process. You talk directly to the people building your product. That means faster decisions, better results, and prices that reflect the work - not the overhead.