Design subscription vs freelancer vs agency
Need steady design without hiring? There are three common ways to get it. Here's how they differ, and when each one is the right call, including when it isn't us.
Side by side
| Option | DesignYum | Freelancer | Agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $749 a month, flat | Hourly or per project | Custom quote per project |
| Getting started | Subscribe and send a request today | Find, brief and book someone | Calls, proposals and a contract |
| Speed | Most requests in 2–3 business days | Depends on their schedule | Often weeks |
| What you get | Live site or final files | Often design files to build | Build is often a separate quote |
| Lock-in | None. Pause or cancel anytime | Per project | Per contract |
Freelancer and agency terms vary a lot. These are the common setups, not rules.
When a freelancer is the better pick
- You need one small thing, once, and nothing after it.
- You want a specialist in one craft, like hand lettering or 3D.
- You need video or animation. DesignYum doesn't do those.
When an agency is the better pick
- You need a big team working at once: research, strategy, copy and design in parallel.
- You need a long track record, references and formal contracts. DesignYum is new, and the projects on this site are concept projects.
- You have a large launch with a fixed date and a matching budget.
When a subscription fits better
- You need design every week, not once: posts, pages, decks, emails, small fixes.
- You don't want to brief a new person or wait on a quote each time.
- You want the finished thing. A landing page that's live on your domain, not a file someone still has to build.
- Your needs come and go. Pause from your billing page in a slow month, and billing stops while you're paused.
For founders, that often means one designer covering the brand, site, prototype and deck. See design for startup founders.
What one subscription can cover
These are concept projects, designed and built by DesignYum, each sent as a run of requests.
Tally
Fintech app: brand, live landing page, app screens, launch campaign and pitch deck.
See the case study →
Alder & Ash
Steakhouse: full live website, plus menus, cards and signage.
See the case study →Questions
Is a subscription cheaper than a freelancer?
It depends on how much you need. For one small job, a freelancer can cost less. If you need design every week, a flat $749 a month is easier to plan around than a new quote each time.
What does "one request at a time" mean?
Add as many requests as you like to your board. I finish one, then start the next, in the order you choose. Big jobs, like a full website, come in pieces so you see progress often.
Who does the work?
Me, Victor. The person who reads your request is the person who makes it. I use AI for speed, and I direct, edit and check every piece before you see it.
Can I keep my freelancer too?
Yes. Plenty of work fits both. If they need specs from me, you get the colors, fonts, spacing and the code.
What if it's not a fit?
Cancel anytime from your billing page. See Terms & Refunds for refunds.