Social media freelancer, agency or done-for-you service?
The three main ways to outsource your social media, compared on cost, what you get and who each suits. Last updated October 2026.
Should I hire a social media freelancer or an agency?
A freelancer is one person, so quality, price and reliability depend entirely on who you find, and rates vary widely. An agency gives you a team, strategy and usually video, from around £500 + VAT a month upwards. A done-for-you service like Socially Active sits in between: a team designs and publishes branded static posts on four platforms for a fixed £150 to £350 + VAT a month, with no video or bespoke strategy. Choose a freelancer for a personal, flexible arrangement, an agency for growth and video, and done-for-you for consistent, affordable posting.
Side by side
| Freelancer | Done-for-you (Socially Active) | Agency (e.g. Compelite Pro) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | Varies widely by person and scope | £150 to £350 + VAT a month, fixed | From around £500 + VAT a month |
| Who does the work | One person | A team | A team, with an account manager |
| Holiday and sickness cover | Depends on the freelancer | Covered | Covered |
| Video | Sometimes | No, static posts only | Usually |
| Strategy | Varies | A proven structure, not bespoke | Bespoke strategy |
| Contract | Varies | 3 months, then monthly | Often 6 months or more |
| Best for | A personal, flexible arrangement | Looking active and credible every week | Growing with video and strategy |
Six questions to ask first.
- Does one post mean one platform, or all of them?
- Do I approve posts before they go live?
- Who owns the accounts and the designs?
- What happens when they are on holiday or ill?
- How long is the contract, and what is the notice period?
- Are there set-up fees, and what do they cover?
Our answers: four platforms, yes, you do, the team covers it, 3 months then 30 days’ notice, and a set-up fee equal to one month.
Socially Active plans. All prices + VAT.
Active
One post a week. The minimum to look open for business.
- 1 branded post a week
- 4 placements a week across 4 platforms
- Written for your business, designed to your brand
- You approve everything first
- Monthly performance summary
Today: £300 + VAT (set-up + first month). Then £150 + VAT a month.
Active Plus
Two posts a week. Enough that people notice you’re busy.
- 2 branded posts a week
- 8 placements a week across 4 platforms
- Written for your business, designed to your brand
- You approve everything first
- Monthly performance summary
Today: £500 + VAT (set-up + first month). Then £250 + VAT a month.
Always On
Three posts a week. Never a quiet week on your feed.
- 3 branded posts a week
- 12 placements a week across 4 platforms
- Written for your business, designed to your brand
- You approve everything first
- Monthly performance summary
Today: £700 + VAT (set-up + first month). Then £350 + VAT a month.
The one-off set-up fee is the same as one month. It covers building your brand kit, tidying your profiles, setting up your upload link and scheduling, and planning your first month. 3-month minimum, then rolling monthly with 30 days’ notice. All prices + VAT.
Freelancer or agency: your questions.
How much does a social media freelancer cost in the UK?
It varies a lot with experience and what is included, from a few hundred pounds a month for basic posting to well over £1,000 for an experienced freelancer doing strategy and video. Always compare what is included, not just the price.
Is an agency better than a freelancer?
Not always. An agency gives you a team, holiday cover and usually more services, but costs more. A good freelancer can be great value. A done-for-you service is the most predictable option if you mainly need consistent posts.
Who owns my social media accounts?
With Socially Active, you do, always. We work on your accounts with the access you give us, and you keep everything if you leave.
Can I move from Socially Active to a full agency later?
Yes. When you are ready for video, shoots and strategy, our full agency, Compelite Pro, can take over, and everything we have built for you comes with you.
More guides: all guides · cost guide · by industry · areas we cover
Consistent posting, without the guesswork.
Pick a plan and sign up online in about ten minutes. Your first posts usually go live within two weeks.
Questions first? That’s fine.
Book a 15-minute call, or email [email protected].