Who else could answer this?
Most of these are better than me at something. The comparisons below say what, and say plainly when the other option is the right one. Prices shown are the published or widely reported figures for each, not quotes I can give on their behalf.
The answer without the deck brand
McKinsey runs 12-week engagements from $250K. A Deep Read is $8,000 in 10 days. For founders who do not need the McKinsey name on the cover.
vs BainResults focus, without the engagement
Bain is results-focused at $300K+ and 12 weeks or more. Same decision, founder-led, at $8,000 in 10 days.
vs BCGWhen you skip the Boston pedigree
BCG starts around $400K over 12 weeks or more. If what you need is the answer rather than the pedigree, the trade is worth seeing side by side.
vs AccentureTransformation versus one decision
Accenture wins on enterprise digital transformation. This wins on founder-led speed when the job is a single decision.
vs a strategy consultantOpinions versus signals
Independent consultants sell judgment. A Read shows the public evidence under the judgment and grades every claim. Cost and timeline compared.
vs a research agencyA deck in eight weeks, or a decision
Research agencies deliver decks. Compare what you walk away with, and what each costs to get there.
Enterprise advisory, or founder-led
Deloitte advisory runs $150K+ over 8 to 12 weeks. Where each one fits, stated plainly.
vs PwCBig Four process, or 10 days
PwC advisory starts around $150K. The same market question, founder-led, at $8,000.
vs EYWithout the audit-firm overhead
EY consulting is $150K+ over 12 weeks or more. When the overhead is buying you something real, and when it is not.
vs KPMGWhen the sticker is not the point
KPMG advisory sits at $150K+. If nobody in the room needs an audit-firm logo on the work, this is the cheaper route to the same decision.
80 to 150 senior hours, or 10 days
Pulling the same signals internally takes 80 to 150 senior hours across seven areas. The math is shown, so you can check it against your own team.
vs SEMrushA platform, or the graded answer
SEMrush is all-in-one marketing analytics. Tools hand you data; a Read hands you the ranked next moves for your specific decision.
vs SimilarWebTraffic analytics, or a decision
SimilarWeb is self-serve traffic and competitor analytics. Where the dashboard stops and the judgment has to start.
vs SpyFuKeyword data, or ranked moves
SpyFu covers competitor SEO and paid keywords. Honest side-by-side of what that gets you and what it leaves you to work out.
Competitor prices and timelines on these pages come from published rate cards, public reporting, and buyer accounts, not from quotes given to me. They move, and they vary by scope. Treat them as the order of magnitude, and confirm anything you are about to decide on.
Name one competitor. See the work.
A free teardown of one competitor, in 48 hours, in the same format as the paid Read. No call, no card.