15 Sites to Get Done-With-You Consulting Plus Execution: Compared and Reviewed
Finding a service that not only advises you but also rolls up its sleeves and does the work alongside you can be a challenge. Done-with-you consulting bridges the gap between pure advice and full-service execution, giving you expert guidance while building your skills and ownership. This list compares and reviews 15 platforms where you can find this hybrid approach, weighing their strengths, weaknesses, and what makes each one stand out or fall short. Whether you need marketing help, business strategy, or technical implementation, these comparisons will help you choose the right fit for your needs and budget.
- Legiit: Affordable Services With Hands-On Collaboration
Legiit connects you with freelancers and agencies who specialize in done-with-you services across marketing, SEO, content creation, and business growth. The platform’s strength lies in its transparent pricing and the ability to review detailed seller profiles before committing. Many providers on Legiit offer structured packages that include coaching calls, shared access to tools, and step-by-step implementation with your involvement.
The main trade-off here is consistency. Because Legiit is a marketplace, service quality varies between providers. You’ll find excellent consultants who genuinely collaborate, but you need to vet sellers carefully by reading reviews and checking their portfolios. Pricing tends to be lower than traditional consulting firms, making it accessible for small businesses and solopreneurs. Communication happens directly through the platform, which keeps everything organized but sometimes lacks the polish of dedicated project management tools.
- Clarity.fm: Expert Calls Versus Ongoing Execution
Clarity.fm built its reputation on connecting entrepreneurs with experts for paid advice calls. While the platform excels at giving you quick access to knowledgeable consultants, it’s primarily designed for one-off conversations rather than sustained done-with-you projects. You can book calls to get strategic direction, but translating that into collaborative execution requires negotiating separately with the expert.
The advantage is immediate access to high-caliber professionals who charge by the minute, so you control your spend. The downside is that most experts on Clarity are focused on advisory work, not implementation. If you find someone willing to do ongoing work, you’ll likely need to move the relationship off-platform, which means losing the payment protection and structure Clarity provides. Best used for initial guidance before committing to a longer-term done-with-you arrangement elsewhere.
- Upwork: Flexibility Versus Coordination Overhead
Upwork offers massive selection when it comes to freelancers who can work alongside you on projects. You can hire consultants, strategists, and implementers who are willing to share knowledge while executing. The platform’s escrow system and time tracking provide solid protection for both parties, and you can structure contracts for hourly or fixed-price arrangements.
The challenge is coordination. Managing a done-with-you project on Upwork means you’re responsible for defining the scope, setting expectations, and ensuring the freelancer understands the collaborative nature of the work. Some freelancers prefer independent execution without much client involvement, so filtering for true done-with-you providers takes effort. Pricing varies wildly based on location and experience, giving you options but also requiring careful comparison. Communication tools are adequate but not specialized for collaborative consulting work.
- Catalant: Enterprise Quality Versus Small Business Access
Catalant focuses on matching companies with experienced consultants and former executives for strategic projects. The platform vets its talent pool carefully, so you get professionals with deep expertise. Many Catalant consultants are open to done-with-you arrangements where they guide your internal team while executing key components of a project.
The major limitation is cost and scale. Catalant primarily serves mid-sized to large companies with substantial budgets. If you’re a small business or startup, the pricing structure may feel prohibitive. The quality of talent is high, which justifies the investment for complex projects, but the onboarding process is more formal than marketplace alternatives. Expect detailed scoping calls and contracts before work begins. Best suited for companies that need senior-level expertise and can afford to pay for it.
- Toptal: Rigorous Vetting Versus Limited Done-With-You Culture
Toptal screens freelancers intensively, accepting only the top percentage of applicants. This means you get access to highly skilled developers, designers, and consultants. The platform’s reputation for quality is well-earned, and many clients trust Toptal for critical projects.
However, Toptal’s model leans toward execution rather than education. Most Toptal professionals are hired to deliver results independently, not to train your team or work collaboratively in a done-with-you format. While you can request this arrangement, it’s not the platform’s primary focus, and you may pay premium rates for what amounts to standard consulting. The matching process is thorough but slower than instant-hire marketplaces, which can delay project starts. If you need pure talent quality and can afford the rates, Toptal delivers, but it’s not purpose-built for collaborative learning.
- Fiverr Pro: Vetted Talent Versus Marketplace Limitations
Fiverr Pro is the premium tier of Fiverr, featuring hand-vetted professionals who offer higher-end services. Many Pro sellers provide consulting packages that include collaborative work, shared documents, and training sessions. The platform’s messaging and file-sharing tools support ongoing projects reasonably well.
The comparison point is that Fiverr Pro sits between budget marketplaces and premium agencies. You get better quality than standard Fiverr sellers but without the full-service experience of a dedicated consultancy. Pricing is transparent and often lower than traditional firms, but you still need to manage the relationship yourself. Some Pro sellers are excellent at done-with-you work, while others prefer to deliver finished products with minimal collaboration. Reading reviews and having a detailed conversation before hiring is essential. The platform’s structure works well for defined projects but can feel limiting for complex, multi-phase engagements.
- HourlyNerd (Now Catalant): Consultant Access Versus Project Scope
HourlyNerd rebranded as Catalant, but the original concept was connecting businesses with MBA-level consultants for flexible projects. The platform emphasizes strategic thinking and business problem-solving, with consultants who can work alongside your team to implement solutions.
The strength is access to analytical and strategic talent without committing to a large consulting firm. The weakness is that scope can be hard to define for truly collaborative work. Many consultants on the platform are accustomed to delivering reports and recommendations rather than getting into the weeds of execution with you. If you need someone to build a financial model while teaching you how to maintain it, this can work well. If you need hands-on marketing execution or technical work, other platforms may be better suited. The matching process is relationship-driven, which adds time but improves fit.
- Growth Mentor: Mentorship Focus Versus Execution Gaps
Growth Mentor connects startup founders and marketers with experienced mentors for one-on-one sessions. The platform is built around learning and guidance, with mentors who genuinely want to help you grow. Many offer packages that include follow-up sessions and accountability check-ins.
The trade-off is that Growth Mentor is designed for mentorship, not execution. You’ll get excellent advice, feedback on your strategies, and someone to talk through challenges with, but most mentors won’t do the actual work for you. If your definition of done-with-you includes significant hands-on implementation, you may need to supplement Growth Mentor sessions with a separate implementer. The pricing is reasonable and the community is supportive, making it a good complement to other services on this list rather than a standalone solution for execution-heavy projects.
- 99designs by Vista: Design Collaboration Versus Other Services
99designs specializes in graphic design work, offering both contest-based and direct-hire options. For done-with-you design projects, the one-to-one service lets you work closely with a designer through multiple revision rounds, with your input shaping the final product.
The platform excels in its specific niche but offers nothing outside of design. If you need branding, web design, or marketing materials and want to learn the design thinking process while collaborating, this works well. The revision process is structured to include your feedback at every stage, which fits the done-with-you model. However, you won’t find strategic consulting, marketing execution, or business advice here. Quality varies by designer, so portfolio review is important. Pricing is mid-range, sitting between cheap logo mills and high-end design agencies. Best for visual projects where you want creative collaboration without hiring an in-house designer.
- Codementor: Technical Mentorship Versus Full Development
Codementor connects you with developers who can provide live coding help, code reviews, and technical guidance. The platform is built for learning, making it a natural fit for done-with-you technical projects where you want to understand the code while it’s being written.
The comparison here is between mentorship and full development services. Codementor shines when you need to learn a technology, debug an issue with expert help, or have someone guide you through building a feature. It’s less ideal if you need a complete application built and just want occasional input. Pricing is typically hourly, and you can book sessions on-demand or arrange ongoing relationships. The quality of mentors is generally high, with ratings and specializations clearly listed. Communication happens through screen sharing and chat, which works well for technical collaboration. Not suitable for non-technical consulting needs, but excellent within its domain.
- Consulting.com: Training Focus Versus Direct Service
Consulting.com, associated with Sam Ovens, focuses on training people to become consultants rather than directly providing consulting services. The platform offers courses, community access, and some coaching, but it’s not a marketplace where you hire consultants for done-with-you work.
The value proposition is learning to do consulting yourself rather than hiring it out. If your goal is to build your own consulting skills and eventually offer services, this could be relevant. If you need someone to work with you on an active project right now, this isn’t the right fit. The comparison is between education and service delivery. The program is structured and comprehensive but requires significant time investment and a relatively high upfront cost. Better suited for aspiring consultants than for business owners seeking immediate collaborative help on specific projects.
- Bark: Lead Generation Versus Curated Matching
Bark is a lead generation platform where you submit your project requirements and receive quotes from multiple service providers. This includes consultants and agencies who offer done-with-you services across various categories like marketing, business planning, and web development.
The advantage is getting multiple options quickly without searching individual profiles. The disadvantage is that you’re essentially a lead being sold to providers, which means you’ll receive sales pitches rather than curated matches. Quality control is minimal compared to vetted platforms, so you need to carefully evaluate each respondent. Some providers are excellent, while others are simply aggressive marketers. The process can feel overwhelming if you receive dozens of responses, and filtering for true done-with-you capability requires asking detailed questions. Free to use from the client side, but expect varying levels of professionalism in the responses you receive.
- Thumbtack: Local Access Versus Online Collaboration
Thumbtack connects you with local service providers, including business consultants, marketing professionals, and technical experts. The platform works well if you prefer in-person collaboration or want someone familiar with your local market.
The comparison is between local and remote work. Thumbtack’s strength is geographic proximity, which can be valuable for certain types of consulting where face-to-face meetings matter. The weakness is a smaller talent pool compared to global platforms, and not all providers are equipped for done-with-you arrangements. Many Thumbtack professionals are used to service delivery models like event planning or home services, so finding consultants who understand collaborative execution requires specific searching. Pricing is negotiated directly, and the platform takes a lead fee from providers. Best for local businesses that value in-person interaction and want to support nearby professionals.
- LinkedIn ProFinder: Professional Networks Versus Active Marketplace
LinkedIn ProFinder was LinkedIn’s attempt to create a freelance marketplace leveraging professional profiles and networks. The service allowed you to post projects and receive proposals from LinkedIn members, with the added context of seeing their full professional history.
The platform has been discontinued in many regions, which is an important consideration. Where it still operates, the advantage is professional credibility, since you can see connections, recommendations, and work history. The disadvantage is limited active participation compared to dedicated freelance platforms. Many LinkedIn users don’t actively monitor ProFinder, so response rates can be low. For done-with-you consulting, the professional context is valuable, but you may have better luck reaching out to consultants directly through LinkedIn messages rather than relying on the ProFinder tool. Consider it a supplementary option rather than a primary source.
- MicroMentor: Free Mentorship Versus Paid Execution
MicroMentor is a nonprofit platform connecting entrepreneurs with volunteer mentors who provide free guidance. The mentors are typically experienced business professionals who want to give back, and the platform facilitates ongoing mentorship relationships.
The obvious advantage is that it’s completely free, making it accessible to anyone regardless of budget. The trade-off is that mentors are volunteers, so they’re providing advice and support, not execution services. This is pure mentorship rather than done-with-you implementation. You’ll get feedback on your plans, accountability, and someone to talk through challenges with, but you won’t get hands-on help building your website, running your ad campaigns, or creating your content. The quality of mentors is generally good, with a genuine desire to help, but availability and expertise vary. Best used as a supplement to paid done-with-you services, providing the strategic guidance while you hire execution help elsewhere.
Choosing the right platform for done-with-you consulting depends on what you value most: budget flexibility, talent quality, collaborative structure, or specialized expertise. Some platforms offer broad access with variable quality, while others provide vetted professionals at premium prices. The best fit depends on your specific project needs, your budget, and how much hands-on collaboration you actually want. Take time to evaluate these trade-offs, read provider reviews carefully, and have detailed conversations before committing. The right done-with-you partnership can accelerate your progress while building your capabilities for the long term.
