DealPilot vs. hiring a business broker

DealPilot helps you start privately and understand your options before you share sensitive information, manage buyer-process steps, or hire outside help. Here's how the two preparation approaches compare.

Start with a free planning range

The quick answer

Use DealPilot if you want to privately create a value planning range, get review-ready materials prepared, and stay in control of what you share and when.
Consider outside help if your deal is complex, distressed, highly relationship-driven, or you'd rather have a qualified professional run the entire process for you.

Side by side

Cost model

DealPilot

Free to start, then simple flat prices — never a cut of your sale price.

Traditional broker

Fees and engagement terms vary by provider, mandate, industry, and deal size.

First step

DealPilot

A free private planning range with assumptions shown — no meeting, no commitment.

Traditional broker

Usually a professional engagement process before detailed work begins.

Seller control

DealPilot

You decide what to share, with whom, and when, the whole way through.

Traditional broker

The provider may manage outreach and buyer-process communication depending on the engagement.

Privacy

DealPilot

Nothing about your business is public unless you choose to publish it.

Traditional broker

Varies by broker — ask how your business will be marketed before you sign anything.

Review-ready materials

DealPilot

Available as an add-on once you're ready — you keep the underlying numbers.

Traditional broker

May be included or scoped separately depending on the engagement.

Best fit

DealPilot

Owners who want to understand their options privately before involving anyone else.

Traditional broker

Complex deals, or owners who want someone else to run the entire process.

	DealPilot	Traditional broker
Cost model	Free to start, then simple flat prices — never a cut of your sale price.	Fees and engagement terms vary by provider, mandate, industry, and deal size.
First step	A free private planning range with assumptions shown — no meeting, no commitment.	Usually a professional engagement process before detailed work begins.
Seller control	You decide what to share, with whom, and when, the whole way through.	The provider may manage outreach and buyer-process communication depending on the engagement.
Privacy	Nothing about your business is public unless you choose to publish it.	Varies by broker — ask how your business will be marketed before you sign anything.
Review-ready materials	Available as an add-on once you're ready — you keep the underlying numbers.	May be included or scoped separately depending on the engagement.
Best fit	Owners who want to understand their options privately before involving anyone else.	Complex deals, or owners who want someone else to run the entire process.

How DealPilot pricing is different

Professional sale advisors, brokers, attorneys, accountants, and valuation providers all scope and price their work differently. DealPilot is narrower: it is software for owner-led preparation and workflow management. Our prices are flat and shown up front, and DealPilot does not charge a commission based on what your business ultimately sells for.

Where DealPilot helps

A free, private value planning range with the main assumptions shown and no commitment.
A documented planning report with valuation-range context, starting at $245 flat — no commission, no surprise fees.
A seller launch kit to get review-ready documents prepared, including a CIM-style confidential information memorandum draft for owner review before any sharing decision.
A private deal room to manage buyer-process records and documents once you're active, including confidentiality agreements (NDAs) and offer paperwork (like the letter of intent, or LOI).

Where outside help can still be right

Complex negotiations with multiple moving pieces.
Specialized industries where a professional already has relevant buyer relationships.
Distress, litigation, or unusual financing situations.
You want a qualified professional to run the entire process for you, start to finish.

Common questions

Do I have to choose right now?▾

No. Most owners start with the free planning range to review the assumptions privately — you can decide about outside help, a confidential sharing step, or anything else later, with a clearer starting point in hand.

Can I use DealPilot before hiring a broker?▾

Yes. Owners can use DealPilot's free planning range and preparation tools first, then decide whether outside professional help makes sense for their situation.

Will my business stay private?▾

Yes. Your estimate and any information you enter are private by default. We never list your business or share your name publicly unless you take a specific action to publish or share it.

Is this legal or accounting advice?▾

No. DealPilot helps you understand your numbers and options, but it doesn't replace an attorney, a CPA, or a licensed broker. For contracts, taxes, or anything with real legal weight, loop in a qualified professional before you sign.

Get a private starting estimate

No card, no commitment, and nothing about your business becomes public. See a private planning range with the main assumptions shown.

Get my free planning range