Hire a Fractional CTOin the UK
Senior technical leadership for startups and scale-ups, London-based with UK-wide delivery. Architecture, hiring, vendor oversight, and board-ready reporting. Start within weeks, from £1,500/month.
Book discovery call3-month minimum · Month-to-month after · Fully remote
How much does a fractional CTO cost in the UK?
A fractional CTO in the UK costs £1,500 to £8,000 per month on retainer, or £800 to £1,500 per day for ad hoc work. Prodevel's fractional CTO engagements start at £1,500 per month for two days a month, on a three-month minimum and month-to-month after that.
The commonly published UK benchmark is around £1,400 per day, or £2,000 to £8,000 per month on retainer. Prodevel’s entry tier is £1,500 per month, which is below the bottom of that band, and our top tier at £5,000 per month sits inside it.
At the Starter tier that works out at an effective £750 per day, roughly half the UK market day rate, because a retainer buys continuity rather than isolated days. The trade-off is honest: you get two days a month, not two days a week.
The comparison founders usually make is against a full-time hire. A full-time London CTO costs £120,000 to £180,000 in base pay, and £170,000 to £270,000 fully loaded in year one once employer National Insurance, recruitment fees, and benefits are counted, plus 1 to 4 per cent equity.
| Fractional CTO in the UK | UK market | Prodevel |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly retainer | £2,000 – £8,000 | £1,500 – £5,000 |
| Typical day rate | Around £1,400/day | £750/day effective at Starter tier |
| Minimum term | Rarely published | 3 months, then month-to-month |
| Time to start | Weeks to months | Within weeks |
UK market figures are the ranges commonly published for fractional CTO work in 2026 and are given for comparison. Prodevel figures are our own published rates. Last reviewed August 2026.
Pricing tiers
All tiers include a 3-month initial commitment, then month-to-month with 30 days' notice.
Starter
£1,500/month
2 days/month
Pre-seed · Seed · <5 person teams
- Monthly strategy call
- Architecture reviews
- Async Slack access
- Board-ready tech update
Growth
£3,000/month
4 days/month
Post-seed · Series A · 5–20 engineers
- Weekly calls
- Hiring support
- Vendor evaluation
- Board reporting
Enterprise
£5,000/month
6 days/month
Series B+ · Regulated sectors · 20+ engineers
- Embedded in leadership
- Full strategy ownership
- Compliance support
- Regulated sector expertise
Fractional vs full-time vs consultant
| Role | Typical cost | Commitment | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fractional CTO | £1,500–£5,000/mo | 3-month min, then monthly | Startups needing ongoing leadership without full-time cost |
| Full-time CTO | £120k–£180k+/yr | 6–12 month hire cycle | Series B+ with large eng org and daily in-office needs |
| Consultant / advisor | £150–£300/hr | Project-based | One-off reviews; not embedded in day-to-day decisions |
Still weighing up the model? Read the complete fractional CTO guide, covering costs, engagement structures, and how to choose.
How hiring works
Discovery call
30 minutes to understand stage, team, and what you need from a CTO.
Scope & tier
We recommend Starter, Growth, or Enterprise based on your situation, with no overselling.
Start within weeks
Onboarding, Slack access, and first strategy session, not a three-month hiring process.
Regulated sector experience
We have supported teams in healthcare and research environments including LSHTM, providing compliance-aware technical leadership when stakes are high.
Common questions
How much does a fractional CTO cost in the UK?
A fractional CTO in the UK costs £1,500 to £8,000 per month on retainer, or £800 to £1,500 per day for ad hoc work. Prodevel engagements start at £1,500/month (2 days/month). Growth tier is £3,000/month and Enterprise is £5,000/month. All tiers require a 3-month initial commitment, then month-to-month.
How does Prodevel compare to the UK average fractional CTO rate?
The commonly published UK benchmark is around £1,400 per day, or £2,000 to £8,000 per month on retainer. Prodevel starts at £1,500 per month, below the bottom of that band, and tops out at £5,000 per month, inside it. At the Starter tier the effective day rate is £750, roughly half the benchmark, because a retainer buys continuity rather than isolated days.
Is a fractional CTO cheaper than hiring a full-time CTO?
For most companies below Series B, yes. A full-time London CTO costs £120,000 to £180,000 in base pay, and £170,000 to £270,000 fully loaded in year one once employer National Insurance, recruitment fees, and benefits are included, plus 1 to 4 per cent equity. A £3,000/month fractional retainer is £36,000 a year with no equity and no notice period. The economics flip once you consistently need more than 6 days of technical leadership a month.
Fractional CTO vs consultant: what is the difference?
A consultant delivers a report and leaves. A fractional CTO stays embedded, attending standups, joining hiring calls, and owning technical strategy week to week.
Can you work with our existing dev agency?
Yes. We regularly oversee external agencies and freelancers, giving founders one coherent technical voice and holding vendors accountable.
Are you London-based?
Prodevel is London-based with fully remote delivery UK-wide. In-person sessions available on request for Growth and Enterprise clients.
Where can I see full service details?
Our detailed Fractional CTO service page covers deliverables, case studies, and FAQs in depth.
Ready to hire a Fractional CTO?
Book a free discovery call. We'll recommend the right tier and tell you honestly if we're not the right fit.
Book discovery call