# Compare sourcing and inspection options

> Fair, side-by-side comparisons of sourcing agents, sourcing companies, inspection firms, in-house teams and B2B marketplaces, and when to use each.

Source: https://sourcesquid.co/compare/

Compare your options

# Choose how you source, with the facts side by side.

There is more than one good way to buy from India, China and Vietnam. These comparisons set agents, sourcing companies, inspection firms, in-house teams and B2B marketplaces against the same seven criteria, and say plainly when SourceSquid is not the right choice.

[Get a free teardown in 48 hours](https://sourcesquid.co/start/?from=compare) Browse the comparisons

4
    fair comparisons

7
    criteria on every page

0
    competitor names

The comparisons

## Four decisions buyers ask us about.

  * [ 01 **Sourcing agent, sourcing company or inspection company?** _A_ Sourcing agent _B_ Sourcing company _C_ Inspection company A sourcing agent introduces suppliers and is usually paid a commission. ](https://sourcesquid.co/compare/sourcing-agent-vs-sourcing-company-vs-inspection-company/)
  * [ 02 **In-house sourcing team or managed sourcing?** _A_ In-house team _B_ Managed sourcing (SourceSquid) An in-house team gives you full control and knowledge that stays in the business, at the cost of fixed salaries, travel and time to build. ](https://sourcesquid.co/compare/in-house-sourcing-vs-managed-sourcing/)
  * [ 03 **B2B marketplace or managed sourcing?** _A_ B2B marketplace _B_ Managed sourcing (SourceSquid) B2B marketplaces, such as Alibaba- or IndiaMART-style platforms, are the fastest way to see many suppliers and prices for standard products. ](https://sourcesquid.co/compare/b2b-marketplace-vs-managed-sourcing/)
  * [ 04 **Freelance inspector, inspection firm or SourceSquid?** _A_ Freelance inspector _B_ Third-party inspection firm _C_ SourceSquid A freelance inspector is flexible and often has the lowest day rate, but your checks depend on one person’s availability and method. ](https://sourcesquid.co/compare/freelance-inspector-vs-inspection-firm/)

How we compare

## Fair by design, useful either way.

We wrote these pages to help you choose, even when the answer is someone else.

  * **The same seven criteria** Cost model, Accountability, Speed, Risk, Supplier relationships, Compliance evidence, Typical hidden costs.
  * **No competitor names** We compare types of provider and channel, never named firms.
  * **Our prices, published** Every SourceSquid price shown is the one on our pricing page.
  * **When we are not the right choice** Each page says plainly when another option will serve you better.

Talk it through

## Not sure which fits? Send us one part.

A principal returns how it is made, where it is made best and a realistic target price within 48 hours, and tells you which route makes sense. Free, with no obligation.

[Get a free teardown in 48 hours](https://sourcesquid.co/start/?from=compare)[Talk to a principal](https://sourcesquid.co/contact/)