Comparison
Dedicated team vs staff augmentation
Two ways to add offshore capacity. The right one depends on one thing: do you want to manage the people, or just the outcomes?
Choose a dedicated team when you want to hand off a whole function and manage outcomes through one accountable lead. Choose staff augmentation when you have management capacity and need a specific skill or extra hands inside your existing team. Both are full-time, vetted and all-in priced; the difference is who manages the people.
| Dedicated team | Staff augmentation | |
|---|---|---|
| Who manages the people | A dpoint account lead | You, directly |
| What you get | A managed pod that owns a function | Individual specialists in your team |
| Best for | Handing off a whole function | Filling a specific skill or capacity gap |
| Onboarding | We onboard and run the cadence | You onboard into your process |
| Accountability | One point of contact (the lead) | You coordinate each person |
| Scaling | Add roles to the pod | Add or remove individuals |
| Pricing | Per seat, all-in, from $500/mo | Per seat, all-in, from $500/mo |
| Choose it when | You want outcomes, not management | You have management capacity |
When a dedicated team wins
If you would rather brief an outcome than manage individuals, a dedicated team is the better fit. dpoint recruits the pod, an account lead runs cadence and quality, and you review results weekly. It is the closest thing to an in-house function without the salaries, recruiting cycle or day-to-day management.
When staff augmentation wins
If you already run a capable team and need a specific skill or extra hands, staff augmentation is faster and simpler. You slot a vetted specialist into your tools, standups and process, and manage them like any team member. dpoint handles employment, payroll and replacement in the background.
A simple way to decide
Ask one question: do you have the capacity to manage the people directly? If yes, and the need is a specific role, choose augmentation. If no, or you want a whole function owned and run for you, choose a dedicated team. You can also start with one specialist and grow into a managed team as the work proves out. Run the numbers on the savings calculator or see the rate card.
FAQ
Common questions
What is the difference between a dedicated team and staff augmentation?
A dedicated team is a managed group of full-time people who own a whole function for you, run by a dpoint account lead, so you manage outcomes. Staff augmentation adds individual vetted specialists into your existing team, which you manage directly. Both are full-time and all-in priced; the difference is who does the day-to-day managing.
When should I choose staff augmentation?
Choose staff augmentation when you already have the management capacity and a clear, specific gap: a developer to ship a feature, a designer to clear a backlog, a writer to own one channel. You keep direct control and slot the person into your tools and standups. It is the fastest way to add a precise skill without a full-time local hire.
When should I choose a dedicated team?
Choose a dedicated team when you would rather hand off a whole function and manage results, not individuals. dpoint provides an account lead who runs quality, cadence and replacements, so you brief outcomes and review on a weekly rhythm. It suits founders and leaders who want output without the management overhead of coordinating several offshore hires.
Does staff augmentation or a dedicated team cost more?
Per seat, the rate is the same, all-in and starting from $500/month by role and seniority. A dedicated team can be better value overall because the included account lead and managed quality replace coordination work you would otherwise do yourself. See the pricing page for exact rates.
Can I start with one and switch later?
Yes. Many clients start with staff augmentation (one or two specialists) and grow into a fully managed dedicated team as the work proves out, or scale a dedicated pod up and down with reasonable notice. There is no long lock-in, so you can change the model as your needs change.
Which is better for quality and continuity?
Both use the same vetted, full-time people with 90%+ annual retention and guaranteed replacements. A dedicated team adds a layer of managed quality control through the account lead, which helps when you cannot supervise the work closely yourself. With augmentation, quality depends more on your own management.
Not sure which model fits?
Tell us what you need shipped and your team's capacity. We will recommend the right model and a written, fixed quote, usually within the week.