Six comparisons, written to be useful rather than flattering. In several of them the answer is not us.
A hire wins on stable, predictable account volume where you can absorb a fixed cost and want an internal asset. That is a real scenario and we will say so on the call.
A bench wins on volatility — growing fast, uneven pipeline, or channels that change with your client mix. Capacity you can add and remove monthly is worth a premium when you cannot forecast.
Everything else is a variation. Freelancers fail on availability, offshore on judgment and client-facing work, DIY on opportunity cost, referring out on margin, and software on the fact that it cannot decide anything.
Thirty minutes on your book and where you’re capacity-blocked. You’ll leave knowing what a seat would cost you.