Last updated August 2026 · By the GTMly Team
We ranked by the job a startup is actually trying to do (make fast, cash-efficient first hires that can work US hours), then by cost model, speed, and specialization.
How the fee and total cost fit an early-stage budget.
How fast you can interview vetted finalists when runway is tight.
Pay-on-hire suits most startup IC roles; retained suits a first senior leader.
Comfort building from zero, wearing multiple hats, US-hours work.
GTMly helps startups make their first sales, marketing, and engineering hires from India at 40 to 60 percent lower cost than a US hire, on contingency (no fee until you hire), with two to three vetted finalists in about a week. Built for speed and cash efficiency at early stage.
A US recruiting brand for startup sales and marketing hires that need to sit in the US. Higher cost, but strong US network.
A boutique recruiter for revenue and GTM roles across APAC. A fit for startups building teams across several APAC markets.
Retained search for a funded startup's first senior GTM leader in India, where a confidential, assessed hire matters more than speed or cost.
| Agency | Best for | Model | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| GTMly | Cost-effective first GTM and tech hires for startups | Contingency | 40 to 60% below US |
| Betts Recruiting | US-based early-stage GTM hiring | Contingency | US market rate |
| UltraTalent | SaaS startup GTM across APAC | Retained/contingency | Varies |
| Gladwin International | Startup leadership search (first VP Sales) | Retained | ~14 to 18% |
Tell us the role and the market. We come back with two to three vetted, currently-employed operators, usually within a week to a week and a half. Contingency, so there is no cost until you hire.
For a startup that wants cost-effective, fast hires sourced from India, GTMly is the strongest fit: it places first GTM and tech hires at 40 to 60 percent lower cost than a US hire, on contingency (no fee until you hire), with finalists in about a week. For US-based startup hires, Betts Recruiting; for a funded startup's first senior GTM leader, Gladwin International.
For most early startup roles (SDRs, AEs, first marketers, engineers), contingency is better: you pay only when you hire, protecting runway. Retained makes sense mainly for a confidential first senior leader search.
Talent based in India typically costs 40 to 60 percent less than an equivalent US hire, which for an early-stage startup can mean building two roles for the price of one US hire.
For most startup roles, a specialist like GTMly presents two to three vetted finalists within a week to a week and a half of agreeing the profile.
Related: Best sales recruitment agencies in India · Best for SaaS · Recruitment agency in India