Freelance Radar

Spot the latest contract roles the moment they are posted
and contact the hiring manager directly.

New contract roles added every week

Comparison

Freelance Radar vs Recruitment agencies: which is better for contract roles?

Recruitment agencies and Freelance Radar both help you find work, but they do not cover the same roles. Here is an honest comparison for UK contractors, inside and outside IR35.

What is Recruitment agencies?

Hundreds of UK recruitment agencies, from large generalists to small specialists, place contractors with clients, inside IR35 through an umbrella company or agency PAYE, or outside IR35 through the contractor's own limited company.

What Recruitment agencies does well

  • A recruiter works on your placement
  • Access to clients that hire contractors mostly through agencies
  • Help with timesheets, payment and the IR35 paperwork

Where Recruitment agencies falls short for contractors

  • Each agency only shows you its own roles
  • You need to stay in touch with many recruiters to see the whole market
  • Many of their recruiters announce new contracts in LinkedIn posts first

How Freelance Radar is different

Freelance Radar finds the contract roles that recruiters, agencies and hiring managers announce in LinkedIn posts, including the many that never become a formal job ad. You see who posted each role and contact them directly.

  • Contract roles from LinkedIn feed posts, often missing from job boards
  • Inside and outside IR35 roles in one place, with the day rate and IR35 status when stated
  • You see the recruiter or hiring manager and reach out directly
  • Email alerts by specialism, city and day rate
  • Annual plan at £49 a year, or £29 a month, with a 48 hour trial for £1

Recruitment agencies vs Freelance Radar at a glance

Recruitment agenciesFreelance Radar
What it isRecruitment agenciesContract role radar for LinkedIn posts
Contract roles from LinkedIn feed postsNoYes
Contract focusContract and permanent roles with that agencyContract roles only, inside and outside IR35
Contact with the person hiringThrough the agency's recruiterDirect, you see who posted the role
Email alertsNoYes
Cost for contractorsFree for contractors, the client pays the agency£49 a year or £29 a month, 48 hour trial for £1

Comparison as of 2026, based on public information.

Which one should you use?

Recruitment agencies is best for: contractors who want a recruiter to handle placement and payment. Freelance Radar is best when you want the contract roles that only show up in LinkedIn posts, with an alert as soon as they are posted and the name of the person to contact.

See the latest contract roles

Frequently asked questions

Is Freelance Radar an alternative to Recruitment agencies?

It is a complement more than a replacement. Recruitment agencies covers the roles each agency is recruiting for, while Freelance Radar covers contract roles that recruiters and hiring managers announce in LinkedIn posts, many of which are never advertised on job boards.

Can I use Recruitment agencies and Freelance Radar together?

Yes. Most contractors use several sources. Freelance Radar adds the contract roles from LinkedIn posts and sends them to you by email alert, so you can reply to the recruiter before the role gets crowded.

Does Freelance Radar show the day rate and IR35 status?

Yes, when the post states it. Each role shows the rate as written, for example £550/day Inside IR35 or £600/day Outside IR35, along with clearance requirements when they are mentioned.

How much does Freelance Radar cost?

You can browse the latest contract roles for free. Full access with alerts and direct contact costs £49 a year, or £29 a month, with a 48 hour trial for £1 and cancellation anytime.

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