Comparisons
Arbolus vs. Guidepoint: A comparison for experts
written by
Arbolus Support
published on
Arbolus against Guidepoint as an expert? Here’s an objective look at how the two platforms differ, what each one is best at, and which one is more likely to suit your background.
Arbolus vs. Guidepoint: how they compare for experts
Guidepoint is one of the largest expert networks globally, with broad coverage across healthcare, technology, financial services, industrials, consumer goods and beyond. Arbolus is a more specialised platform, focused specifically on B2B technology and software markets and on the people who buy, use and manage those tools. Both are established, legitimate expert networks that work with investors and consulting firms, but they suit slightly different experts and offer different ways of earning.
Guidepoint | Arbolus | |
|---|---|---|
Scale | Very large network, broad coverage across many industries | Smaller, specialised network focused on B2B tech |
Cost to experts | Free to join | Free to join |
How you get matched | Network sources and invites you to relevant projects | Network invites you to relevant projects, and you can also browse and apply to open projects yourself |
Project types | Primarily expert calls, plus surveys | Expert calls, video questionnaires (Canopy), surveys and software reviews |
Payment model | Per-call, rate set per engagement | Per-project, plus ongoing payouts for software reviews |
Ongoing earnings | Paid per engagement, no ongoing component | Experts can qualify for the Rewards Programme and earn per software review |
Best suited to | Experts across a wide range of industries wanting broad project access | Experts with specific B2B software or tech experience |
Where Guidepoint has the edge
Guidepoint’s breadth is its main strength. Because it covers such a wide span of industries, experts from almost any professional background have a reasonable chance of being matched to relevant work, whether they come from healthcare, finance, manufacturing or consumer markets. That is not the case with a niche-focused platform like Arbolus, where the projects are concentrated in software and technology. If you are a generalist, or your experience sits mostly outside B2B tech, a larger network will simply have more projects that fit you.
Where Arbolus has the edge
Arbolus gives experts more agency in how they find work. Instead of waiting to be contacted, you can look at the Suggested Projects in your account and apply to the ones that match your experience, which gives you more initiative than a purely invitation-based model.
Arbolus also offers a way to earn that does not depend on a single engagement. Once you qualify for the Rewards Programme by submitting software reviews, each review can continue earning every time a client reads it. For experts who use several B2B tools day to day, this turns knowledge they already have into a recurring source of income, on top of calls and surveys.
The honest takeaway
If your background spans multiple industries or sits outside B2B tech, Guidepoint’s scale gives you access to a wider range of potential work, and it is probably the better place to start. If your expertise is specifically in software or technology, Arbolus is likely to deliver more relevant opportunities, more ways to earn from the same experience, and more say in which projects you pursue.
It is also worth remembering that joining both is not mutually exclusive. Many experts are registered with more than one network, and there is no downside to being visible to clients on both platforms.
If you’re ready to see how it works, join Arbolus as an expert and get started for free.
This article is intended for experts, make sure you are in the right place.
