# Horizon vs. a business broker: which is right for you? · Horizon

Canonical: https://withhorizon.co/compare/exit-horizon-vs-business-broker

[Why Horizon](/why-horizon)[Compare](/why-horizon#compare)a business broker

Comparison · Sale listing

# Horizon vs. a business broker

The short answer

A business broker helps you sell the business you have today. Horizon helps you build the business a buyer will pay more for first, then runs a sale with you when you are ready, or tells you to hold and build.

## Side by side

A business brokerHorizon

Main goalClose a saleThe most valuable company, sold only if you choose

TimingWhen you are ready to listYears before a sale, or right now

Value buildingNot includedThe core of the work

A straight callPaid when you sellRoughly half the time, we say hold and build

TeamA brokerPartner, M&A lead, legal, tax and wealth advisors

A business broker: A broker who lists and markets a business for sale, usually smaller companies, and is paid a success fee when it closes.

## Which is right for you?

Choose a business broker if

You want to sell a smaller business soon, as it is.

Choose Horizon if

You want to raise the value first, or want a team that runs the whole sale on your side.

Can you use both?

Sometimes. For smaller deals we can prepare you and introduce the right broker.

## Common questions

### Do you list businesses for sale?

No. We prepare owners and run sale processes through the Exit Partnership. For small deals we can introduce the right broker.

### When should I call you instead of a broker?

When you want to know what it is worth first, or you are 12 to 24 months from a sale and want to raise the price before you go to market.

More comparisons

[vs. EOS](/compare/exit-horizon-vs-eos)[vs. Strategic Coach](/compare/exit-horizon-vs-strategic-coach)[vs. Vistage](/compare/exit-horizon-vs-vistage)[vs. Scaling Up](/compare/exit-horizon-vs-scaling-up)[vs. Value Builder](/compare/exit-horizon-vs-value-builder)[vs. an M&A advisor](/compare/exit-horizon-vs-investment-bank)[vs. a fractional CFO](/compare/exit-horizon-vs-fractional-cfo)

Descriptions of other programs and firms are general and based on their public materials as of September 2026. All trademarks belong to their owners. We are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, any firm named here.

## Start with what it’s worth.

Whatever else you use, the Value Baseline tells you where your business stands today and the moves that raise it.

[Book a discovery call →](/discovery-call)