InvestDeal compared with BizBuySell
BizBuySell is a marketplace on which owners and brokers advertise businesses for sale. InvestDeal is a sell-side advisory firm that conducts the sale on the seller’s behalf.
Terms of engagement
- Service modelBIZBUYSELLListing marketplace operated by CoStar Group, which states that it is not a brokerage firmINVESTDEALSell-side M&A advisoryRepresenting the seller exclusively
- Listing feesBIZBUYSELL$74.95 to $199.95 per month on a six-month term, payable by card on purchaseINVESTDEALNoneNo fees before closing
- Success feeBIZBUYSELLNoneINVESTDEAL5% of transaction valuePayable on closing only
- Buyer outreachBIZBUYSELLBuyers search the marketplace and respond to listingsINVESTDEALDirect outreach to qualified buyersNo public listing
- Process managementBIZBUYSELLConducted by the seller, or by a broker engaged separatelyINVESTDEALConducted by InvestDealAll decisions remain with the seller
- DisclosureBIZBUYSELLBlind listings restrict the location to a region and the details to summary informationINVESTDEALAnonymous profile, NDA and seller approvalIdentity and financials released only to approved buyers
- ValuationBIZBUYSELLValuation report included with a paid listingINVESTDEALAI valuation at no costPrepared from the company’s financial statements, before any commitment
Fee comparison by transaction value
Fees for each sale route, calculated on published terms at the transaction value entered.
- Listing marketplace$450BizBuySell Basic plan, six-month term, with the sale conducted by the seller0.03% of transaction valuePayable before closing: Full listing fee on purchase
- Business broker$140,00010% on the first $1 million, declining on each further million, with a $10,000 minimum9.3% of transaction valuePayable before closing: Typically none
- InvestDeal$75,0005% of transaction value, payable on closing5.0% of transaction valuePayable before closing: None
Broker and advisor terms reflect typical US market terms published by BizQuest. Actual terms are negotiated. Legal, accounting and tax costs are excluded from every route.
Sale process
- 01Account created, business details submitted and a three, six or twelve-month plan purchased by card.
- 02Included valuation report made available on purchase.
- 03Listing drafted and published by the seller, with identifying details withheld where chosen.
- 04Enquiries forwarded to the seller, who screens buyers, releases information and negotiates terms.
- 05Listing renewed monthly on expiry of the term until cancelled.
- 01AI valuation prepared from the financial statements, at no cost and without commitment.
- 02Anonymous company profile prepared by InvestDeal.
- 03Qualified buyers identified and approached directly.
- 04NDA executed and each buyer approved by the seller before identity and financials are released.
- 05Offers evaluated side by side and the transaction negotiated through to closing.
- 06Success fee of 5% payable on closing.
Suitability
- Sellers with capacity to prepare the listing, manage enquiries and negotiate directly.
- Smaller businesses for which advertising cost outweighs breadth of buyer reach.
- Sellers comfortable with a public summary description of the business.
- Sellers who prefer not to manage a sale process alongside operations.
- Companies whose buyers are more likely to be reached through direct outreach than through marketplace search.
- Sellers requiring approval of each buyer before identity is disclosed.
- BizBuySell listing FAQ, as of 4 November 2026
- BizQuest, Business Broker and M&A Advisory Fees, as of 4 November 2026
BizBuySell is a trademark of its owner, CoStar Group. InvestDeal is not affiliated with BizBuySell or CoStar Group. BizBuySell terms are taken from its published listing FAQ as of 4 November 2026.
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$1.45M adjusted earnings at 3.8 – 5.1×, the multiple this profile earns
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