Design Subscription Comparison

TDS vs Flocksy: Which Design Subscription Is Right for Your Business?

Q: Does Flocksy include a Creative Director?

No. Flocksy assigns a project manager but does not include a dedicated Creative Director who reviews briefs and shapes creative strategy. TDS includes a named senior Creative Director on every plan.

Flocksy and TDS both offer subscription-based design services, but they serve fundamentally different markets. Flocksy is built for solopreneurs and small businesses seeking affordable graphic design. TDS is built for growth-stage businesses that need senior creative talent, strategic oversight, and a full-service creative function. Here is the honest comparison.

Our verdict For small businesses with basic graphic design needs and tight budgets, Flocksy offers solid value. For growing brands that need a Creative Director, brand strategy, photography, and video under one subscription, TDS is the clear choice.

TDS DaaS From $3,500 / month

Dedicated senior Creative Director on every brief
Photography included (Scale & Custom plans)
Video production included
Brand strategy and creative direction
Month-to-month — no lock-in
5-day brand immersion onboarding
Unlimited revisions
Higher starting price than Flocksy

Flocksy From $499 / month

Affordable entry-level pricing
Graphic design, illustration, copywriting
Video editing (higher tiers)
Project manager assigned
Unlimited revisions
No dedicated Creative Director
No photography
No brand strategy

Side-by-Side

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Feature	TDS DaaS	Flocksy
Starting Price	$3,500 / month	$499 / month
Price Range	$3,500 – $15,000+ / month	$499 – $1,499 / month
Contract Terms	Month-to-month, no lock-in	Month-to-month
Creative Director	Named CD on every brief — all plans	No Creative Director; project manager only
Brand Strategy	Included at all tiers	Not included
Photography	Included (Scale & Custom plans)	Not included
Video Production	Included (Scale & Custom plans)	Video editing only at higher tiers
Graphic Design	Included — senior team	Included — contractor pool
Copywriting	Available on request	Included at higher tiers
Turnaround Time	48 hours (standard briefs)	24 hours
Team Quality	Senior, AU-based creative team	Vetted contractor pool
Revisions	Unlimited	Unlimited
Onboarding	5-day brand immersion	Standard intake call
Best For	Scale-ups and brands needing senior creative leadership	Solopreneurs and small businesses with basic design needs

Strengths & Weaknesses

Pros and Cons

TDS — Pros

Senior Creative Director reviews every brief
Photography and video production included
Brand strategy and creative direction built in
Senior Australian creative team
Flexible month-to-month terms

TDS — Cons

Higher starting price than Flocksy
Minimum spend may not suit very early-stage businesses
Boutique team capacity vs high-volume needs

Flocksy — Pros

Affordable entry pricing from $499/month
Fast 24-hour turnaround
Covers graphic design, illustration, and copy
No contract lock-in

Flocksy — Cons

No Creative Director — clients must self-manage creative strategy
Contractor pool means variable output quality
No photography or brand strategy services
Not built for growth-stage brand complexity

Decision Guide

Which Should You Choose?

Choose TDS if…

You need a Creative Director to lead brand decisions
Your scope includes photography, video, and motion
You are a growth-stage or mid-market business
Brand consistency across every asset is non-negotiable
You want a creative partner, not just a production queue

Choose Flocksy if…

You are a solopreneur or very small business
Budget is your primary constraint
You need basic graphics, social media assets, and copy
You can manage creative direction yourself
24-hour turnaround is your top priority

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TDS more expensive than Flocksy?

Yes. TDS starts at $3,500/month versus Flocksy's entry plan at $499/month. However, TDS includes a dedicated Creative Director, strategic oversight, photography, video, and a senior Australian creative team — serving a fundamentally different market segment to Flocksy.

Does Flocksy include a Creative Director?

No. Flocksy assigns a project manager to coordinate requests but does not include a dedicated Creative Director who reviews briefs and shapes creative strategy. TDS includes a named senior Creative Director on every plan.

What can Flocksy design?

Flocksy covers graphic design, illustration, video editing, copywriting, and web design at its higher tiers. It does not include photography, brand strategy, or fractional creative leadership.

What is Flocksy's turnaround time?

Flocksy advertises 24-hour turnaround on most requests. TDS delivers within 48 hours for standard briefs, with every brief going through Creative Director review before production begins.

Which is better for a growing brand: TDS or Flocksy?

TDS is better suited to growth-stage businesses that need strategic creative leadership, brand consistency, photography, and video production alongside design. Flocksy is better suited to solopreneurs and small businesses with straightforward graphic design needs and a limited budget.