Consulting vs Coaching: Services, Rates, and What Clients Really Want
If you're a service-based professional, chances are you've asked yourself: Should I offer coaching or consulting? Or both?
While they may seem similar, coaching and consulting are fundamentally different in their approach, scope, and client expectations. In this blog, we'll break down the key distinctions, explore service types, discuss rate models, and help you decide what's best for your business.
And if you're building a scalable coaching or consulting business, we'll show you how Delenta’s all-in-one platform makes managing clients, packages, pricing, and growth seamless.
What Is Coaching?
Coaching is a future-focused, client-driven partnership. A coach helps clients discover their own solutions through structured conversations, accountability, and powerful questioning.
Coaching typically involves:
Goal-setting and mindset shifts
Personal development and self-leadership
Weekly or biweekly sessions
Growth over time, not immediate deliverables
Examples:
Life coaching
Executive coaching
Health and wellness coaching
Leadership coaching
Coaching is often about transformation. Clients are paying for insight, reflection, and guidance—not predefined answers.
What Is Consulting?
Consulting is expert-driven. A consultant provides solutions, strategies, and specific recommendations based on their industry expertise.
Consulting typically involves:
Problem diagnosis and action plans
Reports, audits, and analysis
Clear deliverables and project timelines
One-off or short-term engagements
Examples:
Business consulting
HR and operations consulting
Marketing strategy consulting
Financial consulting
Consultants are paid to solve problems fast. Clients want results, not reflection.
Consulting vs Coaching: Key Differences
Rates and Pricing: Coaching vs Consulting
Pricing is one of the biggest differences between coaching and consulting.
Here’s how to think about it:
Coaching Pricing Models
Hourly or session-based (e.g. $100–$300 per session)
Monthly packages (e.g. 3 months for $1,200)
Group coaching (lower cost per client, higher revenue per hour)
Course or membership add-ons (scalable income)
Consulting Fee Structures
Hourly consulting rates (e.g. $150–$500/hr depending on industry)
Flat project fee (e.g. $5,000 for a business audit)
Retainers (e.g. $2,000/month for ongoing support)
Tip: Coaching fees are often tied to emotional value and transformation, while consulting fees are tied to ROI and results.
What Clients Actually Want in 2025
Today’s clients are smarter, more discerning, and digitally connected. They’re not just looking for services. They’re looking for experiences, results, and trustworthy professionals.
Clients want:
Clear expectations and deliverables
Hybrid models (consulting + coaching)
Access to digital tools, recordings, and resources