Baton vs Dealonomy: Fees, Process, and Which to Choose
Chat Joglekar
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6 min read
Dealonomy is a Texas-based online marketplace for buying and selling small businesses that charges sellers nothing and collects its fee from buyers instead. It suits owners whose business passes its vetting and who care most about paying no seller fee. Baton is the better fit for most Main Street and lower-middle-market sellers who want an advisor they pay to run their sale, buyers beyond one network, and a short, stated contract term.
This comparison is for owners of businesses worth roughly $500K to $10M. Dealonomy earns its revenue from buyers, so much of its product is built for the buy side. We compare what an owner gets there with selling through Baton, including where Dealonomy comes out ahead.
What Dealonomy is
Founded: opened May 12, 2025. It grew out of Texas Business Buyers, a brokerage founder and CEO Clint Fiore started in 2014 and renamed Bison Business in 2022.
Headquarters: the Texas Hill Country. Fiore’s IBBA profile lists Boerne, Texas.
Model: an online marketplace staffed by its own M&A advisors, who vet each business, agree a price range with the seller, and market it to Dealonomy’s buyer network. It says it works both sides of every deal.
Size: advertises deals from $500K to $50M.
Pricing: free to sellers. Buyers pay a tiered success fee at close and can pay for a Premium membership, from $79 a month as of October 2026.
Funding: Dealonomy says it raised $3M from industry leaders in 2024 to launch.
Baton vs Dealonomy
Baton | Dealonomy | |
|---|---|---|
Upfront cost | None. No retainer or listing fee. | None for sellers |
Success fee | 6% of the total purchase price, paid by the seller at close | Sellers pay 0%. Buyers pay a tiered fee, from 8% (7% for Premium) on the first $1M down to 3% above $20M. |
Who runs the sale | Dedicated advisor through diligence and close, paid by the seller | Dealonomy M&A advisors, who say they work both sides of every deal |
Buyer reach | Baton marketplace with 30,000 vetted buyers, major business-for-sale sites, and direct outreach to strategic buyers | Dealonomy’s own buyer network. Premium members see new deals first. |
Valuation | Free, data-driven valuation before you list | Free valuation report and an agreed price range before listing |
Contract term | Three-month exclusive, then month to month | Exclusive for the agreement term. Length not published. |
Time to offers | Offers in about 6 weeks. About 6 months from listing to close on average. | Letters of intent in 30 to 90 days, with an advertised “$10K 90-Day Guarantee” |
Pricing and features checked October 2026. Baton figures are from baton.com/pricing. Dealonomy figures are from its seller page, buyer page, success fee schedule, and terms of service.
Where the difference shows up
The fee is Dealonomy’s strongest point for an owner. On a $1.5 million sale, Baton’s 6% success fee is $90,000. Dealonomy charges the seller nothing. Its fee schedule instead charges the buyer $115,000 on that sale, or $100,000 if the buyer is a Premium member. Buyers pay that in cash at closing, on top of their down payment, and buyer-side fees often can’t be rolled into the acquisition loan. Buyers budget for it, so it tends to come back to you as a lower offer. On the fee you pay directly, though, Dealonomy wins.
The second difference is who the advisor works for. Dealonomy is paid by the buyer and says it works both sides of every deal. With Baton, you pay the fee and a dedicated advisor runs your sale through diligence and close.
The third is reach and commitment. Dealonomy markets listings to its own buyer network. Baton lists on its marketplace and major business-for-sale sites, contacts strategic buyers directly, and helps buyers get SBA and bank pre-qualification. Baton’s exclusive is three months, then month to month. Dealonomy does not publish its exclusive term, so ask for it in writing.
Which should you use?
Choose Dealonomy if paying no seller fee is your top priority, your business passes its vetting and falls in its $500K to $50M range, and you are comfortable with an advisory team that works with both buyer and seller. Its team has worked Texas deals since 2014.
Choose Baton if you want an advisor you pay to run your sale, a flat 6% fee known up front, and buyers from Baton’s 30,000 vetted buyers, major listing sites, and strategic outreach. You can also test buyer interest privately with a free anonymous listing before you commit.
Start with a number
Whichever route you take, know what your business is worth before you talk to anyone about fees. Get a free Baton valuation.
FAQ
Is Dealonomy legit? Yes. Dealonomy opened in May 2025, succeeding Bison Business, a Texas brokerage started in 2014, and its CEO holds CBI and M&AMI credentials. Independent reviews are scarce, so ask for references.
How much does Dealonomy charge to sell a business? Nothing, according to Dealonomy, which advertises a 0% success fee to sellers. Buyers pay its fee instead, and usually factor it into what they offer. Its terms give it an exclusive right to represent your business for the agreement term.
How much does Dealonomy Premium cost? As of October 2026, Premium is $99 a month at the founding rate or $79 a month billed annually, with standard pricing listed at $199 a month. Premium members see new deals first and pay a lower success fee, such as 7% instead of 8% on the first $1 million.
Is Dealonomy a business broker? It calls itself a marketplace, but its M&A advisors vet businesses, set price ranges, and guide deals, much like a broker. Unlike most brokers, the buyer pays it, and it says it works both sides.
What are the best Dealonomy alternatives? For a seller-paid advisor and wider buyer reach at a flat 6% fee, Baton. See also our BizBuySell review and our guide to the best websites to sell a small business.
More comparisons
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