AlphaSights expert network: hire a team to find experts, or go direct?

AlphaSights is an expert network that does the finding for you. It describes its model as custom search: instead of drawing on a static database, its team looks for experts who match each client's brief. You share your requirements, review the qualified profiles it sends, and select whom to speak with and when (AlphaSights services).

Start with AlphaSights if you need someone to find the right experts and organize the research. Use Instant Expert if you can describe the people you want to hear from and want to approach them yourself. The difference is how much of the work you hand over.

AlphaSights takes sourcing and logistics off your plate

AlphaSights assigns an account team, searches for people who match your brief, qualifies their experience and sends profiles for you to select. It can also provide interview moderators, transcripts, survey support and commissioned research (AlphaSights services). Those services matter when finding the right person is only part of the job.

Here is a made-up example. You want to understand how clinics choose scheduling software. "Healthcare executive" is a broad starting point. You may need a practice manager who chose a system, someone who led its rollout and a staff member who uses it every day. AlphaSights can find those different people and arrange the interviews. If nobody on your team can lead the conversations, its moderation service is another reason to use it.

AlphaSights also publishes a formal process for expert vetting, agreements, training and review (AlphaSights compliance). If your organization requires that kind of provider oversight, have your team assess those arrangements before choosing a service.

In Instant Expert, you pick the people and lead the call

You search for people in plain English or import contacts you already have. You choose whom to approach, write the invitation and send a paid call or reply request. For a reply, the recipient chooses text or voice. Acceptance is up to the recipient (Instant Expert).

For the clinic example, start with one specific request: "I'd like to ask a practice manager about the last scheduling-software purchase they helped make." A 30-minute call leaves room to ask what triggered the purchase, who helped choose the product and what happened during rollout. A title won't tell you whether someone did that work, so read their experience before inviting them.

This route suits someone willing to choose the participants and lead the discussion. It does not include an AlphaSights-style account team to source and manage a research project.

Ask for a quote that separates the call from the extras

The AlphaSights service pages reviewed on September 26, 2026 did not publish a fixed call price. Ask for a quote that separates expert calls from any moderation, transcripts, surveys or research support you need. Instant Expert prices each invitation as an offer to that person.

Send AlphaSights a brief if you need help finding and managing several kinds of experts. Search Instant Expert if you already know the experience you want to ask about and are ready to write a specific invitation.