Levels.fyi: Our Take (review, alternatives, pricing)

Levels.fyi has built its reputation on providing accurate compensation data and career level benchmarks that many professionals in tech rely on. 

It's one of the most trusted names for understanding how salaries compare across companies and roles, with over 1.5 million monthly users researching jobs and compensation on the platform.

But how well does that credibility translate into real results when you pay for its negotiation service?

In this review, we break down what Levels.fyi’s negotiation coaching offers, how its pricing works, where it provides the most value, and how it compares to other negotiation services we recommend.

Here's an overview of everything we'll cover:

1. Levels.fyi services
2. Levels.fyi review (pros and cons)
3. Levels.fyi pricing
4. Levels.fyi alternatives (Top 3)
5. More alternatives (by category)
6. Levels.fyi FAQs

1. Levels.fyi’s services ↑

Levels.fyi started in 2017 as a simple salary comparison site. It was a platform to check whether your offer stacked up against other reported data in tech. Today, it’s more than a database. It’s a full career platform built around one idea: helping professionals understand and improve its market value.

Before we evaluate its negotiation coaching, here’s a quick look at what Levels.fyi actually offers:

1.1 Salary negotiation coaching

Salary negotiation is Level.fyi’s core offering. Here, you’re paired with a coach (usually a recruiter with 5+ years at top tech companies) who helps you through the entire negotiation process.

The service includes:

The goal is to help you understand compensation bands, write negotiation emails that get responses, and walk into recruiter conversations with confidence.

1.2 Resume review

A newer addition to Level.fyi’s service is its resume review offering. While it’s new, it’s also built on the same model: you get detailed feedback from recruiters who’ve hired for the roles you’re targeting.

It’s typically a 45-minute Google Meet session where a coach works one-on-one with you to tailor your resume to the specific roles and companies you’re pursuing.

The offering is designed to help you position your experience clearly and get past the first filter, which is the resume screen.

1.3 Free consultation

Before you commit to any paid service, Levels.fyi offers free consultations where you can discuss your current offer, career goals, and what you're looking for in a coach.

It's a clarity call that helps you understand if the Levels.fyi service is the right fit and the kind of results you might expect.

1.4 Free salary data and tools

Levels.fyi has 300,000+ verified data points across roles, levels, companies, and locations. You can compare offers, explore compensation structures in specific companies, and see how your pay stacks up against other reported numbers, all without spending a dollar.

2. Levels.fyi review (pros and cons) ↑

We've spent time researching Levels.fyi's negotiation service. Here's what we found:

2.1 Levels.fyi pros

• Guaranteed results. Levels.fyi promises a minimum increase in your baseline offer or your money back. It’s a rare safety net that helps justify the cost and shows confidence in its service. Though, as we’ll note later, the fine print matters.
• Experienced coaches. Levels.fyi coaches are former recruiters and hiring managers from companies such as Google, Meta, Amazon, and other top tech firms. This insider experience helps them understand compensation structures and when there’s room to negotiate.
• Accurate and hard-to-get salary data. Levels.fyi also gives you access to up-to-date information not found on the public site, like recent offer data, company-specific practices, and recruiter behaviors. Like a user mentioned on Team Blind, “My negotiator gave me ranges that aren’t even on Levels or other sites yet. I ended up getting a $37K bump.”
• Strong track record of negotiation results. Levels.fyi maintains a 4.3-star Trustpilot rating with thousands of negotiated offers under its belt. Users commonly report salary increases of 15-30% above their initial offers. 
• Ongoing support beyond calls. You’re not limited to scheduled calls. Levels.fyi provides unlimited email support throughout the negotiation, so you can get quick input whenever questions come up.

2.2 Levels.fyi cons

• Premium pricing. At $1,250 to $5,000 upfront, this is a significant investment, especially early in your career or between jobs. While a $20K salary bump pays for itself, that's still a large initial commitment. More on this below in section 3.
• Limited coach information. Levels.fyi matches you with a coach rather than letting you choose. While coaches have 5+ years of recruiting experience, you don't see individual backgrounds, specializations, or coaching styles before committing. Without bios or reviews, you're taking a leap of faith on coaching quality and fit.
• Fixed package structure. The three fixed tiers (Standard, Premium, and Leadership) leave little flexibility. There’s no pay-per-session option for those who just want quick feedback or targeted advice, making it feel like you’re paying for more than you need.
• Inconvenient payment method. Payment plans are available through Klarna, but you’ll need a separate sign-up. It’s a minor inconvenience, but still less seamless than platforms with integrated payment flexibility.
• Conditional refund policy. Levels.fyi does offer a refund, but it comes with conditions. If your Year 1 Total Compensation doesn't increase by at least $5,000 (Standard), $10,000 (Premium), or $20,000 (Leadership), you're eligible for a full refund. But there are exclusions for new grad offers, student programs, and contract/intern-to-full-time conversions. 

3. Levels.fyi pricing ↑

Levels.fyi offers three salary negotiation packages based on your career level:

It’s important to note that Levels.fyi’s salary negotiation service only works within a specific window. You must either be:

1. Currently interviewing for a role and have not yet received an offer
2. Have received a written offer you have not yet accepted

Once you’ve already accepted an offer, they won’t take you on as a client. They can’t renegotiate on your behalf or reopen discussions.

4. Levels.fyi alternatives (top 3) ↑

Levels.fyi offers great salary negotiation coaching. But depending on your situation, there might be a better fit. 

Here are our top three recommendations:

#1 IGotAnOffer's salary negotiation coaching (best value overall)

Okay, we may be biased here, but a 4.95 average star rating from over 19k reviews is hard to ignore.

IGotAnOffer is a coaching platform where you can book mock interview sessions. It also offers career mentoring, leadership coaching, resume review, and salary negotiation coaching sessions.

There are over 400 coaches on the platform, and they’ve all worked at the very top companies in tech and consulting (e.g., Google, Meta, Amazon, McKinsey, etc.). They’re well-equipped with real-world insights to guide you through the interview process in your chosen role and target company.

Click on a coach’s profile and you can instantly see their hourly availability. To book a coaching session, you’ll first need to buy credits. Each credit starts at $50. Coaches cost 2,3, 4, or 5 credits per 1-hour coaching session. If you don’t find your session helpful, you can get a full refund.

IGotAnOffer does not have interview training courses, but it offers free and comprehensive interview prep guides on the website and a range of high-quality mock interview videos for product managers and software engineers on YouTube.

Additional Benefits:

• Access to free, comprehensive interview preparation guides on the IGotAnOffer website
• High-quality mock interview videos for product managers and software engineers available on YouTube

Who it's best for: 

Anyone seeking quality salary negotiation coaching at a reasonable price, particularly those who want control over their coaching investment and the flexibility to choose their coach.

Explore IGotAnOffer's salary negotiation coaches.

#2 Fearless Salary Negotiation (best for executives)

Fearless Salary Negotiation is specifically designed for high earners, or those already earning at least $400K annually. It was founded by Josh Doody, author of the Amazon bestseller Fearless Salary Negotiation: A step-by-step guide to getting paid what you’re worth.

An electrical engineer, business analyst, and project manager, Josh also coached software developers and other professionals in their salary negotiations. He later compiled all his experience and advice into the book, which has earned a 4.2 rating among Amazon readers and launched him on his salary negotiation coaching career. 

To date, he’s been able to help clients increase their salaries by 30%, at an average of $42,273. He’s able to get significant results for clients who work at Alphabet, Amazon, Amazon AWS, Apple, Facebook, Google, and Github. The case studies on his site show salary increases of as much as $160K.

Josh offers a full-service, one-on-one coaching package from strategy to first-year results and to salary negotiation completion. He charges from $3K to $6K for strategy and 10% on salary increments for first-year results, but these will be paid only on completion. 

He also offers the Fearless Salary Negotiation book bundle with worksheets and email templates, a Get Your Next Raise course, and a longer Salary Negotiation Mastery program.

Additional benefits:

• Full-service, one-on-one coaching from strategy to completion
• Proven track record with case studies showing increases up to $160K
• Average salary increase of $42,273 (30% raise)
• Strong expertise in negotiating with Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google

Who it's best for: 

Senior executives and high earners ($400K+) who need intensive, full-service support and can afford premium pricing. The performance-based model means you only pay the percentage fee if you get results.

#3 The Salary Negotiator (best pay-on-results)

The Salary Negotiator operates on a performance-based model. You pay nothing up front, but if they help you negotiate a higher offer, you pay 7% of your first-year additional compensation.

While the no-risk model is appealing, you might end up paying significantly more than you would with hourly coaching. That same $20K increase would cost you only $300-$450 in coaching fees for 2-3 hours of coaching, for instance.

The Salary Negotiator specializes in various industries beyond just tech, so if you're in a field outside of technology, they might be a good option.

Who it's best for: 

Risk-averse candidates who prefer a pay-on-results model and don't mind potentially paying more if successful, or those who lack the budget for upfront payment.

#4 Salary.com (budget-friendly option)

Salary.com is another great budget-friendly option. It’s a comprehensive and well-regarded resource for salary information and negotiation assistance. And it’s particularly suitable for those on a budget, as it offers free and low-cost tools and services.

It has three main features for helping you with salary negotiation preparation.

• Salary Wizard (allows you to research and compare salaries for specific job titles, locations, and experience levels).
• Salary Negotiation Guide (a detailed guide on effective salary negotiation strategies, including tips on how to research, prepare, and conduct the negotiation process).
• Salary Negotiation Services (paid services, such as one-on-one coaching and custom salary reports to help you navigate the negotiation process more effectively).

One of Salary.com’s strengths is the breadth of its data and resources. You’ll find salary research tools, free and low-cost negotiation support, and step-by-step guides to help you get ready. It’s also a credible and well-established brand in the salary and compensation space, with an average 4.4 rating from 654 reviews on G2.

That said, its one-on-one coaching may be cost-prohibitive, and the free resources can be time-consuming to use compared to paid solutions.

Who it’s best for:

Best for budget-conscious job seekers, professionals preparing for salary negotiations, and self-starters who prefer free, data-driven tools from a credible source.

5. More alternatives to Levels.fyi (by category) ↑

Beyond our top three recommendations, here are additional salary negotiation services organized by specific needs:

5.1 Specialized by industry or role

These services cater to niche segments, ideal if you want a coach who’s deeply familiar with your industry's compensation structure.

1. Candor (senior tech roles)

Candor focuses on mid-to-senior engineers and tech managers. Its coaches have direct experience with FAANG and equity-heavy offers, making them ideal for professionals negotiating complex compensation packages with significant equity components.

2. Pathrise (tech and product roles)

Pathrise offers a structured program for software engineers, product managers, and designers. It includes interview prep, job search support, and salary negotiation. Its pay-only-if-you-land-a-job model keeps upfront costs low, but you'll pay a percentage of your first-year salary upon placement.

3. Negotiation Partners (executives & leadership roles)

Negotiation Partners provides high-touch coaching tailored for executive-level compensation structures. They focus on total rewards, including equity, signing bonuses, retention packages, and benefits. Best suited for senior leaders or director-level and above roles with complex compensation arrangements.

5.2 Course-based learning (non-coaching)

If you prefer self-paced learning or want to build foundational skills before hiring a coach, these programs teach structured negotiation strategies.

1. VirtualSpeech – Negotiating your salary

This course combines video lessons with role-play simulations, focusing on real-world practice and communication confidence. It's particularly useful for candidates who need to build comfort with negotiation conversations.

2. Harvard Online – Negotiating salary

A short, theory-backed lesson from Harvard's negotiation experts. Excellent for foundational strategy and understanding negotiation principles, though less focused on applied offer support and specific tactics.

3. Udemy – Successful negotiation: master your negotiating skills

This highly rated, affordable course (typically around $20) includes scripts, video lessons, and case studies. It's a solid entry point for anyone wanting to understand negotiation basics without a significant financial commitment.

5.4 Full-service career platforms (with negotiation support)

These platforms go beyond negotiation. They integrate career strategy, job search, and interview prep into one ecosystem.

1. IGotAnOffer

IGotAnOffer offers dedicated negotiation coaching, plus interview prep and resume support. Coaches have experience at Meta, Google, Amazon, and more. The platform provides transparent coach profiles and tailored, end-to-end support with a flexible credit system and money-back guarantee.

2. Leland

Leland is a marketplace connecting candidates to career and negotiation coaches across industries. It offers high flexibility to choose a coach based on budget and expertise. Best for professionals who want to customize their engagement rather than follow a pre-set package.

6. Levels.fyi FAQs ↑

6.1 Is Levels.fyi's salary negotiation service worth it?

For mid-to-senior level tech professionals with offers from major companies, Levels.fyi's service can be worth the investment, particularly if you're negotiating a six-figure offer where even a 5-10% increase would far exceed the coaching fee.

However, whether or not it's worth it depends on your specific situation:

Consider this: At $1,250-$5,000, Levels.fyi is more expensive than hourly coaching alternatives like IGotAnOffer ($100-$250/hour).

If you only need 2-3 hours of coaching, you could save $500-$1,000 by going for an hourly model instead.

6.2 What's the difference between Levels.fyi’s service packages?

As we mentioned in the pricing section, Levels.fyi offers three package tiers: Standard, Premium, and Leadership.

Here's how they differ from each other, in terms of inclusions:

6.3 Does Levels.fyi work for non-tech roles?

Although Levels.fyi can be used for non-tech roles, its coaching and data offerings are strongest in the tech sector. The majority of its coaches are former tech recruiters, and its most detailed compensation insights come from technology companies.

If you're in a non-tech role, you'll likely get better results from coaches who specialize in your specific industry.

6.4 Can I negotiate salary without a service like Levels.fyi?

Yes, it’s possible to negotiate your salary on your own. Many professionals do it successfully. 

There are free resources to help you prepare, too. For example, we have a detailed Product Manager salary negotiation guide, along with company-specific guides for negotiating offers at Google, Meta, and Amazon. Then, there’s Harvard Business Review research on negotiation psychology, and Josh Doody’s Fearless Salary Negotiation is a popular step-by-step book.

The difference, however, is between getting an offer and getting the best possible offer. At higher levels (where packages include stock, multiple offers are on the table, or a single misstep could cost tens of thousands), experience makes a difference. 

That's where coaching comes in. A good coach understands what's negotiable at companies like Meta, Google, and Amazon, guides you through each step to reduce stress, and helps you avoid costly mistakes. 

Yes, you can negotiate alone, but working with a coach often pays for itself by helping you maximize your outcome and feel confident you didn't leave money on the table.

Want to explore salary negotiation on your own before deciding whether or not to work with a coach? These resources are a good place to start:

• Best salary negotiation services
• Amazon job offer negotiation guide
• Google job offer negotiation guide
• Meta job offer negotiation guide
• Product manager salary negotiation guide 

7. Conclusion

Levels.fyi is a strong choice for professionals in big tech who want structured, hands-on support and are comfortable with the higher price point. But for many, IGotAnOffer strikes a better balance. 

You get access to experienced coaches (many from top FAANG companies), transparent pricing, and the ability to book sessions as needed, making it a flexible and cost-effective alternative.

If you’re preparing for an offer right now, it’s worth exploring IGotAnOffer’s coaching to see how much more you could earn. 

You'll find over 190 salary negotiation coaches on IGotAnOffer, and you can search by industry, company, or specific expertise to find the right match for your situation. Book your session in just a few clicks and start maximizing your earning potential.