IPSE: price, who can join and alternatives
IPSE is a UK not-for-profit membership body for the self-employed, founded in 1999, with a community hub, member directory, events, insurance and tax and legal helplines. Empower costs £38 a month or £400 a year and Accelerate £75 a month or £799 a year, and you join online. Paying monthly still commits you to a full membership year.
IPSE at a glance
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | IPSE is the UK's not-for-profit membership community for the self-employed. | ipse.co.uk |
| Founded | It was founded in 1999 as the Professional Contractors Group (PCG). | ipse.co.uk |
| Empower price | Empower costs £38 a month or £400 a year. | ipse.co.uk |
| Accelerate price | Accelerate costs £75 a month or £799 a year and adds a free in-person wealth management consultation and dedicated account management. | ipse.co.uk |
| Other options | Advocate costs £30 a year to back IPSE's campaigning without full membership, and the Launch course is a £129 one-off payment. | ipse.co.uk |
| Community | Members get a Community Hub for discussions, a Member Directory and events. | ipse.co.uk |
| What's included | Empower includes insurances, tax and legal helplines and free IR35 contract reviews. | ipse.co.uk |
| Monthly payment | Paying monthly is by instalments: the rest of the year's fees stay due even if you cancel. | ipse.co.uk |
| Cancellation | You must give at least 1 month's notice before the end of your membership year, and fees are non-refundable. | ipse.co.uk |
| Renewal | Membership renews automatically each year. | ipse.co.uk |
Who it suits
- UK freelancers and contractors who want insurance and tax and legal helplines bundled with a community
- Contractors dealing with IR35, through free contract reviews
- People who only want to back the campaigning, for £30 a year
Who it doesn't suit
- Founders outside the UK: it is built around UK self-employment
- Anyone wanting a flexible monthly plan: monthly payments still commit you to a full year
Alternatives to IPSE
| Community | Price | Entry rule |
|---|---|---|
| Agency Hackers | £250 a month; £450 for 50+ people | Application; not for suppliers to agencies |
| Agency Mavericks | Not published | Request a call; Mavericks Club by application |
| Agency World (Skool) | US$1 to join (billing period not shown) | Open |
| Being Freelance | Monthly or annual plans; price not shown in page text | Open; no free trial |
| Collective 54 | US$3,400 a month plus US$7,500 initiation | US$5M to US$50M revenue, North America |
| Dynamite Circle | US$697 a year | US$100K+ annual revenue to apply |
| Freelancers Union | Free | Open |
| Superpath | Free newsletter tier; Pro $50 a month or $500 a year (currency not named) | Open; 30-day trial |
Compare all 54 founder communities, each row dated.
Questions about IPSE
- How much does IPSE cost?
- Empower costs £38 a month or £400 a year, and Accelerate £75 a month or £799 a year. Advocate is £30 a year.
- Can I cancel IPSE monthly?
- No. Monthly payment is an instalment plan for a full year, and you need to give at least 1 month's notice before the year ends.
- What does IPSE membership include?
- A community hub, member directory, events, insurances, tax and legal helplines and free IR35 contract reviews.
- When was IPSE founded?
- In 1999, as the Professional Contractors Group (PCG).
- Website
- ipse.co.uk
- Price
- Empower £38 a month or £400 a year; Accelerate £75 a month or £799 a year
- Entry rule
- Open
- Format
- Membership body: peer network, events, legal and tax helplines
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IPSE isn't connected to Remote Builders. Prices and entry rules change, so check ipse.co.uk before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the members' chat.