GLG Platform Review - Expert Network Features and User Insights

The Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), with headquarters in New York City, USA, is a leading online insight network platform that links business clients (investors, consultants, social entrepreneurs, etc.) with a network of over 1.2 million subject-matter experts (academics, C-level, etc.) from numerous industries.

The company, established in 1998, pioneered the industry by becoming one of the first expert networks.

Overview of the GLG Platform

The main goal of the GLG platform is to offer clients on-demand access to expertise so they can learn directly from professionals in virtually every industry.

• GLG partners with clients around the world, offering localized services throughout Europe, the Americas, and Asia from hubs including New York, London, Singapore, and Mumbai.
• It assists banks, private equity funds, technology and law firms, pharma companies, management and strategy consultancies, among others.

GLG offers a suite of services to facilitate these expert interactions. These include:

1. One-on-One Consultations

The core services are the expert calls (one-on-one, translated, or multiparty) carried out via phone to obtain firsthand insights into topics, companies, or industries. Calls usually last 30-60 minutes.

Clients can also:

• Request a translator for any call if necessary
• Invite stakeholders to the call
• Talk to the expert face-to-face (physically or virtually)
• Use a moderator to remain anonymous.

In addition:

Each client receives a transcript with an AI-generated summary of the information obtained during the call, outlining the main discussion points.

2. Surveys

These are typically targeted online questionnaires that help to collect insights from multiple experts. The service allows data on market sizing and pricing to be gathered and can also be used for product testing or idea validation.

3. Integrated Insights

This service combines qualitative/quantitative methods for in-depth research (market evaluations, company research studies, competitive landscape examinations, brand analyses, due diligence, etc.), all under the direction of a GLG team member who has extensive field experience.

4. Library

By subscribing to the GLG library, members can access thousands of transcripts from previous events, together with on-demand video replays. The library features a number of interactive tools, such as an AI assistant that can be used for chatting and/or extracting insights, and Q&A distillation.

Compliance and Vetting

Compliance is an extremely important aspect of the expert network industry and although each company has its own framework, each and every player must ensure that experts, clients, and employers work within clear, ethical, and regulatory boundaries.

Belo,w we analyze the GLG compliance framework and how emerging platforms like Expert Network Calls (ENC) and GLG’s competitors deliver compliance within the expert network environment.

Industry-wide compliance standards

Throughout the expert network industry, there are general compliance frameworks that represent the foundation that all networks adhere to. These include:

• Material Non-Public Information (MNPI) prevention and insider information controls
• NDAs and confidentiality agreements
• Conflict-of-interest checks
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)-compliant data privacy measures
• Quality assurance through random calls, expert training, and grace periods
• Enterprise-grade security features such as SSO and customizable compliance settings.

GLG compliance for experts, clients, and employees

Every expert engagement at GLG is supported by an advanced compliance infrastructure, which is overseen by a compliance team.

For Network Members (experts)

Every expert (called a ‘Network Member’) must complete training and compliance screening prior to their first call with a client.

For Clients

The organization offers robust security measures to avoid sensitive information being accessed. These include helping to mitigate the risks of soliciting or receiving confidential information during expert engagements.

The company's custom controls assist in managing and screening expert engagements and preventing clients from being linked with those experts who might be in conflict or whose employers forbid them from consulting. With GLG’s own web-based Project Oversight tools, clients can set up their own procedures for interacting with experts and keep an eye on their main research activity in real time.

For Employers

GLG takes into consideration each employer’s rules as to whether their employees can participate as experts. Employees are not permitted to participate in projects that involve their own company.

To gain a clearer picture, let’s analyze how compliance is handled by other market players.

ExpertNetworkCalls (ENC) and GLG competitors

Expert Network Calls – or ENC – operates as an aggregator, connecting clients to multiple top networks through a single platform.

This type of business involves using a broader, cross-network compliance approach. ENC implements strict contractual protection with regard to expert vetting, NDA enforcement, and MNPI restrictions.

At ENC, we offer:

• Consolidated compliance reporting
• Secure data routing
• Protection against cross-network data leakage.

AlphaSights, Guidepoint, Third Bridge, Dialectica, and other competitors of GLG maintain similar core practices, differing mainly in emphasis (speed, scale, or analyst moderation). However, none provide ENC’s multi-network compliance model.

User Experience and Interface

When analyzing the advantages and drawbacks of some expert networks, user experience can vary considerably, including GLG.

On the positive side:

GLG clients typically work with a dedicated representative or are able to self-navigate the portal to review the suggested specialists, which is an approach that many expert networks, including AlphaSights and Third Bridge, adopt.

• GLG’s platform has a 4.6/5 Trustpilot score. Users praise its intuitive interface and highlight the convenience of its mobile app for reviewing or accepting project invitations on the go
• Most large networks, including GLG, AlphaSights, and ENC, offer interfaces that allow experts to accept or decline project invitations and indicate availability instantly.

On the negative side:

Some reviews on G2 mention the problem of mismatching. For instance, one user wrote, “Some mismatch of skills is leading to less productive calls.”

• Another challenge is linked to surveys. As one user commented, “Most of the surveys they offer are region specific...the filtration often occurs later in the stage,” which means they might answer initial questions before these are screened out
• Some clients found the price tag rather high, which can be explained by the fact that GLG’s primary target clients are top-tier investment and consulting firms.

However, such issues are not exclusive to GLG.

Third Bridge and AlphaSights receive similar feedback during high-demand periods.

• Third Bridge has drawn additional expert-side criticism for a stricter short-call policy (no payment to experts for calls under 15 minutes, even if questions are asked)
• AlphaSights more frequently receives complaints about ghosting experts (abruptly cutting off all communication) after confirming a good fit and promising follow-up steps.

ENC users generally report positive experiences on client-facing platforms like G2 (highlighting convenience and quality).

Expert Network and Quality

From the client’s perspective:

The caliber of specialists provided through GLG is widely considered to be of high quality. Although large, GLG's network is thoroughly verified and classified.

• A number of reviews from GLG clients illustrate that the caliber of experts is high, which is backed up by the unfiltered insights they offer that directly address clients’ inquiries.
• The network boasts experts from a myriad of backgrounds, including Fortune 500 C-suite executives, researchers, scientists, and former public sector professionals.
• In addition, clients enjoy the global presence and the company's proficiency in numerous fields.

From the expert’s perspective:

GLG offers a professional platform for individuals to monetize their knowledge.

• Experts appreciate how GLG's staff clearly communicates what the client is looking for and asks appropriate pre-call questions to ensure a good fit.
• Some experts outlined that they enjoy prompt payment from the company, which usually remunerates them within a few days after the consultation.

Platforms like ENC stand out since our clients prioritize cost efficiency and multi-network scale without added complexity – all of which makes ENC a great choice.

Pricing Structure and Value for Money

The expert rates that GLG offers vary. If the company’s associate onboards an expert, then the expert is free to negotiate their rate with them.

Based on information from Reddit users who worked or are working for GLG, experts may accept fees up to a specific limit ("softcap"), after which, to be approved, they must validate their experience. There is also a "hardcap," which can limit the number of calls an expert receives unless their skill is niche.

Some experts explained that they managed to increase their rate, which worked well for them, even though this did reduce the number of acceptances to an extent.

Pricey Services

GLG's services can be fairly costly, indicating the high value of professional knowledge and the white-glove service provided.

Usually, major companies engage GLG via annual subscriptions or bulk-hour packages, whereas smaller clients or one-off users could use it on a per-project basis.

The exact pricing isn’t published on GLG’s website (it often varies by scope and volume), but there is data from online users sharing their engagement experience with the company.

GLG Numbers

• There are indices (2025 data) that GLG usually charges its clients between US$1,500 and US$2,000 per hour.
• The lowest rate per call for some experts is US$250.
• There are experts with knowledge in the pharma and MedTech sectors who disclosed that they carry out regular calls at an hourly rate of US$570.
• Some experts specified that annually they can earn up to US$70,000 via calls.
• Experts who work in very niche but in-demand industries, with a limited number of experts, can expect around US$800 per call.

Alternatives

However, newer entrants to the industry are pushing prices down, including ENC – an expert network platform that offers its clients access to 20+ expert networks (over 2.5 million subject-matter experts).

At ENC, clients can engage multiple expert networks for their project without subscriptions or prepayments. The platform also offers free transcripts and AI-generated summaries for every call.

Pros and Cons of Using GLG

GLG, like any other service, has its benefits and downsides. Here is an unbiased review of some of these:

Pros

1. Massive Expert Network:

• Offers access to 1.2+ million experts across nearly every industry and role
• High probability of finding experts in very niche industries
• Mostly positive feedback on the quality of insights.

2. Wide Range of Services

• One-on-one calls, surveys, projects, and more.

3. Strong Operational Support

• GLG handles compliance, scheduling, and expert matching
• Fast payments and clear processes (statements backed by expert reviews).

4. Compliance and Risk Protection.

Cons

1. High Cost

• Premium pricing and steep hourly rates can be challenging for start-ups, small teams, or infrequent users.

2. Cancellation Issues

• Experts sometimes waste time when clients cancel the call at the last minute.

3. Matching Is Not Always Perfect

• Some clients noted they were connected to experts who were not the best fit.

Comparison with Competitors

The expert network space has become increasingly crowded, and GLG, while a pioneer and the largest player, is no longer the only option. How does GLG stack up against other expert networks and emerging alternatives?

Here’s a brief comparison:

GLG vs. Other Traditional Expert Networks

Sourced Ranges (Client-Paid Rates, Approx. per Hour, 2024 - 2025)

*This data may vary or change. Contact the specific network for more accurate information.

Final word: Where GLG Stands Today

GLG is ideal for large organizations that require a global partner to gather industry insights. The company boasts service reliability, strong compliance, and in-depth qualitative insight.

Due to its higher costs, smaller enterprises should opt for other alternatives, like the ENC, which offers access to multiple trusted expert networks without a subscription or prepayment.

Today, GLG remains one of the leading expert networks on the market, but the choice between it and its competitors might come down to specific requirements, budget, and service style preference.