Summary
| Fact | Circle Surrogacy (published; verified 27 August 2026) | Surrogacy4All |
|---|---|---|
| Headline price | $189,500 fixed-price surrogacy-only journey | Programs from $120,000; reconciled totals $120,000–$180,000 |
| What the price excludes | IVF and egg-donor costs | Donor eggs, egg retrieval, PGT-A, purchased insurance policy, additional transfers (quoted separately) |
| Agency fee | Included in fixed price (not itemized publicly) | $38,500 flat, itemized, no re-match fee |
| Surrogate base compensation | From $45,000 | $50,000–$65,000 |
| Surrogate total compensation | Up to $75,000+ | Up to $100,000 in total compensation |
| Match time | See Circle’s matching page for its current statement | Less than four weeks |
| Medical oversight | See Circle’s published team page | Physician-led: Medical Director Dr. Rashmi Gulati, MD since 2004; screening under own FDA-registered tissue bank (FEI #3021544308) |
| State program license | See Circle’s published credentials | New York State Surrogacy Program License GSP220903 |
| Success-rate reporting | See Circle’s published statements | Surrogacy4All internal outcome data: selected donor-egg/donor-derived embryo journeys have shown approximately 67–70%+ live birth on the first embryo transfer and 95%+ cumulative live birth by the second embryo transfer. These are internal outcomes, not SART national statistics or a guarantee; individual results vary by embryo, clinic and patient/surrogate factors. |
| Operating since | See Circle’s published history | 2006 |
| Locations | See Circle’s published offices | New York (1148 5th Ave 1C), clinics in New York, Toronto, Accra |
How do the prices compare?
What do surrogates receive?
How long does matching take?
Who oversees the medical side?
How is each agency regulated?
Reviews
Circle Surrogacy alternatives
Surrogacy4All vs. Circle Surrogacy: Full 2026 Comparison
Circle Surrogacy is one of the most recognized names in the surrogacy industry.
Founded in Boston in 1995, it has nearly three decades of experience, a large surrogate network, and strong brand recognition among LGBTQ+ intended parents.
If you are researching surrogacy agencies, you have almost certainly come across Circle.
So how does it compare to Surrogacy4All?
This guide applies the 8-factor ranking model to both agencies and gives you a clear, honest picture of where each one excels — and where the differences matter most to your journey.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Surrogacy4All | Circle Surrogacy | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 | 1995 | Circle (30 years) |
| Headquarters | New York City | Boston, MA | Both major metros |
| NY State License | GSP220903 — since 2006 | NY DOH licensed | Surrogacy4All (longer tenure) |
| CA License | Yes | Not published | Surrogacy4All |
| Health Canada | Yes | No | Surrogacy4All |
| FDA Registered | Yes | Not specified | Surrogacy4All |
| Physician-Led | Yes — physician-owned & directed | No — business-led | Surrogacy4All |
| All-In USA Cost | ~$120,000 typically | ~$157,000–$168,500 typically | Surrogacy4All (~$37K–$48K less) |
| Canada Program | Yes — $80,000–$90,000 | No | Surrogacy4All |
| Ghana Program | Yes — $49,000 all-inclusive | No | Surrogacy4All |
| Match Time (USA) | 1–4 months typically | 4–6+ months typically | Surrogacy4All |
| In-House Legal | Independent counsel coordinated | In-house legal team | Circle (in-house attorneys) |
| LGBTQ+ Welcoming | Yes — all programs | Yes — strong LGBTQ+ legacy | Tie |
| Single Parents | Yes | Yes | Tie |
| International IPs | Yes — USA, Canada, Ghana | Limited | Surrogacy4All |
| Cultural Matching | Yes — Indian, South Asian, multilingual | Not specified | Surrogacy4All |
| Private Equity-Backed | No — physician-owned | Part of Northstar Fertility network | Surrogacy4All (independent) |
Cost Analysis: The $37,000–$48,000 Difference
The most significant practical difference between Surrogacy4All and Circle Surrogacy is cost.
Circle Surrogacy’s total journey cost is typically reported at $157,000–$168,500, with some sources noting that the agency’s fees alone range from $20,000–$40,000 before surrogate compensation, medical, and legal costs are added.
Surrogacy4All’s all-in USA program is approximately $120,000 — a difference of roughly $37,000–$48,000.
Why the difference?
Circle Surrogacy is part of the Northstar Fertility network, a private equity-backed group of surrogacy agencies.
Investor-backed agency structures typically carry higher overhead costs that are passed on to intended parents.
Surrogacy4All is physician-owned and independent — lower overhead means lower cost to the family without sacrificing medical or legal quality.
The cost difference is even more pronounced when comparing Circle’s USA-only offering to Surrogacy4All’s three-tier program:
- Canada at $80,000–$90,000
- Ghana at $49,000 all-inclusive
Families who qualify for the Canada program save $67,000–$88,000 compared to a typical Circle journey.
Match Time: Weeks vs Months
Circle Surrogacy’s typical match time is 4–6+ months — a meaningful wait for intended parents who have already spent years on fertility treatment.
Surrogacy4All’s typical USA match time is 1–4 months; in Canada, surrogates are typically immediately available with no waitlist.
For intended parents over 40 using their own eggs, or for those with a finite window of viable frozen embryos, a 2–4 month difference in match time is not a minor scheduling issue — it is a meaningful factor in the likelihood of a successful journey.
The Physician Ownership Difference
Circle Surrogacy is a well-run, professionally staffed agency.
Its coordinators are experienced, its processes are organized, and its legal team is in-house — which is a genuine advantage for intended parents who want a single point of legal contact.
However, Circle is fundamentally a business operation: no physician owns or directs the agency.
All medical decisions are made by the IVF clinic the intended parents choose, independent of Circle’s coordination.
Surrogacy4All operates differently.
The agency is owned and directed by physicians, operating under the medical oversight of Dr. Rashmi Gulati, MD.
This means medical red flags in surrogate screening are caught by a physician, not an administrative coordinator.
Intended parents receive evidence-based guidance on their specific medical situation.
And the ethical standards that govern the agency are physician ethics standards — not purely commercial standards.
This distinction matters most in two situations:
- Complex medical histories (either the IP’s or the surrogate’s)
- Cases where surrogate screening reveals a borderline finding
An administrative coordinator escalates to an external clinic.
A physician-led agency makes the clinical call in-house.
Where Circle Surrogacy Has an Advantage
In the interest of fairness, there are areas where Circle Surrogacy has advantages:
In-house legal team
Circle employs its own attorneys, which can streamline legal coordination for straightforward journeys.
Surrogacy4All coordinates with independent legal counsel — which provides better surrogate protection but involves more external coordination.
Legacy LGBTQ+ community presence
Circle Surrogacy built much of its reputation serving same-sex male couples in the late 1990s and 2000s, when many agencies were less welcoming.
Its LGBTQ+ community relationships run deep.
30 years of brand recognition
Circle has nearly three decades of operational history and a large alumni community of parents and surrogates.
Who Should Choose Surrogacy4All Over Circle?
- Intended parents who need to keep total costs below $130,000
- Those who want a physician-led oversight model for medical confidence
- Families who need a faster surrogate match
- International intended parents (non-US)
- Those who qualify for the Canada ($80K–$90K) or Ghana ($49K) programs
- IPs with complex medical histories who benefit from physician case review
Who Should Consider Circle Surrogacy?
- Intended parents who specifically want in-house legal counsel from the agency
- Those with strong existing connections to the Circle alumni community
- LGBTQ+ families who specifically want Circle’s legacy LGBTQ+ relationships
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much does Circle Surrogacy cost?
Ans. Circle advertises a $189,500 fixed-price surrogacy-only journey excluding IVF and egg-donor costs (verified 27 August 2026).
Q. How much does Surrogacy4All cost?
Ans. Programs from $120,000; reconciled totals $120,000–$180,000; agency fee $38,500 flat.
Q. Which pays surrogates more?
Ans. Circle: base from $45,000, total up to $75,000+. Surrogacy4All: up to $100,000 in total compensation total.
Q. Which matches faster?
Ans. Surrogacy4All: less than four weeks. Compare Circle’s current published timeline.
Q. Is either agency state-licensed?
Ans. Surrogacy4All holds New York State license GSP220903; check Circle’s published credentials.
Q. Which is better?
Ans. It depends on whether you want a fixed price or an itemized budget, and on match time, medical oversight and licensing; the table above gives the facts for each.
Q: Is Circle Surrogacy licensed in New York?
Ans: Yes, Circle Surrogacy holds a New York State DOH license.
Surrogacy4All has held NYS license GSP220903 since 2006 — one of the earliest licensed agencies in New York.
Both operate in CPSA compliance.
Q: Why is Surrogacy4All less expensive than Circle Surrogacy?
Ans: Surrogacy4All is independently physician-owned, not backed by private equity.
Lower overhead means lower costs to intended parents.
The all-in USA cost is approximately $120,000 vs Circle’s $157,000–$168,500 — a difference of $37,000–$48,000.
Q: Does Circle Surrogacy offer international surrogacy programs?
Ans: Circle Surrogacy primarily serves intended parents within the USA.
Surrogacy4All offers programs in the USA, Canada ($80K–$90K), and Ghana ($49K all-inclusive) — providing options for a broader range of budgets and circumstances.
Related pages
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Dr. Pooja Patel
Dr. Pooja Patel is a Chief Surrogacy Coordinator at Surrogacy4all. She has 10 years of experience in Anesthesiology and critical care medicine.
She received her medical degree from Seth GS Medical College and K.E.M Hospital in India. She then completed an internship. She finished her Anesthesia residency at Grant Govt Medical College and JJ Group of Hospitals in India.
- Dr. Pooja Patel
- Dr. Pooja Patel
- Dr. Pooja Patel
- Dr. Pooja Patel
