Is there a difference between buying a slave and recruiting from bars?

[Onhez]

Just curious. I've been playing solo for 30 days (ingame). I decided that I want 1 or 2 companions but I'm not sure if I should buy a slave or just go for random npc's in bars.

[Hatsune Neko Gaming]

there is
buying a recruit means they will join 100% of the time
buying a slave, the chance is far far lesser that they will join you.

[kenxing]

If you hire you get the NPC to your squad.
If you buy a slave you only have a chance that he will join you. Basically the slave follow you for a while and than he will run away or join you , by random.
The best way to get strong companions is to free slaves from a mine in the HN or try to rescue
people from the cannibals prison. The outlaws from HN will have a good chance to follow you after freeing them.
But note that if you go first time to a cannibale village you may not found any. The game needs a bit time to get the cannibals to work. After a view visits you will get prisoners.
Some sort will never join you but other did - try it out.

[Onhez]

Alright, thanks a lot! :)