Free Build vs Buy Calculator — Custom Software vs SaaS Cost Comparison
The build vs buy decision compares the total cost of commissioning custom software against paying for a SaaS subscription over multiple years. Build costs include initial development, hosting, maintenance, updates, and team overhead. Buy costs include subscription fees, implementation, customization, and user licences. This calculator shows the 5-year total and break-even year.
How to use Build vs Buy Calculator
Enter build costs
Input development cost, estimated monthly hosting/maintenance, and annual update budget.
Enter SaaS costs
Input monthly subscription, per-seat pricing, implementation fee, and expected user count.
See 5-year comparison
The calculator shows cumulative cost per year for both options and the year build becomes cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Build when: (1) the software is core to your competitive advantage, (2) no SaaS solution fits your workflow, (3) you have a large user count that makes per-seat SaaS expensive, or (4) data sovereignty requires on-premise control.
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Further reading
Authority documentation and specifications behind this tool.
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