RamizaSoft
Tools by RamizaSoft

Build vs. Buy Calculator

Debating between off-the-shelf SaaS and Custom Software? Visualize the long-term costs and discover when building your own asset becomes cheaper than renting.

1. SaaS Parameters (Buy)

Number of users for the SaaS product

e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot pricing

2. Custom Build Parameters

Don't know? Use our estimator

10% (Low) 15% 30% (High)

5-Year Cost Projection

SaaS (Rent)
Custom (Own)

Break-Even Point

-- Months

Time until custom software becomes cheaper than SaaS.

5-Year Savings

$0

Total saved by building instead of buying.

Our Analysis

Enter your values on the left to see a detailed breakdown.

The "Build vs. Buy" Dilemma

Every growing company faces this choice. Buying SaaS (Software as a Service) is fast and easy, but it comes with perpetual "rent" payments. Building custom software requires upfront capital but becomes an asset you own.

When should you BUY? (SaaS)

  • Generic Needs: If you need standard CRM, Accounting, or HR features, generic tools usually suffice.
  • Low Budget: If you cannot afford the $20k+ upfront cost of custom development.
  • Urgency: If you need a solution live tomorrow.

When should you BUILD? (Custom)

  • Ownership: You want to avoid vendor lock-in and own your data/code.

Methodology

This ROI calculator compares the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) over 5 years.
SaaS TCO = (Users × Monthly Fee × 60) + Implementation Fee
Custom TCO = Initial Build Cost + (Build Cost × Annual Maintenance % × 5)
The "Break-Even Point" is the month where the cumulative cost of SaaS exceeds the cumulative cost of Custom Development.

Need a custom solution?

We specialize in building scalable, owned assets for businesses that have outgrown off-the-shelf tools.

View Custom Development Services →