SaaS means paying a monthly fee to use someone else’s software. Custom software means paying once to build your own. Over time, the cost difference is dramatic.
SaaS Costs (3-Year View)
- £50/month = £1,800 over 3 years
- £100/month = £3,600 over 3 years
- £200/month = £7,200 over 3 years
And prices increase. And you add per-user fees.
Custom Software Costs (3-Year View)
- £500 build + £10/month hosting = £860 over 3 years
- £1,000 build + £15/month hosting = £1,540 over 3 years
Hidden SaaS Costs
- Vendor lock-in: Your data is in their format, on their platform.
- Feature changes: They can remove features or increase prices anytime.
- Limitations: You work around the software instead of the software working around you.
Got a Spreadsheet That's Driving You Mad?
Send it over — I'll tell you what an app version would look like and what it'd cost. No obligation.