Comparison
Custom Software vs SaaS
Custom software gives fit and ownership; SaaS gives speed and maintenance. Modern practice combines both — SaaS platforms for commodity capability, custom software for competitive differentiation.
Custom SoftwarevsSaaS
Side by side
Custom Software vs SaaS, on the dimensions that matter.
| Dimension | Custom Software | SaaS |
|---|---|---|
| Fit to process | Exact | 80–90% typical |
| Time to launch | Months+ | Days to weeks |
| Maintenance | Yours | Vendor's |
| Cost model | Capex + team | Subscription |
| Ownership | Full | Licensed |
| Extensibility | Unlimited | Within platform limits |
Fit to process
- Custom Software
- Exact
- SaaS
- 80–90% typical
Time to launch
- Custom Software
- Months+
- SaaS
- Days to weeks
Maintenance
- Custom Software
- Yours
- SaaS
- Vendor's
Cost model
- Custom Software
- Capex + team
- SaaS
- Subscription
Ownership
- Custom Software
- Full
- SaaS
- Licensed
Extensibility
- Custom Software
- Unlimited
- SaaS
- Within platform limits
Our honest verdict
Custom for competitive differentiators. SaaS for commodity capability. The pattern is usually 'SaaS backbone + custom edge'.
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