In today’s digital world, software plays a significant role in business operations. Software is used for everything, ranging from customers to workflows and new ways to scale. Choosing the right software platform is important, and while there are thousands, the question we often hear is:
Should I build a custom SaaS product or an off-the-shelf SaaS and just pay for it?
It’s a question we hear, and there is no simple answer. The answer will depend on your needs, such as what you’re willing to pay, and also how unique your processes are. Let’s explore the question so you have enough information to answer it confidently.
What are Off-the-Shelf SaaS Products?
Off-the-shelf software as a service (SaaS) is software that is sold as packaged for public consumption. An off-the-shelf product may include Xero for accounting, Trello for project management, or Shopify for e-commerce. Off-the-shelf solutions have some good things: usually, they are:
- Easy / Quick to implement
- Inexpensive (short term)
- Lots of built-in features (standard)
However, the downside is that they are not built with your company in mind, so you will likely need to change your processes to fit the software rather than the software changing to fit your processes.
What is a Custom SaaS Solution?
A custom SaaS platform is built from nothing, specifically for your business model, experiences with the user, and technical requirements. Everything is done custom, including the database structure, the user interface, other integrations, and the scalability.
- Yes, the upfront investment is larger. But you receive:
- Total control of features and design
- The ability to grow with your growth
- A platform that fits exactly how you operate
If you want to separate from the pack or simplify complex internal workflows, custom software development is a great long-term strategy
Custom vs Off-the-Shelf: What’s the Real Difference?
Let’s quickly compare the two:
| Feature | Custom SaaS | Off-the-Shelf SaaS |
| Cost | Higher upfront, long-term ROI | Low monthly fees |
| Flexibility | Fully tailored | Limited customisation |
| Scalability | Built to grow with you | May hit limits as you scale |
| Integration | Connects with anything you need | May require workarounds |
| Support & Updates | Dedicated team | Generic support channels |
| Ownership | 100% yours | Subscription model only |
If you’re planning for future growth or thinking about turning your platform into a product itself, a custom-built approach is often the smarter investment.
When Does Off-the-Shelf Make Sense?
Off-the-shelf SaaS is great if:
- You’re just getting started and need something quickly
- Your business processes are fairly standard
- You want to test an idea before going all in
Startups and small teams often use off-the-shelf tools initially, then shift to custom solutions as they grow.
When Should You Go Custom?
You should consider building a custom SaaS when:
- You need features that aren’t available in existing products
- Your business has unique workflows
- You’re in a competitive market and need to offer something better
- You want full control over branding, UX, and user data
Note: If you’re launching a mobile-first platform developed for your customers, you will want to work with a team that specialises in mobile app development and is based in Sydney to get a great product, polished and high performing.
Let’s Talk Cost vs Value
Yes, custom software costs more initially. But it often brings better value in the long run.
- You’re not paying monthly fees forever
- You own the product and data
- You can expand, pivot, or repackage the software for other markets
Custom SaaS becomes a digital asset, not just an operational tool.
A Real-World Example
One of our clients initially chose an off-the-shelf CRM platform. It was fine for a while, but the more customers they booked and the more complex their operations became, the more they began to see flaws in the limitations of that CRM. We helped them build a custom SaaS CRM that was unique to their workflow. After just six months, their team’s productivity improved by 40%.
Not only that, but they are now using the software – they are also selling it as a service to other companies in their sector.
Final Consideration: What is Right For You?
Choose off-the-shelf if you’ve got a small budget, are looking for fast deployment, or are testing the waters. Choose custom if you’d like full control, scalability, and fitting to your business, not the other way around. At the end of the day, the solution that works for you is largely based on your expected growth, not your current growth.
Do you still have any idea which path to take? Our team knows how to do custom software development and mobile app development Sydney -so you can trust us to think about all options possible, before predicting your next step!
