What is it?
Build vs Buy compares ownership cost of building versus buying/renting a solution.
Software build
Build vs Buy comparison
Build vs Buy compares ownership cost of building versus buying/renting a solution.
Enter build cost, annual buy cost, years, and one-time switch/setup cost.
Build vs Buy comparison
Inputs
Results
Total buy cost
—
Delta (buy − build)
—
Guide
Make build-or-buy a numbers call
Why it matters
Stops gut-feel decisions and brings time horizon into the equation.
How it works
Enter build cost, annual buy cost, years, and one-time switch/setup cost.
Formula Buy total = (annual × years) + switch · Delta = buy total − build
Go deeper
Why you’ll love this
Make build-or-buy a numbers decision with time horizon and switch cost included.
How to jump in
-
Enter build cost
Total build ownership over the horizon.
-
Model buy
Annual cost, years, and switch/setup.
-
Read the delta
Initial lean toward build or buy.
What you walk away with
- Multi-year horizon
- Suggested stance
- Links to Dev Cost and Cloud
- Free
Where it shines
SaaS choice
Before a multi-year subscription.
Internal build
Compare with Development Cost.
Vendor negotiation
Know a sensible annual ceiling.
Quick answers
Positive delta means?
Buy total exceeds build — building looks cheaper in this model.
Cost only?
No — also weigh speed, quality, and risk separately.