Build vs Buy Calculator

Should You Buy Software, Adapt It or Build Your Own?

A short assessment to help decide whether custom software is actually justified.

Custom software is not automatically better because it fits perfectly. Off-the-shelf software is not automatically cheaper because the licence costs less than a build.

The useful question is which parts of the requirement are genuinely different and whether that difference is valuable enough to own.

Compare Build vs Buy Explore Custom Software

Your requirement

Build vs Buy Assessment

18 questions across six areas. Answer based on the business requirement rather than a preferred technology.

0 of 6 areas completed

Business Differentiation

How much of the requirement is genuinely specific to the way your business creates value?

How different is the underlying business process from the way most organisations in your market operate?

Not ApplicableLowMediumNot SureHigh

How much competitive or operational advantage comes from doing this process differently?

Not ApplicableLowMediumNot SureHigh

How specialised are the pricing, workflow, approval or other business rules involved?

Not ApplicableLowMediumNot SureHigh

A useful rule

Buy the Commodity Capability. Build the Part That Is Worth Owning.

The strongest custom-software cases usually exist where a business-specific workflow, integration or customer experience creates enough value to justify long-term ownership.

Still between the options?

Talk It Through Before You Commit to a Technical Answer

Structurell can help compare the workflow, existing systems, available products and commercial constraints before recommending a custom build.

Explore Custom Software Discuss Your Requirement