Custom software for companies: when it makes sense and what to expect.
Custom software is not the default answer. When off-the-shelf fits, it costs less and arrives sooner. When it does not, custom is the only way. This is the map to decide without wasting time or budget.
When yes and when no, concretely
- Your process is the differentialIf what sets you apart is how you operate, squeezing that into a standard SaaS dilutes the edge.
- Very high volume or specificityWhen your volume or specificity would blow up a SaaS cost or is simply impossible there.
- Complex corporate integrationsOwn systems, legacy ERP, sector portals, internal APIs. The more of your own ecosystem, the less a SaaS fits.
- Hard privacy requirementsHealth, defense, public sector, banking. Data must stay inside without an intermediary provider.
- Your process is sector standardBilling, accounting, basic CRM, tickets. There is SaaS doing this better than anything you would build from scratch.
- Budget and timeline are tightA useful custom build costs at least €15,000-€25,000. If your project cannot fit there, start on SaaS and evolve.
- You do not know exactly what you wantCustom amplifies decisions. If the process is unclear, a SaaS gives you structure while you clarify.
Between standard SaaS and from-scratch custom sits Own Vertical Software: it starts from a vertical body already built for the sector and adapts to your operation. Same market range as a complex custom project (€40-60k+), 6 to 12 week timeline instead of 6 to 10 months.
Frequently asked questions
When does custom software make sense for a company?
When the process is the differential, when volume or specificity is very high, when corporate integrations are complex, or when privacy is a hard requirement. If the process is sector-standard, a SaaS usually pays off.
How much does custom software cost?
From €5,000 for a simple internal tool to over €100,000 for an advanced enterprise platform. Realistic range for SMB 10-100 employees: €15,000 to €80,000 (source: Vertebra Gestión). Detail with sources at /how-much-does-custom-software-cost.
How long does custom software take to go live?
The usual published timeline is 6 to 10 months (source: Vertebra Gestión). Own Vertical Software (SVP) cuts that cycle to 6 to 12 weeks when the problem fits an already-operating vertical body.
Is custom software always better than SaaS?
No. When the process is sector-standard, a well-chosen SaaS arrives sooner and costs less. Custom software wins when off-the-shelf leaves out what makes the company different.
What alternatives exist between SaaS and custom?
Own Vertical Software (SVP). Starts from a vertical body already built for the sector and adapts to the company's actual operation. Same market range as complex custom, 6 to 12 week timeline instead of 6 to 10 months.
Diagnosis comes first, always
Before deciding SaaS, custom or SVP, the free 30-minute session clarifies what you have, what is missing, and which path has the best total cost for your case.