Among the software engineers, there are two topics that are highly debated — which programming language is the best and whether to buy or build the software.
The first time I got dragged into whether to build or buy the software, it wasn’t just a discussion. It was a full-blown, caffeine-fueled standoff.
One side argued for the efficiency of buying something ready-made, while the others were ready to code a solution from scratch.
It was like watching a cook-off between instant noodles and a gourmet chef, with both sides highly passionate about their approach.
At the time, I leaned toward the building (and still do, but to a lesser extent).
We had capable developers, time to spare, and that itch to create something truly “ours”.
But looking back, I wonder — did we really need to reinvent the wheel?
Let’s break this down.
Imagine you’re ordering pizza. You’re hungry, it’s late, and you don’t have the patience to cook. A quick call, and within 30 minutes — your cheesy comfort is at the door.
That’s off-the-shelf software: quick, reliable, and usually gets the job done.
Here’s why off-the-shelf software is great.
Fast and Convenient: The software is ready when you need it. You don’t have to wait through months of development.
Vendor-Managed: You don’t have to worry about bugs, patches, security updates, and feature enhancements. The vendor’s got it covered.
Battle-Tested: If it’s a widely used product in the market, it’s already been through the wringer.
Multiple Options: Multiple vendors having similar products makes it even better as the competition will keep the price low, but feature enhancements will be faster.
Sounds great, right? We all should be buying off-the-shelf.
But there’s a catch.
Let’s get back to our pizza analogy. You’re at the mercy of the pizza place. Prices can increase, customization is limited, and they may not even deliver within the expected time. And — it’s 100% not your recipe.
One day, the shop might stop making your favourite flavour or shut down their business altogether.
Now, let’s talk about what happens when you decide to cook your own meal. You pick the ingredients, control the flavour, and end up with something exactly how you want it.
That’s custom-made software — built by you, for you.
Developing software in-house has its perks.
Ultimate Control: You want a feature! Add it. You need a tweak! Make it. You don’t have to wait for a vendor to prioritize your request. No need to force fit your need to their standardization.
Long-Term Savings: Developing the product on your own costs more upfront. But once you build it, the maintenance is much cheaper. You’re not paying the ever-increasing license fees forever.
Expertise: You understand the nitty-gritty of the software because you built it. It’s yours in every sense of the word.
But here’s the flip side of building your own software.
Spinning out the first stable version of the product takes time. Developers can get lost in the excitement of creating something new. And mistakes are expensive if you have a tight deadline.
The truth is that both options come with their own baggage.
Off-the-shelf solutions can trap you in a cycle of dependency. Vendors can hike prices or delay critical updates.
Meanwhile, custom-made solutions demand time, money, and effort — and let’s not forget, they’re not immune to bugs or failures.
I’ve seen both sides play out.
I’ve watched teams buy software that was easy at first but turned into a nightmare of vendor lock-ins and rising costs. I’ve also seen custom-made projects drag on for months, only to solve problems that were already solved by market-ready tools.
The answer lies in asking the right question — What problem are you solving?
If it’s something standard — like managing tasks, running payroll, automating deployments, or tracking customers — an off-the-shelf solution is probably your best bet.
But if you’re building something unique to your business, something that gives you an edge over your competitors, custom-made might be worth the investment.
Final Take On The Great Software Debate
Are you solving a unique problem, or are you just reinventing the wheel?
I have seen teams buying software just because they can, or decision-makers have some affinity towards the vendor. I have also seen teams custom programming readily available commonplace software because they want to safeguard their jobs or are excited to build something on their own.
Here’s what I suggest — don’t let the decision come down to ego or the thrill of creating.
Instead, think about what serves your company and your users best.
At the end of the day, whether you’re buying pizza or making it yourself, the goal is the same — satisfy the need. Choose the path that gets you there with the least (long-term) pain and the most reward.
So, next time this debate comes up, ask yourself — Are we hungry for quick results or a gourmet experience? Then, decide the best use of your resources, i.e., time and money.
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