Free Calculator
SaaS vs Custom Platform:
Calculate Your Real Cost
This calculator compares the 5-year total cost of renting a SaaS community platform against building a fully custom owned platform — showing the break-even point and long-term savings based on your organisation's specific situation.
Your Inputs
Prices reflect enterprise/scale plans for organisations that would need a custom build.
Enterprise plan, 5K+ members
Most SaaS platforms increase 5–15% annually. 8% is a reasonable default.
Year 4
Ownership cheaper after this
Save $51K
with owned platform
Save $302K
with owned platform
Ownership breaks even around Year 4 — with the added benefit of permanent data control and no vendor risk.
Year-by-Year Comparison
| Year | Hivebrite | Custom Total | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $36,000 | $112,000 | -$76,000 |
| 2 | $74,880 | $124,000 | -$49,120 |
| 3 | $116,870 | $136,000 | -$19,130 |
| 4★ | $162,220 | $148,000 | +$14,220 |
| 5 | $211,198 | $160,000 | +$51,198 |
| 6 | $264,093 | $172,000 | +$92,093 |
| 7 | $321,221 | $184,000 | +$137,221 |
| 8 | $382,919 | $196,000 | +$186,919 |
| 9 | $449,552 | $208,000 | +$241,552 |
| 10 | $521,516 | $220,000 | +$301,516 |
★ Break-even year · Difference = SaaS Total − Custom Total (positive = custom is cheaper)
This calculator uses your current platform cost compounded at your estimated annual increase, compared to a one-time build investment plus annual stewardship. It does not account for SaaS transaction fees, data export costs, or the cost of platform migration — all of which add to the SaaS side of the equation.
Read our full community platform cost guideSee what the numbers look like for your organisation.
The calculator gives you a directional view. A strategy call gives you the full picture — including a build scope, timeline, and specific investment range.
Apply for a Strategy Call