Request for proposal
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Clutch
  • Github
  • Pangea
  • Behance
Request for proposal
  • Company
    • About Us
    • FAQ
  • Services
    • Discovery phase
    • Mobile Application Development
    • Web Development
    • Quality Assurance
    • UI/UX design
    • Data Science and Big Data Analytics Services
    • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Services
    • Software Development Services for Startups
    • IT System & Software Integration Services
  • Industries
    • Healthcare
      • Custom Telemedicine Application Development Services
      • Custom mHealth Apps Development Services
      • Medical Device Software Development
    • Education
      • E-learning Software Development Services
      • LMS Development Services
      • School Management Software Development Company
    • Logistics
    • Fintech
      • Banking Software Development
      • Trading Software Development Services
    • Real Estate
      • HOA Management Software Development
      • MLS Software Development Services for Real Estate
      • IDX Software Development and Integration
      • Property Management Software Development
  • Technologies
    • Flutter
    • Python (Django)
    • .NET core
    • Node. JS
    • ReactJS
    • React Native
    • Custom iOS App Development Services
    • Custom Android Application Development Services
  • Success Stories
    • Reviews
    • Case studies
  • Work at Inoxoft
    • Vacancies
    • News & Events
    • Who we are
    • Career
    • AcademyX Courses
    • Benefits
  • Insights
    • Blog
    • White papers
  • Contacts
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Clutch
  • Github
  • Pangea
  • Behance
  • Company
    • About Us
    • FAQ
  • Services
    • Discovery phase
    • Mobile Application Development
    • Web Development
    • Quality Assurance
    • UI/UX design
    • Data Science and Big Data Analytics Services
    • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Services
    • Software Development Services for Startups
    • IT System & Software Integration Services
  • Industries
    • Healthcare
      • Custom Telemedicine Application Development Services
      • Custom mHealth Apps Development Services
      • Medical Device Software Development
    • Education
      • E-learning Software Development Services
      • LMS Development Services
      • School Management Software Development Company
    • Logistics
    • Fintech
      • Banking Software Development
      • Trading Software Development Services
    • Real Estate
      • HOA Management Software Development
      • MLS Software Development Services for Real Estate
      • IDX Software Development and Integration
      • Property Management Software Development
  • Technologies
    • Flutter
    • Python (Django)
    • .NET core
    • Node. JS
    • ReactJS
    • React Native
    • Custom iOS App Development Services
    • Custom Android Application Development Services
  • Success Stories
    • Reviews
    • Case studies
  • Work at Inoxoft
    • Vacancies
    • News & Events
    • Who we are
    • Career
    • AcademyX Courses
    • Benefits
  • Insights
    • Blog
    • White papers
  • Contacts
  1. Home
  2. Blog
  3. https://inoxoft.com/blog/how-to-choose-what-is-the-best-for-your-business-off-the-shelf-vs-custom-software-development/How to Choose What is the Best for Your Business: Off-the-Shelf vs Custom Software Development

Request for proposal




    Please share with me NDA in advance.
    Please prove you are human by selecting the Tree.

    How to Choose What is the Best for Your Business: Off-the-Shelf vs Custom Software Development
    Software developmentStartup & enterprise solutions

    How to Choose What is the Best for Your Business: Off-the-Shelf vs Custom Software Development

    Pub: Dec 21, 2021•Upd: Apr 26, 2022
    Services:
    • IT System & Software Integration Services
    • Mobile Application Development
    • Software Development Services for Startups
    • Web Development
    image
    Written by
    Nazar Kvartalnyi
    COO at Inoxoft, former .Net Software Engineer

    Have a project in mind?

    Let’s get in touch!
    Table of contents
    • What’s the difference between custom-written vs off-the-shelf software?
    • Custom software
    • Off-the-shelf software
    • Major differences between off-the-shelf and custom-written software
    • 1. Production
    • 2. Timeline and cost
    • 3. Compatibility
    • 4. Customization and modification
    • 5. App support
    • Pieces of advice on what to choose: off-the-shelf or custom software
    • 1. Study your business needs
    • 2. Evaluate your time and budget
    • 3. Focus on business growth
    • 4. Functionality and integrations
    • 5. Need further support?
    • Our experience with custom-built vs off-the-shelf software
    • Final thoughts
    l

    Let’s imagine you are a small, medium, or even a large business. And, there’s a need to optimize and automate your business processes. This is a specific need that can be met with the help of software development. But, you have a choice. Pick either off-the-shelf or custom software to meet your business goal. Which one would be better in your case? And what’s the difference between off-the-shelf and custom software? If you can’t tell right away, then this article is just for you! Get to know which applications are the best match to meet your business requirements.

    Custom vs Off-the-Shelf Software: Which One to Choose | Inoxoft

    What’s the difference between custom-written vs off-the-shelf software?

    Looking for Dedicated Team?
    Request for proposal

    Here’s some information on the custom software vs off-the-shelf software difference. Let’s explore!

    Custom software

    Custom software is the type of software designed to meet a customer’s specific business need. This means the challenges this software has to solve are dedicated to a business-related purpose. The team will gather requirements, write documentation, and offer an app, which will encompass every issue you’d like to have settled. And, even more, software engineering experts will offer at least several ways you can make things work. In the end, the application will be a perfect solution that will fulfill your major and minor needs. This will make your business grow and scale.

    There are two most common custom software examples:

    1. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform
    2. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system

    These have unique features and functions, the implementation of which focuses on a specific group of people and their needs.

    Custom vs Off-the-Shelf Software: Which One to Choose | Inoxoft

    But even though custom software development is time-consuming and will require more costs, it is, by all means, what you should invest your time and money in. This is a solution that will be 100% business-related and will strike every potential need with a great solution. Here, you risk nothing at all. And, even if you will still need extra support from the provider, that’s also great. You won’t have to worry about app crashes and malfunctions. Your provider will have it covered for you.

    Off-the-shelf software

    Off-the-shelf software is packaged software that can meet your business needs only to a certain extent. For example, you still can customize and automate your business processes, but only partially and not the way you’d probably want to. It’s cheaper, faster to buy or subscribe to and integrate your business with. Also, it requires less support as you mostly handle it on your own.

    Some of the examples of off-the-shelf software are email suits, games, anti-viruses, editing software. These have ownership, are easily accessible, simple to install and use.

    Custom vs Off-the-Shelf Software: Which One to Choose | Inoxoft

    So, an off-the-shelf solution requires days to be adjusted to, cannot be modified even if your business expands. And, if might be incompatible with your operating system or with the other business software. This solution belongs to mass production, and, this way, anyone can have it and make use of it. There’s nothing innovative about it.

    Major differences between off-the-shelf and custom-written software

    Custom vs Off-the-Shelf Software: Which One to Choose | Inoxoft

    Let’s summarise the previous difference between off-the-shelf and custom-written software. Here, the main pros and cons are in:

    1. Production

    Custom software is created specifically to meet every customer requirement there is. It’s an individual and personalized solution no one else can have. And, off-the-shelf software is a ready-made solution produced on the mass market. It can suit any business and meets business requirements only partially.

    2. Timeline and cost

    The timeline of the custom software development can be from months to years, so it is better to be prepared for a long wait. And, the cost of a custom solution will be higher. On the contrary, packaged software does not need any time for production. Time is needed only to integrate it into your business. Also, it will be cheaper. So, you waste no time and no money. But, there’re risks as to its efficiency.

    3. Compatibility

    Custom solutions are deployed to be fully compatible with your business operating systems and other software. For this reason, they are being tested by expert QA engineers until no defects are found. The off-the-shelf solution cannot be tested as it is a completed product and it might cause trouble with operating system compatibility and might not integrate with other business software.

    4. Customization and modification

    Custom-developed software is extremely customizable and can be modified according to customer wishes. Off-the-shelf software will not be modified even if your business expands and grows. Here, you will have to buy another software product. No modification is possible.

    5. App support

    Custom software development has support as its sixth stage of development. So, it’s obligatory and is included in the whole SDLC. Software engineers test the app after launch and fix defects when these occur. Ready-made software has community support you can turn to if there are issues. But you’ll probably get ways of fixing issues with your own hands rather than teamwork, etc.

    Easy method of hiring developers for startup! Find out now!

    Pieces of advice on what to choose: off-the-shelf or custom software

    Looking for Dedicated Team?
    Request for proposal

    Of course, Inoxoft prepared a piece of advice that will help you make the right choice! Read the following 5 tips and enjoy the benefits of more comprehensive decision-making.

    1. Study your business needs

    Before getting started, always have a plan. Study your business, think over business-enhancement requirements. What are the pain points you need to get addressed? Ate they too specific or just basic ones? Do you need to be innovative or do you need a solution every second business uses? The answers to these questions will give you an idea of where you stand and what software to choose – custom-written vs off-the-shelf software.

    2. Evaluate your time and budget

    Also to clearly understand what you need, you should also take into consideration whether you can wait for months on a custom software solution or if you can’t wait at all. And, the most crucial factor is your budget. Can you invest in the project constantly or do you have a fixed budget? Figure out these factors as well.

    3. Focus on business growth

    Every business tends to grow over time. In this case, your software solution should grow with the business. If you decided on custom software development – good for you! But if you bought a ready-made solution – you will need to spend more money on finding another solution. Why, because off-the-shelf software meets only some requirements and cannot expand or adjust to the new possibilities your business wants to have.

    4. Functionality and integrations

    Custom-developed software can have all the functionality you only ask for, it can be modified and integrated seamlessly with any other software. But, the off-the-shelf software has no such opportunities. It is rather incompatible, unmodifiable, and just the way it is. Buy it or leave it. It has a basic package suitable for all businesses but adjustable to a little extent. You may buy it and use only 30% of its functionality for the rest 70% are not needed.

    5. Need further support?

    If you need your app to be supported after launch and any minor issue fixed right away, choose custom-built applications. If you don’t need that much support, you can always rely on a community tech operator that has to be there 24/7. But you will have to fix the problem by yourself, eventually.

    So, compare custom-made software vs off-the-shelf and choose what your business needs.

    Our experience with custom-built vs off-the-shelf software

    Inoxoft is a custom software development company offering web and app development services for startups. We do not launch the ready-made products as we believe these to be less functional or customized than the custom ones. Besides, Inoxoft aims at meeting 100% of client goals by fulfilling every requirement and enhancing the clients’ business potential. We are also among the best software development companies in New York, the United States, and across the whole of America.

    Our custom software development services focus on the 5 industries:

    • Healthcare Software Development
    • Logistic Software Development
    • Finance Software Development
    • Education Software Development
    • Real Estate Software Development

    Contact Inoxoft and receive the best services such as:

    Custom vs Off-the-Shelf Software: Which One to Choose | Inoxoft

    Also, consider the benefits of our in-house development vs outsourcing.

    Final thoughts

    Looking for Dedicated Team?
    Request for proposal

    The article spoke about custom vs off-the-shelf software and its advantages and disadvantages. But the choice of a solution that will help your business scale and advance should be based on your preferences and needs. Choosing off-the-shelf software vs custom software is never a matter of fuss and you should weigh your decision 100%. And, without a doubt, you will pick up the software that will meet your intentions the most. Benefit from the innovative solutions of today!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is custom vs off-the-shelf software?

    Custom software is the type of software designed to meet a customer’s specific business need. This means the challenges this software has to solve are dedicated to a business-related purpose. Off-the-shelf software is packaged software that can meet your business needs only to a certain extent. For example, you still can customize and automate your business processes, but only partially and not the way you’d probably want to.

    What is the difference between off-the-shelf and custom-written software?

    The difference lies mainly in:

    1. Production
    2. Timeline and cost
    3. Compatibility
    4. Customization and modification
    5. App Support

     

    How useful was this post?

    Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 1

    No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

    Share it with your friends!
    ShareShareShare

    Subscribe to blog

    Related casestudies
    1C + Custom Business Software: Aggregated Reports
    1C + Custom Business Software: Aggregated Reports
    Deviceful Music Synchronizer
    Deviceful Music Synchronizer
    Chatbot Development
    Chatbot Development
    Integrating Online Payment Services with CBS
    Integrating Online Payment Services with CBS
    Top 5 posts
    What is Mobile Banking? Advantages and Disadvantages of Mobile Banking
    What is Mobile Banking? Advantages and Disadvantages of Mobile Banking
    7 Software Development Models Comparison: How to Choose the Right One?
    7 Software Development Models Comparison: How to Choose the Right One?
    Gradient Boosting Classifier – Inoxoft
    Gradient Boosting Classifier – Inoxoft
    Reasons Why to Use Predictive Analytics in Retail and eCommerce
    Reasons Why to Use Predictive Analytics in Retail and eCommerce
    How to Design a Web Application Architecture: Components, Models and Types
    How to Design a Web Application Architecture: Components, Models and Types
    You may also like
    Learning Content Management System (LCMS): Benefits, Key Functionality and Examples
    Learning Content Management System (LCMS): Benefits, Key Functionality and Examples
    Apr 21, 2022
    11 team management software tools to improve your work productivity
    11 team management software tools to improve your work productivity
    Apr 21, 2022
    5 Major Challenges of Big Data and Ways to Solve Them
    5 Major Challenges of Big Data and Ways to Solve Them
    Apr 14, 2022
    10 Most Innovative Data Analytics Companies in the USA
    10 Most Innovative Data Analytics Companies in the USA
    Apr 12, 2022
    Complete Comparison of Software Development Hourly Rate: USA vs Europe
    Complete Comparison of Software Development Hourly Rate: USA vs Europe
    Apr 12, 2022

      CONTACT US

      If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

      image
      Viktoriya Khomyn
      Head of Engagement




      Please prove you are human by selecting the Tree.
      Attach a file

      Top-rated software development company

      180+Experts

      7+Years on the market

      150+Happy clients

      200+Happy Projects

      70%Startups

      30%Existing businesses

      What happens next?
      • Our representative gets in touch with you within 24 hours.
      • We delve into your business needs and our expert team drafts the optimal solution for your project.
      • You receive a proposal with estimated effort, project timeline and recommended team structure.

      Microsoft

      Clutch

      Istob

      image
      • Kulparkivska St, 59, Lviv, Ukraine, 79015
      • 1601 Market Street, 19th Floor, Philadelphia, USA, PA 19103
      • 3 Hanehoshet St, Building B, 7th floor, Tel Aviv, Israel, 6971068
      • contact@inoxoft.com
      Menu
      • About Us
      • Case studies
      • Reviews
      • Vacancies
      • News & Events
      • Who we are
      • Career
      • Benefits
      • Blog
      • Knowledge Base
      • Scholarship
      Services
      • Discovery phase
      • Mobile Application Development
      • Web Development
      • Quality Assurance
      • UI/UX design
      • Data Science and Big Data Analytics Services
      • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Services
      • Software Development Services for Startups
      • IT System & Software Integration Services
      Industries
      • Healthcare
      • Real Estate
      • Education
      • Logistics
      • Fintech
      Technologies
      • Flutter
      • Python (Django)
      • .NET core
      • Node. JS
      • ReactJS
      • React Native
      • Custom iOS App Development Services
      • Custom Android Application Development Services
      • Terms Of Use
      • Privacy policy
      • Sitemap
      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • Youtube
      • Instagram
      • Linkedin
      • Clutch
      • Github
      • Pangea
      • Behance
      © 2022 Inoxoft, All rights reserved

      Contact us

        Have a project? Feel free to call, send us an email or complete the enquiry form.




        Please share with me NDA in advance.
        Please prove you are human by selecting the Plane.

        We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are agree to our privacy policy.Agree