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•5 min read•By Lloyd Owen

Custom Software vs No-Code Tools: What’s Best for Your Business?

Explore the pros and cons of building software vs using no-code platforms—and learn when it’s worth going fully custom.

No-CodeCustom SoftwareSaaS ToolsTech Strategy
Custom Software vs No-Code Tools: What’s Best for Your Business?

Custom Software vs No-Code Tools: What’s Best for Your Business?

No-code platforms like Airtable, Zapier, and Bubble have exploded in popularity. And for good reason—they let you build quickly with little technical know-how.

But when does no-code start to hold your business back? And when is investing in custom software worth it?

Let’s compare both options based on what really matters.

Speed to Launch

  • No-Code: Fast setup, no developers needed. Great for MVPs or internal prototypes.
  • Custom Software: Slower upfront, but tailored from day one.

Flexibility

  • No-Code: You’re limited to what the tool offers. Want a custom workflow? Tough.
  • Custom: Everything is built around your exact needs, logic, and edge cases.

Ownership

  • No-Code: You’re renting features from someone else. If the platform changes, so do you.
  • Custom: You own the code, data, and future roadmap.

Scaling

  • No-Code: Performance and costs can spike with growth. Integrations may become fragile.
  • Custom: Designed to scale with your business, infrastructure controlled by you.

Cost Over Time

YearNo-Code Stack (avg)Custom Software (avg)
1£2,000 – £6,000£12,000 – £30,000
3+£10,000 – £25,000+£12,000 – £40,000+

Verdict: Use no-code to test or prototype. Use custom when you need power, scale, and control.

Talk to Velora if you're unsure which route makes the most sense for your business.