| Feature | Off-the-shelf app | Dev shop, from scratch | Curbsight custom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built around how you work | No | Yes | Yes |
| Live in weeks | Yes | No | Yes |
| Starts from software already in use | Yes | No | Yes |
| One platform instead of several apps | No | Yes | Yes |
| New features when you need them | No | Yes | Yes |
| One monthly fee for hosting, updates and support | Yes | No | Yes |
One thing you don't get with Curbsight: the code. You get a license to use your platform, and Curbsight keeps the core. A dev shop may hand you the code, along with the job of keeping it running.
When to buy off the shelf
When your work is standard, your team is small and an app already does what you need. It's cheaper to start and you can be using it this week.
When to go custom
When you pay for several apps that don't talk to each other, someone retypes the same information, or per-seat fees keep climbing as you hire.
Questions
How much does it cost?
The first call is free. If it's a fit, the next step is a $1,500 plan and prototype, credited toward your build. You get a written plan, a clickable prototype and a firm price before any build starts. After that there's one monthly fee for hosting, updates, support and new features.
Can I start with an app and go custom later?
Yes, and many businesses should. What you learn from using an app tells you exactly what your own platform needs to do.