Off-the-shelf or custom software: which is right for your SME?
In short: choose off-the-shelf software when you work the way most businesses do, as with accounting. Custom software makes sense when your trade has steps standard tools don’t cover, or when you juggle several tools and spreadsheets. Often the best answer is a mix of both.
What each option costs
Off-the-shelf software costs little upfront and is paid monthly. Custom software costs more upfront, then needs ongoing support. Prices collected on 3 November 2026, excluding VAT for bexio.
| Option | Upfront | Afterwards | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Off-the-shelf software (example: bexio, invoicing and accounting) | Setup, often done in-house | CHF 35 to 129 a month depending on the plan (1 to 25 users) | bexio |
| Custom software from a Swiss agency | First version (MVP): CHF 40’000 to 90’000 | Maintenance: 15 to 25% of the initial budget a year | Edana |
| Custom software from BDG Studio | First version in 4 weeks: from CHF 6’900 until 18 December 2026, then from CHF 11’900 | Hosting and support: CHF 49 a month (projects signed during the offer), then CHF 75 | BDG Studio |
Links to other software come on top: according to Edana, each interface costs CHF 10’000 to 40’000 in a business application.
When to choose off-the-shelf software
- Your need is common: accounting, payroll, simple invoicing, scheduling.
- The rules come from law or a standard, such as VAT or the QR-bill: the vendor keeps up with the changes for you.
- You are willing to adapt the way you work to the tool.
- Your upfront budget is limited and you prefer a monthly cost.
When custom software pays off
- Your trade has its own steps: quantity take-offs, site scheduling, kitchen recipe costing, production tracking.
- You re-enter the same data in two or three tools and a spreadsheet.
- You pay licences for many features you don’t use, and miss the few that matter.
- The tool gives you an edge over competitors, or becomes a service for your clients.
- You want to own the code and your data.
The hybrid route, often the best one
Keep off-the-shelf software for what is standard, such as accounting, and have only the part specific to your trade built. For example, a quoting and take-off tool that prepares invoices, then passes them to the accounting software. You pay for less custom work, and each tool does what it does best.
Five questions to ask before deciding
- Which tasks take you the most time each week, and how many hours?
- How many tools and spreadsheets do you use for a single client file?
- Does an existing tool cover most of the need, or only part of it?
- Who will develop the tool further in three years?
- Who will own the code and the data?
Frequently asked questions
Is custom software always more expensive?
Upfront, yes. Over several years, compare the total: a CHF 69 monthly subscription comes to CHF 828 a year, not counting hours lost to re-entering data. A custom tool that removes those hours can pay for itself, but it also needs support.
Can I keep my accounting software and add custom software?
Yes, and it is often the best choice: accounting stays in off-the-shelf software, while the custom tool covers your trade and sends it the data by export or interface.
How long does a first custom software take?
It depends on the scope. At BDG Studio, a first 4-week sprint delivers a usable version, which we then develop further with you.
What happens if the provider disappears?
Require in writing ownership of the code, a copy stored with you and documentation. At BDG Studio, the rights to the specific code are transferred to you once the project is fully paid.
Sources
Prices collected on 3 November 2026. Edana is a Swiss agency that sells custom development itself.
Does your case call for custom software?
Tell us about your tools and repetitive tasks in 30 minutes. We will tell you honestly if off-the-shelf software is enough.