WhatASaaS vs building it yourself
Skip wiring auth, billing, document search and hosting yourself. What you get with WhatASaaS, and when building from scratch is the better call.
| Topic | WhatASaaS | building it yourself |
|---|---|---|
| Getting started | Write a short brief or start from a template. You approve a spec before anything builds. | Pick a framework, auth, billing, database and model provider. |
| Getting paid | Sign-in, checkout and document answers are built in. The app goes live after its launch checks pass. | Wire checkout and webhooks yourself. |
| Before launch | Automated launch checks must pass. | Whatever checks you set up. |
| Owning it | Download the full source any time, free. | Yours from the start. |
| Cost | Host $29/mo, Studio $99/mo, Factory $249/mo. No cut of your sales. | Your time, plus each service's bill. |
General category, reviewed October 2026. Every option is different, so check before you decide.
When building it yourself is the better pick
- You're a developer and the build itself is the point.
- You need full control over every dependency from day one.