Question 1

How is the custom build cost calculated?

Accepted Answer

Custom builds start at $5,000 for the foundation (admin, auth, contacts, branding, hosting setup) plus your first connected module. Each additional module adds $500–$2,000 on a sliding scale — the more you bundle, the cheaper each one gets. That's the whole point: we build everything once on a shared foundation, then layer modules on top. Hosting and ongoing maintenance is $49/month flat.

Question 2

Why does my custom build cost stay roughly flat as I add more SaaS tools?

Accepted Answer

Because multiple SaaS tools in the same category collapse into one module. If you're paying for Salesforce + HubSpot + Pipedrive, that's three CRM tools — but it's one Sales Pipeline module to build. Same for Mailchimp + Klaviyo (one Email Marketing module). Dedup is where the savings come from.

Question 3

How accurate is this calculator?

Accepted Answer

The SaaS-side numbers use list pricing with a conservative 10% annual price increase (most SaaS tools raise prices 10–20% annually). The custom-build side is sliding-scale pricing based on iOLab's actual quoting model. For an exact quote on your specific scope, book a free consultation.

Question 4

Does custom really save 75%+ over 5 years?

Accepted Answer

For most businesses replacing 4 or more SaaS tools, yes — the dedup math compounds with the avoided 10%/yr SaaS inflation. For 1–2 tool stacks, savings are smaller (or break even) because you're still paying the foundation fee. The calculator shows the real percentage for your specific selection.

Question 5

What's included in the foundation fee?

Accepted Answer

Admin dashboard, user authentication, basic contact list management, your first connected module (whichever you pick), custom branding to match your business, transactional email setup, file storage, hosting and SSL setup, and 3 months of post-launch support. Effectively the boring-but-essential 'core' of any business app.

Question 6

Can you really replace multiple SaaS tools with one platform?

Accepted Answer

Yes. That's the whole iOLab model. A custom platform can unify your CRM, email marketing, scheduling, invoicing, and project management into one system built specifically for your workflow — and you own it forever, no recurring license fees.

Question 7

What if I only need to replace one or two tools?

Accepted Answer

Custom can still work if you want ownership and customization, but the dollar savings are smaller. We're honest about that — the calculator will show you the real number. Many clients start with one module to replace their most expensive SaaS, then expand over time.

How Much Are Your SaaS Subscriptions Really Costing You?

Which SaaS tools are you paying for?

CRM

Project Management

Customer Support

Email Marketing

Scheduling

Accounting

Field Service

Communication

Analytics

Social Media

E-commerce

Forms

Time Tracking

Inventory

HR

Automation

Frequently Asked Questions

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