Build vs Buy AI Chatbot: Real 2025 Cost Breakdown (Custom Development vs SaaS)
Your CTO wants to build a custom AI chatbot. Budget: $50,000. Timeline: 3 months. But here's what they're not telling you: Custom development actually costs $40,000-150,000 for initial build, requires 3-6 months (not 3), needs $87,000/year developer for maintenance, plus $50,000 designer, $8,000-20,000 integration costs, and 15-20% annual maintenance fees. Year 1 real cost: $154,000+. Meanwhile, buying SaaS costs $99-399/month ($1,188-4,788/year), goes live in 5 days, includes maintenance, and delivers identical customer experience. Low-code AI platforms are reducing build costs 30-50%, but still can't match SaaS speed. Let's calculate the real total cost of ownership.
SumGeniusAI Team
October 24, 2025
