Comparison
Buy the AI tool, or build the workflow?
Buy when the job is the same for every company: meeting notes, writing help, generic support. Build when the job is specific to how you work and needs your data, your rules and your systems.
Signs you've outgrown the tool
- You copy data in and out of it by hand.
- It can't follow your approval rules.
- Per-seat or per-task fees grow faster than the value.
- You can't see why it made a decision.
| Custom build (Renga) | Off-the-shelf tool | |
|---|---|---|
| Fits your workflow | Built around it | You adapt to it |
| Reads and writes your data | Directly, with permissions | Through exports or limited connectors |
| Cost shape | One fixed build + usage at cost | Ongoing subscription |
| Ownership | Your code | Vendor's platform |
| Time to start | Typically 2–6 weeks | Today |
Build if…
The workflow is a competitive edge or a big time sink, it touches your own database or CRM, and you need audit logs.
Buy if…
The job is generic, volume is low, and speed today matters more than fit.
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