For CTO · CFO · CIO

AI Build vs Buy Calculator.

Six weighted inputs. Two scores. One verdict. Shows the math; lets you adjust the assumptions live. Inputs stay in your browser — no save, no send.

Your inputs

Slide each one. Verdict updates as you go. Defaults are mid-of-the-road.

Capability match of off-the-shelf vendor

0 = far from your need, 100 = solves it cleanly

Integration complexity with your stack

0 = drop-in, 100 = months of plumbing

Data sensitivity (PHI · CUI · trade-secret)

0 = fully public-shareable, 100 = cannot leave premises

Time-to-value urgency

0 = year+ ok, 100 = must ship in 30 days

Loaded 3-year cost to build in-house ($K)

eng salary × headcount × 3 + infra + opportunity cost

3-year cost of vendor (license + integration + ops) ($K)

annual subscription × 3 + onboarding + internal support

Available eng capacity for the build (0–100%)

0 = no headroom, 100 = a team waiting

Verdict

Slightly lean buy

Build

Buy

The math, openly

Build score = (100 − capability) × 0.18 + sensitivity × 0.22 + capacity × 0.20 + (100 − urgency) × 0.10 + costDelta × 0.30

Buy score = capability × 0.20 + (100 − integration) × 0.18 + urgency × 0.18 + (100 − sensitivity) × 0.14 + (100 − capacity) × 0.10 + (−costDelta) × 0.20

costDelta = clamp(((costBuild − costBuy) / max(costBuild, costBuy, 1)) × 100, −100, 100) — positive when build is more expensive (favors buy).

No proprietary "magic." If you disagree with a weight, scroll up and slide the input to compensate. This is a starting point, not a final answer.