How Slingr compares
If you're weighing custom software against SaaS, a dev shop, a low-code platform, or hiring in-house, here's how Slingr stacks up — and when each option makes sense.
| Slingr | Off-the-shelf SaaS | Traditional dev shop | Low-code platform | Hire in-house | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Own the source code? | Yes — the code, data and specs are yours to keep | No — you license it | Sometimes; varies | Usually no / locked to platform | Yes |
| Cost model | A scoped first phase in its own SOW, then one monthly tier | Per-seat, escalating | Hourly / fixed-bid | Per-seat + platform fees | Salaries + overhead |
| Time to first value | Weeks (AI-accelerated) | Fast to start, then you adapt to it | Months | Fast for simple apps | Months to hire + ramp |
| Fits your exact process | Yes — purpose-built | No — you bend to the product | Yes, if scoped well | Partial; platform limits | Yes |
| Ongoing maintenance | Care in every tier, from $3,500/month (Run), billed separately | Vendor's responsibility | Extra engagement / handoff | Platform-dependent | Your team |
| Vendor lock-in | Your call — stay, take it in-house, or hand it off | High | Low–moderate | High (platform runtime) | None |
| AI-native | Yes — built in from day one | Varies; often bolted on | Rarely | Limited | Depends on team |
| Enterprise compliance | SOC 2 Type II + HIPAA; hosted & fully managed | Vendor-controlled | Varies by firm | Platform-controlled | Your responsibility |
Slingr vs. building on SaaS
Off-the-shelf SaaS is fast to switch on, but you rent it forever, bend your operation around its roadmap, and pay per-seat fees that climb every year. Slingr builds the same capability as software you own — no escalating license, a fit to how your business actually runs, and the choice to keep working with us, take it in-house, or hand it to another team. Best when SaaS can't cover your real workflow or the renewal math has stopped working.
Slingr vs. a traditional dev shop or agency
Most agencies bill hourly, rotate engineers between clients, and hand off at the end. Slingr starts with a scoped first phase in its own SOW, moves onto a Run, Grow or Transform tier after launch, and AI-accelerated delivery at a fraction of traditional cost and time — with the same outcome: code you own.
Slingr vs. low-code platforms
Low-code is quick for simple internal apps, but you're locked to the platform's runtime, pricing, and ceilings — and exporting real, owned software is rarely an option. Slingr delivers production code on a modern, standard stack you own and can hand to any team.
Slingr vs. hiring in-house
An in-house team gives you control but takes months to hire, carries fixed overhead, and is hard to staff with senior, multidisciplinary talent at mid-market scale. A Slingr team gives you that from day one, scales with your tier, and can later hand off cleanly to in-house staff, since the code, data and specs we build for you are yours to keep.