The comparisons
nobody writes honestly.
Criterion-by-criterion comparisons of the build-or-buy decisions we get asked about most — including the rows where the answer is not us.
Agency vs freelancer
The right partner depends on the shape of the problem.
6 criteria · Agency vs Freelancer
In-house vs outsourced development
Build the capability. Borrow the momentum.
6 criteria · In-house team vs Outsourced partner
Custom vs WordPress
Do not pay for flexibility you will never use.
7 criteria · Custom build vs WordPress
Shopify vs WooCommerce
A hosted platform or a store you assemble yourself.
8 criteria · Shopify vs WooCommerce
React Native vs native
One codebase, or two that fit properly.
8 criteria · React Native vs Native (Swift / Kotlin)
Headless vs traditional CMS
Separating content from presentation, and what it costs.
8 criteria · Headless CMS vs Traditional CMS
A comparison that always
favours the author is an advert.
Every guide here marks the criteria where the other option wins, because it sometimes does. A freelancer is faster on a narrow task. A template is cheaper if your brand can live inside one. Pretending otherwise would make the rows where we do win worthless.
These are the frameworks we walk through on first calls, written down so you can do the thinking before you talk to anyone — us included. If you reach the end of one and conclude you do not need an agency, the guide has done its job.
Comparing something we have not covered?
Send us the two options. We will give you the honest table for your situation, including when the answer earns us nothing.