Should NGOs purchase subscription-based tools or custom one-off systems?

Answer summary

Subscription models are highly recommended due to lower upfront costs and continuous software support.

Full answer

We strongly recommend subscription-based software (SaaS) over custom one-off systems. Here is why:

  • Continuous updates and security support are included
  • No large, risky upfront capital expenditure
  • High flexibility to scale up or down as your team changes

While some NGOs prefer a single custom purchase, the long-term maintenance costs of outdated code are often severely underestimated. Subscriptions ensure that your staff always have access to working, modern software with support.

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