Compared
The usual ways to get it done, side by side.
Vish Builds, next to the usual ways to get software and AI working in a business.
| Question | Vish BuildsStart free | Software agency | Off-the-shelf software | AI builder you drive yourself | Freelancer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price to start | A free AI Check first; one fix from A$290; custom builds from A$1,500 | Agency guides: about $15,000 to $80,000 for a small first app1,2 | From A$29 a month per business (incl. GST) to A$48 a month per user (ex GST)5,6 | Free tiers with usage caps; paid from US$19.99 a month (billed yearly) to US$25 a month9,10 | Australian recruiter guide: $600 to $800 a day for a contract software engineer16 |
| Time to a working version | A First Fix in 7 days if it only needs your phone, email and Google; a build’s timeline is fixed in the quote | Agency guides: 8 to 14 weeks for a small app or first version1,2 | Sign up and start a 14- to 30-day free trial straight away; setting it up is on you5,7 | Vendors claim a first app in about ten minutes, or business apps in an afternoon11,12 | A freelance marketplace: from a one-day task to a project over several months17 |
| Who does the work | Vish, from the first call to launch, in your own accounts | A team: project manager, product manager, designer, developers and a tester3,4 | The business itself, with help guides and support, or a paid setup partner5,6 | You: prompt or set up each step, test it, and describe what’s broken13,14 | Usually one person, who may subcontract some of the work17,18 |
| Changes after launch | 30 days of changes; Custom builds and Overhauls add two months of Care, then A$149 a month | Upkeep about 15–20% of the build cost a year; changes often A$120–$200 an hour1,2 | Settings and add-ons cover some gaps; new features are the vendor’s call5,8 | You prompt each change; usage costs grow with visitors, tasks and changes9,15 | A new contract or hourly work, fitted around their other clients19 |
Show sourcesHide sources (19)
- WebAlive, “How much does it cost to build an app in Australia in 2026”, checked 11 Nov 2026
- Hatchet, “How much does custom software cost in Australia? 2026 guide”, checked 11 Nov 2026
- Appetiser, mobile app development services, checked 11 Nov 2026
- EB Pearls, home page, checked 11 Nov 2026
- ServiceM8, pricing (Australia), checked 11 Nov 2026
- Tradify, pricing (Australia), checked 11 Nov 2026
- Cliniko, pricing, checked 11 Nov 2026
- ServiceM8 Help Center, “What if I need a feature that is not available?”, checked 11 Nov 2026
- Zapier, plans and pricing, checked 11 Nov 2026
- Bolt, plans and pricing, checked 11 Nov 2026
- Lovable docs, “Quick start”, checked 11 Nov 2026
- Bolt, home page, checked 11 Nov 2026
- Lovable docs, “Debug and improve your app”, checked 11 Nov 2026
- Zapier Help Center, “What is a Zap?”, checked 11 Nov 2026
- Lovable docs, “Credits and usage”, checked 11 Nov 2026
- Hudson, Digital, Data & Insights Salary Guide Australia, checked 11 Nov 2026
- Freelancer.com, “How it works”, checked 11 Nov 2026
- business.gov.au, “Hiring contractors”, checked 11 Nov 2026
- Arc, “Freelance payment terms: fixed cost vs hourly vs retainer payments”, checked 11 Nov 2026
With Vish Builds: a free check first, a fixed price before anything starts, and everything in your business’s name.