| Feature | Off-the-Shelf AI Tools | Custom AI Solution | Hybrid (Platform + Custom) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to deploy | Days to weeks | 2–6 months | 1–3 months |
| Upfront cost | Low — subscription-based | €10,000–€50,000+ | €5,000–€25,000 |
| Customisation | Limited to platform features | Fully tailored to business needs | Core platform + custom integrations |
| Data privacy (GDPR) | Review DPA per provider carefully | Full control — data stays on your infra | Mixed — review per component |
| Scalability | Platform-dependent | Built to scale | Moderate — platform limits may apply |
| Examples | ChatGPT API, Jasper, HubSpot AI | Custom recommendation engine, document processing | CRM with custom AI scoring |
| Best for | Quick wins, proof of concept | Competitive advantage, compliance-heavy | Speed with room to grow |