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Buy vs Build for Automation
Off-the-shelf automation tools excel at standard integrations. Custom automation wins when workflows are proprietary, AI-native, or require deep domain logic. Most mature teams use both.
Evaluation Criteria
When comparing platforms, prioritize:
- Integration depth with your existing stack
- Error handling, retries, and observability
- Security model — secrets, RBAC, audit trails
- Total cost at scale, not just starter pricing
When Custom Engineering Makes Sense
If your workflow needs LLM reasoning, multi-system orchestration, or client-specific business rules, a tailored automation layer often outperforms generic no-code chains within six months.