You decided to add in-app chat and live-streaming. Now your turn to decide will you build or buy it?

Build or buy? Discover the pros and cons of in-house development vs. SaaS solutions for community chats, copy-betting, and live streaming. Learn how to optimize resources, reduce costs, and achieve faster results with the right approach for business.

Accumulated experience or lessons from mistakes: Buy or build social features for your platform?

<div style="font-size:14px;line-height:1;" id="toc">Table of Contents&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="#building-a-feature-in-house">Building a feature in-house</a><a href="#buying-saas">Buying SaaS</a><a href="#outcome">So, what’s the outcome?</a><a href="#get-in-touch">Get in Touch</a><hr></div>Many companies face a critical dilemma when implementing new functionalities, such as chats, copy-betting, and in-app live streaming, alongside their core product. Should they build the solution in-house with their own team or leverage a specialised B2B SaaS platform?<figure class="image" style="margin-bottom:1vw;"><img style="aspect-ratio:2000/1332;" src="https://cdn.eu.watchers.io/3391ca97-9631-4d1c-b665-3f4af3812122.jpg" alt="is it better to build chat solution or buy a saas - introduction" width="2000" height="1332"></figure>There can be many potential advantages and disadvantages for both answers. We have discussed these two variants with numerous potential clients, and we have decided to provide more detailed guidance on making the right choice.<h2 id="building-a-feature-in-house">Building a feature in-house</h2>Companies that lean towards building in-house see the following reasons.1. Resource optimisationCompanies may believe they can distribute costs across existing team members without significantly increasing overhead.2. Strategic alignmentBuilding in-house ensures the solution aligns closely with the company’s vision and strategy, avoiding “not quite right” products from the market. People who build in-house perfectly know and understand the needs and peculiarities of the company and can build something unique and fit for their specific product.3. Developing internal expertiseCreating the product internally can gradually build valuable expertise within the team, so its members can support and maintain this service, not only building it but keeping it in its initial state.4. ControlRelying on in-house resources eliminates external risks like vendor market exit, ownership changes, or pricing shifts. Also, they know everything happening with the feature perfectly: all crushes and all good feedback. Complete control is usually the main reason (perhaps after finances) for building the solution in-house.<figure class="image" style="margin-bottom:1vw;"><img style="aspect-ratio:2000/1200;" src="https://cdn.eu.watchers.io/27ce3d71-5c57-42c3-8d1e-6ec3ab0a9e6f.jpg" alt="why building in-house can look as a good idea" width="2000" height="1200"></figure><h3>Reality check✅</h3>While the idea of the building seems appealing for control and alignment, the reality often unveils hidden challenges.Despite these arguments, building in-house comes with significant challenges.Specific expertise cannot be replacedWithout a dedicated team, the product often remains at the MVP stage and fails to deliver meaningful results.Risk of dilutionFocusing on secondary products can detract from the core offering, stretching resources thin or the opposite—your team always have more prior tasks, and the feature will be underdeveloped.Unpredictable outcomesExperimenting with new features involves a lengthy trial-and-error process, which consumes time and budget without guaranteeing success. Because this feature is new to you, you will face many unexpected problems.Escalating costsInitial development costs can balloon as the product requires continuous improvements to stay relevant.Delayed ROIEven in an optimistic scenario, a functional MVP takes more than half a year to complete, and tangible results may only appear after extensive testing and iteration, which often lasts well over a year.<h2 id="buying-saas">Buying SaaS</h2>Using a specialised B2B SaaS platform offers a range of benefits.<figure class="image" style="margin-bottom:1vw;"><img style="aspect-ratio:2438/1612;" src="https://cdn.eu.watchers.io/316640fe-b5d1-4bac-8326-86cd8c4a32d0.png" alt="what benefits could you get buying the saas solution" width="2438" height="1612"></figure>Access to the most relevant teamSaaS solutions are built and maintained by dedicated teams with deep expertise, often at a cost lower than assembling an in-house team.Leveraging сollective wisdomSaaS platforms incorporate feedback and best practices from numerous clients, ensuring a more refined and effective product from the start. So, you don’t need to learn from your mistakes: use accumulated experience.Cost PredictabilitySaaS comes with clear, manageable pricing structures, reducing financial uncertainty.Faster ResultsWith no lengthy development phase, SaaS users can implement a new feature in days and see measurable outcomes within weeks, not months or years.Flexibility to transitionIt’s possible to start with SaaS to test the waters and later switch to building in-house if the solution makes sense for your business.<h3>Reality check✅</h3>Different SaaS companies offer various business models and communication schemes. Thus, disadvantages can vary, from implementation difficulties to a lack of flexibility: not all details and wishes can be released, and not all improvements appear as soon as desired.<h2 id="outcome">As a result</h2>The choice between building in-house or buying a SaaS solution depends on your company’s priorities, resources, and timeline. Building offers control and alignment but often at the cost of time, focus, and escalating expenses. SaaS, on the other hand, provides a faster, more efficient path to results with access to expert insights and proven solutions.For most companies, starting with SaaS is a pragmatic approach, enabling rapid implementation and cost-effective scaling while leaving the door open for future in-house development if needed. However, you need to have a checklist with questions and choose a SaaS company that perfectly meets your needs and offers you the solution and features you and your end-users will be happy to try.<hr><h2 id="get-in-touch">Get in Touch</h2><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://calendly.com/watchers-platform/social-tools-for-your">Book a call</a> if you'd like to integrate in-app community chats with the high-level moderation system into your website, app, or game. We'll be happy to help you find the best solution.

Freedom is an all-in-one community crypto platform where users can connect, play, communicate, build communities, and get tokens by completing various fun missions and tasks, as well as create their own communities and missions. 

Discover how the gaming app in Thailand enhances user engagement and retention through a Watchers community chat solution.

Freedom World app: community chats for the entertaining app, powered by Bitazza 

<span style="font-style:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-emoji:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-position:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">The app is available in Thai and English.<h3><span style="font-style:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-emoji:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-position:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">What we have provided for Freedom</h3><ul><li><span style="font-style:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-emoji:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-position:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Placed customised community chats: a chat lobby and several chats for different games. The functionality is available on both mobile apps (Android and iOS). Users can communicate via text, animated emoji, threads, and stickers. They see chats only if they are authorised.</li><li><span style="font-style:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-emoji:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-position:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Delivered a four-layer moderation, including AI, blocking lists in Thai, the tools for moderation by real people, and user moderation, the scope of which provides a healthy space for users' conversations.&nbsp;</li><li><span style="font-style:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-emoji:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-position:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">The tool for automatic translation is provided, allowing users who don’t speak Thai to translate all messages in chats to their desired language.&nbsp;</li><li><span style="font-style:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-emoji:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-position:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Provided tools for achievements and badge assignments (including API for seamless assignment).</li><li><span style="font-style:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-emoji:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-position:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">The client uses brand avatars and stickers in chats.</li></ul><h3><span style="font-style:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-emoji:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-position:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">User journey on Freedom</h3><ul><li><span style="font-style:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-emoji:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-position:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Authorised users click the chat button on the home page to join a chat or a similar button on the game pages. After clicking it, they open a chat.</li><li><span style="font-style:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-emoji:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-position:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Users have the same avatars and nicknames that they use on the main platform profile.&nbsp;</li><li><span style="font-style:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-emoji:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-position:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">They can communicate, reply and react to each other’s messages, start threads, and send pictures.</li><li><span style="font-style:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-emoji:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-position:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Chats help keep users engaged in games and missions and build communities within the Freedom app.&nbsp;</li></ul> &nbsp;

Learn how one of the leading online gaming platforms boosted user engagement and retention with a Watchers community chat solution featuring interactive widgets, AI-powered moderation, and seamless integration.

Jackpot City Integration (all games on the platform)

In December 2024, we successfully implemented our chat solution for Jackpot City, a global online casino platform offering a diverse range of games. The client opted for a general public chat that is directly linked to the gaming experience, allowing users to access and participate in the chat while playing any game available on the platform.The integration included a diverse set of interactive widgets such as polls, quizzes, and marketing offers, which Jackpot City uses to promote various activities and events on the platform. To boost engagement and retention, the client leverages our tools to award badges for specific user behaviours and trigger pop-ups to encourage participation in game streaks and other challenges. Our engagement tools are flexible and powerful, enabling Jackpot City to build an impressive, on-platform system that keeps users involved and coming back.The Watchers solution was integrated via WebView, ensuring a fast and seamless implementation process.Our AI-powered moderation system also plays a crucial role, providing real-time protection by hiding or flagging negative or spam messages within milliseconds, creating a safe and welcoming communication space that preserves the positive experience for all users.The chat was fully customised to match the Jackpot City brand identity, including colours, fonts, avatars, and branded stickers.<blockquote>“The integration of community chat aligns with our broader strategic goals of enhancing user experience and fostering engagement. It represents a thoughtful step toward creating a more interactive and connected environment for our customers" (Jackpot City representative).</blockquote>Additionally, Jackpot City actively tracks all chat interactions to gather valuable insights into user behaviour, helping them fine-tune their engagement strategies and make data-driven decisions.Together, these features create a rich, interactive, and secure environment that significantly enhances the user experience, transforming it into a social and interactive one. We are going to develop a partnership with the Jackpot City brand to help them further grow user engagement and retention.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:2939/1566;" src="https://cdn.eu.watchers.io/8449202c-5e59-430f-8955-4db99fe7f260.png" width="2939" height="1566"></figure>