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DIY vs. Managed SaaS: Can Your Team Really Track 40+ Apps Alone?

You could DIY your SaaS cleanup. After all, it's "just" canceling unused apps and removing ex-staff access.

But can your team—who's already stretched thin—really track 40–60 apps, manage quarterly renewals, and audit access rights forever?

The Real Comparison: DIY vs. Managed

FactorDIY ApproachManaged Service
Initial SetupFree discovery scanFree discovery scan
Ongoing Time Cost5–10 hrs/month (staff time)0 hrs (we handle it)
Waste RecoveryOne-time cleanup ($3,600)Continuous savings ($6,800+/year)
SecurityManual offboarding (error-prone)Automated offboarding (same-day)
RenewalsSurprise charges likelyRenewal calendar (no surprises)
ComplianceSelf-reported (unverified)Audit-ready documentation
Grant EligibilityLimited (no ongoing proof)Proven governance (funder-ready)
Total Year 1 Value$3,600 savings$3,260 net savings + security + compliance

Staff time cost: 10 hrs/month = $2,600/year (at $26/hr avg non-profit wage)

When DIY Makes Sense

  • Very small team (< 8 staff)
  • Simple app portfolio (< 15 tools)
  • Someone dedicated to tech management
  • No compliance/security requirements

Reality check: Only 15% of non-profits meet all 4 criteria.

Why Managed Wins for Most Non-Profits

Security Automation

DIY: "Did we remove Sarah from all 40 apps?"
Managed: System auto-removes access day of departure

Continuous Savings

DIY: One-time cleanup → waste returns in 6 months
Managed: Quarterly audits → waste stays gone

Grant-Ready Governance

DIY: "We think we're compliant"
Managed: Monthly reports showing access controls, renewals, savings

Zero Staff Burden

DIY: Adds 5–10 hrs/month to someone's plate
Managed: Frees up staff for mission work

Stop guessing if DIY is enough. Let's prove what's possible—with zero risk.

Free scan shows your exact savings—then choose DIY or managed.