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

Factor	DIY Approach	Managed Service
Initial Setup	Free discovery scan	Free discovery scan
Ongoing Time Cost	5–10 hrs/month (staff time)	0 hrs (we handle it)
Waste Recovery	One-time cleanup ($3,600)	Continuous savings ($6,800+/year)
Security	Manual offboarding (error-prone)	Automated offboarding (same-day)
Renewals	Surprise charges likely	Renewal calendar (no surprises)
Compliance	Self-reported (unverified)	Audit-ready documentation
Grant Eligibility	Limited (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)

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

DIY: "Did we remove Sarah from all 40 apps?"

Managed: System auto-removes access day of departure

DIY: One-time cleanup → waste returns in 6 months

Managed: Quarterly audits → waste stays gone

DIY: "We think we're compliant"

Managed: Monthly reports showing access controls, renewals, savings

DIY: Adds 5–10 hrs/month to someone's plate

Managed: Frees up staff for mission work

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