Build vs. Buy: Should Your Law Firm Invest in Custom Tech or Use a Legal Platform?
- Olivia Stanford
- Jul 15
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 16
As your law firm grows and the demand for efficiency increases, it’s natural to ask:
“Should we build our own software… or is there something better already out there?”
At first glance, building custom legal tech might seem like the smartest way to meet your firm’s specific needs. But when you dig into the real costs, risks, and time involved, a legal software solution (like Prolegis) is likely to be a better fit for you and your team.
The Temptation to Build
Many firms consider custom development when:
Current tools don’t “quite fit”
There’s a desire for more control over workflows
Tech-savvy leadership is eager to experiment
But legal teams quickly discover the hidden downsides of going custom:
Build Your Own | A Platform Like Prolegis |
High up-front development costs | Affordable pay-per-matter pricing |
6–12+ months before usable | Instant onboarding and access |
Requires internal IT/project management | Fully supported by legal tech experts |
Risk of scope creep or project abandonment | Continuously improved with legal workflows in mind |
Maintenance and security are your responsibility | Built-in compliance, updates, and support |
The True Cost of Going Custom
Custom projects often:
Exceed budgets
Stall due to internal resource constraints
Require constant maintenance
Lag behind new legal or lender requirements
Many law firms, if not most, are not in the business of software development - and shouldn’t have to be.
The Case for Buying Prolegis
At Prolegis, we’ve worked closely with legal professionals across Canada to create a system that:
Fits real-world workflows for real estate law
Offers built-in automation, lender-specific outputs, and client-ready documents
Evolves with you - we release new features based on firm feedback every month
Doesn’t require a single line of code
Plus, Prolegis offers customizable templates, views, and workflows - so you get flexibility without the frustration of building from scratch.
Not Sure What’s Right for Your Firm?
Every firm is different. But here’s a rule of thumb:
If you’re looking to increase your efficiency, safeguard your practice, and maintain a firm standard; a platform built specifically for Canadian legal teams will almost always deliver faster results, greater consistency, and lower cost than a custom build.
Let’s Talk About What Works for You
Whether you’re weighing your options or just want to explore what Prolegis can do, we’re happy to offer a free 15-minute consultation. No pressure - just practical advice.
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