As we see AI-assisted coding tools and models get better and better, a key question keeps coming up: What tools are organizations paying hefty sums for that a single capable developer could recreate using current AI tools? I predict this year companies will figure out that one skilled coder could now solo develop and sustain a range of apps, potentially saving firms tens of thousands—or even millions—in yearly licensing fees by ditching external vendors for tailored, in-house alternatives that emphasize customization and efficiency.
I still believe that Vibe Coding or Context Coding will create a lot of AI slop, but while consumer tools may not be ready yet, internal tools that help run a company certainly can be. Why not use GitHub Copilot to create a new expense tracking system, or time card tool? AI tools today can effectively supplant many off-the-shelf SaaS options, unlocking substantial cost reductions without the bloat of vendor dependencies.
On a personal note, I'm embarking on this journey myself: Swapping out my subscriptions for AI-built tools just for me and my family, aiming to trim expenses. Stay tuned—I'll share the ups, downs, and hopefully some wins as I experiment.
Below, I outline seven SaaS areas I believe are prime for in-house reinvention. These carry significant ongoing costs but straightforward setups that AI can mimic, provided the developer refines outputs to avoid too much slop but get all the required value.
Document and Spend Automation: Tools for scanning bills, approvals, and payouts.
Task Coordination Platforms: For organizing work, boards, and updates.
Contact Management Basics: Aggregating leads, segments, and outreach.
Hours and Workflow Tracking: Logging time, reviews, and rules.
Simple Data Insights Tools: Querying and dashboards sans code, $30–$100 per user monthly.
Customer Interaction Bots: Systems for handling queries via chat, tickets, and info hubs.
Messaging and Content Automation: For campaigns, tests, and metrics.
To be clear, I am not currently advocating for mission-critical tools to be rewritten and managed by a single person, as that could be too risky. However, if there is an internal tool that can have some accepted downtime, why not try a rewrite to save some money?
My 2026 Prediction: Changes, Adjustments, and Opportunities
This year could redefine how firms approach software, with solo developers using AI to build efficient internal suites, saving fortunes while acknowledging limits for large-scale operations. I believe many organizations will switch this year to a build-in-house vs. buy option. Sadly, this may mean a number of high-profile companies will need to pivot quickly, and some may go the way of Blackberry or Nokia; simply be a page in the history books. I will not be as bold as to predict which major players this could affect, but if you want to chat privately, I am happy to share my thoughts. For now, let's keep building.
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