Build vs buy: Estimate your image editor costs easily

This post introduces a practical calculator designed to help you estimate what it really takes to build the front end of a custom image editor compared to subscribing to Polotno SDK. It walks through different scenarios – from basic proof-of-concept setups to more advanced, scalable editors – and explains how to adjust hourly rates, team roles, and maintenance projections to fit your specific situation. While it doesn’t cover backend infrastructure or video editing capabilities, this tool gives you a clear, high-level view of time, cost, and effort, so you can make an informed build vs buy decision without getting lost in endless requirements.