Website vs Web App vs Custom Software — Which Does Your Business Need?
These three terms get used almost interchangeably, but they solve different problems and cost very different amounts. Picking the wrong one means either overpaying for something you didn't need, or under-building something that can't do what your business actually requires.
What Is a Website?
A website presents information and gets visitors to take one action: call, enquire, or buy. Think brochure sites, e-commerce stores, and booking pages. It's the right fit if your goal is to be found on Google, explain what you do, and convert visitors into leads or customers. See our Web Design & Development page for what a typical build includes.
What Is a Web App, SaaS, or PWA?
A web app is software your customers or team log into and use — not just read. Think customer portals, booking dashboards, or a SaaS product you sell as a subscription. A Progressive Web App (PWA) is a web app that can also be installed like a native app and work offline. If people need to log in, store data, or complete multi-step tasks, you're in web app territory — see Application Development.
What Is Custom Software?
Custom software is bespoke — a specific tool, integration, or automation built to fit an existing workflow rather than a product with its own front-facing brand. Think an internal tool that connects your CRM to your invoicing system, or automation that replaces a manual, repetitive task. If nothing off-the-shelf quite fits and you're not trying to build a customer-facing product, this is Custom Development.
Comparison at a Glance
- Website — for being found and generating enquiries or sales. Mostly one-way: you publish, visitors read.
- Web app / SaaS / PWA — for customers or staff who need to log in and do something. Two-way: people interact, store data, complete tasks.
- Custom software — for a specific internal problem that a generic product doesn't solve. Usually not customer-facing at all.
Which One Do You Need?
A simple way to decide: if you mainly need people to find you and get in touch, start with a website. If people need accounts, logins, or to manage something over time, you need a web app. If the problem is an internal process that a generic tool doesn't handle, you need custom development. Plenty of businesses end up needing two of the three, and there's no rule against starting with a website now and adding an app later once you know exactly what it needs to do.
Curious what any of these actually costs? Our guide on website pricing in Australia breaks down typical ranges.