The AI coding landscape is rapidly evolving, with companies increasingly opting to purchase ready-made AI tools rather than developing their own solutions. According to recent insights from Business Insider, this shift is particularly evident in the software development sector, where tools like Netlify’s Bolt are gaining traction. The ‘buy versus build’ decision is becoming more straightforward as third-party AI solutions offer sophisticated capabilities without the substantial investment required for in-house development.
Netlify’s experience highlights this trend perfectly - after initially attempting to build their own AI coding assistant, they pivoted to licensing technology from Anthropic. This strategic decision allowed them to launch their Bolt product in just three months, dramatically faster than their original timeline. The company’s CEO, Matt Biilmann, noted that the quality of available AI models has improved so significantly that building proprietary solutions often doesn’t make financial or practical sense for most businesses.
This shift represents a broader trend in the tech industry where AI capabilities are increasingly becoming commoditized services rather than proprietary advantages. For businesses looking to implement AI coding solutions, the focus is now on how these tools can be integrated and customized to meet specific needs rather than on developing the underlying technology. As AI models continue to advance and become more accessible, we can expect this ‘buy over build’ approach to become the standard across various industries seeking to leverage artificial intelligence.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-coding-tools-buy-versus-build-software-saas-netlify-bolt-2025-6