AI Build vs Buy vs LLM vs ML vs Rules: Choosing Your AI Approach
Compare the Build vs Buy Analyzer with the LLM vs ML vs Rules tool. Two sequential decisions: what approach, then make or buy.
Quick Verdict
Use LLM vs ML vs Rules first to decide the right technical approach. Then use Build vs Buy to decide if you should implement in-house, fine-tune, or buy a vendor solution. They are sequential, not competing.
Use Build vs Buy after you have decided on an AI approach, to evaluate whether to build internally, fine-tune an existing model, or buy a vendor solution.
Use LLM vs ML vs Rules first to determine whether your use case actually needs AI — sometimes rules-based logic is faster, cheaper, and more reliable.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | 🔀AI Build vs Buy Analyzer | 🤖LLM vs ML vs Rules Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Category | AI for PMs | AI for PMs |
| Complexity | Standard | Quick |
| Best For | Senior PM, Head of Product, VP Product, CPO | IC PM, Senior PM, Head of Product |
| Use Cases | Build AI, Plan Strategy | Build AI |
| What You Enter | Questions about team capability, data assets, differentiation, budget, timeline | 8 multiple-choice questions about your use case and constraints |
| What You Get | Recommendation (build, fine-tune, or buy) with reasoning, risk factors, next steps | Recommended approach (LLM, ML, or rules) with reasoning, trade-off analysis |
| Leadership Use Case | Make strategic build/fine-tune/buy decisions that match your team capabilities. | Choose the right AI approach for each feature and avoid over-engineering. |
Comparison
AI Build vs Buy Analyzer
StandardLLM vs ML vs Rules Tool
QuickDetailed Breakdown
AI Build vs Buy Analyzer
StandardThe build vs. buy decision for AI is more nuanced than traditional software — with fine-tuning as a powerful middle ground. This analyzer evaluates your specific context across team capability, data assets, differentiation needs, budget, and time constraints to recommend building in-house, fine-tuning an existing model, or buying a vendor solution. Product leaders use this to make strategic AI investment decisions that match their organizational capabilities.
Senior PM, Head of Product, VP Product, CPO
Make strategic build/fine-tune/buy decisions that match your team capabilities.
LLM vs ML vs Rules Tool
QuickNot every problem needs an LLM — and using one when rules suffice wastes money and adds latency. This decision tool asks 8 questions about your use case to recommend whether you should use an LLM, traditional ML model, or rules-based logic. Product leaders use this to make informed build decisions, avoid over-engineering with AI hype, and choose the approach that balances cost, accuracy, and maintainability for each specific feature.
IC PM, Senior PM, Head of Product
Choose the right AI approach for each feature and avoid over-engineering.
Related Comparisons
Explore More Tools
Browse all 37 free PM tools or see more comparisons.