“Build your own stack or pay for a ready-made SaaS?”

A year ago, I switched from TSLab (60k/year) to my own stack (Python + Backtrader + Docker).

I thought I’d save money. Turns out — it’s not that simple.

Over the past year, I calculated the real total cost of ownership (TCO) for both approaches. I factored in not just money, but time, risks, and hidden expenses.

Here’s what I learned.

The Illusion of Free Open-Source

Myth: Open-source is free. Python, Backtrader, Docker — all free.

Reality: The software is free. Time, infrastructure, support — are not.

My Story

2024: TSLab: 60k/year + MOEX AlgoPack: 55k/year + VPS: 12k/year = 127k/year total.

I thought: “Why pay? I’ll build on open-source. Save 115k/year.”

2025 (reality): Built a stack: Python + Backtrader + TimescaleDB + Docker. Infrastructure: 54k/year. Time: 40 hours setup + 120 hours maintenance.

First year total: 534k (counting my time at developer rate).

TSLab + AlgoPack: 127k/year. I lost 407,000 in the first year.

TCO: Total Cost of Ownership

TCO isn’t just the license fee. It’s CapEx, OpEx, and hidden costs.

TCO for SaaS (TSLab): First year 147k, subsequent years 127k.

TCO for open-source (Python stack): First year 644k, second year 474k.

Open-source is 4.4x more expensive in the first year.

When SaaS Is Cheaper

  1. You’re not a programmer — learning Python, Docker, SQL costs 200+ hours
  2. Simple strategies — SaaS handles them out of the box
  3. Testing an idea — 5 hours in TSLab vs 40 hours in open-source
  4. Capital <5M rubles — platform cost exceeds capital

When Open-Source Is Cheaper

  1. You’re a programmer — setup and maintenance times halve
  2. Complex strategies (ML, arbitrage) — SaaS can’t handle them
  3. Capital >10M rubles — flexibility yields additional returns
  4. Scale (5+ users) — SaaS licenses multiply, open-source doesn’t
  5. HFT — open-source with direct WebSocket/FIX API: 1-5ms vs TSLab’s 10-30ms

Platform Comparison

SaaS for the Russian Market

Platform Cost (rub/year) Pros Cons
TSLab 60,000 Visual builder, backtester, support Vendor lock-in, no ML
MetaTrader 5 0 Free, simple Limited functionality
TradingView 15-60k Charts, Pine Script No full backtesting

Open-Source Frameworks

Framework Language Pros Cons
Backtrader Python Simple, flexible Slow, unsupported
LEAN C#/Python Professional, active development Complex setup
StockSharp C# 90+ exchanges, GUI Designer Steep learning curve

Checklist: SaaS or Open-Source?

  1. Are you a programmer? Yes -> Open-source. No -> SaaS.
  2. Simple strategy? Yes -> SaaS. No (ML, arbitrage) -> Open-source.
  3. Capital? <5M -> SaaS. >10M -> Open-source.
  4. Time is money? Yes -> SaaS. No (hobby) -> Open-source.
  5. Vendor lock-in critical? Yes -> Open-source. No -> SaaS.
  6. HFT? Yes -> Open-source. No -> SaaS.

My Opinion

SaaS (TSLab) — if you’re not a programmer, strategy is simple, capital <5M, time costs more than money.

Open-source — if you’re a programmer, strategy is complex, capital >10M, you need full independence.

Hybrid approach — best of both worlds.

My personal recommendation: If you’re a beginner, start with SaaS. Verify that algotrading is for you. After 6-12 months, when you hit platform boundaries, switch to open-source.

Calculate TCO honestly. Factor in time. If time is money, SaaS is almost always more cost-effective.

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