Custom MCP Servers vs Managed Solutions: When to Build vs Buy
76% of enterprises are buying AI solutions. Here's how to decide if you should too.
Founder & CEO, Noodle Seed
According to Menlo Ventures' 2025 State of Generative AI report, 76% of enterprise AI use cases are now purchased rather than built internally—up from 53% in 2024. This represents a significant shift in how businesses approach AI integration.
TL;DR
- •76% of enterprise AI use cases are purchased (not built) in 2025, up from 53% in 2024
- •Build custom when you need unique business logic or full control
- •Use managed when speed matters and your use case is standard
- •47% of AI deals reach production vs 25% for traditional SaaS
Key Statistics from Menlo Ventures 2025
Menlo Ventures surveyed ~500 U.S. enterprise decision-makers in November 2025. Here are the key findings relevant to the build vs buy decision:
Enterprise AI adoption:
- •76% of AI use cases are purchased (not built internally) in 2025
- •53% were purchased in 2024 (showing shift toward buying)
- •$37 billion spent on enterprise AI in 2025 (up from $11.5B in 2024)
- •47% of AI deals reach production vs 25% for traditional SaaS
Source: Menlo Ventures 2025 State of Generative AI in the Enterprise
What Is a Custom MCP Server?
A custom MCP server is an implementation of the Model Context Protocol that you build and maintain yourself. It connects your specific business systems to AI assistants like ChatGPT and Claude.
MCP is an open standard, so anyone can build an MCP server using the official SDKs (Python, TypeScript, Java, Kotlin, C#, Swift, Go).
Building custom requires:
- •Developers familiar with MCP protocol and chosen SDK
- •Infrastructure for hosting the MCP server
- •Ongoing maintenance as MCP specification evolves
- •Security hardening and monitoring
What Is a Managed MCP Solution?
A managed solution handles MCP server creation, hosting, and maintenance for you. Instead of building from scratch, you configure the integration through a platform interface.
Examples of managed solutions:
- •AWS MCP Server: Managed remote MCP server for Amazon Bedrock (source)
- •Noodle Seed: Creates and manages MCP servers for businesses
- •ChatGPT Connectors: Pre-built connectors for common services
When to Build Custom
Consider building a custom MCP server when:
- •Unique Business Logic: Your integration requires complex, proprietary business rules
- •Specialized Data Sources: You need to connect internal systems with custom APIs
- •Full Control Required: Security or compliance mandates you control the entire stack
- •Development Capacity: You have an engineering team with capacity to build and maintain
This applies to the 24% of enterprises building rather than buying in 2025.
When to Use Managed Solutions
Consider a managed solution when:
- •Faster Time-to-Market: You want to launch quickly without building infrastructure
- •Standard Use Cases: Your needs align with common patterns (e-commerce, CRM, knowledge base)
- •Limited Engineering: Your team should focus on core product, not AI infrastructure
- •Reduced Maintenance: You want the platform to handle protocol updates
Why the shift? The 47% production success rate for AI (vs 25% for traditional SaaS) suggests that bought solutions actually ship faster. This may explain why enterprises are increasingly buying.
Build vs Buy: Decision Framework
| Factor | Build Custom | Use Managed |
|---|---|---|
| Time to Launch | Weeks to months | Days to weeks |
| Engineering | Dedicated team | Configuration only |
| Customization | Unlimited | Within platform limits |
| Maintenance | Your responsibility | Platform handles |
| Enterprise share | 24% of use cases | 76% of use cases |
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is it to build a custom MCP server?
MCP provides official SDKs in Python, TypeScript, Java, Kotlin, C#, Swift, and Go. A simple MCP server can be built in hours, but production-ready servers with proper error handling, security, and monitoring take longer.
Can I switch from custom to managed (or vice versa)?
Yes. MCP is a standard protocol, so the AI clients don't care whether your server is custom-built or managed. You can migrate between approaches as your needs evolve.
What's the production success rate for AI solutions?
According to Menlo Ventures, 47% of AI deals reach production, compared to 25% for traditional SaaS. This suggests AI solutions (whether built or bought) have higher deployment success rates.
Does Noodle Seed build custom MCP servers?
Yes. In addition to our managed platform, Noodle Seed offers custom MCP server development for businesses with unique requirements. Contact us to discuss your needs.
Founder & CEO, Noodle Seed
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