# Will AI-Built Custom Software Replace SaaS?

> Abdul Osama (عبدول أسامة) argues that AI makes software easier to build, but that does not make every similar-looking app a promising SaaS business. His advice is to build customizable software for a need you know in your own industry, then consider offering it to others in that niche.

- By Abdul Osama (عبدول أسامة) — AI, marketing and business, in Arabic
- 5 October 2026
- URL: https://abdulosama.com/en/feed/ai-custom-software-vs-saas
- Video: https://abdulosama.com/feed/video/132
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbWWbdIMnbg/

## Key takeaways

- Building with AI alone does not make an app distinctive or commercially successful.
- Abdul says many vibe-coded solutions sent to him look alike.
- Start with a problem you know in your own industry.
- Use and improve your tool before considering an offer to others in your niche.

## The short answer

Abdul Osama (عبدول أسامة) argues that being able to build an app with AI is not enough to make it a successful SaaS business. SaaS means “software as a service,” a model in which people use software through an ongoing service or subscription. Rather than starting with a product you assume everyone will want, he recommends building customizable software for a need you know in your own industry.

## Why does he warn against similar apps?

He says his direct messages contain many similar vibe-coded solutions. Vibe coding means using AI to help build software by describing what you want and refining the output. Their builders may see each app as a major SaaS opportunity, but Abdul questions whether building it is enough to set it apart.

> “You’re not the only one who knows how to use Claude or Codex to build customizable software.” — Abdul Osama

Claude is an AI assistant that can help with coding, among other tasks. Codex is an AI coding tool. Abdul’s point is that when more people can use such tools, the ability to *make* an app is less distinctive than understanding the problem it solves and the people it serves.

| Starting point | General SaaS product | Abdul’s suggested approach |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | A broad market the builder hopes to reach | A need the builder knows in their own industry |
| What comes next | Try to sell the product to others | Use and improve it, then consider offering it within the niche |

## Background

Custom software is designed around the needs of a particular user or team. That does not mean SaaS is over: Abdul’s view that AI-built software is putting pressure on the market is an opinion expressed in the video, not a conclusion backed there by market figures.

## What to do next

Pick a recurring task in your industry and build a tool you would use yourself. Once it works for you, consider whether others in your niche have the same need.

## Questions and answers

### Does Abdul say SaaS is over?

He argues that AI-built custom software puts SaaS under pressure, but the video does not provide market data showing that SaaS has ended.

### What concerns him about vibe-coded apps?

He says many solutions sent to him look alike, even though their builders expect them to become major SaaS businesses.

### What should I build before trying to sell software?

Abdul suggests building a customizable tool for a need in your own industry, using and improving it, and only then considering others in the same niche.

## Sources and tools mentioned

- [Claude](https://claude.ai)

## Full transcript

أنا عارف إن أنا هندم على الفيديو دوت وناس كتير هتتدايق منه لأني هتكلم وحش على الآي آي والناس اللي بتبيلد بالآي آي والـ Vibe Coders رغم إني واحد منهم بس الحق يقال أنا الـ DMs بتاعتي مليانة Vibe Coded Solutions كلها شبه بعضيها وكل واحد حاسس إن الـ software بتاعه is the next big SaaS startup اللي هيكسر الدنيا ويبقى بملايين والحقيقة المرة للأسف إنه الـ SaaS industry أصلاً دلوقتي بتترج وبتتهد شركات زي Shutter Stock أو شركات زي Salesforce أو Vtrx أو Zoho أو Odo حاسين بالخطر ده وعارفين حلو قوي إن الحاجة اللي كانوا بيبيعوها البساط هيتسحب من تحت رجليهم وكل الفلوس والـ valuations اللي رايحة لـ OpenAI وكلود دي فلوس بتتنقل من الـ SaaS industry للـ AI industry مش إنت لوحدك اللي عارف تستخدم كلود أو كودكس أو غيره وتبني customizable software إحنا بنتنقل للـ customizable software era فإنت بدل ما تقعد تحلوف دماغك وتعمل حاجة بالنسبالك إنت أحلى software في الدنيا وتتخيل إن هو بالتالي هو أحلى software للناس كلها ابني فعلاً لنفسك الـ customizable software دوه في الـ industry بتاعتك وgrow ولو عايز يا عم تبنيه as a service لباقي الناس اللي في النيش بتاعك جوه هيد بس لا تحاول تروح تفندر ايز ليه ولا تقل معاك قوي لأن إحنا بنتنقل من era الـ SaaS لـ era الـ customizable software اللي بيتبني بالـ AI وكل واحد عنده هوية الـ building اللي موجودة عند 3-4 الفاوندرز هيبعايز يبني لنفسه حتى لو أنت عامل حاجة حطت فيها جود ووقته وعملها حلو قوي بس مش بدماغه بدماغك إنت فهي حلوة ليك والبقية الناس اللي حوالينك اللي مش بتعرف تبيلد أنا عبدالأوسامة تابعوني عشان تعرفوا كل جديد في الزكاء الصناعي والتسويت

---
Transcribed and written up with AI from the video; reviewed on request.