I’ve Created A Platform With Claude That Cost Me $10k With Freelance Developers.
The fact of AI affecting development agencies.
I recently spent nearly $12,000 working with a no-code development agency to build a platform. The results were great—they delivered exactly what I envisioned, and I couldn't have been happier with their work. So, no complaints there.
However, as someone who studied software engineering (despite disliking coding), I've been exploring AI tools like GPT, Gemini, and Anthropic's Claude to see if they could help me build a platform for a fraction of the cost. After some trial and error, I focused on Claude's version of Sonnet 3.5, and within a month, I created a product on par with what the development agency delivered.
This platform had everything: user authentication, database integration (AWS or Firebase), storage, and core functionality with restricted access levels. Claude not only built all this but did so efficiently, even for someone like me who doesn't enjoy coding.
Working with Claude: A Seamless Experience
I'd open my code editor, launch Claude, and run my server. I'd communicate what I liked or didn't like directly to Claude, often sending screenshots or uploading my project files for context. If I got frustrated searching for specific code lines, I'd simply ask Claude to send me the entire file, and it worked seamlessly.
Claude's memory and knowledge archive were game-changers. It remembered my latest versions and kept everything organized. The only downside? The usage limits. On the $20/month plan, I'd hit the cap after 45 minutes of continuous coding and have to wait a few hours to resume. Surprisingly, this wasn't entirely negative—it forced me to take breaks, which was a refreshing change from hours of non-stop coding.
The Potential of AI in Software Development
Had I unlimited access to Sonnet 3.5, I could've completed the $10k+ platform in just a week. This highlights the disruptive potential of AI tools in the development world.
Looking forward, I'm not sure I'd immediately hire developers for a new project—primarily due to time and cost. My $12,000 project took six to seven months with developers but only weeks with Claude. This shift is both fascinating and unsettling.
Developers might adapt by using AI tools like Claude and GPT to enhance their workflows. Still, this raises questions about the developer's role. Traditionally, a developer writes code tailored to a manager's or client's needs. But what happens when AI interprets and executes instructions better than a human developer?
The Inevitable Future: AI's Impact on Traditional Development
This isn't just speculation—it's a glimpse into an inevitable future. If a manager can communicate their vision directly to AI, the need for human developers in certain roles might diminish. While Bill Gates once said sectors like energy and AI engineering are safe from disruption, it's clear that traditional development faces a major paradigm shift.