Hosted vs Self-Hosted Sweepstakes Software: What Should You Buy?
Running a sweepstakes business comes with several challenges, and one of them is choosing between a hosted and self-hosted software. If you contrast the choices, both of them have their dedicated advantages. However, if you have to choose one, you need to analyze their cons too.
If your preferences are ease of use, speed, and low upfront costs, you can choose the hosted sweepstakes software. On the other hand, if you need freedom of customization and complete ownership, and you have ample resources to invest in, go for the self-hosted version. Read ahead for a head-to-head comparison of hosted vs self-hosted sweepstakes software.
Table of Contents
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What is Hosted Sweepstakes Software?
A hosted sweepstakes software, or SaaS, is a cloud-hosted software offered by a third-party provider. Just like a turnkey hosted sweepstakes solution, a hosted sweepstakes software has all that you need to launch, run, and manage sweepstakes campaigns without handling the technical complexities.
A sweepstakes software allows users to play games and place wagers in virtual currency via a web browser. You don’t have to worry about the infrastructure, updates, security, and performance optimization as they are managed by the software provider.
What are the Benefits of a Hosted Sweepstakes Software Solution?
From simplicity to fast deployment, hosted sweepstakes software comes with several key benefits.
1. Ease of Use: The primary benefit of hosted sweepstakes software is ease of use. As the software is pre-configured, the vendors can easily and quickly deploy the software and launch the games, bets, and campaigns for the users to participate in. There is no need for any in-house developers, and you may also get customizable templates and real-time analytics dashboards in the software itself.
2. Faster Scalability: As the hosted software is backed by cloud infrastructure, scaling becomes super easy. There is no need to add additional hardware, but you can request server space and processing power that easily adapts to growing user traffic. This not only saves time and effort, but it is also cost-effective and reduces downtime.
3. Low Cost: The upfront cost of hosted sweepstakes software is lower, but you have to pay periodic subscription fees to use the resources. Besides, if you opt for more features, the subscription cost can rise, which can directly affect the long-term cost.
Note: The long-term cost of hosted sweepstakes software could be higher than self-hosted software based on the usage and the chosen subscription model.
4. Maintenance and Security
If you are choosing the sweepstakes software with hosting, you get remarkable pre-included security features, such as
- GDPR compliance
- Fraud detection
- SSL encryption
- Secure data storage
And more. Besides, the updates and maintenance of the hosted sweepstakes software are also handled by the software providers automatically. You don’t have to do this manually.
Are there any Drawbacks of a SaaS Sweepstakes Software Solution?
In contrast to these benefits, the hosted software also has some drawbacks.
- Limited Customization: There are limited customizations in the hosted sweepstakes software, and the operators have to wait for the provider to release the updates and new features.
- High Long-term Cost: The hosted software model works on a usage-based or subscription-based pricing model. This makes the overall cost higher than the self-hosted sweepstakes software in the long term.
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What is a Self-Hosted Sweepstakes Software?
Unlike the SaaS software, the self-hosted sweepstakes software is hosted on the private servers of the company. The operator may purchase the software from a SaaS company provider, but the installation and running happen on private servers. This allows for more customization opportunities and a higher upfront cost.
The software operators also have more control over the self-hosted software’s data and infrastructure. Moreover, the responsibility to manage aspects such as security, updates, maintenance, etc., also falls into the hands of the operator.
What are the Benefits of a Self-Hosted Sweepstakes Software Solution?
The self-hosted software comes with a number of benefits compared to hosted turnkey sweepstakes casino software development.
1. Customization and Flexibility: The key benefit of self-hosted software is the freedom of customization. As the self-hosted is purchased, you get access to its source code, providing you the flexibility to make changes and customize every little detail of the software. Whether it is design, functionality, user experience, or data flow, everything can be customized. This makes the software ideal for operators with complex needs and those who have to abide by strict data privacy regulations.
2. Seamless Integration: The freedom of customization enables the operators to integrate internal tools and applications seamlessly. For example, you can seamlessly integrate your CMS, CRM, payment gateways, social media, and email marketing tools with the software, allowing for added functionality within the same app.
3. Better Security and Privacy: As the software is hosted on private servers, you have full control over the data and therefore, you can implement the best measures to ensure data security. The self-hosted model also promotes data privacy and facilitates self-regulated compliance. The software is ideal for casino operators who deal with sensitive user data and need to comply with specific regulatory standards.
4. Deployment Flexibility: With a self-hosted software, you get the liberty to make changes in deployments, such as performing specific upgrades like adding games, enabling different features, and even making changes to the infrastructure capacity.
Are there any Drawbacks of a Self-Hosted Sweepstakes Software Solution?
While the self-hosted software excels in several ways, there are some cons that make it less favorable.
- High Upfront Costs: One of the primary drawbacks of self-hosted sweepstakes software is its upfront cost. You need to invest in servers, software installation, configuration, etc., which attract a higher upfront cost.
- Tough to Scale: Another primary drawback of self-hosted software is scalability. When the number of players increases on your platform, you may have to add additional servers and may also have to tweak the source code. This will require special technical expertise, time, and money, making scalability challenging.
Besides, technical expertise is also necessary for carrying out backups, security patches, and performance optimization. This also attracts cost.
Here is a head-to-head tabular comparison of
Hosted vs Self-Hosted Sweepstakes Software| Software Type | Pros | Cons |
| Hosted Sweepstakes Software |
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| Self-Hosted Sweepstakes Software |
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Also check out the difference between a Full Admin and Self-Service Sweepstakes Software.
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Should You Self-Host Open-Source Services or Pay For Hosted Services?
You should go for a hosted sweepstakes software if you plan to launch the software faster, want to invest less, and receive automatic security updates and maintenance. It’s best for businesses that do not have an in-house IT infrastructure.
On the other hand, if you need freedom of customization, full control over data, and are ready to invest a high amount upfront, you can go for the self-hosted version of the software.
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Conclusion
If you plan to start a sweepstakes business, choosing the ideal software is a crucial aspect. Among the two choices, it is best to go for a hosted version if you are just starting and want to enter the market faster at a low cost. On the other hand, if you have enough to invest and want a bespoke sweepstakes sportsbooks software, you can go for a self-hosted platform.
No matter which one you choose, you will require professional expertise for customization, optimization, feature integration, etc. TRUEiGTECH can be your ideal companion when starting a sweepstakes business. We are a team of experts and strategists who understand the iGaming market and can provide you with the required assistance regarding software choice. We can also help you customize and optimize the software for maximum profit.
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Written by: Prish K
Prish K, Head of Marketing at TRUEiGTECH, holds an experience of more than 10 years in the iGaming domain. Starting from strategic planning and digital marketing to team leadership and cross-functional collaboration, he is a master of his domains. For more than a decade, he has shown a promising commitment to fostering result-driven and creative work outputs. Beyond guiding newcomers and established iGaming operators with the right software solutions for their business needs, Prish also wants to share his industry expertise and knowledge through insightful blogs and articles
