---
title: "Comparisons"
description: "Decisions to make before a build: native or cross-platform, an agency or a freelancer, a custom site or a website builder. Side by side, with a verdict."
canonical: "https://goodtogrid.com/compare"
updated: "2026-10-02"
---

# Comparisons

> Decisions to make before a build: native or cross-platform, an agency or a freelancer, a custom site or a website builder. Side by side, with a verdict.

URL: https://goodtogrid.com/compare · Updated: 2026-10-02

Should you build native or cross-platform, a web app or a mobile app, hire an agency or a freelancer, pay for a custom website or use a builder? These four guides set each pair side by side, criterion by criterion, and end with the option goodtogrid would pick in each scenario. Most of what a project costs and how long it takes is settled by these early choices, so they are worth making before the brief.

## Comparisons

- **[Agency vs freelancer](https://goodtogrid.com/compare/agency-vs-freelancer)** — A studio or a freelancer for design and build, side by side, with when each makes sense.
- **[Custom website vs website builder](https://goodtogrid.com/compare/custom-website-vs-website-builder)** — A custom site or a website builder, side by side, and when a builder is the better call.
- **[Native vs cross-platform apps](https://goodtogrid.com/compare/native-vs-cross-platform)** — Native or cross-platform for an iOS and Android app, side by side, with a verdict.
- **[Web app vs mobile app](https://goodtogrid.com/compare/web-app-vs-mobile-app)** — A web app or an iOS and Android app, side by side, and which to build first.