Build Your Own MCP Server vs Using Corcava MCP: Cost, Risk, and Time
Deciding whether to build your own MCP server or use Corcava MCP? This practical comparison provides a realistic scope for building, honest cost and risk assessment, and a decision framework to help you choose the right approach.
Understanding the Options
Build Your Own
Develop and maintain your own MCP server from scratch. Full control but significant development and operational overhead.
- Full customization
- Complete control
- High development cost
- Ongoing maintenance
- You handle everything
Use Corcava MCP
Use a managed MCP server service. Fast setup, ongoing maintenance handled, but less customization.
- Quick setup
- Managed service
- Low development cost
- Provider maintains
- Focus on usage
Realistic Build Scope
If you choose to build your own MCP server, here's what you'll actually need to build:
Core Components
1. Authentication & Authorization
- API key generation and management
- Key rotation policies
- User authentication
- Permission system
- Rate limiting
- Time Estimate: 2-4 weeks
2. MCP Protocol Implementation
- MCP protocol compliance
- Tool registration and discovery
- Request/response handling
- Error handling
- Protocol versioning
- Time Estimate: 3-6 weeks
3. Tool Implementation
- Task CRUD operations
- Project and board management
- Time tracking
- Search and filtering
- Data validation
- Time Estimate: 4-8 weeks
4. Data Layer
- Database schema design
- Data models
- Migrations
- Query optimization
- Backup and recovery
- Time Estimate: 2-4 weeks
5. Hosting & Infrastructure
- Server deployment
- Load balancing
- Scaling strategy
- Monitoring and alerting
- Logging infrastructure
- Time Estimate: 2-3 weeks
6. Security & Compliance
- Security audits
- Vulnerability scanning
- Compliance (GDPR, SOC 2)
- Encryption
- Access controls
- Time Estimate: 3-6 weeks
7. Documentation & Testing
- API documentation
- Integration guides
- Unit and integration tests
- Error handling documentation
- User guides
- Time Estimate: 2-4 weeks
⚠️ Total Build Time
Realistic Estimate: 18-35 weeks (4.5-9 months)
This assumes a dedicated team and doesn't include ongoing maintenance, bug fixes, or feature additions.
Ongoing Maintenance
⚠️ Don't Forget Ongoing Costs
- Bug Fixes: 10-20% of development time
- Security Updates: Ongoing security patches
- Protocol Updates: MCP protocol evolves, must keep up
- Infrastructure: Server costs, monitoring, scaling
- Support: User support and troubleshooting
- Feature Requests: Adding new capabilities
When Buying is Smarter
✅ Choose Corcava MCP If:
- You want to focus on using MCP, not building it
- You need it working quickly (days vs months)
- You don't have a dedicated team for MCP development
- You want managed security and compliance
- You prefer predictable costs (subscription vs variable)
- You want automatic updates and improvements
- You need reliable uptime and support
When Building Makes Sense
✅ Build Your Own If:
- You have very specific requirements not met by existing solutions
- You have a dedicated team available for 6+ months
- You need complete control over data and infrastructure
- You're building MCP as a core product feature
- You have compliance requirements that prevent third-party services
- You're in an air-gapped environment
- You have significant engineering resources
Decision Tree
Question 1: Do you need it working in the next 3 months?
→ Yes: Use Corcava MCP
→ No: Continue to Question 2
Question 2: Do you have a dedicated team for 6+ months?
→ No: Use Corcava MCP
→ Yes: Continue to Question 3
Question 3: Do you have specific requirements not met by Corcava MCP?
→ No: Use Corcava MCP
→ Yes: Continue to Question 4
Question 4: Can you accept the ongoing maintenance burden?
→ No: Use Corcava MCP
→ Yes: Consider building
Cost Comparison
| Cost Factor | Build Your Own | Corcava MCP |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Development | $50k-$200k+ | $0 (subscription) |
| Ongoing Maintenance | 20-40% of dev cost/year | Included |
| Infrastructure | $500-$5000+/month | Included |
| Security & Compliance | $10k-$50k+/year | Included |
| Support | Internal team time | Included |
Getting Started with Corcava MCP
Quick Setup Steps
- Create a Corcava API key
- Add Corcava MCP to your IDE
- Start using immediately
- Focus on your work, not infrastructure
Related Resources
Corcava MCP Quickstart
Get started in minutes
Deployment Options
Remote vs local MCP
Enterprise MCP
Governance and compliance
Multi-Server Setup
Using multiple MCP servers
Make the Smart Choice
Use this comparison to decide: build your own MCP server or use Corcava MCP based on your resources and requirements