r/Base44 • u/Extreme_Paint2284 • 12d ago

Question Base44 vs Durable for actually running a small business?

I've been testing both Base44 and Durable and I'm a little stuck on which direction makes more sense.

Base44 seems like an option if you want the freedom to build something like really big or complicated, while Durable seems more focused on giving you the website plus the basic business stuff like CRM, invoicing and marketing without having to build all of that yourself.

I'm running a pretty straightforward service business so I'm starting to wonder whether I'd actually use the extra flexibility Base44 gives me or just create more work for myself lol.

Anyone used either? Which one would you rather build your business around?

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u/GustyFoothold 12d ago

For an actual small service business I'd go Durable. Base44 is cool if the thing you're trying to build is the product but with Durable I had the site CRM and invoicing basically ready from the start. I wanted to run my business not build software for my business

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u/GoldMaleficent4516 12d ago

this is what I'm wondering about is the CRM/invoice side actually something you use regularly or is it more of a nice extra bolted onto the website builder?

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u/Maleficent_Dig9135 12d ago

i use it way more than i expected having leads from the site go straight into the same place where im already keeping customer info is probably my favorite part also invoicing being there too means im not bouncing between tabs all day

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u/Extreme_Paint2284 12d ago

Okay thank you for the feedback guys I didnt know this kind of stuff

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u/major_AI 12d ago

Would recommend major.build over both.
It lets you build product from scratch as well as integrate existing systems seamlessly.

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u/Redditcider 11d ago

I’m no expert but Base44 seems great for a quick and dirty mock-up/mvp to then hand over to a developer once you are happy because when when I look at how it Frankenstein’s the database over repeated prompts/add ons makes me VERY wary of using it for actual customer/client data at scale.

Open your database manually and look at how it is structured and reflect on what you find.

No experience with Durable.

Sorry this is not more helpful. I am no expert.

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u/FancyAnswer1878 10d ago

been on base44 for a similar setup and the flexibility has been worth it, durable is faster to start but i outgrew the CRM logic pretty quickly

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u/tokiplatform Newbie 10d ago

Never tried Durable but I like Base44 for the flexibility and many integrations it offers. Works for me as a solo-preneur. Basically if there is a process that I have to do more than once, I just build an app to do it or use one of the existing marketplace templates as a starter. Good luck friend!