Don't Buy VoiceCheap for $84.8K - Build It for $35K Instead
Considering buying VoiceCheap for $84.8K? You could build your own AI dubbing platform for under $35K and keep 100% ownership.
Don't Buy VoiceCheap for $84.8K - Build It for $35K Instead
VoiceCheap looks impressive — an AI dubbing platform that translates and publishes videos in multiple languages with smart lip-sync and voice cloning. But before you spend nearly $85,000 on this micro‑SaaS, it’s worth seeing how you can build an equivalent product for less than half that cost — fully tailored to your brand and growth goals.
AI video dubbing isn’t rocket science anymore. With APIs from OpenAI, Whisper, and other providers, it's a manageable engineering project with a clear ROI — and DontAcquire.com can help you plan, build, and launch it faster than you think.
What Is VoiceCheap?
VoiceCheap is a French SaaS startup offering AI-powered dubbing and translation for video creators, educators, and businesses. It automates transcription, translation, voice cloning, subtitling, and lip-syncing in 30+ languages. Users can import content from YouTube or TikTok, apply dubbing, and republish automatically — while maintaining the speaker’s tone and brand voice.
Key stats:
- Asking price: $84,800
- Trailing‑twelve‑month revenue: $26,000
- Profit: $17,000 (≈65% margin)
- Customers: 10–50 recurring
- Tech stack: React, Node.js, Firebase, AWS, OpenAI, Stripe
- Team: Solo founder, bootstrapped
VoiceCheap’s core appeal lies in its automation and API integrations — but these are standard components achievable with modern software stacks.
Hidden Costs of Acquisition
Buying VoiceCheap isn’t just paying $84.8K. There are additional risks, technical dependencies, and opportunity costs that inflate the total investment.
| Cost Item | Estimated Amount (USD) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $84,800 | Listed asking price |
| Due Diligence | $10,000–$15,000 | Financial, legal, and code review |
| Legal Fees | $10,000–$20,000 | Contracting and IP transfers |
| Technical Audit | $8,000–$15,000 | Verify code stability and scalability |
| Integration & Handover | $20,000–$30,000 | Post‑acquisition onboarding, rebuild infrastructure |
| Total Real Cost | $130,000+ | Before any scaling or redesign efforts |
Even optimistic acquisition scenarios exceed $130K once you account for clean‑up, rebranding, and relaunch expenses.
Building a Better Alternative
Instead of acquiring legacy code and technical debt, you can build your own dubbing platform perfectly aligned with your goals.
Core Features
- AI transcription and translation (multi-language)
- Voice cloning and lip-sync integration
- Subtitle generation and speaker detection
- YouTube/TikTok import and auto-publish
- User dashboard, subscription billing, and analytics
Recommended Tech Stack
| Layer | Recommended Tech |
|---|---|
| Frontend | React / Next.js |
| Backend | Node.js / NestJS |
| Database | Firebase / Supabase |
| AI Services | OpenAI Whisper, ElevenLabs, Deepgram APIs |
| Cloud Infrastructure | AWS / Vercel / Docker |
| Billing | Stripe |
| Analytics | PostHog / Google Analytics |
Estimated Timeline
| Phase | Duration | Deliverables |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery + Architecture | 2 weeks | Requirements, UX mockups |
| MVP Build | 8–10 weeks | Working version with core AI pipeline |
| Beta Test + Iteration | 3–4 weeks | Feedback, optimization |
| Public Launch | Week 12–14 | Scalable product ready for users |
Cost Breakdown: Build vs Buy
| Option | Upfront Cost | Ongoing | Control / Customization | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acquire VoiceCheap | ~$130K (all‑in) | High – hosting + legacy fixes | Limited (existing product) | High |
| Build with DontAcquire | $35K–$80K | Moderate – scalable architecture | Full | Controlled |
Detailed Build Estimate
| Scope | Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MVP (core dubbing + AI pipeline) | $30K–$50K | 10–12 weeks |
| Full product (multi-user & analytics) | $60K–$90K | 16–20 weeks |
| Optional mobile app | +$15K–$25K | Cross‑platform React Native |
Overall, you could own a brand‑new, cleanly architected platform for 30–40% of the acquisition price.
Industry Analysis
AI video dubbing and localization are booming. Creators, educators, and global brands seek ways to scale multilingual content production affordably.
Competitors: HeyGen, Dubverse, Rask.ai
Growth Opportunity: The market for AI dubbing is projected to exceed $5B by 2027, with rapid adoption in e-learning, media, and corporate training.
Building your own platform means you can innovate faster — for example, integrating custom voice models for brand personalities, or enterprise‑level APIs for scaling content translation pipelines.
When Acquiring Makes Sense
To be fair — acquisition could make sense if:
- The existing customer base aligns exactly with your target market
- You value immediate recurring revenue and are prepared for maintenance
- You want a faster go-to-market using existing branding
If you’re seeking proprietary technology, however, VoiceCheap doesn’t offer significant defensibility — its AI capabilities rely on third-party APIs available to everyone.
The DontAcquire Advantage
At DontAcquire, we help entrepreneurs and businesses replicate high-value SaaS products at a fraction of their M&A price — while creating scalable, ownership-driven solutions.
Our advantages:
- Build from scratch with modern infrastructure
- Avoid legacy code and legal complexity
- Transparent pricing and scope
- Product strategy baked into development
You don’t need to inherit someone’s tech issues — you can own your vision from day one.
Making Your Decision
Before you decide, ask yourself:
- Do I need the existing customers, or just the technology?
- Is the product relying on public APIs I can use myself?
- Will I have to rebuild it anyway after acquisition?
- Can I achieve my goals faster with a custom build?
Red flags to watch for:
- Single-person teams with no growth engine
- Dependency on prebuilt AI tools
- Low customer retention without marketing channels
Next Steps
If you’re serious about entering the AI dubbing space, we’ll help you design, scope, and build a platform that rivals or outperforms offerings like VoiceCheap.
Book a Free Consultation
Learn More About Custom Builds
FAQ
How long does it take to build an AI dubbing MVP?
Typically 8–12 weeks for a functional prototype, depending on complexity and integrations.
Can I integrate with YouTube and TikTok like VoiceCheap?
Yes — both platforms offer APIs that can automate import and publishing workflows.
What makes building cheaper than buying?
No due diligence, no legal transfer, and no legacy technical debt — you pay only for what you need.
Will my AI be unique or rely on public APIs?
You can choose: use cost-efficient APIs (like Whisper or ElevenLabs) or build custom ML models for differentiation.
What if I need to scale to enterprise clients later?
We design with scalability in mind — modular AI services and cloud infrastructure ensure seamless growth.
Does DontAcquire handle post-launch support?
Yes, we provide optional maintenance, feature iteration, and growth support after launch.
Ready to create your own VoiceCheap — but smarter?
Ready to build without outside pressure?
Get in touch with us and let us help you create build something great