You do realize that making software by developer for his wife means for random business is hiring a third party dev to build custom software?
So still, for ransom business much cheaper and better to buy software from SaaS vendor.
In this case it was better ONLY because the client is the wife of the developer.
And even now, if he sells this to other businesses - it will be MUCH cheaper to buy his subscription than homebrew the same version of it - as if it starts selling it he will be adding features and support which requires time (which is money).
So still, for ransom business much cheaper and better to buy software from SaaS vendor.
In this case it was better ONLY because the client is the wife of the developer.
And even now, if he sells this to other businesses - it will be MUCH cheaper to buy his subscription than homebrew the same version of it - as if it starts selling it he will be adding features and support which requires time (which is money).