Factors Impacting Bespoke Software Development Costs
Just like everything else in life, all custom software projects are not equal either. They differ based on not only individual software development companies but also the following high-level characteristics:
If your software projects are scientifically complex, it would add a lot to your software cost. Complexity could be a real-time collaboration between users of the app, video functionality with no lag, process flows with a lot of dependencies etc.
Platform
Choice
Complex Business
Logic
Technology
Stack
Size of
User Base
Custom user interfaces are rather complex to implement for the development team, so the cost of a custom interface will be higher than the cost of an interface built from standard components or with no design at all.
Advanced
Personalization
High-Fidelity
Prototypes
Avant-Garde
Layouts
Micro-
Animations
Integration with third-party software systems such as payment gateways, maps, ERPs, or CRMs affects software development costs. Some of these integrations are straightforward but others can get complex and time-consuming for the software developer.
Comprehensive
Customization
Data
Migration
Secure Payment
Integration
Geolocation
Integration
The number of features you want is the biggest cost driver. Screens, buttons, fields involved, and the amount of logic required can cause the custom software cost to change drastically.
Number of
Screens
Real-Time
Updates
Push
Notifications
Security
Compliance
The actual cost for custom software depends on many factors and can only be scoped after a detailed discovery exercise with you. Take a look at some indicative pricing for different types of software systems based on their scope, complexity, team size, and time duration. On average, the cost of custom software, based on these factors, could fall in the following three ranges.
Here are some recent small projects we delivered for our clients.
Transformation of an Excel-based database into an online web application with powerful search tools, simple workflow, and multiple user roles.
*The team for this project consisted of full-time and part-time resources.
A customised web-based portal and mobile app to manage product deliveries, with specialised functionalities such as search options, real-time tracking, e-signature, and push notifications.
*The team for this project consisted of full-time and part-time resources.
A mobile app with a web-based admin portal which facilitates sales agents in pitching products to their customers and keeping track of their sales, with product presentations and a comprehensive set of reporting and analytics tools.
*The team for this project consisted of full-time and part-time resources.
A mobile app to streamline the rental process for car dealerships, with bespoke features such as easy search, photo and navigation integrations, push notifications, and reporting tools.
*The team for this project consisted of full-time and part-time resources.
Here are some recent medium-sized projects we delivered for our clients.
A web-based portal that serves as an online cross-sector marketplace with tools for vendors and customers, secure payment channels, powerful search capabilities, inventory management, reputation management, and reporting/analytics dashboards.
*The team for this project consisted of full-time and part-time resources.
A custom software system to facilitate and manage all aspects of employees’ relocation process, with task management tools, document management, complex information workflows, and robust search capabilities.
*The team for this project consisted of full-time and part-time resources.
A multilingual digital web app for corporate training, to promote teamwork and collaboration amongst staff members, with powerful reporting tools.
*The team for this project consisted of full-time and part-time resources.
A secure, custom-designed loan management system to facilitate the loan procurement and disbursement process with dedicated functionalities for user registration, submission of application, application review, and loan approval.
*The team for this project consisted of full-time and part-time resources.
Here are some recent large-scale projects we delivered for our clients.
A web-based system with a user-friendly interface to manage and streamline bookings and reservations, with features such as availability tracking, payments, complex workflows, price controls, multiple user roles, and reporting.
*The team for this project consisted of full-time and part-time resources.
A large-scale mobile app for trade show participants, with event planning and collaboration tools, in-app messaging, third-party integrations, interactive maps, beacon technology, guest speaker management, and meeting scheduling.
*The team for this project consisted of full-time and part-time resources.
A web-based platform to automate the domain name registration process with powerful tools such as domain name management, billing, registration, dispute resolution, and much more.
*The team for this project consisted of full-time and part-time resources.
A multi-tenant software platform with powerful tools for customers, administrators, and platform owners to allow flexible subscription management, with sophisticated workflows, powerful analytics, and considerations for security, scalability, and performance.
*The team for this project consisted of full-time and part-time resources.
There are 4 major components of custom software development pricing, and each one of them carries a different weight in the total cost. Each one is a critical item and important for a successful product development effort. The following is a rough idea of the cost distribution for these major factors based on fixed-cost projects:
Note: The cost distribution provided above is based on rough estimates. These software development costs vary based on size, complexity, and engagement model (i.e. the type of pricing model you choose, e.g. hourly rate, dedicated team etc.).
Let's talk! We will provide you with a free consultation and
precise estimates for software cost.
In order to provide you with an accurate and realistic estimate for your project’s development cost, there are a few things we need from you.
It may seem obvious but the most critical contribution from your side is to effectively communicate your idea to us. Share your research on the idea, and any surrounding knowledge, so we can have a full understanding of what you want.
Since your project’s complexity and scope directly affect its cost, it is good to be clear about what features and functionality you want your software to have. This does not have to be a final list of features, but should help us in a fair cost estimation.
Drawing up a few blueprints of what you want your app to look like helps us understand your requirements. However, we understand you might not have the technical expertise for wireframing, which is where our design team comes in!
If you aim to develop software that competes with some other existing products, send us some references so we understand what exactly it is that you are looking for and how we can make your product stand out.
Let us know if you have some specific technical requirements – such as your preference for a particular development platform or technology stack – you want us to follow for your software development project.