The Short Answer
Custom software development typically costs between $5,000 and $250,000+, depending on scope, complexity, and who builds it. A simple web application might run $5,000–$25,000, while a complex SaaS platform could exceed $100,000.
But these ranges are almost meaningless without context. Let's break down what actually drives costs.
What Affects the Price?
1. Project Complexity
This is the single biggest cost factor:
- Simple (landing page, basic CRUD app): $5,000–$15,000
- Medium (multi-page app with auth, payments, dashboards): $15,000–$60,000
- Complex (SaaS platform, marketplace, AI-powered system): $60,000–$250,000+
2. Feature Set
Common features and their approximate development time:
- User authentication (login, registration, OAuth): 1–2 weeks
- Payment integration (Stripe, billing): 1–3 weeks
- Admin dashboard: 2–4 weeks
- Real-time features (chat, notifications): 2–4 weeks
- Third-party integrations (CRM, email, APIs): 1–3 weeks each
- Mobile responsiveness: Built-in with modern frameworks
- AI/ML features: 2–6 weeks depending on complexity
3. Who Builds It
Developer rates vary dramatically by region and experience:
- US/UK agencies: $150–$300/hour
- Western European freelancers: $80–$150/hour
- Eastern European developers (Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine): $40–$100/hour
- South Asian developers: $20–$50/hour
Important: Cheaper doesn't mean better value. A $50/hour developer who delivers clean, maintainable code in 200 hours costs less than a $25/hour developer who takes 600 hours and delivers buggy code that needs rewriting.
4. Technology Choices
Some tech stacks are faster (and cheaper) to develop with:
- Modern frameworks (Next.js, FastAPI, Django) have rich ecosystems that speed up development
- Custom backends from scratch take longer than using proven frameworks
- Complex infrastructure (microservices, Kubernetes) adds cost — make sure you actually need it
Real Project Examples
Here are rough estimates for common project types:
Landing Page with Contact Form
- Timeline: 1–2 weeks
- Cost: €5,000–€8,000
- Includes: Design, responsive layout, contact form, SEO basics, deployment
Business Web Application
- Timeline: 4–8 weeks
- Cost: €15,000–€40,000
- Includes: User auth, dashboard, data management, API integration, admin panel
SaaS Platform (MVP)
- Timeline: 8–16 weeks
- Cost: €40,000–€100,000
- Includes: Multi-tenant architecture, subscription billing, user management, analytics, API
E-commerce Platform
- Timeline: 6–12 weeks
- Cost: €25,000–€80,000
- Includes: Product catalog, cart, checkout, payment processing, order management, inventory
AI-Powered Application
- Timeline: 6–12 weeks
- Cost: €30,000–€90,000
- Includes: AI/ML integration, data pipeline, API layer, user interface, monitoring
How to Get the Best Value
1. Start with an MVP
Don't build everything at once. Launch with core features, get user feedback, then iterate. An MVP typically costs 30–50% of the full vision and validates your assumptions before you invest heavily.
2. Prioritize Features Ruthlessly
For every feature, ask: "Will users pay for this?" If the answer isn't a clear yes, defer it. You can always add features later.
3. Choose the Right Developer
Look for:
- Portfolio of similar projects — they've solved your problems before
- Clear communication — you'll work together for weeks or months
- Technical depth — they should explain trade-offs, not just say "yes" to everything
- Transparent pricing — fixed-price or clear hourly estimates with milestones
4. Invest in Quality Early
Cutting corners on architecture, security, or testing creates technical debt that costs 3–5x more to fix later. A well-architected application is cheaper to maintain and extend.
5. Consider Eastern European Developers
Countries like Lithuania offer an excellent balance of quality and cost. The developer ecosystem is strong, English proficiency is high, and time zones overlap with European business hours.
Hidden Costs to Plan For
Don't forget these ongoing expenses:
- Hosting: $20–$500/month (depending on scale)
- Domain and SSL: $15–$100/year
- Third-party services: APIs, email, analytics ($50–$500/month)
- Maintenance: 15–20% of initial development cost per year
- Bug fixes and updates: Ongoing as users discover edge cases
Ready to Get a Quote?
Every project is unique. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to discuss your specific requirements. I provide detailed, transparent quotes with clear milestones and deliverables.
Get a free consultation or book a call to discuss your project.
For technical insights, check out our guide on web scraping with Python or integrating AI into your app.
