The honest answer to "how much does custom software cost?" is: it depends. But here's a realistic framework for understanding pricing.
What Affects Cost
- Scope: The single biggest factor. A simple data entry form with a dashboard costs far less than a multi-user platform with integrations, automation, and complex business logic.
- Complexity: User authentication, payment processing, external API integrations, and complex calculations all add development time.
- Design: A functional internal tool with standard UI costs less than a customer-facing application with custom branding and polished design.
- Integrations: Connecting to existing systems (accounting, CRM, email) adds complexity depending on the APIs available.
Realistic Price Ranges
| Project Type | Typical Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Simple internal tool (form + dashboard) | £1,000–£3,000 | 1–3 weeks |
| Business process app (tracking, workflows) | £3,000–£8,000 | 3–6 weeks |
| Customer-facing platform | £8,000–£20,000 | 6–12 weeks |
| Complex multi-feature system | £20,000+ | 12+ weeks |
How to Keep Costs Down
- Start small: Build the minimum version that solves your core problem. Add features later.
- Be clear on requirements: Scope changes mid-build are the biggest cost driver.
- Prioritise: Not every feature is essential for v1. Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves.
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