How Much Does Custom Software Actually Cost?
The honest answer: the industry ranges from $5,000 to $500,000+. We serve the $2,500 to $15,000 range -- because that is what small businesses actually need.
Why the range is so wide
"How much does custom software cost?" is like asking "how much does a building cost?" A garden shed and a skyscraper are both buildings, but they are not in the same conversation.
Most development agencies quote $50,000 to $500,000+ because they staff large teams, bill $200-$400/hour, and target enterprises. That makes sense for their market. It does not make sense for a 20-person company that needs a better way to track clients.
We use AI-accelerated development to build at 5-10x the speed of traditional coding. That is not a marketing claim -- it is the reason we can deliver a custom CRM for $6,000 instead of $60,000. The tooling has fundamentally changed what is possible.
Our sweet spot: $2,500 to $15,000 for projects that would have cost $25,000 to $150,000 three years ago.
What drives the cost up or down
5 real project types, real prices
These are actual project categories we build regularly. Ranges reflect typical complexity variations.
Simple Internal Tool
$2,500 - $4,000
A focused tool that solves one specific problem. Think data entry forms, internal calculators, inventory checkers, or approval workflows.
Examples: Employee time tracker, equipment checkout system, price calculator, internal request form.
Includes
Custom CRM
$5,000 - $8,000
Full contact and deal management built around your sales process. Replaces Salesforce, HubSpot, or Pipedrive at a fraction of the ongoing cost.
Examples: Sales CRM with custom stages, client management system, vendor relationship tracker.
Includes
Client Portal with Auth
$6,000 - $10,000
A secure portal where your clients log in to view their data, upload documents, track progress, or communicate with your team.
Examples: Patient portal, project tracking for clients, vendor document hub, service ticket system.
Includes
Multi-Source Dashboard
$4,000 - $7,000
Pull data from QuickBooks, your CRM, spreadsheets, APIs, and databases into one beautiful, real-time view your leadership team checks every morning.
Examples: Executive KPI dashboard, sales performance tracker, operations overview, financial reporting hub.
Includes
Full SaaS Replacement
$10,000 - $15,000
Replace a major SaaS subscription with a custom-built tool you own. Data migration, user training, and full feature parity with the features you actually use.
Examples: Salesforce replacement, HubSpot replacement, custom project management system, industry-specific ERP.
Includes
Included in every project
Whether your project is $2,500 or $15,000 -- you get all of this. No add-on fees, no surprise invoices.
UI/UX design
Custom interface designed for your users, not a generic template. We design it, you approve it before we write code.
Security audit
Every line of code is reviewed for vulnerabilities. SQL injection, XSS, auth flaws, data exposure -- we check for all of it.
Production deployment
Deployed to Azure (or your preferred cloud) with SSL, monitoring, automated backups, and CI/CD pipelines.
30 days post-launch support
Bugs, tweaks, and questions -- covered at no additional cost for a full month after launch.
Full code ownership
You own every line of code. It lives in your repository. You can modify it, move it, or hire someone else to work on it.
Source documentation
Clean, commented code with setup instructions. If someone else needs to work on it later, they can.
Ongoing maintenance: $200 - $500/month
Maintenance is optional. Cancel anytime. No contract, no penalty.
But we recommend it. Software is not "build it and forget it." Dependencies need updates. Security patches ship. Your team will want new features as the business grows. Having us on retainer means changes happen in days, not weeks of re-engagement.
What maintenance includes:
24/7 uptime monitoring with automated alerts. We know about issues before you do.
Dependency updates, framework patches, vulnerability scans. Your app stays hardened.
Something broken? We fix it. Included in maintenance, no additional billing.
Small changes and enhancements each month. A new field here, a new report there.
Automated daily backups with tested restore procedures. Your data is protected.
Monthly review of performance metrics. We keep your app fast as data grows.
Custom build vs. 3 years of SaaS
Most custom builds pay for themselves within 3 to 6 months compared to the SaaS subscription they replace.
Average 3-year savings: $30,000 - $60,000+
And you own the software. If you cancel a SaaS subscription, you own nothing.
Why we show our pricing
Most development agencies hide their pricing because they charge $50,000 to $200,000 for projects we complete for $5,000 to $15,000. They want to get you on a call first so they can justify the price based on your perceived budget.
We think that is backwards. You deserve to know what things cost before you pick up the phone. If our pricing does not fit your budget, we just saved you a 30-minute call. If it does, you can reach out with confidence that you are not going to get ambushed by a six-figure quote.
Transparency builds trust. And trust is the foundation of every good client relationship.
We show our pricing because we are proud of it. We deliver serious software at prices small businesses can actually afford.
BBB Torch Award for Ethics 2025
PremierePC Technology Group, Greenville SC
Get an estimate for your project
Describe what you need. We will tell you exactly what it will cost, how long it will take, and what is included. No pressure, no surprises, no obligation.
Most estimates are returned within 24 hours. Complex projects may take 48 hours as we put real thought into every proposal.