How much does custom software cost?
Custom software at Datawonder usually costs between €2,000 and €25,000 excl. VAT. A small tool or integration starts at around €2,000, a complete application sits at the top end. Below you can read what drives the price, which costs come on top after delivery and how to split a project so you never face surprises.
Custom software, SaaS & AI assistants: what I build → All Datawonder prices on one page → Custom software or off-the-shelf software? →How much does custom software cost?
Custom software at Datawonder usually costs between €2,000 and €25,000 excl. VAT, depending on scope and integrations. A small tool or integration starts at around €2,000, a complete application sits at the top end. I split larger projects into phases, each with a fixed price, so you are never tied in for longer than one phase.
What do you get at each price level?
Scope decides where you land in the €2,000 to €25,000 range. These are the four levels I work with, so you can place your own idea.
What determines the price of custom software?
The price of custom software mainly comes down to five things: how many types of user there are, how many integrations are needed, whether existing data has to be migrated, what privacy and security requirements apply and whether AI is involved. The number of screens says less than you would think. One integration with a system that has no good documentation can be more work than ten simple screens.
Want to know where your idea sits in that range? Describe your bottleneck →
What does custom software cost after delivery?
After delivery you pay for hosting, updates, third-party services and changes. Third-party services are things like usage of an AI model or a payment provider, and those costs grow with use. Security updates are not optional: software you do not maintain becomes a risk by itself. I do not give a fixed percentage here, because an internal dashboard needs something very different from a customer portal. Ask every builder to put those costs in the quote as an amount per month, even if you only want to compare them for now.
How long does it take to build custom software?
Custom software takes as long as its scope requires, so I split it into phases that each deliver working software within six weeks. A first automation is usually live within two to three weeks. After each phase you can stop or continue.
Can custom software integrate with existing systems?
Yes, custom software connects to existing systems through their API. Think of Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Airtable, government APIs or your own databases. If there is good documentation, the integration can be built. If there is no API, it gets more expensive and sometimes unwise. I find that out before you get a quote.
How do you stop a custom software project getting out of hand?
You stop a custom software project getting out of hand by starting small, agreeing a fixed price per phase and giving each phase one measurable goal. Projects mainly get out of hand when everything has to be built at once and the goal is only tested at the end. After the first phase you have working software in your hands and the freedom to stop.
When is custom software too expensive?
Custom software is too expensive when building and maintaining it costs more than the problem costs you now. Work it out: hours per week × hourly rate × working weeks per year. As a worked example: six hours a week at €40 over 48 weeks is €11,520 a year. A tool at €8,000 then pays for itself quickly. If it is one hour a month, a standard package or a simple integration is the better choice and I will tell you so.
The short version
Custom software at Datawonder usually costs €2,000 to €25,000 excl. VAT. Add hosting, updates and third-party services on top. Start small, agree a fixed price per phase and always compare the amount with what the problem costs you per year now.
Want to know where your idea sits in that range?
Describe your bottleneck →