What does custom software cost? An honest breakdown
3 min read
by Marcel, Senior software engineer
"What does custom software cost?" is the question we hear most often — and at the same time the hardest one to answer in general terms. Custom software is, by definition, not something off the shelf. Even so, you can get a very good sense of the price once you know the right factors.
The short version
- The honest answer: No flat rate – it's priced by effort, roughly between 80 and 120 euros per hour.
- Biggest cost drivers: Feature scope, integrations, users and roles, design and data migration.
- Worth it when: Your processes are your competitive advantage – not when standard software covers 90 percent.
- Smart start: Begin with one clearly scoped step, then expand – keeps your risk small.
- Quick estimate: The package configurator gives you a non-binding price range.
Why there's no fixed price "per software"
A small internal tool that takes one repetitive task off three people's hands is something completely different from a platform where hundreds of customers work at the same time. Both are "custom software" — and yet those two worlds are easily a zero apart in budget.
At its core, the price comes down to effort: the more features, edge cases and integrations, the more development time. Reputable providers in Germany usually work with day rates or hourly rates that — depending on experience — sit roughly between 80 and 120 euros per hour. For a first rough estimate, you can put together a non-binding price range using our package configurator.
The biggest cost drivers
- Scope of features: every feature that has to be thought through, built and tested costs time.
- Integrations: if your software needs to talk to other systems (inventory management, accounting, payments), the effort goes up.
- Users & roles: different permissions, login areas and multi-tenancy all add complexity.
- Design: a functional interface is cheaper than a fully designed, custom one.
- Data migration: if data has to come over from legacy systems, that's its own line item.
Is custom software even worth it?
Not always. If an off-the-shelf solution covers 90 percent of your requirements, that's often exactly what we recommend. Custom software pays off where your processes are your competitive advantage — and where a standard product would force you into a straitjacket that costs you time and nerves every single day.
The math is simpler than most people think: if a manual process eats one hour every day, that adds up to around 250 working hours over a year. Software that automates that process often pays for itself faster than you'd expect.
Starting smart: start small
Our advice: don't invest in the do-everything solution right away. Start with one clearly scoped first step — the feature that gives you the most. That keeps your risk small, gets you a result early, and lets you decide what comes next based on real experience.
That's exactly how we approach projects: listen first, then a transparent quote, then build in manageable steps. You always know where you stand — including on budget.
Wondering whether custom software is worth it for you? Tell us about your plans — the first conversation is free and comes with no strings attached.
Frequently asked questions
How much does custom software cost per hour?
Reputable providers in Germany usually work with day or hourly rates that sit roughly between 80 and 120 euros per hour, depending on experience. There’s no flat rate “per software” because the price comes down to effort: the more features, edge cases and integrations, the more development time. For a first non-binding range you can use our package configurator.
What drives the price of custom software up?
Five factors above all: the scope of features, integrations with other systems like inventory management, accounting or payments, the number of users and roles, how much custom design you want, and data migration from legacy systems. A small internal tool for three people and a platform with hundreds of simultaneous users are easily a zero apart in budget.
Is custom software worth it, or is standard software enough?
Not always. If an off-the-shelf solution covers 90 percent of your requirements, that’s often exactly what we recommend. Custom software pays off where your processes are your competitive advantage and a standard product would force you into a straitjacket that costs you time and nerves every single day.
How do I keep the risk small on my first project?
Don’t invest in the do-everything solution right away. Start with one clearly scoped first step — the feature that gives you the most — so you get a result early and decide what comes next from real experience. That’s exactly how we work: listen first, then a transparent quote, then build in manageable steps.