Get an instant software development cost estimate for custom web applications, SaaS products, enterprise systems and marketplaces. Compare traditional and AI-assisted delivery, priced from real projects SolGuruz has shipped.
FREE CALCULATOR
Answer 11 quick questions about your software type, features, platforms and timeline. You get a cost and timeline range for traditional and AI-assisted delivery, with a breakdown you can download as a PDF.
Pick the closest match. Every question after this adapts to the software type you choose.
TRANSPARENT METHODOLOGY
A SaaS product needs multi-tenancy and subscription billing, an enterprise system needs approval chains and audit trails, and a marketplace needs split payments. The type you pick sets the architecture we price from.
Scope is priced feature by feature. Each module carries an effort figure from our past builds, so adding document management or a reporting layer moves the estimate by a known amount.
The web application is the base. A progressive web app, native iOS and Android apps, a cross-platform mobile app or a desktop client each add front-end, testing and release work on the shared backend.
Connecting a CRM, ERP, accounting tool or payment provider adds API work, data mapping and testing. Moving records out of spreadsheets or a legacy system adds cleanup and validation.
Standard security is always included. GDPR, HIPAA-aligned safeguards, SOC 2-aligned controls, PCI DSS-aligned payments and enterprise SSO are priced as separate lines, so you see what each one adds.
A shorter deadline needs a larger team running parallel sprints, which adds coordination cost. Fixed price, dedicated team and time-and-materials engagements are each priced differently.
AI-Assisted Development uses AI code generation, automated testing and rapid prototyping to deliver 30-40% cost savings and 30-50% faster timelines, with the same code reviews and QA standards.
We use AI code generation, automated testing, and rapid prototyping to reduce development effort and accelerate delivery, without compromising code quality or QA rigor. Same rigorous code reviews, same QA standards.
Less manual effort across coding, testing, and documentation lowers the build cost.
AI-accelerated prototyping and testing compress timelines so you ship sooner.
We capture the speed and cost upside while protecting what matters most to you.
Every AI-generated line passes the same security review and SAST scans as hand-written code, so model-borne vulnerabilities never reach production.
We use private, enterprise AI only. Your code, data, and prompts are never used to train public models, and an NDA is in place from day one.
You own 100% of the code with documented human authorship, so your IP is legally defensible and your concept stays confidential.
Every AI output is reviewed, refactored, and approved by senior engineers. No blind, auto-generated vibe-coding.
Same architecture standards, code reviews, and QA as traditional development. Built to maintain, not just to ship.
AI output is screened for copyright and license contamination, and HIPAA, GDPR, SOC 2, and PCI controls are upheld regardless of AI use.
COST FACTORS
Most of a custom software budget comes from a handful of decisions. Knowing which ones move the number helps you scope a first release that fits your budget.
Every screen, rule and user role adds design, build and test effort. A focused first release with one core workflow can start from $15,000, while a platform with many roles and complex rules moves past $100,000.
Hourly rates vary widely by region, so the same scope can cost several times more with an onshore team. This calculator uses SolGuruz rates for our India-based engineering team.
Each connection to a CRM, ERP, accounting tool or payment provider needs API work, data mapping, error handling and testing. Older systems without modern APIs take longer.
Moving data out of spreadsheets is quick. Migrating 100,000+ records from a legacy system with inconsistent data needs cleanup, mapping and validation runs, and can add $15,000 or more.
Health, finance and enterprise buyers bring requirements such as HIPAA-aligned safeguards, PCI DSS-aligned payments, SOC 2-aligned controls and SSO. Each one adds design, build and review effort.
Plan 15-20% of the build cost each year for hosting, updates, security patches and small improvements. The calculator covers the build, so budget for maintenance separately.
Planning a custom build? Explore our custom software development services
Want the full breakdown with examples? Read our custom software development cost guide
TYPICAL RANGES
Indicative ranges for a typical scope in each category. Use the calculator above for an estimate based on your own features, platforms and integrations.
| Project Type | Typical Cost | Typical Timeline | Typical Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic / MVP scope (any type) | $15,000 - $30,000 | 3 - 6 weeks | One core workflow with one to three modules, web only |
| Custom Web Application | $27,000 - $90,000 | 3 - 13 weeks | Four to six modules such as dashboards, workflows and documents, plus CRM and email integrations |
| SaaS Product | $25,000 - $130,000 | 3 - 18 weeks | Subscription billing, team accounts and onboarding, up to analytics, a public API, mobile apps and an AI copilot |
| Enterprise Business Software | $46,000 - $270,000+ | 6 - 37 weeks | One department up to a multi-site ERP with data migration, SSO and SOC 2-aligned controls |
| Marketplace Platform | $27,000 - $125,000 | 3 - 17 weeks | Seller onboarding, split payments, reviews and orders, up to bookings, mobile apps and AI recommendations |
Ranges are based on the 102+ products SolGuruz has delivered. The lower figure fits a focused first release built around one core workflow. The higher figure fits a complete product with more modules, user roles and integrations.
BUILD VS BUY
Off-the-shelf software and low-code platforms are fast to start, but per-seat fees compound every year and your data lives with the vendor. Here is how a custom build compares over 3 years for a 50-user team.
| Option | Year 1 Cost | 3-Year TCO (50 users) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise SaaS Suite | $150,000 | $330,000 | Broad feature set, heavy configuration, per-seat licensing that grows with headcount |
| Vertical SaaS Tool | $70,000 | $160,000 | Built for one workflow, limited customization, your data lives with the vendor |
| Low-Code Platform | $64,000 | $112,000 | Quick for simple internal apps, per-user platform fees, limits on complex logic and integrations |
| Custom Build (SolGuruz) | $27,000 - $90,000 | $35,000 - $126,000 | No per-seat fees, full ownership, 15-20%/yr maintenance |
* TCO includes setup, licensing and estimated customization costs. Custom build Years 2-3 include about 15-20% a year for maintenance. Actual costs vary by vendor, user count and scope.
WHY SOLGURUZ
Our estimates come from real delivery data: 102+ products shipped across 14 industries with a 99.9% delivery rate.
Every line item in this calculator comes from effort we have measured on past projects, not from industry averages.
AI code generation, test automation and rapid prototyping cut cost by 30-40% and timelines by 30-50%, with the same code review and QA.
We confirm scope in a short discovery phase, then agree a fixed price or a sprint plan, so changes are priced before they are built.
You own 100% of the source code, designs and documentation. No license fees on the software we build for you.
Delivery runs on ISO 9001:2015 quality and ISO 27001:2022 information security certified processes.
Try our team for a week. If you are not satisfied, you pay nothing.
WORK WITH US
Once you have your estimate, choose how you want to build. We adapt to your team, timeline and budget.
Explore the latest reviews from our existing clients to get a better picture of our services and collaboration.
Custom Software Dev for Digital Media Distribution Company
SolGuruz delivered the project in a timely manner that met the client's expectations. The service provider ensured excellent communication via email and virtual meetings. Their accommodating and empathetic approach was impeccable.
Summarized from Samir Khandwala's Clutch review
Samir Khandwala, CEO, iMusti, Inc.
Fremont, California, United States
Web Development for Diamond Wholesaler
The client got exactly what they needed, leaving them completely pleased with SolGuruz's services. The team instituted a smooth workflow by being highly attentive to the client's needs. Moreover, the team boasted exceptional communication skills and was always willing to lend a helping hand.
From the verified Clutch review by
Business Development Manager, Diamond Wholesaler
Cape Town, South Africa
Custom Software Development - Mobile & Web Dev for Documentation Solutions Firm
SolGuruz's work continues to receive positive feedback from the client's customers. The team is highly communicative and professional from a project management standpoint, and internal stakeholders are impressed with the service provider's technical expertise.
Summarized from Deepak Dhanak's Clutch review
Deepak Dhanak, Co-founder & CEO
Mumbai, India
Share your requirements and our solution architects will review the scope, suggest a phased plan and send a detailed proposal within 48 hours.
Guides on scoping, budgeting and building custom software from our engineering team.
Quick answers to the questions our clients and prospects ask most. If yours is not here, our team is one click away.
Jay NandwanaSenior Technical Business Consultant
Need advice tailored to your project?
FAQs cover the common ground. For decisions specific to your tech stack, timeline, and team, talk to Jay and the team, who have shipped what you are planning.
Or email us hello@solguruz.com
Custom software usually costs $15,000 to $30,000 for a basic MVP scope, $27,000 to $90,000 for a custom web application, $25,000 to $130,000 for a SaaS product, $46,000 to $270,000 or more for enterprise business software, and $27,000 to $125,000 for a marketplace platform. The calculator above prices your exact scope from the features, platforms, integrations, compliance needs and timeline you choose.
We break the project into features and platforms, give each one an effort figure based on similar builds we have delivered, then adjust for integrations, data migration, compliance, timeline and engagement model. This calculator follows the same method, so every answer you give adds a visible line to the estimate.
It gives a planning range: 10% below to 15% above the calculated figure, which reflects how similar builds have varied. Open requirements, unusual integrations or a legacy system with poor data can move the number. A short discovery call turns the range into a fixed quote or a sprint plan.
A basic MVP scope usually takes 3 to 6 weeks, a custom web application 3 to 13 weeks, a SaaS product 3 to 18 weeks, enterprise business software 6 to 37 weeks and a marketplace platform 3 to 17 weeks. Each range runs from a focused first release to a complete product with more modules and integrations. The timeline range above is calculated from the scope you selected.
Engineering time. Design, development, testing and project management make up most of the budget, so feature scope and team rates matter more than tools or hosting. Integrations with older systems and data migration are the costs teams most often underestimate.
Off-the-shelf software costs less to start, but it bills per seat every year and rarely fits your process exactly. Custom software costs more upfront, then you own it: no seat licenses, and it changes when your business does. For a core workflow that many people use every day, custom software can cost less over three to five years.
Hosting and cloud services, third-party licenses and API fees, maintenance and security updates (plan 15-20% of the build cost each year), and scope changes after development starts. A discovery phase and a phased roadmap keep these costs visible from day one.
Fixed price suits a well-defined scope and gives budget certainty. Time and materials suits a product whose scope will change, and you pay only for the work done. A dedicated team is usually the most cost-efficient option for long-running products. Pick each model in the last step of the calculator to compare them.
We use AI across discovery, code scaffolding, test generation and QA. That typically reduces build cost by 30-40% and shortens timelines by 30-50% compared with traditional delivery, with the same code review. Switch between traditional and AI-assisted in the last step to see the difference on your estimate.
