What does individual software development cost? A price guide

The decision for a custom software solution has fallen. But one of the first and most important questions that leaders ask is: "What will this cost?".

The answer is rarely a simple number. This is because the costs for custom software development are as unique as the software itself.

In this guide, we key the crucial cost factors, give you realistic price margins and show you how to plan your budget effectively.

♪ Overview of the main cost factors

The costs of an custom software project are influenced by a variety of factors.

An understanding of these factors is crucial to sustain realistic cost estimates and to manage the budget.

Cost factor Description

**Project scope and complexity * * The more functions the software should have and the more complex the business logic, the higher the development effort.

**Technology stack * * The choice of programming languages, frameworks and databases can affect the costs.

**Number of platforms * * Web app, native iOS and Android app or all platforms? Each extra platform increases the effort.

**Integrations with third-party systems * * Connection to existing systems such as ERP, CRM or external APIs requires extra effort.

**UI/UX design * * An appealing and intuitive design is crucial for user acceptance.

**Team size and location * * The hourly rates vary greatly depending on the experience and geographical location.

** Maintenance and support * * After the go-live, costs for maintenance, bug fixes and updates are incurred.

Realistic price ranges for Germany

Although a flat-rate statement is difficult, rough price ranges for the German market can be sketched based on empirical values:

Simple application / MVP € 25,000 - € 75,000

Typical duration: 2-4 months

Midsize project 75,000 € - 250,000 €

Typical duration: 4-9 months

Large, complex system 250.000 €

Typical duration: 9+ months

Important notice

What does custom software cost?

Leaders exploring What does custom software development cost? A price guide can use View services, Cost Calculator: Software Development sowie Our Development Process as structured entry points.

These numbers serve as a rough orientation. A detailed request review is essential for an accurate cost estimate.

Factors such as special safety needs or complex integrations can significantly affect costs.

♪ The team behind the software: Who is involved?

A successful software project requires a team of specialists. The composition of the team also has an influence on the costs:

• Project manager: Plant, manages and monitors the project

• UI/UX designer: Designs user interface and user experience

• Software architect: Designs the overall technical structure of the application

• Backend developers: Programming the server-side logic and databases

• Frontend developer: Put the design into an interactive user interface

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Sources: Unless cited inline, market figures and percentages are for orientation. See public sources such as Bitkom (2025) and Destatis.

Project budgets and examples: Groenewold IT Solutions, internal reporting 2026.

References and further reading

The following separate references complement the topics in this article:

• Bitkom – German digital industry association.
• German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI).
• European Commission – Digital strategy.
• MDN Web Docs (Mozilla)
• W3C – World Wide Web Consortium.

"DevOps is less about tools and more about shared ownership of quality and release discipline."

— Björn Groenewold, Managing Director, Groenewold IT Solutions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is this article about: “What does individual software development cost?

A price guide”? This post explores What does custom software development cost? A price guide from the perspective of needs, typical pitfalls, and sensible next steps.

In short: What does custom software cost? Learn which factors affect the costs as you plan your budget and maximize the ROI of your investment.

Who benefits most from the content described here?

Useful for project leads and product owners in Software development who must choose between standard software, custom development, and integration.

How does this topic fit into an IT or digital strategy?

Technically and organizationally, alignment with experienced partners pays off — from requirements to operations; start with the [services overview](/en/services/software-development). For multi-system landscapes, [IT consulting and architecture](/en/services/it-consulting) helps align vendors and internal teams.

What are sensible next steps if we need support?

A practical next step: book a consultation and clarify which MVP or pilot fits your team and landscape.