What costs individual software development? A price guide for decision-makers

The decision for a individual software solution has fallen. But one of the first and most important questions that decision-makers ask is: "What will this cost?" The answer is rarely a simple number, because the costs for individual 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 individual 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 additional platform increases the effort.

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

Medium-sized project

75,000 € - 250,000 €

Typical duration: 4-9 months

Large, complex system

250.000 €

Typical duration: 9+ months

Important notice

These numbers serve as a rough orientation. A detailed request analysis is essential for an accurate cost estimate. Factors such as special safety requirements or complex integrations can significantly affect costs.

♪ The team behind the software: Who is involved?

A successful software project requires a well-established 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

• Quality backup tester (QA): Test the software