What will your custom software cost?
Pick what you’re building and toggle what it needs. You get a realistic range and timeline based on real projects — not a “from $999” teaser or a $150k scare quote. No email required.
What are you building?
How many systems does it connect to?
Who logs in?
Anything else it needs?
A range, not a quote — a 30-minute scoping call turns it into a fixed number. You own the code either way.
DIY with an AI builder
Plus your evenings. Great for validating the idea; the last 20% (auth, permissions, production) is where it stalls.
Gloo
Senior engineers using AI-grade speed. Fixed scope, weeks not months, and the code is yours.
Traditional agency
PM + designers + dev team, 3–6 months. The same software with a heavier cost structure.
Want this estimate scoped properly?
Send it over and we’ll come back within 24 hours with a fixed price and timeline — or an honest “you don’t need us, here’s what to use instead.”
Frequently asked questions
How much does custom software cost for a small business?
In 2026, a focused internal tool or dashboard typically costs $8,000–$20,000 and takes two to three weeks. A client portal or workflow app with logins and permissions runs $15,000–$40,000. A customer-facing product lands between $25,000 and $75,000. AI-assisted development collapsed these numbers from the $100,000+ quotes that were standard five years ago.
How accurate is this calculator?
It produces a realistic range, not a quote. The ranges come from real projects and real market rates, and the biggest cost drivers — integrations, permissions, data migration, and AI features — are the inputs. A 30-minute scoping call turns the range into a fixed number.
Why do custom software quotes vary so much?
Because agencies price on their delivery model, not the problem. A traditional agency staffing a project manager, designers, and offshore developers for three months must charge $75,000+ to break even. A small senior team using AI-assisted development delivers the same tool in weeks for a fraction of that. Same software, different cost structure.
Are there ongoing costs after the build?
Yes: hosting (usually $20–$100 a month at small-business scale) and maintenance. Budget for a maintenance arrangement or an internal owner — custom tools die when nobody fixes breakages or adds the field the team asks for in month four.