Part of our complete guide to custom software development — costs, timelines, process and how to hire.
Quick answer: In 2026, custom software development in the US typically costs $25,000 to $150,000+. A simple internal tool or MVP starts around $25,000–$60,000; a mid-market web app or SaaS platform runs $60,000–$150,000; and complex, integrated or AI-powered products go higher. The four biggest cost drivers are project type, complexity, the number of features, and third-party integrations.
What actually drives the cost
Two projects with the same “build me an app” brief can differ 5x in price. The variables that move the number most:
- Project type — a marketing website, a web app/SaaS, a mobile app, and an AI product carry very different baseline effort.
- Complexity — standard CRUD features vs. custom business logic, real-time data, or scale requirements.
- Feature count — every core screen and workflow adds engineering, QA and design hours.
- Integrations — payments, CRMs, and legacy systems each add scope and risk.
The single biggest cause of blown budgets isn’t the rate card — it’s unclear requirements. Scope creep from a vague brief routinely adds 20–50% to a project. That’s why serious agencies scope before they quote.
Get your number in 30 seconds
Rather than guess, use our free Software Development Cost Calculator — pick your project type, complexity, features and integrations and get a realistic range plus a rough timeline. When you’re ready to price it precisely, our software development team will scope it and send a fixed estimate for free.
FAQ
How much is an MVP? Most MVPs land between $25,000 and $60,000 depending on scope.
Fixed price or hourly? After a short discovery, we quote fixed-price where scope allows so there are no surprises.
Do I own the code? Yes — you own 100% of the code and IP.