Cost guide — custom software
Custom software development typically costs $15,000–$120,000+, depending on how much it has to do. A single-workflow internal tool runs roughly $15k–$40k; a business-critical platform with multiple user roles, integrations, and audit trails runs $40k–$120k; an enterprise system with compliance and scale runs higher. The cost driver is scope, not code. Godelian scopes to the core workflow that has to work first, builds it custom on Next.js, TypeScript, and Supabase — so you own the code — and ships that first version in weeks for $15–30k, then hardens it as it earns its place.
Get a fixed scope & price →| Tier | What it includes | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Internal tool | A single workflow for one team — dashboards, forms, a clean data model. | $15k–$40k |
| Business-critical platform | Multiple user roles, integrations, audit trails, secure documents, payments. | $40k–$120k |
| Enterprise system | Multi-team, SSO, compliance, high scale, complex data migration. | $120k+ |
| Godelian scoped first versionGodelian | The core workflow that has to work first — shipped fast, built to extend. | $15k–$30k |
Ranges are industry ballparks for planning, not quotes. The only number that matters is the one scoped to your build — get that here.
The old way
$100k+
and 12+ months to a first version — spent before you knew whether anyone wanted it.
Now, with AI
$15–30k
in weeks. AI collapsed the cost of turning an idea into working software — and opened a 1–2 years window to win the market.
Software for one type of user is simple. The moment you have clients, staff, and admins each with their own permissions, you're building several products with a shared spine — and enforcing access at the database layer.
Every external system you connect — payments, e-signature, email, an existing ERP — is real engineering. A few are normal; each one adds cost and edge cases.
HIPAA, GDPR, SOC 2, or a full audit trail of who-did-what raise the bar on security and data handling. Worth it when you answer to regulators; expensive to add later, so scope it in early if you need it.
Moving off spreadsheets or a legacy system is often underestimated. Clean data models up front save far more than they cost.
Off-the-shelf tools own your process; custom software serves it. The reason to build custom is that your workflow is a competitive advantage — or that no generic tool can handle your roles, access control, and compliance. The reason it's historically been expensive is scope creep, not the code itself.
Godelian's approach is to find the core workflow that has to work first, build that properly — with row-level security enforcing permissions at the database rather than hoping the UI hides the right buttons — and ship it fast. You own the code, it scales, and you didn't pay for a year of spec before anyone used it.
For most first versions that's $15–30k. Modern tooling and a single accountable builder are why the number is a fraction of the traditional six-figure custom build.
Working out the exact scope for a development services build? That page goes deeper on how it's done.
What clients say
“If you need a top AI developer or fractional CTO who can turn ideas into working software fast, then I can't recommend Andrew enough. The product runs fast, scales better, and we fully own the code.”
custom software development cost — questions
Not up front — off-the-shelf tools are cheaper to start. Custom software wins over time when a subscription tool can't fit your workflow, charges per seat forever, or can't meet your security and compliance needs. You're trading a monthly fee you'll pay indefinitely for an asset you own and control.
Both exist. Godelian scopes to a defined first version so you know what you're getting and what it costs, rather than an open-ended hourly meter. Scope is agreed, the core ships fast, and further work is decided on evidence from real use.
The main drivers are the number of user roles, integrations, and compliance requirements — plus scope creep and rework. Cutting the first version to the core workflow, and using one accountable builder rather than a large team, removes most of the avoidable cost.
More cost guides
Currently taking on new builds
Get your number.Tell me what you want to build and I'll come back with a scoped first version and a fixed price — usually $15–30k, in weeks.