Software development cost calculator - what your build should cost.
- No sign-up
- Web · mobile · SaaS
- Typical US ranges
A logged-in product that runs in the browser - accounts, custom logic, and a dashboard.
Estimated software build
$6,500-$10,000
Web app · Simple · Template / system · Standard · 8 screens
A transparent ballpark using typical US studio ranges - not a quote. Your real number depends on exact scope, integrations, and design.
What goes into a software cost
The first lever is what you're building. An internal tool, a web or mobile app, a SaaS platform, and an enterprise system are different amounts of work by an order of magnitude - a SaaS platform needs billing, roles, and an admin layer, an enterprise system adds complex data, integrations, and compliance on top.
On top of that sits complexity and scope: more screens and more involved logic mean more design, build, and testing, and a fully custom design with motion costs more than a system-based UI. Finally, features - accounts, payments, an admin dashboard, integrations, real-time, AI - are each priced on top because they are real, separate work. The calculator above stacks all of these so the range reflects the actual project, not a flat guess.
Typical software costs by type
| Project type | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Internal tool / utilityWorkflow, data, automation | $8,000 - $25,000 |
| Web app (MVP)Accounts, logic, dashboard | $25,000 - $80,000 |
| Mobile app (MVP)iOS / Android + backend | $30,000 - $90,000 |
| SaaS platformBilling, roles, admin | $40,000 - $150,000+ |
| Enterprise systemIntegrated, compliant, at scale | $120,000 - $500,000+ |
| Per screen (design + build)On custom builds | $900 - $3,000 / screen |
Source: 2026 US studio/agency ranges - typical custom software pricing
Budgeting tip
Price the build, then get a fixed quote.
The calculator gives you the ballpark. Tell us what you're building in a short brief - type, complexity, features, and timeline - and we'll come back with a fixed, itemized quote and a build plan. No obligation.
Common questions
In the US, an internal tool typically runs $8,000-$25,000, a web or mobile app MVP $25,000-$90,000, a SaaS platform $40,000-$150,000 or more, and a full enterprise system $120,000 and up. The biggest drivers are what you're building, how complex the logic and data are, the number of screens, and the features behind it - accounts, billing, integrations, real-time, AI. The calculator above stacks those inputs into a transparent range.
Four things move the number most: the type of product (an internal tool is far cheaper than a SaaS platform or enterprise system), the complexity of the logic and data, the screen count (each screen is design plus build plus testing), and the heavy features - user accounts, payments and billing, admin dashboards, third-party integrations, real-time, and AI/ML. Design depth and a rushed timeline push it up further. The model above prices each of these separately so the range reflects your actual project.
A freelancer is cheapest and fine for a small, well-defined piece, but you carry the risk if they disappear or the scope grows. A studio gives you a small senior team that owns design, build, and delivery end-to-end - usually the best value for an MVP or product build. A large agency costs the most and suits enterprise programs that need formal process, account management, and many roles. The calculator's ranges reflect typical studio/agency pricing.
No - it is a transparent ballpark built from typical US studio ranges, meant to set expectations before you talk to anyone. Your real number depends on the exact scope, the integrations involved, your data and compliance needs, and the design ambition. Share the estimate, then start a brief and we'll come back with a fixed, itemized quote and a build plan.
The build is a one-time cost; running software is not. Budget for cloud hosting and infrastructure, third-party API and service usage, app store fees if it's mobile, monitoring, and maintenance plus new features after launch - which typically run 15-20% of the build cost per year. We break all of that out in the real quote so there are no surprises.
An internal tool can ship in 3-6 weeks, a web or mobile MVP in 2-4 months, and a SaaS platform or enterprise system in 4-9 months or more, depending on scope and how fast feedback and decisions come back. A rushed timeline compresses that but usually costs more, since it needs more people working in parallel.