Custom Software Development Companies have a 4.9 avg. rating from 4,399 verified reviews
Looking for a reliable custom software development company on the market? Find below the top local and global software development firms that can help your company increase sales potential. Filter results by location, size, pricing, and reviews to find the best partner for your needs.
How to find the right
Software Development Company
(1 minute video)
Design Rush experts reviewed nearly 4,500 software development companies analyzing their expertise, past projects, client ratings, and other factors to help you find the perfect match for your needs.
Explore our handpicked list of service providers capable of offering exceptional software solutions tailored to your project requirements.
Notable Clients: Lition, Swiss Red Cross, SAP, Fujitsu, Burda Digital, and more
Instinctools has been a prominent software development company for over 20 years, consistently delivering innovative and cost-effective solutions. Their expertise, reflected in over 1000 successful projects, encompasses custom software development, mobile and web solutions, legacy software modernization, business intelligence, data visualization, cloud and DevOps, and crypto exchange development.
When Lition needed a solution for energy exchanges, they turned to Instinctools. Their goal: ease barriers for green producers and provide cheaper green electricity to consumers. Instinctools used 10 JavaScript frameworks to create a powerful web platform.
Today, the platform built by the agency serves 41 million German households, allowing users in 30+ cities to save up to 20% on energy bills. Meanwhile, producers see up to a 30% profit increase, promoting both economic and environmental benefits.
Notable Clients: AstraZeneca, PayPal, Adidas, Expedia, eBay, Philips, PepsiCo, Xerox, and more
A software development leader founded in 1998, Itransition has been a trusted partner for businesses ranging from startups to large enterprises. They cover a broad range of services, from ECM, EDM, ERP and CRM to custom-designed applications. Recognized for their skill in creating unified digital systems, they focus on clear communication, teamwork, and operational efficiency.
A mobile and healthcare technology expert, the company assisted a US research center with medical screenings for sexual assault victims in underserved areas. They developed an app enabling local nurses to consult experienced doctors, securely storing consultations and details on a website. The solution incorporated SSO user authentication, end-to-end encryption, and streamlined app performance, ensuring smooth operation and HIPAA compliance.
Result: In under six months, they had everything up and running. The new system allowed nurses to set up cases 3x quicker, take clearer photos and videos, and safely manage all information.
Notable Clients: CBRE, College Interactive, Havas Media, OneSky, Lionbridge, and more
Kanda Software, with 20+ years of experience, excels in software development, quality assurance, and compliance. They provide customized solutions, prioritize data security, adhere to benchmarks like HIPAA and PCI, and execute projects diligently with strong client communication.
In an era when traditional communication channels are becoming outdated, College Interactive faced the challenge of directly connecting college and university admissions departments with prospective students. Thanks to the agency’s innovative approach, College Interactive transformed the admissions marketing and recruitment process.
With Kanda Software's expertise, College Interactive launched the Ci Web Platform and mobile apps, giving students access to over 5,000 institutions while providing colleges with a direct contact channel for admissions details, requirements, and payment options.
Notable Clients: Orange, Discovery, Vodafone, Kaltura, and more
Oxagile, established in 2005, is a US leader in cutting-edge software solutions, specializing in video and machine learning integration. The agency creates top-tier applications for live streaming, VoD, real-time chats, VR, and 360-degree video on various platforms, leveraging AI for task automation. Clients like Orange, Discovery, and Vodafone have benefited from their commitment to research and development.
A leading German IT solutions provider for public transport, serving nearly a third of Germany's market, sought Oxagile's assistance in modernizing its legacy ticketing system. Their solution catered to 43 public transport companies and needed to enhance the experience for over 700,000 end-users across various platforms.
With Oxagile's expertise, the ticketing platform transformed, resulting in a twofold boost in database performance and an impressive 107% increase in transaction capacity, managing over 40,000 ticket transactions daily. The improved system also ensured client setups became 15 times faster, reinforcing the company's strong market standing.
Notable Clients: BNP Paribas, Globe Payroll, Samsung, Marvel, Media Markt, and more
A top custom software development firm with 15+ years of experience and 11 global offices, Andersen specializes in FinTech, eLearning, and Healthcare. They've delivered 1000+ projects with a team of 3000+ IT experts and excel in comprehensive testing using technologies like JavaScript, .Net, Python, and Swift.
BNP Paribas, the world's eighth-largest banking group, sought to monitor legislative changes across diverse regions effectively. Andersen provided a sophisticated solution with an AI and ML-integrated application, an ETL module, and a dedicated computational platform.
The system reduced operational times significantly, processing a 500-page document in two minutes instead of a week, resulting in a 7.3% decrease in toxic assets and an estimated project ROI of 124%.
Notable Clients: AOL, Knorr-Bremse, AstraZeneca, Volvo Penta, SAS, Fortum, and more
Sigma Software is a global software development firm with 20+ years of experience, 2000+ IT professionals across 12 countries, and expertise in automotive, healthcare, telecom, eCommerce, cloud computing, game development, and AR/VR/MR. They offer top-tier solutions and are recognized among the top 100 outsourcing companies worldwide. Certified in ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001, Sigma is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and AWS Consulting Partner.
AOL, a leading advertising media conglomerate, acquired a video ad platform and sought to integrate it into their vast ecosystem. Sigma Software stepped in to enhance the platform using AWS Cloud technology. Their solution processes 26TB of data daily, handles over 2.5 million events per second, and is now used by 30,000 global companies.
It enables swift report generation in just 1.5 minutes and accommodates versatile ad campaigns, addressing AOL's immediate needs and establishing them as prominent figure in the ad tech landscape.
Notable Clients: Lenovo, Epson, Microsoft, WTA, NVIDIA, Verizon, G.J.Gardner, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and more
Softeq specializes in digital transformation using cutting-edge technologies like IoT, AI, ML, industrial automation, robotics, blockchain, and AR/VR. They design high-performance, secure IT systems and connected devices, holding certifications in ISO 27001, ISO 9001, and ISO 13485. With an NPS of 50 and four consecutive years as an Inc. 5000 business, their growth and client satisfaction speaks for itself.
A client sought Softeq's help to develop an IoT solution for monitoring HVAC equipment wear and tear and detecting failures. Softeq responded with Sub-1 GHz transceivers for long-distance data transmission and a customized communication protocol for reliable data relay.
The P2P setup, using customized IEEE 802.15.4 protocols, provided consistent data transfer up to 300 meters while a mesh network alternative catered to future expansion needs. The results were impressive, demonstrating Softeq's expertise in IoT implementation.
Notable Clients: OneStop Pro, N:aip, NFT Pro, IMT, CoreLedger, and more
Innowise Group, with 16+ years in software development, has a team of 1500+ IT experts across 40+ domains, delivering 850+ projects with a 93% recurring customer rate. Their customer-centric approach has earned them a global reputation, serving 200+ clients from 30+ countries.
When a client sought a streamlined solution for a new hotel management project, they turned to Innowise Group. The customized hospitality software resulted in a 43% revenue increase within three months, improved operational efficiency by 31%, and led to significant time and cost savings.
The all-inclusive management tool also contributed to the hotel's top-ranking position on TripAdvisor, confirming its enhanced guest service and overall excellence.
Notable Clients: Google, Salesforce, IBM, Autodesk, Rolls-Royce, Motorola, Burger King, and more
BairesDev is a leading nearshore software development agency with a team of 4,000+ bilingual professionals spanning the Americas and the Caribbean. They specialize in tailored solutions, delivering 1,200+ projects with a 91.2% customer satisfaction rate and 70.3% NPS.
Partnering with Google, BairesDev handled QA for Android TV launch, ensuring a consistent user experience across platforms. They also facilitated a seamless transition from manual to automated testing for Google's software updates on Android and iOS, ensuring uniformity and scalability.
Notable Clients: Aramex, TAIT, Acino, GRTgaz, Autodesk, Blackboard, Havas, and more
ELEKS is a software engineering powerhouse established in 1991, combining quality, transparency, and innovation. With 2,000+ experts across Europe, the US, and Canada, they've delivered 700+ projects and hold an impressive Net Promoter Score of 65.
Aramex, a logistics leader, sought a technology partner to optimize its delivery procedures. ELEKS, known for mobile UX, data science, and R&D, became the chosen partner. They launched 17 projects in nine months, reducing warehouse operation costs by 5x and increasing mobile user retention by 230%.
The partnership proved highly beneficial for Aramex, showcasing ELEKS' efficiency and effectiveness.
To curate our premier software development firms list for 2023, our specialized team used a robust scoring system, evaluating each service provider based on the following criteria:
Relevant software development services
Project portfolios and collaboration with prominent clients
Industry reputation and client reviews
A thorough evaluation of their technical expertise and executive leadership
Software development topics covered
Digital reputation on DesignRush, Google, and other similar platforms
A Reliable Full-Service Software Development, Cloud, DevOps and QA partner
Leveraging 30 years of excellence designing, developing, deploying and supporting world-class software solutions, Kanda Software has established itself as a trusted Software Development, Cloud Enginee [...]
Top Services:
Software Development Mobile App Development IT Services Blockchain
Boston, Massachusetts 500 - 999 $50/hr $50,000 & Up
Innowise Group provides diverse services, including custom software development, IT consulting, digital transformation, Java development, UI/UX design, and more.
Top Services:
Software Development Mobile App Development VR/AR eCommerce Development
St. Petersburg, Florida 1000 & Up $50/hr $25,000 - $50,000
CXR.Agency is an award-winning full-cycle software development and IT Consulting company building full-stack Web, Mobile, Blockchain, XR and AI applications as well as providing Staff Augmentation and [...]
Top Services:
Web Design Graphic Design Mobile App Development Software Development
New York City, New York 100 - 249 $100/hr $10,000 - $25,000
Nearshore Software Development & Staff Augmentation Partner Trusted by Startups and Fortune 500
Accelerate your tech projects with our vetted nearshore tech talent. Access 4,000+ software developers experienced in 100+ technologies. We've delivered 1,200+ projects for 500+ clients, earning us a [...]
Top Services:
Software Development Outsourcing Web Development UI/UX Design
San Francisco, California 1000 & Up $50/hr $50,000 & Up
Nearshore Software Development for Web, Mobile, Data, AI and Cloud
Azumo is a leading nearshore software development services provider. We provide software engineers on demand for web, mobile, data, and cloud. Our engineers work from Latin America for our customers g [...]
Top Services:
Software Development Mobile App Development AI Development Outsourcing
San Francisco, California 100 - 249 $45/hr $10,000 - $25,000
Itransition specializes in assisting startups and medium to large scale businesses with ther software development needs. Our range of services encompasses the entire software development lifecycle, fr [...]
Top Services:
Software Development IT Services Business Consulting eCommerce Development
We are a Creative Development Agency & Consultancy.
First we listen and strip down your idea to reveal the core of your business objectives.This means designing a strategy that will best support the users total experience, end-to-end.Then our US-ba [...]
Top Services:
Mobile App Development UI/UX Design Digital Marketing Software Development
Need devs but in a hiring freeze? Continue to build and increase productivity with our nearshore software development resources. We provides highly skilled, team-based resources to companies that need [...]
Top Services:
Web Development Mobile App Development Software Development eCommerce Development
San Francisco, California 50 - 99 $55/hr $25,000 - $50,000
Web, App & Custom Software Development for SMBs, Retailers and eCommerce Brands
We're a Web and Software Development Company with 100+ team members who all work together to make your project a success. With 10 years of expertise and 1500+ projects under our belt, we've efficient [...]
Top Services:
Web Development eCommerce Development Software Development Mobile App Development
Trinetix is a global team of creators and trailblazers that empower forward-thinking leaders to bring impactful ideas to digital reality through partnership, creativity, and innovation.
Top Services:
Mobile App Development UI/UX Design Blockchain Software Development
Apptension helps brands, investors and innovators build their digital products.
Apptension is a creative product studio focused on crafting innovative experiences and delivering cutting-edge tech to our partners.We work with founders, investors, and creative agencies to help th [...]
Top Services:
Mobile App Development Web Development Software Development eCommerce Development
We are an experienced Latin America software development company that focuses on building world-class quality products for digital visionaries around the world.
Top Services:
Software Development Outsourcing Mobile App Development Product Design
Bogota, Colombia Under 49 $35/hr $25,000 - $50,000
Driving Change Through Technology - Apps, Ecommerce, Staff Aug, BPO, Next Gen Tech and more!
We are the nerds that every company wants in their tech division; experience, innovative and imaginative to the core!With more than 200 innovative software products and solution delivered, Trango [...]
Top Services:
Mobile App Development eCommerce Development Software Development AI Development
San Jose, California 100 - 249 $25/hr $1,000 - $10,000
Zco Corporation is a trusted custom software development vendor whose reputation for excellence spans three decades. We've created robust software solutions for entrepreneurs, startups, and Fortune 50 [...]
Top Services:
Mobile App Development Software Development Staff Augmentation IoT
Nashua, New Hampshire 250 - 499 $35/hr $10,000 - $25,000
Digital Silk is an agency focused on Creating Superior Digital Experiences for their clients. They create cutting-edge brand strategies, websites, apps and results-driven marketing campaigns for mid-s [...]
Top Services:
Web Design eCommerce Development Branding Software Development
Top UI/UX design, web design, and branding agency in San Francisco.
Clay is a UI/UX, web design, and branding agency based in San Francisco. They create world-class digital products, websites, and brands for startups and Fortune 100 enterprises.
Top Services:
UI/UX Design Mobile App Development Web Development Software Development
We have been around for the last 22 years offering Custom Mobile App Development , Enterprise Web Solutions, Design thinking approach towards any project , and Custom Software development service [...]
Top Services:
Web Development eCommerce Development Mobile App Development Software Development
Jersey City, New Jersey 100 - 249 $25/hr $10,000 - $25,000
ISO-certified Agile Offshore Software Outsourcing Company in Vietnam, USA, Australia
Saigon Technology has been offering reliable and affordable offshore software development services to clients on worldwide such as Europe Market, Australia, Canada, Singapore and The United States and [...]
Top Services:
Outsourcing Staff Augmentation Mobile App Development Software Development
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam 250 - 499 $35/hr $25,000 - $50,000
Plego Technologies is an organization that offers customised services. Our areas of expertise include software development services, the creation of bespoke web applications as well as their design, w [...]
Top Services:
Web Development eCommerce Development Software Development Web Design
Downers Grove, Illinois Under 49 $95/hr $1,000 - $10,000
Keep your business competitive in an app-connected world.
Expert website design and development - mobile application development - API integration: we do it all! Your online presence can't be left to just anyone. We are an agile-focused agency with a high [...]
Top Services:
Shopify eCommerce Development Web Development Software Development
Los Angeles, California Under 49 $150/hr $1,000 - $10,000
Looking for a website that resonates with your audience? As nonprofit website designers, we create unforgettable websites for organizations like yours. Our websites attract more supporters, outperform [...]
Top Services:
Web Design WordPress Website Design Shopify Software Development
Wanted for Nothing is a Top Rated Digital Agency in Los Angeles
WFN is an award-winning digital agency headquartered in Los Angeles. We focus on strategies that create tangible results. Our team can cover full-cycle product delivery, including strategy, UX/UI desi [...]
Top Services:
Web Design Web Development eCommerce Development Software Development
“I believe that it is better to think first and do the right thing from the beginning, than not to think and do bullshit.” Andrew Sharapo | The perfectionist and CTO at Uinno
Top Services:
Software Development Web Development UI/UX Design Mobile App Development
TRIARE provides comprehensive services encompassing the entire software development lifecycle of WEB and MOBILE applications, along with UI/UX Design, Prototyping, Business Analysis, and software test [...]
Top Services:
Mobile App Development WordPress Website Design Web Development Software Development
Founded in 2000, Net-Craft.com is a friendly custom mobile app and web development firm based in Scottsdale, Arizona. We are focused on app development, design and the building of complex back-end sys [...]
Top Services:
Mobile App Development Web Development eCommerce Development Software Development
Scottsdale, Arizona Under 49 $45/hr $1,000 - $10,000
Since 2002 in the software development business. Companies from 27 industries choose us.
Since 2002 in the software development business. Companies choose us from 27 industries. A large number of business cases were solved. 40-55$ per hour.
Top Services:
Software Development Web Development Mobile App Development IT Services
With over two decades of experience in providing innovative solutions to clients from diverse sectors, HyperSense stands out as a top-notch software development firm. Our objective is to assist compan [...]
Top Services:
Mobile App Development Web Design Software Development UI/UX Design
We are an agency that harmoniously merges the boundless realms of artistic creativity with the precision and efficacy of engineering. This union of creative ingenuity and technical expertise forms the [...]
Top Services:
Mobile App Development Software Development
London, United Kingdom Under 49 $50/hr $1,000 - $10,000
Elevate your business with Axisbits - AI-powered software development at its finest
Introducing Axisbits, your solution for seamless and cost-effective software development. Say goodbye to communication barriers and subpar results. Our hand-picked team of top talent developers in Ukr [...]
Top Services:
Software Development Web Development eCommerce Development Web Design
Zürich, Switzerland Under 49 $60/hr $10,000 - $25,000
We started our journey in 2006 as a small group of motivated PHP developers dedicated to creating reliable and scalable digital solutions essential for our client's success in modernizing their operat [...]
Top Services:
Web Development eCommerce Development Shopify Software Development
Building Custom Software, web and mobile solutions
Outsmart the competition with best-in-class Custom Software development, web & mobile app development & digital marketing services. Build digital products that let people do things differently. Acquir [...]
Top Services:
Web Development Software Development Mobile App Development eCommerce Development
We're passionate about creating digital solutions that are tailored to your business needs. Whether you require a custom website, custom software, or digital marketing services, we work closely with y [...]
Top Services:
Web Development Software Development Web Design UI/UX Design
Canton, Michigan Under 49 $135/hr $10,000 - $25,000
Custom Software Development and Technology Consulting to Accelerate Business Growth
AltSource creates tailored software solutions to meet the unique needs of businesses and organizations. We work with clients to understand their goals and design, develop, and deliver high-quality, sc [...]
Top Services:
Software Development IoT Outsourcing Mobile App Development
VironIT is a reputable custom software and PHP development company with 18 years of experience, having completed over 600 projects for clients in various industries worldwide.
Top Services:
Software Development Mobile App Development Web Design Web Development
New York City, New York 100 - 249 $80/hr $10,000 - $25,000
Coherent Solutions offers tailored software development solutions to business worldwide, ranging from large enterprises to startups. With a focus on custom software product development, deployment, an [...]
Top Services:
Mobile App Development Software Development UI/UX Design
Minneapolis, Minnesota 1000 & Up Inquire Under $1,000
Innovate with Certainty, Choose Glorium for Excellence in Real Estate Software Development
For premier real estate software development, turn to Glorium Technologies. With 13+ years of experience, we excel in tech solutions for healthcare and real estate. Our certifications, including HIPAA [...]
Top Services:
Software Development Mobile App Development Web Development Outsourcing
Princeton, New Jersey 250 - 499 $50/hr $25,000 - $50,000
Tech Gropse is a leading mobile and game app development company with a strong presence in India and the USA. With a dedicated team of over 51 professionals, we've successfully developed and delivered [...]
Top Services:
Mobile App Development Web Development Software Development AI Development
Magneto IT Solutions, an award-winning eCommerce agency, specializes in Node.js development. We excel in creating top-notch B2C, B2B, and Marketplace eCommerce solutions. Our Exclusive Partnerships wi [...]
Top Services:
eCommerce Development Web Development Mobile App Development Software Development
New York City, New York 100 - 249 $30/hr $10,000 - $25,000
Scopic, an award-winning Windows app development company based in Massachusetts, boasts over 15 years of industry expertise. With a track record of more than 1,000 projects, their international team o [...]
Top Services:
Software Development Web Development Web Design Mobile App Development
CSSChopper is a leading web development and eCommerce development company. Since our inception in 2009, we have serverd more than 7500 clients and delivered cutting-edge solutions to top brands like C [...]
Top Services:
eCommerce Development Web Development Magento Software Development
New York City, New York 100 - 249 $25/hr $1,000 - $10,000
Your trusted team of software and unity developers!
Redwerk is a versatile software development company with an excellent team of C# developers and unity developers, offering an array of services. Get in touch with us to know more!
Top Services:
Software Development Mobile App Development Web Development Web Design
OpenXcell is the world's most trusted performance testing, mobile app and software development company catering to leading brands like Google, Motorola, Byju's, Schlumberger, John Hopkins, Cin7, etc. [...]
Top Services:
Mobile App Development Software Development Web Development Blockchain
Las Vegas, Nevada 500 - 999 Inquire $10,000 - $25,000
HTMLPanda is a leading website development company founded in 2014. With offices in Boston, Walpole & NYC, we have collaborated with clients all over the world. Our cutting-edge web development servic [...]
Top Services:
Web Development eCommerce Development WordPress Website Design Software Development
Boston, Massachusetts 100 - 249 $25/hr Under $1,000
A custom software development company is an organization specialized in providing software services including programs, platforms and digital interfaces.
A custom software development company is an organization specialized in providing software services including programs, platforms and digital interfaces.
These agencies conceptualize ideas and then create products that meet their clients’ specific requirements. They help brands improve their workflows and optimize their productivity.
Their robust targeting and personalized strategies make it easier for brands to improve customer engagement and conversion rates while increasing their revenues.
Software developers can also improve and personalize existing programs to meet an organization’s needs.
Because they work on digital programs, custom software development companies can often work remotely, which allows businesses to hire the top teams worldwide, gaining access to a larger talent pool and minimizing the cost of development.
According to Evans Data Corporation, in 2019 there were 23.9 million software developers and the number is projected to reach 28.7 million in 2024.
The number of software developers is expected to reach 28.7 million in 2024
What Does A Software Development Company Do?
Top software development firms design, create, deploy and maintain solutions for a specific set of users, functions and organizations.
They use different programming languages to create software that powers technology.
Software developers create products that are usually referred to as “solutions” because they solve problems – from mundane personal to complex professional ones. These are mainly developed to facilitate a task or streamline processes.
However, they also build software for entertainment purposes like computer games and gambling sites.
Some of their primary responsibilities include:
Mobile and web app development, mobile apps and operating systems
Designing software solutions which include product or platform conceptualization
Integrating software with other systems
Designing the UI & UX, i.e. how the interfaces look and feel to the users
Paying attention to quality assurance (QA), i.e. testing a product before it goes live, or troubleshooting as part of maintenance
Deploying it
Maintaining it
Providing post-launch support
And more
What Are The Different Types Of Software Development Firms?
Considering the fact that software can serve virtually any industry and area of business, and technologies are so many and varied, there are many types of software companies that develop specific industry, platform, technical and/or technological expertise.
Thereby, we can divide these innovative agencies into three categories.
Based on their industry and field specialization software companies can be:
Healthcare software companies
Education software companies
HR software companies
Retail software companies
Telecom software companies
And more
Then, we can also categorize them by platform and system type specialization:
Artificial intelligence and machine learning specialized companies
Cloud development
Big data specialized companies
And more
According to the type of services they deliver, custom software development companies can be placed into two groups:
Staff augmentation i.e. dedicated teams: These software companies hire and manage teams of IT professionals dedicated exclusively to your organization and can act as an extension of your in-house team. This is a type of long-term partnership.
Project-based development: Companies that specialize in project-based development form shorter-term, one-time partnerships that last until the successful delivery of the client’s project or until the partnership is dissolved.
What Is The Difference Between Custom-Written and Customized Software?
The terms custom-written and custom software mean exactly the same: solutions developed specifically for your brand only.
However, it is easy to confuse them with customizable off-the-shelf solutions.
Off-the-shelf -or readymade- solution is generalized stock software for which businesses purchase licenses and which can be somewhat personalized.
However, those small personalizations cannot compare with the benefits of custom-made solutions.
In addition, off-the-shelf solutions typically require licensing fees in perpetuity for the duration of its use.
Therefore, although off-the-shelf solutions may seem cheaper initially, those long-term costs can ultimately make it more expensive than custom solutions, which have higher upfront fees, but often lower long-term costs.
How Much Do Top Software Development Experts Charge For Their Services?
Top software development firms typically price their services per resource per hour. Therefore, these rates vary greatly depending on:
Company location
Number of resources
Level of expertise
Third-party charges
The greatest factor in service cost is geography. South Asian companies can charge as low as $20 per hour, while North American companies can charge as much as $200 for their high-end expertise.
Speaking of, expertise is an important factor in the service cost. Companies in any given location will command a range of prices, depending on the quality of their portfolios, management and resources – all of which will play a key role in the quality of their output.
In terms of average project cost, the lowest start at $1,000 in Eastern Europe, Asia and South America.
North American projects start at $5,000 and average at around $10,000.
A few other factors that can also dictate the cost of custom software development companies include:
The complexity of the project
The number of experts working on the project
The timeline
Obviously, the more complex the project is and the more software developers work on it, the more you can expect to pay.
5 Signs That Your Organization Needs Custom Software
If it happens that you own off-the-shelf software but you are thinking about investing in a customized solution, you may be not quite satisfied with your current product.
Here are a few signs that might support the idea that the readymade software you have is causing more problems than doing any good:
Technology is leaving your brand behind: Your business is doing great but your competitors are offering more than you are. Customized solutions can help you get far ahead of them thanks to competition monitoring, deep data gathering and analysis as well as productivity increase via automation.
Your current software limits your work: If you feel like your current product is not doing its job properly, then it is time to let go of it, especially if it causes problems and slows you down.
There is an increased necessity for manual work: If you already own off-the-shelf solutions that require manual workarounds, it means that it decreases your productivity. Customized solutions can automate your manual processes.
Reaching customers is getting harder: It goes without saying that customer relationships are important for your business growth. However, if you find it difficult to reach and manage them, then it might be time for a technological update.
Your business is expanding: As your business grows, your software requirements will change and off-the-shelf products may become too limiting. Customized solutions may be the perfect option for you as these will scale along with your organization.
7 Advantages Of Working With A Custom Software Development Company
Wondering why you should invest time and money in tailored solutions when the commercial ones are readily available to use at a much lower cost?
These are the advantages of working with a custom software development company:
#1: They Develop Solutions Customized To Your Business Needs
This means that unlike off-the-shelf or packaged solutions, you can ask your partner to include specific features and even exclude some that you don’t need.
With off-the-shelf solutions what you see is what you get. And, if it happens to miss a certain functionality or features that will be useful to you, well, tough luck.
According to Small Biz Club, brands should not buy the false promise of off-the-shelf solutions because they are too bland to be effective.
#2: They Provide Dedicated Maintenance
Another problem with commercial solutions is that it’s entirely up to the company that developed it to decide how long it is going to maintain it.
Unfortunately, users don’t have much say in this. If, for instance, Microsoft decides out of the blue to discontinue support for Office 365, then that’s it.
Software development firms, on the other hand, will update and maintain your product until you need to use it.
#3: They Can Scale Your Solutions Easier Than Off-The-Shelf Software
Even if the off-the-shelf solutions are, at the start, just what your business needs, don’t expect this to last. Companies grow and, with them, their software requirements as well.
At some point, you will see that commercial software can’t cope with the increasingly heavy load.
Custom-built solutions are much more flexible in this regard and are, therefore, better able to scale and evolve with your business.
#4: They Provide Technical Support
The primary goal of off-the-shelf software developers is to sell as many licenses as possible.
Unfortunately, individual users and their problems quickly lose their importance with this approach.
For top software development firms, users are always important. Since your business is likely the only one to use this particular software, they can focus all their attention on it via top-notch technical support.
#5: Their Solutions Are Less Prone To External Security Threats
They showed no signs of stopping in 2018, and there were 15,703 identified vulnerabilities.
Because of the way they are built, COTS solutions present an attractive point of attack. On the one hand, it is difficult to verify their security.
And, on the other hand, COTS solutions vendors have very limited liability.
These facts make off-the-shelf solutions much more vulnerable than custom-built ones
Does it mean that custom-built solutions are 100% safe and secure from external threats?
No, but at least not every hacker under the blue sky will attempt to probe your software.
#6: They Make It Easier To Automate
Automation is not always possible with off-the-shelf solutions. However, as you’ll no doubt learn, certain workflows are infinitely more efficient when automated.
Each organization is unique and its business processes are too. And there’s no better way to automate than with solutions tailored to your specific needs.
#7: Their Custom Solutions Facilitate The Integration Between Different Departments Within An Organization
Not only does every custom software development company have its own requirements, but very often those between different departments can clash with each other.
Custom development makes the integration between different departments within an organization and their applications much easier, which in turn promotes better collaboration.
We've ranked the best offshore software developers.
Researching Top Software Companies: What To Focus On Before You Start Your Search
Prior to evaluating what the market has to offer and researching the best software development companies, consider the following aspects:
Business Needs: What Do You Want To Achieve By Investing In Software Development?
Before you start researching prospective partners, understand what your objectives are first.
Ask yourself:
What type of software are you looking to create?
What specific needs and processes do you want to include in the new solutions?
What will be its purpose?
What do you want to achieve by investing in such a solution?
You’ll want to make sure you select a custom software development company that has experience in these types of goals and who can deliver the best results possible.
Location: Where Should Your Software Development Company Be Based?
This step will help you focus your search on local or foreign prospective software companies. The key question to ask yourself is: How important is my team’s physical accessibility to my organization, and vice versa?
In other words:
Will your software developer need access to your physical offices, storage or other corporate premises?
Will you require frequent on-site meetings?
How important is it to remain within your local legal and business systems?
How important is it to overlap with your development partner time zone-wise?
If you decide to outsource your software development project, ensure you consider the following factors:
Quality of local IT education
Local development standards
The size of the local talent pool
Local intellectual property (IP) laws and other legal protections your business would enjoy
Local business environment
Local political climate
The answers to these questions can help you determine whether to onshore or nearshore your software development project.
Budget: How Much Are You Looking To Invest?
The development cost and the cost of other software services differ greatly, not only across geographic regions but within the markets as well.
There are many factors that determine the software company’s price sheet, from the local cost of living and doing business to the companies’ level of expertise and client portfolio.
Our above-featured list of the top software companies comes with a price estimate for each. This will give you an idea of the most cost-effective regions, i.e. countries for your software development project and how far your budget can take you.
How To Choose The Right Software Development Company For Your Business
Not all development services are created equal.
Selecting the right software development firm plays an important role in delivering a cutting-edge product.
And while identifying the best fit requires thorough research and careful consideration, here are the key factors that can help you make an easier and smarter choice:
Find out whether they are a good company to work with: When looking for a development partner, it is important to determine if they fit your requirements and your management style. There are several factors here that you should consider including:
Do you need them physically close or can they be located elsewhere?
Do they fit your budget?
Do they have the manpower, the know-how and the resources to deliver your software development project on time?
How does your agency integrate the software development life cycle into its project management approach when working on client assignments?
Understand if they have the required technical expertise: Top software companies specialize in various technologies, types of services and solutions. Look for the ones that highlight the services that you need, whether it is consulting, architecture, programming or end-to-end development.
Learn whether they have the desired industry experience: Previous industry experience can significantly improve the quality of your solutions, as well as accelerate the delivery of your project. The logic is simple: The more your partner understands your target market and competition, the better they can meet your needs. Going through the portfolios of each custom software development company will help you find out what projects they have worked on.
Conduct an in-depth interview with each candidate: This is your opportunity to revisit and examine all the information about the company’s portfolio, skills and experience. It is also a chance to learn about:
Their management: Assess how experienced and qualified they are
Their evolution and vision: Know where they come from, where they are going and how stable their business is
The company’s recruitment practices: Learn how they ensure they have the best talent on board
How they keep their staff on top of their game: Learn about the processes and practices they employ to keep their staff in tune with the latest trends and technologies
Their staff turnover rates: Assess how loyal their workforce is as an important factor in the progressive domain knowledge building with your team
Their data protection practices: Evaluate how safe your sensitive data would be in their hands
Their crisis management plan: Evaluate how prepared they are to tackle crises like security breaches, technical failures and data loss
Their communication channels and practices: Learn how they facilitate communication with the clients and how they ensure transparency over the software development process
Get in touch with each custom software development company’s references to confirm the company’s claims and gain a client perspective on their work. The key questions to ask are:
How would you evaluate your collaboration?
How would you describe the company’s technical expertise and the quality of their input?
How would you evaluate the quality of the company’s output?
How easy was it to collaborate with the company’s management and other staff?
What advice would you give our organization that could contribute to the successful partnership?
Find out whether they offer post-launch support: The best custom software development companies have large teams of experts who can provide support and assistance to clients. Although smaller projects and implementations may not need a lot of guidance, complex projects or big companies may need dedicated professionals. This is why you should discover how these companies determine which projects need support and if they plan to place dedicated experts in your office for a period of time. In addition, determine how long you can expect to receive that specialized assistance.
See how these experts protect their products: With an increased digital presence comes a great possibility for data breach -- and the best software development firms know this. Take the time to understand how they build their programs safely and what processes they have in place to protect your information. Many United States software companies may have recommendations for hosting platforms, third-party integrations, and cybersecurity providers. So, ask for their suggestions, opinions, and logistical reasoning behind them.
Understand if their code is secure: A secondary piece of protecting data is understanding who writes the software code that powers the system and knowing where the source-code is stored. A source code management system backs up your digital destination regularly, ensuring that you can re-establish a website or system quickly in the event of a crash or compromise. If this is a little out of your realm of knowledge, don’t fret! All developers use source codes and should have a solid answer as to which central location the source-code is stored at. And don’t forget to ask top software developers how often a site or program is backed up and how that process works.
Discover how committed they are: Commitment is a two-way street, and brands need to ensure that they are on the same page with their software development companies. How much will their services cost, which experts are you entitled to and how long will the project take? Once this is solidified, finalize all points in a signed contract. This extra step will protect your brand, the project, and the software development firm, ensuring that everyone knows their tasks and communication is clear.
15 Questions To Ask Custom Software Development Professionals Before You Make Your Choice
Here are the top 15 questions you should ask the best software development companies on our list to narrow the list of options down:
1. What are your core areas of expertise?
Software developers are skilled in computer programming, but they specialize in different operating systems and programming languages such as Python, Ruby, and JavaScript.
They also specialize in different areas of development such as architecture, backend and frontend coding, software testing and more.
Finally, software experts, including companies, develop expertise in particular domains such as AI, blockchain and IoT, as well as industries.
Together, these experts build a product from scratch or implement changes into existing software.
To find the right software partner for your business, determine your requirement and interview the candidates to determine whether they have the expertise to deliver the best project possible.
2. How do you deliver your custom software development services: Do you work on a project-based or dedicated team model?
Most of these organizations offer two types of software development solutions: project-based and dedicated team mode.
The project-based model is suitable for businesses that look for one-time project delivery.
This typically includes small and short term projects that clients need to have ready within a short time.
They usually have set unalterable requirements and don’t need to monitor the project progress closely or communicate with the software developers constantly.
The dedicated team model, on the other hand, fits businesses that want to invest in a long term partnership. They have a long-term project and look for a software development firm that will help them shape their requirements to fit their needs.
In this case, businesses also monitor their developers and track their project progress which is why they are involved in the project and continuously communicate with their partners.
3. Which technology stacks do you specialize in?
Technology stacks are the combination of technologies, including languages and frameworks, used to create your solution.
The most popular ones are:
Frontend: JavaScript, CSS, HTML and frameworks like Angular.js
Backend: Ruby On Rails, Node.js, PHP and frameworks like Rails and Express
Database: MySQL, Oracle, MongoDB
And more
Depending on the scope of your requirement, you may want to focus on:
The companies that specialize in the technology stack your project calls for
Or, if you do not have a pre-set requirement, the companies that offer consulting and end-to-end custom software development services as these will be able to help you identify the right technologies
4. Have you developed solutions for our industry before?
Each of the best custom software development companies on our list has worked with different types of clientele. Though it is not absolutely necessary to hire a partner that has developed solutions for your industry before, it can be beneficial.
Having an agency that understands your target market, competition and business model well can accelerate project delivery.
Those experts that have deep insight into your business processes and concerns, market goals, budget and resources can meet your requirements and expectations better.
Companies’ portfolios will showcase their past work and will give you an insight into their experience in your industry as well as what results you can expect from them.
5. How do you handle the intellectual property (IP)?
Find out who will own the software rights once your product is launched. There are four types of legally recognized rights that are relevant to every industry and every type of client:
Patents
Copyrights
Trade secrets
Trademarks
By default, the custom software development company that creates the code owns it.
However, it is important for businesses to have complete ownership of these rights. One of the main reasons for this is that developers can make you very dependent on their technologies. And this can cost you a lot.
Moreover, it can also hurt your clients since the software development firm services will depend on the service provider.
Signing an agreement to protect your intellectual rights will prevent such issues.
6. What files will I have access to during the project?
Ask the potential software developers what files you will have access to assess the level of transparency and insight you will have during the project.
As they will work on different systems, these experts will build testing environments, code repositories and other files that document their development process.
All these files will help you understand product functionality and unify project-related information.
Moreover, they will also allow you to discuss some significant questions that may come up between you and your software development company.
Make sure the custom software development company you choose pays deep attention to documentation since it can improve your product quality.
7. What if I’m not satisfied with the product or service/ what about after-launch policy?
Posing this question to the best software development companies can help you figure out how safe your investment is.
If the product is discovered to be buggy as a result of poor development or QA testing process, you should ensure that your development partner is willing to commit to fixing these bugs as part of their contract.
To increase the chance of being satisfied with what your partner delivers make sure:
They adhere to the quality standards while coding your product. In other words, they should use clean code and review them regularly.
They provide you with a legal agreement or contract that will focus on the quality of your product.
8. What’s your plan for long-term software maintenance?
After your software or application is launched, you will need your partner’s support and maintenance services.
This may include fixing bugs, releasing updates or adding new features and functionalities as your business grows and changes.
So, ask the potential candidates on our list whether they will be there to assist you post-launch.
In addition, make sure you also discuss the cost of their custom software development services once your project ends.
Find out whether you need to pay any additional fees or maybe they will be included in the pre-discussed budget.
Depending on your product’s complexity, your software developer may also educate you on how to handle certain steps by yourself as well.
9. What is your preferred development methodology and why?
Depending on their team size and objectives, software organizations implement different development methodologies and focus on different best practices.
For your partners to finish your project successfully it is important for them to do proper planning and management.
This is why you should understand how well these experts manage software development teams and work. All methodologies have different pros and cons.
For instance, one of the greatest advantages of Agile is that it improves efficiency by allowing developers to realize software benefits earlier.
However, its weakness is that it relies on real-time communication. This is the reason why new users often lack the documentation they need to operate at full speed.
So, it is of key importance to pick a custom software development company that fits your needs the best.
That way you will ensure your projects’ success.
10. What is your approach to project planning like, including development strategy and KPIs?
It is important to understand what is the approach these agencies have to your project from the initial planning until the very end of your project.
The best software development company will employ reliable methods that will first and foremost meet your business needs.
Then, they will implement different tactics that ensure the quality and functionally of your product including UX/UI research and QA testing.
These experts will also estimate the length of your project and focus on relevant key performance indicators to allow them to make smart decisions.
11. What is your approach to project management like, including team roles and project management tools?
The best software services providers will use appropriate project management methods, such as agile software development approach. They will plan, schedule, track and deliver their projects on time.
Its team will function together as a whole and they will be able to learn and grow as they reach their collective results.
They will have a successful project management structure where software developers will clearly define their tasks from the beginning of every project.
And just before that, their project managers will understand their clients’ needs well and adapt their strategies to every business’ unique goals.
12. How do you approach client communication?
Every successful project delivery depends on effective communication between the client and the software development company. Therefore, the right partner will constantly keep you in the loop of your project’s progress.
They will use the best tactics that will make your collaboration easier and simpler.
This may include online messaging platforms that will allow quick responses and will save time whenever any issues arise.
Then, they will incorporate reporting dashboards that will store the project data and include real-time updates that will let you keep track of their progress.
Depending on your location, if you and the potential candidate are close to distance, they might also suggest you have in-person meetings from time to time for them to report on your product development.
13. What level of involvement should I expect?
For your partner to be able to meet your expectations, it is important for you to clearly highlight all your requirements.
This may require your software development partner to be constantly in touch with you. They might ask for your opinions, share their ideas and suggestions to ensure your project’s success.
So, it is important for you to ask how you would be involved in the project from the start until its launch. Inquire how often you would communicate with their project managers to understand whether you can allocate the time and to organize yourself better without neglecting your work duties.
Also, ask who would be the main point of contact so that you know who to turn to whenever you have any questions.
14. How much would my project cost?
Every firm offers different pricing structures. And as we mentioned above, most of them price their software development company services per hour.
However, the cost of custom software development services will depend on various factors including the project complexity.
This is why you should communicate your project requirements as well as business goals prior to asking about the cost.
However, you should also bear in mind that a cheap solution is not a cost-effective one. The more you are able to invest, the more efficient product you will get.
This is why you should keep your long-term software revenue in mind when negotiating on the final price.
Moreover, make sure you also ask about the cost of the post-launch maintenance services. Find out whether they are included in the project cost or you will need to pay extra fees.
15. What would be the list of actual deliverables?
The actual project deliverables will be different for every client since they all have unique goals and requirements.
This is why you should clearly communicate your objectives with the potential custom software development companies on our list so that they can tell you exactly what you can expect.
Make sure you choose an agency that can ensure product deliverables and that can deliver software that is fully functional and that meets your expectations completely.
However, also choose a partner that can provide you with project deliverables. This includes project plans, reports and meetings info.
A software development company specializes in building programs, systems, platforms, and other software components to help businesses improve workflows, boost productivity, and customize existing programs according to their needs.
What does a software development company do?
A software development company creates, improves, and maintains software solutions for a variety of purposes across a wide range of industries.
Besides custom software development, they typically provide this set of services:
Product development
Software integration into other systems
Mobile app development
Website development
UI/UX design
Software testing and product quality assurance (QA)
Troubleshooting
Deployment
Post-launch support
Cloud software solutions
And more
How much time does it take to build software?
Building software typically takes four to nine months.
This timeline covers:
Discovery phase for documentation of requirements and design: two to four weeks
Architecture and development phase for coding and framework construction: three to six months
Compliance phase for coding review, end-to-end testing, and user acceptance testing (UAT): three to six weeks
How much do top software development companies charge for their services?
The top software development companies can charge between $50,000 and $250,000 for their services.
These agencies typically have a $20 to $200 per hour rate, depending on location. North American agencies with high-end expertise can charge as much as $200 per hour, while Eastern European and South Asian-based firms can charge as low as $45 and $20 hourly rates, respectively.
Aside from the agency's hourly rates and location, the total cost of developing software depends on these factors:
Level of expertise
Third-party charges
Project scope and complexity
Number of platforms
UI/UX design
Technology stack
Team size
Timeline
And more
A simple app which usually takes around 700 hours to develop comes with a lower price, while more complex software with server-side applications can have a six-figure price tag.
The more complex a project is, and the more developers are involved, the higher the expected cost.
Why hire a custom software development company?
The main reason to hire a custom software development company is to obtain tailored solutions and leverage the latest technologies allowing scalability and seamless systems integration.
Other reasons to partner with a specialized company are:
Use of proven software development methodology
Use of advanced management tools
Top-notch technical support from experts
Dedicated maintenance
Security measures
Automation
Superior quality
Timely completion
Here's a case study that reinforces these reasons further. TradeSmith partnered with software development company, Itransition, to create a cutting-edge platform for effective portfolio management and stock market updates.
As a result, Itransition launched the client's flagship investment management product, TradeStops, which gained a user base of 30,000+ traders and investors. Further demonstrating the benefits of hiring a top agency, TradeStops's total value of managed portfolios has exceeded $20 billion.
How do I find the best custom software development company?
The steps to finding the best custom software development company for your business are as follows:
Identify your project objectives, requirements, budget, and KPIs.
Understand the different software development technologies and decide which technology to use for your project.
Search for potential companies with experience and expertise in your domain.
Consider their location.
Find them on top agency rankings and professional platforms.
Look through the tech stack they use.
Look for software development companies with expertise in user experience.
Narrow your search into a shortlist of five agencies based on client reviews and portfolios.
Arrange interviews to discuss your project in detail and assess their capabilities and resources.
Know their software development methodology and understand the project plan.
Ask about QA testing and maintenance.
Inquire about after-development or post-launch support.
Learn their cybersecurity measures and practices for protecting products and code.
Examine team structure and dynamics, processes, and communication style.
Decide on your final choice based on the information gathered.
If you need assistance finding the right software development agency, visit our Marketplace and let us know the details of your project. We'll thoroughly search our extensive Agency Directory to find the top candidates that best suit your needs. We'll connect you with two to five shortlisted agencies so you can choose the ideal match for your business — all for free.
What questions should I ask custom software development companies before hiring one?
Consider asking these key questions before hiring a custom software development company:
How many software developers will be assigned to our project, and what are their specializations?
Which coding languages and technology frameworks do you specialize in?
Have you developed software for organizations like ours before?
Which files will we have access to during the project?
Which development methodology do you use and why?
What is your approach to project management, strategies, and KPIs?
How often can we expect updates and progress reports?
Do you provide after-launch support and maintenance?
What is your post-launch policy? What happens if we're less than satisfied with the output?
What is your approach to intellectual property? Who will own the code after launch?
What are the services included in our total project cost?
Will there be a post-launch maintenance fee?
If we decide to collaborate long-term, what is your agency retainer fee?
What is the difference between custom software and commercial software?
We commonly use two primary software categories across various devices in our daily routines, i.e., commercial software and custom software. They are categorized by how they are developed and made accessible.
Commercial software (also known as packaged software) is commercially produced software that is readily accessible for purchase at set prices, without any personalized modifications. For instance, Microsoft Office is a packaged software suite that can be bought and used by anyone.
On the other hand, custom software is designed uniquely to fulfill the needs of a particular organization or objective. Its pricing structure depends on the specific features it offers. As an illustration, a company might commission a software development team to create a custom inventory management system tailored to their precise requirements.
What are the top software development agencies in the U.S.?
The best software development agencies in the U.S. are:
Top clients: Unilever, Dyson, Harrods, National Wildlife Federation, and more
You can also go through the listing above to learn more about the top agencies. Narrow down your search according to location, fees, client reviews, team size, and other parameters.
How can DesignRush Agency Directory help me find a reliable custom software development company?
With an average 4.7-star rating on Google and Trustpilot, DesignRush Agency Directory can help you find a reliable custom software development company. We have a team of agency and technology experts, who handpick the listed agencies on our platform.