Organic rankings are determined by five factors: top services, reviews, portfolio, awards/press, and team expertise. Sponsored listings pay for a placement that appears above organic positions. Sponsorship does not affect star ratings or review content - read more on our methodology page.
From Headache to Headspace, we build AI-powered custom solutions that solve problems, streamline operations, and free you to grow...
Top Services:
AI Development
Software Development
Location
Dunedin, New Zealand
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$200/hr
Minimal Budget
$1,000 - $10,000
Portfolios Count
1 Project Listed
Incredible AI Services
AI Development
Software Development
Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
Ministry of Education
Tennant
Amperage
Vertosa
Dakota
Korio
Silks Audit
Rhino Bins
Saflex
Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile
Incredible AI Reviews & Testimonials
Mark Baker Review from Google
5.0★
Mark Baker's Review Sourced from Google
Stephen's AI Masterclass was spot on. He clearly knows his stuff when it comes to AI, and more importantly, he made the content relevant to our actual business needs rather than just spouting theory.The session was well-presented and Stephen took the time to work through real use cases that applied to what we're trying to achieve. No fluff, just practical insights that we could actually implement.If you're looking to get your head around AI and how to apply it in your business, Stephen's course is well worth your time.
Mark O' Neill Review from Google
5.0★
Mark O' Neill's Review Sourced from Google
I recently completed Stephen's 4-week AI course and found it exceptionally valuable. What set this apart from other AI training I've seen was Stephen's refreshing focus on real, practical applications rather than hype and buzzwords.Stephen took the time to understand each participant's business and challenges, then showed us concrete ways to implement AI tools into our day-to-day work. For someone running a technical business, I could immediately see opportunities to streamline repetitive and structured tasks that consume valuable time.The sessions were well-paced, insightful, and Stephen's teaching style made complex concepts accessible. He provided actionable takeaways each week - from productivity tools to voice cloning with ElevenLabs - that you can implement immediately.If you're looking for genuine guidance on how AI can work for your business without the marketing fluff, Stephen's course delivers. Well worth the investment.Thanks Stephen for a great 4 weeks!
Carolyn James Review from Google
5.0★
Carolyn James's Review Sourced from Google
Matt Browning's AI workshop in Taupo was inspiring! Matt helped participants to identify the kinds of tasks that could be automated with AI and really encouraged us to experiment with tools. Matt's workshop has come up in conversation several times since then - it has really got people thinking.
Reviews verified by DesignRush and sourced from the agency's profile View All Reviews
We create future-ready solutions that transform the way businesses operate. From workflow automation and AI-driven applications to immersive 360º experiences and drone technology, we help businesses work smarter, engage better, and scale with confidence...
Top Services:
VR/AR
Mobile App Development
Software Development
Wearables
IoT
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Location
Nelson, New Zealand
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$80/hr
Minimal Budget
$1,000 - $10,000
Digital Diligence Limited Services
VR/AR
Mobile App Development
Software Development
Wearables
IoT
AI Development
CRM Consulting
Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
Port Nelson
Clearwater Mussels
Health New Zealand
Ngāti Kuia
Spa World Australia/NZ
Nelson Airport
Nelson Aviation College
Spa Store
Precision Regrinds
Concrete Unlimited
Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile
Digital Diligence Limited Reviews & Testimonials
Ainsley Sinclair Palairet Review from Google
5.0★
Ainsley Sinclair Palairet's Review Sourced from Google
I thought Tim and Savannah (Digital Diligence) were FAB from the first time we met, and I was not mistaken. If you're looking for honest, high-quality, and highly skilled tech support in the Zoho space, you won't find better.From our very first interaction at a user group, they impressed me with their style or working together and knowing their stuff. Now as a client I can attest to lovely clear communication, very prompt response times, and genuine commitment to solving problems efficiently. They provided smart, tailored solutions that showed real understanding of their technical side, but most importantly to me, they get the practical needs of my business.What really stood out was their willingness to go the extra mile—getting urgent work turned around quickly without ever compromising on quality, and setting us up for success with generous scoping meetings to start with. Their pricing is fair and transparent, and I always felt like they had my best interests at heart.I recommend DDL to anyone needing reliable, professional, and genuinely helpful support with their Zoho package.
Matthew Jenke Review from Google
5.0★
Matthew Jenke's Review Sourced from Google
I had the pleasure of working with Savannah & Mike on a recent video project, and it quickly made sense why Digital Diligence / Zest Creative has such a solid reputation. Right from the start, they brought sharp thinking, clear communication, and a great sense of how to align creative ideas with a brand’s goals.Savannah & Mike struck a great balance between trusting the creative process and offering ideas that took the project to another level.What stood out most was DDs collaborative approach. They create a team environment that’s positive, respectful, and productive, which made everything run smoothly. It’s rare to find someone who can zoom in on the details while keeping the big picture in mind.I’d absolutely recommend Digital Diligence to anyone looking for digital strategy and creative direction that really works.Matt – Director, Silver Eye Films
Anderson Harris Review from Google
2.0★
Anderson Harris's Review Sourced from Google
I would not recommend working with this company if you value your time and money. The project was not completed within the agreed timeframe, and it became clear that they have a limited team working on it. Additionally, their fees are quite high relative to the quality of service provided.
Reviews verified by DesignRush and sourced from the agency's profile View All Reviews
GYSP.tech is a trusted global IT Consulting and Service Provider helping businesses strategize, build, secure, and scale Cloud, Data, AI/ML, SaaS and Ecommerce ecosystems to maximize operational ROI and competitive advantage...
Top Services:
Cloud Consulting
DevOps Consulting
AI Development
Software Development
Staff Augmentation
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Location
Hamilton, New Zealand
Number of Employees
100 - 249
Average Hourly Rate
$25/hr
Minimal Budget
$1,000 - $10,000
GYSP.tech Services
Cloud Consulting
DevOps Consulting
AI Development
Software Development
Staff Augmentation
Web Development
eCommerce Development
Digital Strategy
SEO
PPC
Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
Lighting-Fast, SEO-Optimazed Websites & Apps, Crafted Just for You.
At Pulsebay, we're a compact, tech-savvy team with our fingers firmly on the pulse of the latest trends in web and application development. Our approach is selective and personalized; we partner with a limited number of clients at any given time, ensuring each project receives the unique attention it...
Top Services:
Product Design
Web Design
UI/UX Design
eCommerce Development
Web Development
Show more
Location
Auckland, New Zealand
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$100/hr
Minimal Budget
$1,000 - $10,000
Pulsebay Services
Product Design
Web Design
UI/UX Design
eCommerce Development
Web Development
WordPress Website Design
Software Development
Mobile App Development
AI Development
Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
What are the most requested services of custom software development firms?
The most requested services from custom software development firms are almost entirely AI-based products, delivered primarily through web application development, mobile development, AI agent development, and legacy system refactoring. UX/UI design, cloud infrastructure, DevOps, and QA automation are typically not sold as standalone services; instead, they are embedded within each of these project types.
As reported by Diffco, year-over-year trends show a prevailing shift: AI agent development has grown from a niche request into a significant share of overall volume, while demand for legacy system refactoring continues to rise as clients seek to prepare their existing systems to support AI capabilities.
Service
Share of total demand
Web application development
40%
Mobile app development
30%
AI agent development
20%
Legacy system refactoring
10%
How much does a software development company charge for its services?
Software development services typically cost $50,000 for MVPs to $2 million+ for enterprise software. US developers generally charge $120-$200/hour, while developers in Europe and Asia charge around $25-$150/hour.
How do I determine if a global company is the right size for my project?
To determine if a global software development agency is the right size for your project, match project complexity and scale to company capacity.
Choose a large/global agency with 1000+ staff, if your project:
Is complex or enterprise-grade, includes multiple software solutions, integrations, and compliance
Needs 24/7 support, multi-time-zone delivery, or long-term maintenance
Large software development companies reduce delivery risk for complex programs but typically charge higher rates and use more structured processes.
Choose a small or mid-size agency with 10-200 staff if your project:
Is an MVP or mid-scale build
Requires speed, flexibility, and direct access to senior talent
Has a tighter budget and well-defined scope
Who owns the Intellectual Property (IP) and source code at the end of the project?
In most software development projects, the client owns the Intellectual Property (IP) and source code upon completion of the engagement, unless the contract explicitly states otherwise. Standard practice dictates that the ownership of the source code, documentation, design elements, and custom deliverables belongs to the client upon full payment. Contracts typically use "work made for hire" or an IP assignment clause to formalize this.
Third-party or open-source components, however, are not owned by the client. Instead, they are used under their respective licenses. Some agencies retain ownership of pre-existing frameworks or reusable tools and grant the client a license to use them. You should also know that IP ownership is not automatic. To avoid disputes, ensure the contract clearly states full IP and source-code ownership transfers to you upon payment, with no usage limitations.
What tools and frameworks do software developers use?
They use various tools and frameworks, depending on the type of digital product they’re building. But the most common include:
What questions should I ask before hiring a software development company?
Before hiring a software development company, ask:
Have you built similar software before?
Which technologies will you use?
Who will work on my project?
What is included in the scope?
How long will development take?
How do you handle testing and security?
Do you provide support after launch?
How do I reduce the risk of hiring the wrong software development company?
Check the company’s exit terms and review cadence before comparing prices. Short notice periods and frequent demos give you more opportunities to spot problems and change direction early. For example, Designli uses biweekly demos, offers a refundable first 14 days, and allows clients to cancel with 30 days’ notice.