Every quote I get is a vague 'it depends.'
We lock scope before building and break cost down by phase, so you get a clear range tied to real features and roles instead of an open-ended estimate.
Web & Software Development
Web & Software Development
From a focused MVP to a multi-tenant SaaS platform, we build custom web apps on modern stacks that ship fast and scale. We buy commodity infrastructure, build your differentiator, and break down cost by phase—so scope creep never blows your budget.
Scope locked before code · Cost broken down by phase · Global delivery quality
$15K–$40K
Focused MVP build range
6–14 wks
Typical MVP ship window
Next.js · React
Modern, maintainable stack
Buy vs build
Commodity bought, differentiator built
Where founders get stuck
Real concerns, answered before you commit
I'm scared scope creep will blow my budget.
Scope creep, not engineering speed, is the single biggest timeline and budget risk—so we start with a tight MVP, define success metrics, and manage change deliberately.
Should I build auth and billing myself?
Usually no. We buy commodity infrastructure like managed auth and Stripe payments and build only your differentiator, saving weeks and tens of thousands.
I don't understand why SaaS costs more than a simple app.
Multi-tenancy, user roles, billing, and tenant isolation add real architectural complexity. We explain exactly which of those you need now versus later so you don't overpay.
My legacy software is holding the business back.
We assess, plan a phased migration, and rebuild incrementally to modern, scalable architecture—preserving your business logic and avoiding a risky big-bang rewrite.
What we build
What we build
MVP web apps
A focused, production-ready first version that proves your core idea fast, built to extend rather than throw away.
Multi-tenant SaaS platforms
Subscription products that securely serve many customer organizations from shared infrastructure, with tenant isolation, roles, and billing.
Internal tools & portals
Custom CRMs, admin panels, customer portals, and dashboards that replace spreadsheets and off-the-shelf tools your team has outgrown.
Auth, billing & integrations
Managed authentication, Stripe subscriptions, and third-party API integrations wired in cleanly so engineering focuses on your unique logic.
Security & data architecture
Role-based access, secure data isolation, and Postgres-backed schemas designed for performance and safe multi-tenant growth.
Legacy modernization & AI features
Phased migration of legacy systems to modern stacks, plus optional AI features like RAG assistants and automation where they add real value.
How we deliver
A clear, milestone-based delivery process
01
Discovery & scope lock
We map features, user roles, and integrations, then lock scope and break cost down by phase so the budget is tied to a clear spec.
02
Architecture & buy-vs-build
We choose the stack and decide what to buy (auth, payments) versus build (your differentiator), then design data, tenancy, and roles.
03
MVP build
We ship a focused, production-ready first version in weeks—real features, not a throwaway prototype—so you can validate with users.
04
Iterate & scale
Based on real usage we add roles, integrations, multi-tenancy, and real-time features, scaling architecture as demand grows.
05
Hardening & launch
Security review, performance tuning, and testing precede launch on Vercel or AWS, with monitoring and a clear maintenance plan.
06
Support & maintenance
We budget ongoing maintenance, infrastructure, and security updates so the product stays reliable and keeps improving after launch.
Pricing & timelines
Web & software development cost (2026)
Indicative ranges blended from current market data. Your fixed-scope quote is set after a short discovery call.
MVP web app
$15K–$40K
6–14 weeks
A focused, production-ready first version of your idea with a clear spec, modern stack, and room to extend.
Best for: Validating a product idea with real users quickly.
Portal or business tool
$25K–$100K
3–5 months
Internal tools, customer-facing portals, and custom CRMs with user roles, integrations, and dashboards.
Best for: Replacing spreadsheets or off-the-shelf tools you've outgrown.
SaaS application
$75K–$250K
3–6 months
Multi-tenant SaaS with tenant isolation, billing, role management, and the integrations your customers expect.
Best for: Subscription products sold to many organizations.
Complex / enterprise platform
$150K–$500K+
6–24 months
Advanced platforms with deep integrations, real-time features, and enterprise-grade security and scale.
Best for: Mature products with complex workflows and compliance needs.
Scope, user roles, and integrations drive the number—multi-tenancy is a major reason SaaS costs more than a single-tenant app. Plan for 15–25% of build cost annually for maintenance, plus infrastructure (from $50–$500/month at MVP scale). Final pricing is fixed after scope is locked.
Stack & infrastructure
- Next.js
- React
- Node.js / TypeScript
- Postgres / managed databases
- Stripe payments
- Managed auth
- Vercel
- AWS
Why teams choose Marshall
Honest, phased pricing
We break cost down by phase and tell you what you need now versus later, instead of hiding behind a vague 'it depends.'
Buy commodity, build differentiator
We use proven auth and payment infrastructure and spend your engineering budget on the logic that actually makes your product unique.
Scope discipline
We start with a tight MVP and manage change deliberately, because scope creep is the top cause of blown software budgets.
Global delivery quality
You get senior engineering quality at competitive rates, with the option to fold in AI and Web3 capabilities other shops can't deliver.
FAQ
Web & software development FAQs
How much does it cost to build a custom web app?
A focused MVP costs $15,000–$40,000, an internal business tool $25,000–$75,000, a customer-facing portal $40,000–$100,000, a SaaS application $75,000–$250,000, and a complex platform $150,000–$500,000+. Scope, user roles, and integrations drive the number.
How much does it cost to build a SaaS application?
A basic SaaS MVP costs $35,000–$75,000, a mid-level SaaS $75,000–$180,000, an advanced platform $180,000–$450,000+, and enterprise-grade $300,000–$1M+. The main cost drivers are multi-tenancy, number of user roles, integrations, and real-time features.
How long does it take to build a web app or SaaS product?
A focused MVP ships in 6–14 weeks, a mid-complexity SaaS in 3–6 months, and a complex or enterprise platform in 6–24 months. The single biggest timeline risk is scope creep, not engineering speed.
What is multi-tenancy and why does it affect cost?
Multi-tenancy lets one application securely serve many customer organizations from shared infrastructure, with isolated data per tenant. It's foundational for SaaS but adds architectural complexity to data, auth, and billing—a major reason SaaS costs more than a single-tenant app.
What's the cheapest realistic budget for a SaaS V1?
Around $6,000–$12,000 for a focused single-feature SaaS built by one experienced engineer over 6–12 weeks, assuming no custom auth or billing and a clear spec. Below that, you're in unreliable freelancer territory.
Should I build features or buy them (auth, billing)?
Buy commodity infrastructure—authentication via managed providers and payments via Stripe—and build only your differentiator. This buy-commodity, build-differentiator approach saves weeks and tens of thousands, letting engineering focus on your unique business logic.
What are the ongoing costs of a web app?
Plan for 15–25% of build cost annually for maintenance, plus infrastructure ($50–$500/month at MVP scale, several thousand at enterprise scale), third-party API subscriptions, and security updates.
What tech stack do you build web apps with?
Modern stacks favor Next.js and React on the front-end, a Node.js/TypeScript or similar backend, Postgres or managed databases, and cloud hosting on Vercel or AWS, with Stripe for payments and managed auth. The right stack balances development speed, scalability, and your team's maintainability.
What's the difference between a web app and a SaaS product?
A web app is any browser-based application; a SaaS product is specifically a subscription-based, multi-tenant web app sold to many customers. SaaS adds billing, tenant isolation, role management, and onboarding, which is why it's a larger build than a single internal tool.
Can you modernize or rebuild my legacy software?
Yes. Application modernization migrates legacy systems to modern, scalable architectures, improving performance, security, and maintainability while preserving business logic. We typically assess, plan a phased migration, and rebuild incrementally to avoid a risky big-bang rewrite.
How do I avoid overspending on a software project?
Lock scope before building, start with an MVP, buy commodity components, define success metrics, and use a partner who breaks down cost by phase. Vague 'it depends' quotes and unmanaged scope creep are the top causes of blown budgets.
Does team location affect web development cost?
Significantly. US and Western European senior engineers cost the most; skilled teams in Eastern Europe or Asia can be 30–60% cheaper for comparable quality. Marshall offers global delivery quality at competitive rates.
Last updated: June 2026
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