Why SMBs Can Finally Afford Custom Business Software

For years, "custom software" meant expensive projects only large companies could afford. With modern low-code platforms, SMBs can now get tools built around their own workflows — without breaking the bank.

The Old Model: Expensive and Slow

Traditional custom software development required:

• Months of development time — building every feature from scratch
• High hourly rates — $150–250/hour for experienced developers
• Ongoing maintenance costs — keeping custom code updated and secure

A simple internal CRM could easily cost $50,000+ and take 3–6 months to build.

What Changed?

Modern low-code platforms have matured significantly:

• Visual development — Build interfaces without coding every pixel
• Pre-built components — Authentication, data tables, forms come ready to use
• Managed infrastructure — No server maintenance or DevOps overhead
• Rapid iteration — See changes instantly, deploy in minutes

The New Economics

With low-code platforms, the same CRM can be built in 2–4 weeks at a fraction of the cost.

We focus development time on:

• Your unique business logic
• Custom integrations
• Specialized workflows

Everything else uses battle-tested platform components.

Time-to-Delivery Reduction

Traditional development often takes 3–6 months for an MVP. With low-code, we can deliver in 2–6 weeks.

Why?

• No need to build authentication systems from scratch
• Pre-built UI components that look professional
• Instant database setup and API generation
• Built-in security and compliance features

Long-Term Maintenance Costs

Low-code platforms handle:

• Security patches
• Infrastructure updates
• Browser compatibility
• Mobile responsiveness

You're not maintaining a custom codebase — you're maintaining business logic.

When Does Custom Code Still Make Sense?

We still write custom code for:

• Complex business rules unique to your industry
• Custom integrations with legacy systems
• Performance-critical operations
• Advanced data processing

The difference? We write code where it adds value, not everywhere.

Real-World Example

A recent project: an employee onboarding portal for a 50-person company.

Traditional estimate: $40,000, 3 months
Low-code approach: $12,000, 3 weeks

Features included:

• Document uploads and e-signatures
• Progress tracking for managers
• Automated email notifications
• Integration with existing HRIS

The Bottom Line

SMBs can now afford custom tools that actually fit their workflows — without the enterprise price tag.

If you've been putting off that internal tool because custom development seemed too expensive, it's time to take another look.

Want to see what your project might cost?
Try our instant calculator: tco.devtom.ca