Software development
Custom software development for serious products
UK-based engineering with remote delivery across the UK, Europe, and the USA. We build maintainable web applications, integrations, and automation-friendly systems — from MVPs to long-term platforms.
What we mean by software development
Practical engineering: clear scope, secure defaults, and code your team can live with for years.
Customer-facing products, internal tools, and dashboards — typically on Django or Ruby on Rails when you want a mature server-rendered foundation.
Connect payments, CRMs, auth providers, and internal systems with sensible error handling, observability, and documentation.
When workflows matter, we align engineering with tools like n8n so operations teams can evolve processes without constant dev tickets.
Companion apps and cross-platform delivery when your product strategy requires native or hybrid mobile — coordinated with your web stack.
How we work with international clients
Time zones and async communication are normal for us.
UK headquarters, remote delivery
We operate from the UK with structured communication: written specs, recorded demos when helpful, and predictable milestones.
EU and US engagements
We regularly support stakeholders in the EU and USA. We align on contracts, security expectations, and data handling up front.
Security and maintainability
Dependency updates, reviews, and tests where they earn their keep — so your product stays shippable after launch.
Clear handover
Documentation, deployment notes, and knowledge transfer so your team or partners can operate the system confidently.
Explore related capabilities
Go deeper on the parts of your build that matter most.
- Django development → Python-first web apps with strong admin defaults and integrations.
- Ruby on Rails development → Fast iteration with conventions that scale as features grow.
- Laravel development → Elegant PHP apps with Livewire interactivity and Sanctum-secured APIs.
- Web app development → Compare Rails vs Django and how we choose a stack.
- Business automation → n8n workflows alongside custom software when ops are in scope.
- Mobile app development → When your roadmap needs companion or cross-platform apps.
Custom software development FAQs
What founders and product teams ask us before starting a bespoke build.
How do I know if I need custom software or an off-the-shelf product?
Start with off-the-shelf. If existing SaaS covers 80% of your workflow, adapt your process around it. Build custom when: (a) the software IS your differentiator (a marketplace, SaaS product, internal platform), (b) integration needs exceed what Zapier/n8n can handle, or (c) compliance (data residency, auditability) rules out third-party tools. We help you decide honestly — sometimes that means telling you not to build.
What tech stack do you use for custom software?
We choose based on team skills and problem fit. Our default for web apps: Ruby on Rails or Django (fast to ship, mature ecosystem) with PostgreSQL, Redis, and a Tailwind frontend. For high-traffic product surfaces: Astro or Next.js on the edge. For data-heavy workloads: Python + Polars/DuckDB. We do not force a stack — the right one is what you can maintain.
How long does a typical custom software project take?
A focused MVP (1–2 core workflows) ships in 6–10 weeks. A full product with auth, billing, admin, and 4–5 feature areas takes 3–5 months. We work in 2-week sprints with demos and ship increments to production continuously — you see progress weekly rather than waiting for a big reveal.
How much does custom software cost in the UK?
Realistic MVP range: £18,000–£45,000. Full SaaS builds: £50,000–£150,000 for v1. Ongoing development: £6,000–£20,000/month depending on team size. We price on scope, not hourly, and provide fixed-price proposals for each sprint after discovery. Rescue/audit engagements are typically £2,500–£5,000.
Do we own the code at the end of the project?
Yes — full IP, source code, and infrastructure access are handed over in writing as part of our contract. We use your GitHub/GitLab from day one. If you switch to another team later, there is nothing proprietary locking you in.
Can you take over an existing codebase?
Yes. We regularly inherit Rails, Django, and Laravel apps — assess technical debt, add test coverage where it pays back, upgrade framework versions, and stabilise deploys. The first sprint is typically an audit with a written plan and risk-ranked roadmap.
Tell us what you are building
Share your users, timelines, integrations, and success criteria — we’ll propose an approach and team shape.