Is $100 really possible?
Yes for a focused website or small workflow. A business application with accounts, payments, or multiple workflows will cost more.
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An example quote at this budget, not a past client.
What does custom software cost for a small business?
A focused small-business build usually costs $100 to $1,000 up front at SYSTALOG, then $20 to $60 a month for hosting, updates, backups, and support.
- $100 to $1,000
- typical build
- $20 to $60
- a month
- Days to 4 weeks
- to launch
You see the flat price before work starts.
SYSTALOG.aiFlat quote
ExampleStock lived in three spreadsheets and one person's head.
| Scope | Status |
|---|---|
| Inventory tracking with barcode lookup | Included |
| Low-stock alerts | Included |
| Supplier and reorder list | Included |
| Staff accounts with roles | Included |
| Owner dashboard | Included |
- Build, one time
- $650
- Monthly
- $45/mo
- Live in
- 3 weeks
Price fixed in writing. Anything you add later gets its own flat quote first.
What changes the price
Three things move a quote more than anything else. Most small projects involve only one of them.
- Number of workflowsOne clear job costs less than a platform trying to run the whole company.
- Customer loginsAccounts, permissions, saved history, and secure files add real build work.
- Payments and integrationsStripe, QuickBooks, text messages, maps, and existing systems must be connected and tested.
What the first version includes
Every quote lists the exact screens and workflows, so you can see what the number buys before you agree to it.
- A written scopeThe exact screens, workflows, integrations, and launch work included.
- One flat build priceNo hourly meter and no surprise invoice after the work is underway.
- A clear monthly numberHosting, security, monitoring, backups, fixes, and small changes.
- OwnershipYour software and business data remain yours and can be exported.
What each budget usually buys
The price depends on what the software must do, not how impressive the pitch deck looks. A website is usually at the low end. Booking, ordering, portals, inventory, native apps, and outside integrations move the scope upward.
- $100 to $250: get foundA mobile-ready website with contact and quote forms, Google Business and maps setup, and local search basics. Then $20 a month.
- $350 to $650: run the businessEverything above plus online booking or ordering, a customer database, card payments through Stripe, email and text notifications, and an owner dashboard. Then $35 a month.
- $650 to $1,000: a full custom buildNative iPhone and Android apps, customer portals, inventory and workflows, and connections to the tools you already use. Then $60 a month.
Typical build $100 to $1,000, then $20 to $60 a month. Your quote is one flat number, written down before work starts.
A quick fit check
Probably a good fit
- You have one expensive or frustrating bottleneck
- You want the number before committing
- A useful first version can stay focused
Probably not yet
- You need a nationwide enterprise rollout
- The scope has no clear owner
- You want every possible feature on day one
Not sure which side you are on? Answer six short questions or see six example quotes and prices.
Common questions
Why is the monthly fee so low?
It covers the practical work of keeping a focused build online and current. Large feature additions receive a separate flat quote.
Can the quote change?
Only if you ask to change the agreed scope. The original written scope keeps its original flat price.
Tell us what is slow or manual
Describe the problem in plain words. You get a written scope and one flat price, usually the same day.