Pricing Overview

How to Think About Software Investment, Not Software Cost

The question “how much does custom software cost?” is a bit like “how much does a building cost?” It depends entirely on what you are building, where, and for whom. But unlike buildings, software has a lifecycle cost that most businesses underestimate. The initial build is only the beginning. Hosting, maintenance, feature development, security updates, and third-party service fees continue for as long as the system is in use. A business that budgets only for the build is like one that budgets only for construction but forgets about electricity, maintenance, and insurance.

We are transparent about this because quoting a low build cost and surprising clients with ongoing expenses destroys trust and creates adversarial relationships. Our pricing model is designed so you understand the full picture before committing. Project-based work is scoped and quoted upfront, with clear milestones and no hidden fees. Retainers provide predictable monthly costs for ongoing development and support. Software subscriptions are published with straightforward per-product pricing.

We do not publish fixed prices for custom development because the honest answer depends on complexity, integrations, data model, user roles, compliance requirements, and a dozen other factors that vary between projects. Two businesses both asking for “a client portal” might need fundamentally different systems. One needs a simple document-sharing platform; the other needs a multi-role system with billing integration, contract management, and real-time reporting. Quoting the same price for both would be dishonest to one of them.

Here is how our pricing works structurally. Every engagement starts with a scoped proposal that breaks down what is included, what it costs, and what the timeline looks like. We do not start billing until you have agreed to a specific scope. If the scope changes during the project (and it sometimes does, because building software reveals requirements that were not visible at the start), we discuss the impact on cost and timeline before proceeding. There are no surprise invoices. Across our client relationships, the projects that go smoothest financially are the ones where both sides understood the full investment upfront. Our planning guides and budgeting guide help you prepare for that conversation.

What We Cover

Development Services

• Software Development Pricing: how project-based engagements are priced, what affects cost, and what is included. Covers custom software, web applications, AI development, integrations, and all build work. Includes our approach to scoping, milestones, and change management.
• Support Retainer Pricing: how retainers are structured, what is included in each tier, and what ongoing development costs on a monthly basis. The engagement model for businesses with a live system that needs continuous improvement and maintenance.

Software Products

• Client Dashboard: included at no extra cost for all Digital Royalty clients. AI tool usage within the Dashboard incurs pay-as-you-go charges based on actual API consumption.
• Beacon Products: free tools (WP Beacon Plugin, Beacon Lens) available to everyone. Paid products at 25 pounds per month each or 50 pounds per month for the All Products Pack (500 pounds per year). Clients on active retainers get the All Products Pack free. Loyalty discounts apply: 10 percent off in year two, 20 percent off in year three and beyond.

How Pricing Connects to Planning and Services

Understanding pricing is one step in the process. If you want to understand how to budget realistically before getting a quote, How to Budget for Custom Software walks through the full picture including ongoing costs. If you want to understand the engagement models that pricing applies to, the Services section covers every type of work we deliver.

For businesses choosing between a project engagement and a retainer, the Decision Guides include How to Decide Between a Retainer and Project Engagement. And if you want to see what the investment produces, the Results section covers outcomes from real engagements.

Where to Start

If you have a project in mind, start with Software Development Pricing to understand how we scope and price build work. If you already have a system and need ongoing support, see Support Retainer Pricing. If you want to understand Beacon product pricing, the Beacon overview has the full breakdown including the All Products Pack and loyalty discounts.

Get a Proposal

Every engagement starts with a conversation, not a price list. Get in touch with your situation and we will scope it, explain the costs, and provide a clear proposal with no obligation.