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Software Development Cost Calculator
Scope your project in a minute and get an indicative cost range, timeline, recommended team, and risk profile — based on how we actually estimate 1200+ delivered projects.
Estimated cost range
$47k – $71k
≈ 1,553 engineering hours at a blended offshore-led rate
Timeline
12 weeks
≈ 2.8 months
Risk level
Low
0 risk factors identified
Cost breakdown by phase
View as table
| Phase | Share | Cost range |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery & planning | 8% | $3,800 – $5,700 |
| UX / UI design | 12% | $5,600 – $8,500 |
| Development | 52% | $24,400 – $36,900 |
| Testing & QA | 18% | $8,500 – $12,800 |
| Launch & stabilization | 10% | $4,700 – $7,100 |
Delivery timeline
Recommended team
- ×1
Project manager
Part-time; your single point of contact
- ×1
UX/UI designer
Front-loaded in design phase
- ×3
Software engineers
Full-stack
- ×1
QA engineer
Dedicated
Risk factors
No elevated risk factors for this scope — a standard, well-bounded delivery.
This is an indicative range, not a quote — real estimates come from a scoping conversation.
Discuss Your Project with CalliArcWhy it matters
Estimate first, negotiate second
A realistic cost model turns 'how much does an app cost?' into a plan you can budget, compare, and de-risk.
Budget before you commit
Most software projects fail on scope, not code. Knowing the realistic cost band before you approach vendors keeps negotiations grounded.
Compare apples to apples
A structured estimate — hours, phases, team — lets you compare proposals on substance instead of a single mystery number.
Spot the risk early
Aggressive timelines, heavy integrations, and custom AI each change the risk profile. Seeing them named helps you plan mitigations up front.
How it works
From scope to budget in a minute
Describe your project
Pick the project type, platform, features, integrations, and team shape. No sign-up needed.
Get an instant estimate
The calculator applies the same effort model we use to scope real engagements — live, in your browser.
Review the plan
See the cost breakdown by phase, a delivery timeline, the recommended team, and the risk factors.
Talk it through
Bring the estimate to a free scoping call — we'll refine it into a real proposal.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is the estimate?
It's an indicative range, not a quote. The model uses base effort by project type, per-feature hours, and multipliers for platform, UI complexity, roles, and timeline — the same structure we use in real scoping. Actual proposals depend on discovery, so treat the range as a budgeting envelope, typically within ±20% of a scoped estimate.
What hourly rate does the calculator use?
A blended rate of about $38/hour, reflecting CalliArc's offshore-led delivery model with US/EU-facing leads. The same scope at US onshore agency rates ($120–200/hour) would cost 3–5× more.
Why does adding AI features change the cost so much?
AI-assisted features (chatbots, recommendations) build on proven APIs and add modest effort. Advanced AI — custom models, RAG pipelines, agents — adds engineering plus evaluation and iteration cycles that behave more like applied research, so the effort and the risk level both rise.
Is my project data stored anywhere?
No. The calculator runs entirely in your browser — there's no database, no account, and nothing is sent to a server. When you're ready to talk, you choose what to share.
What happens on the scoping call?
A 30-minute conversation about your goals, constraints, and the estimate you built here. You'll leave with a refined range, a suggested engagement model (fixed-scope, dedicated team, or staff augmentation), and a clear next step — no obligation.
Ready to turn the estimate into a plan?
Bring your scope to a free 30-minute call. We'll pressure-test the numbers, suggest the right engagement model, and give you a real proposal — 1200+ projects delivered since 2016.