Custom software
How Much Does Custom Business Software Cost in Canada?
What drives the cost of custom business software in Canada, how discovery, fixed-scope and retainer engagements are priced, broad hourly-rate ranges in CAD, the ongoing costs after launch, and how to compare quotes fairly.
· 6 min read · Dawood Cheema
Key takeaways
- Custom software has no list price; cost is hours multiplied by rate, and hours are driven by scope, integrations, users, compliance, data migration, design and testing.
- Canadian agency rates vary widely; treat any hourly figure as a broad market range, and compare quotes on hours, assumptions and exclusions, not on rate alone.
- Budget for the years after launch: hosting, maintenance, licences and support are real costs that a launch quote rarely shows.