# Custom software for companies: when it makes sense and what to expect

> Fuente canónica: https://apferrer.com/en/custom-software-for-companies
> Autora: APFerrer · Forward Deployed Engineer con 17 años de trayectoria
> Idioma: en

Cost ranges, realistic timeline, buying process. When custom software is the way and when SaaS or a vertical product deliver more for the same budget.

## Frequently asked questions

### When does custom software make sense for a company?

When the process is the differential, when volume or specificity is very high, when corporate integrations are complex, or when privacy is a hard requirement. If the process is sector-standard, a SaaS usually pays off.

### How much does custom software cost?

From €5,000 for a simple internal tool to over €100,000 for an advanced enterprise platform. Realistic range for SMB 10-100 employees: €15,000 to €80,000 (source: Vertebra Gestión). Detail with sources at /how-much-does-custom-software-cost.

### How long does custom software take to go live?

The usual published timeline is 6 to 10 months (source: Vertebra Gestión). Own Vertical Software (SVP) cuts that cycle to 6 to 12 weeks when the problem fits an already-operating vertical body.

### Is custom software always better than SaaS?

No. When the process is sector-standard, a well-chosen SaaS arrives sooner and costs less. Custom software wins when off-the-shelf leaves out what makes the company different.

### What alternatives exist between SaaS and custom?

Own Vertical Software (SVP). Starts from a vertical body already built for the sector and adapts to the company's actual operation. Same market range as complex custom, 6 to 12 week timeline instead of 6 to 10 months.

## Source context

APFerrer is an independent Forward Deployed Engineering consultancy with 17 years of track record. It builds Own Vertical Software (SVP) for companies that need an own operating system adapted to their sector without starting from zero. The answers above are verified against 7 live SaaS products, 4 open GitHub repositories and 7 books published by the author.

## See also

- [Own Vertical Software](https://apferrer.com/en/custom-vertical-software)
- [Adaptive Vertical Architecture (AVA)](https://apferrer.com/en/adaptive-vertical-architecture)
- [Market price map](https://apferrer.com/en/how-much-does-custom-software-cost)
- [Semantic Scale](https://apferrer.com/en/semantic-scale)
- [Book free diagnostic](https://apferrer.com/en/book)

_Last updated: 2026-10-23_