Custom Software Development Services
Build custom software with AI-enabled African engineering teams. From MVP to enterprise platforms, we deliver custom software solutions with real-time visibility, predictable timelines, and built-in governance.
Years of Service
Client Renewal Rate
Global Clients
Ave. Onboarding
What's Included in Our Custom Software Development Services
Our custom software development services combine African engineering excellence with AI-powered delivery orchestration. Whether you're building a new digital product, modernizing legacy systems, or scaling engineering capacity, we provide end-to-end solutions with the SEOP platform at the core.
Full-Stack Development Teams
Deploy complete engineering squads, from frontend and backend developers to DevOps, QA, and architects, all working within our AI-orchestrated platform. Scale your capacity without the recruitment overhead.
Product Development as a Service (PDaaS)
From discovery to deployment, our managed product development service handles everything, design, architecture, development, QA, and launch. Perfect for building MVPs, new digital products, or entire platforms when your internal team is at capacity.
AI Agent Gateway Integration
Accelerate delivery with purpose-built AI agents for QA automation, code analysis, sprint coaching, and delivery insights. Our AI Agent Gateway integrates seamlessly with your existing tools (Jira, GitHub, Azure DevOps) to reduce manual work and catch issues early.
Real-Time Delivery Visibility
Track sprint velocity, DORA metrics, team utilization, and delivery health through our SEOP dashboard. No more status meetings. Get automated updates, risk alerts, and performance insights in real time.
Flexible Engagement Models
Choose the model that fits your needs: Dedicated Development Teams for long-term product work, Staff Augmentation for filling skill gaps, or Product Development as a Service for fully managed delivery. Switch or scale monthly, no lock-ins.
Enterprise Security & Compliance
Built for FinTech, Banking, and regulated industries, our teams follow SOC 2, PCI DSS, GDPR, and POPIA standards. Centralized audit trails, permission controls, and data sovereignty ensure compliance at every stage.
Our Custom Software Development Approach
We combine platform-first orchestration with African engineering talent to deliver predictable, high-quality software. Every engagement is powered by the SEOP platform, giving you visibility, governance, and control from day one.
Platform-Enabled Delivery
Unlike traditional outsourcing, every project runs through our Software Engineering Orchestration Platform (SEOP). This means:
- Real-time sprint tracking across all teams and projects
- Automated DORA metrics for deployment frequency, lead time, and change failure rate
- AI-powered risk detection that flags blockers before they become critical
- Centralized tool integration with Jira, GitHub, GitLab, Azure DevOps, Slack, and more
The result? You get engineering intelligence, not just engineering resources. Every sprint is tracked, every metric is surfaced, and every risk is visible, so you can make decisions based on data, not status meetings.
AI-Augmented Teams
Our developers don't just write code, they work alongside AI agents that automate repetitive tasks and accelerate delivery:
- QA Agents run automated test suites, regression checks, and bug detection
- Code Review Agents analyze pull requests for security vulnerabilities and code quality
- Sprint Coaching Agents provide task breakdowns, time estimates, and delivery recommendations
- Analytics Agents generate insights on team velocity, bottlenecks, and technical debt
This AI orchestration layer doesn't replace human expertise, it amplifies it. Your teams ship faster, with fewer bugs, and less manual overhead.
African Talent Advantage
We deploy Africa's top engineers, vetted for technical excellence, cultural fit, and domain expertise. Our talent model delivers:
- 40-60% cost savings vs. US/UK hiring without compromising quality
- Timezone alignment with EMEA, UK, and East Coast US
- English-first communication with no language barriers
- 13+ years of delivery excellence across FinTech, Banking, SaaS, and Enterprise
Every engineer is embedded in your workflows, using your tools, attending your standups, they're not "outsourced," they're part of your team.
Our Custom Software Development Process
We follow a structured, agile process tailored to your goals, whether you're building an MVP in 90 days or scaling an enterprise platform over 12+ months. Here's how we work:
1. Discovery & Planning (Week 1-2)
- Stakeholder interviews to understand business goals, user needs, and technical constraints
- Requirements workshop to define scope, features, and acceptance criteria
- Technical architecture review to assess existing systems, integrations, and infrastructure
- Team composition planning, selecting the right mix of developers, QA, DevOps, and designers
Deliverable: Project roadmap, sprint plan, and team deployment schedule
2. Design & Architecture (Week 2-4)
- UX/UI design for user flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity prototypes
- System architecture design, defining APIs, data models, microservices, and infrastructure
- Security & compliance planning to meet industry standards (SOC 2, PCI DSS, GDPR)
- Sprint zero, setting up environments, CI/CD pipelines, and developer tooling
Deliverable: Design system, technical specifications, and ready-to-build backlog
3. Development & Iteration (Ongoing Sprints)
- 2-week sprints with daily standups, mid-sprint check-ins, and end-of-sprint demos
- Continuous integration with automated testing, code reviews, and deployment pipelines
- AI-powered QA running regression tests, security scans, and performance checks
- Real-time tracking via SEOP, visibility into velocity, blockers, and delivery health
- Deliverable: Working software increments every 2 weeks
4. QA & Testing (Ongoing)
- Automated testing for unit, integration, and end-to-end coverage
- Manual QA for usability, edge cases, and user acceptance testing
- Security testing including penetration tests and vulnerability assessments
- Performance testing to ensure scalability under load
Deliverable: Bug-free releases and compliance-ready code
5. Deployment & Launch (Final Sprint)
- Production deployment with zero-downtime strategies (blue-green, canary)
- Monitoring & observability setup for logs, metrics, and alerts
- Documentation handover, technical docs, user guides, and runbooks
- Post-launch support for bug fixes, optimizations, and stabilization
Deliverable: Live, production-ready software
6. Support & Iteration (Ongoing)
- Maintenance & support for bug fixes, updates, and minor enhancements
- Feature iteration based on user feedback and business priorities
- Continuous improvement, refactoring, performance tuning, and technical debt reduction
- Scaling support to add capacity, features, or infrastructure as needed
Deliverable: Stable, evolving product with ongoing delivery
Every phase is tracked in real time through the SEOP platform, so you always know where you stand, no surprises, no delays, no black-box development.
Technologies We Work With
Our engineers are fluent across modern tech stacks, from cloud-native architectures to legacy system modernization. We adapt to your existing stack or recommend the best technologies for your needs.
We work with over 113 technologies ensuring we can match your tech stack.
When to Choose Custom Software Development
Custom Software Development Is Right For You:
- You need software tailored to unique business processes - Off-the-shelf solutions don't fit your workflows, compliance needs, or competitive advantage. You need bespoke software built for your specific operations.
- You're scaling beyond manual processes - Your business has outgrown basic tools. You need enterprise-grade software that automates workflows, integrates systems, and handles growth.
- You require complex integrations - Your software must connect to legacy systems, ERP, CRM, payment processors, or proprietary databases. Off-the-shelf tools can't handle your integration requirements.
- You're in a regulated industry - Compliance isn't optional. You need software built with SOC 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR standards from day one, not bolted on later.
- Your team lacks specialized skills - You need AI expertise, cloud architects, DevOps engineers, or domain specialists that are hard to hire or too expensive full-time.
- You want predictable delivery with visibility - Black-box development isn't acceptable. You need sprint tracking, DORA metrics, and risk alerts so you always know where your project stands.
- You're building a competitive differentiator - Your software isn't just operational, it's a strategic asset. You can't afford to use the same tools as your competitors.
- You need flexible capacity fast - Hiring takes months and costs $100K+ per engineer. You need teams deployed in <21 days with the ability to scale as priorities shift.
Consider Alternatives When:
- You have a simple, well-defined use case - If your needs fit Shopify, WordPress, or another SaaS platform, those might be faster and cheaper. Custom development shines when customization is critical.
- Your budget is under $50K - Custom software typically starts at $75K+ for MVPs. If budget is tight, consider low-code platforms or phased development.
- You need something live in 2-4 weeks - Custom software takes time to build properly. If extreme speed trumps everything, a pre-built SaaS solution may be better.
- You lack technical leadership - Custom software requires product and technical decision-making. If you lack this, consider our Product Development as a Service model where we own delivery end-to-end.
- You're unsure about product-market fit - For early validation, a rapid MVP approach might be smarter than a full custom build. Test first, scale later.
- You want to build in-house capability - If building internal teams is strategic and you have 6-12 months to recruit, that's valid, but consider the $100K+ per hire cost and turnover risk.
What Our Clients Say
Custom Software Development Pricing
What Impacts Custom Software Development Costs?
Project Complexity & Scope
The more features, integrations, and technical requirements your software needs, the higher the cost. A simple MVP with 3-5 core features costs significantly less than an enterprise platform with dozens of modules, third-party integrations, and complex workflows.
Team Composition & Seniority
Senior engineers, architects, and specialized roles (AI/ML experts, DevOps, security specialists) command higher rates than mid-level developers. The size of your team (2 developers vs. 8-person squad) directly impacts monthly costs.
Tech Stack & Architecture
Modern cloud-native architectures, real-time systems, AI/ML integration, blockchain, or IoT solutions require specialized skills and add complexity. Legacy system integrations and data migrations also increase development time and cost.
Compliance & Security Requirements
Regulated industries (FinTech, Banking, Healthcare) require SOC 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA, or GDPR compliance. This adds security audits, documentation, penetration testing, and specialized development practices, all of which increase project scope.
Timeline & Urgency
Accelerated timelines may require larger teams or overtime work. Conversely, spreading development over longer periods can reduce monthly costs but extends time-to-market.
Geographic Location of Development Team
US/UK-based agencies typically charge $150-$300/hour, while nearshore teams (Latin America) range $50-$100/hour, and offshore teams (Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia) range $40-$80/hour. Quality and communication vary significantly by region and provider.
Industry Benchmarks: What Custom Software Development Typically Costs
These are general industry ranges to help you budget:
Small MVPs (3-4 months)
Basic functionality, 1-2 user roles, simple integrationsIndustry range: $50K - $150K
Mid-Sized Applications (6-9 months)
Multiple user roles, API integrations, moderate complexityIndustry range: $150K - $500K
Enterprise Platforms (12+ months)
Complex workflows, legacy integrations, high security/compliance, scalable architectureIndustry range: $500K - $2M+
Ongoing Development & Maintenance
Post-launch support, feature iteration, bug fixes, performance optimizationIndustry range: $5K - $50K/month (depending on team size)
The Scrums.com Advantage: Value Without Compromise
Unlike traditional agencies, we combine African engineering talent with AI-powered delivery orchestration to deliver enterprise-grade software at 40-60% cost savings compared to US/UK agencies.
What Makes Us Different:
- Transparent, subscription-based pricing – No hidden fees, no surprise overages
- Platform-first delivery – Real-time visibility through SEOP (sprint tracking, DORA metrics, delivery analytics)
- AI-augmented teams – QA automation, code analysis, and sprint coaching reduce manual overhead
- Flexible engagement models – Dedicated Teams, Staff Augmentation, or Product Development as a Service
- Fast deployment – Teams ready in <21 days
- No lock-ins – Scale up, down, or pause month-to-month
- 94% client renewal rate – Clients stay because we deliver predictable, high-quality results
Three Ways to Work With Us
Dedicated Development Teams
Get a complete squad (developers, QA, PM, designer) working exclusively on your project.
Best for: Ongoing product development with predictable monthly costs.
Product Development as a Service (PDaaS)
We own delivery end-to-end, from discovery to launch. Fixed-price or milestone-based.
Best for: MVPs, greenfield projects, or when you lack internal capacity.
Staff Augmentation
Fill specific skill gaps with AI engineers, cloud architects, DevOps specialists, or senior developers.
Best for: Extending your in-house team without long-term commitments.
Every engagement includes:
- SEOP platform access (real-time dashboards, sprint tracking, DORA metrics)
- AI Agent Gateway (automated QA, code review, delivery insights)
- Dedicated delivery manager (your single point of contact)
- Transparent reporting (weekly updates, risk alerts, performance analytics)
- Flexible scaling (add/remove capacity monthly with no penalties)
Ready to see what your project would cost?
View Our Pricing Models or get a custom quote based on your specific requirements, we can provide you with an estimate after a consultation meet.
Industries We've Built Custom Software For
We specialize in custom software development for FinTech, Banking, Insurance, and regulated industries where compliance, security, and delivery predictability are non-negotiable.
Fintech
Banking & Financial Services
Logistics & Supply Chain
Technology & SaaS
Telecommunications
Insurance
Retail & Ecommerce
Healthcare & Telemedecine
Custom Software Development Case Studies
FAQs About Custom Software Development
What is custom software development?
Custom software development is the process of designing, building, and deploying software specifically tailored to your business needs,as opposed to using off-the-shelf solutions. It involves creating bespoke applications, platforms, or systems that solve unique challenges, integrate with existing infrastructure, and give you a competitive advantage.
How much does custom software development cost?
Custom software development costs vary widely based on several factors:
- Complexity and feature scope – Simple MVPs cost less than enterprise platforms with dozens of features
- Team size and seniority – Senior specialists and architects cost more than mid-level developers
- Tech stack – AI/ML, blockchain, and real-time systems require specialized skills
- Compliance requirements – SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS add security and documentation overhead
- Timeline and urgency – Accelerated delivery may require larger teams
- Geographic location – US/UK agencies typically charge more than nearshore or offshore teams
Industry benchmarks:
- Small MVPs: $50K-$150K
- Mid-sized applications: $150K-$500K
- Enterprise platforms: $500K-$2M+
For specific pricing tailored to your project, view our pricing models or request a custom quote.
How long does custom software development take?
Timelines vary by scope:
- MVPs: 3-6 months
- Mid-sized applications: 6-12 months
- Enterprise platforms: 12+ months
We use agile methodology with 2-week sprints, so you see working software every two weeks, not just at the end of the project.
What's the difference between custom software development and off-the-shelf software?
Custom software is built specifically for your businesstailored to your workflows, integrations, and competitive needs. Off-the-shelf software (like Salesforce, Shopify, or SAP) is pre-built for general use cases.
Choose custom when:
- Your processes don't fit standard tools
- You need deep integrations with legacy systems
- Compliance requirements are unique
- Software is a strategic differentiator, not just operational support
Choose off-the-shelf when:
- Your needs are common and well-defined
- Speed to market is more important than customization
- Budget is limited (<$50K)
Read our full guide: The Pros and Cons of Custom vs. Off-the-Shelf Software Development
Do you support legacy system modernization?
Yes. We specialize in modernizing legacy systems,whether that's migrating from monolithic architectures to microservices, moving on-premise infrastructure to the cloud, or replacing outdated codebases with modern stacks. We ensure zero downtime, data integrity, and smooth transitions.
What technologies do you use for custom software development?
We work across modern and legacy stacks, including, but not limited to:
- Frontend: React, Angular, Vue.js, TypeScript
- Backend: Node.js, Python, .NET Core, Java, Ruby on Rails, Go
- Cloud: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform
- Databases: PostgreSQL, MongoDB, MySQL, Redis
- DevOps: Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, CI/CD pipelines
- AI/ML: TensorFlow, PyTorch, OpenAI, LangChain
We adapt to your existing stack or recommend the best technologies for your needs.
How do you ensure software quality?
Quality is built into every phase:
- Automated testing (unit, integration, end-to-end) runs on every commit
- AI-powered QA agents catch bugs, security vulnerabilities, and performance issues early
- Code reviews ensure maintainability and adherence to best practices
- Security testing includes penetration tests and vulnerability scans
- Real-time DORA metrics track deployment frequency, lead time, and change failure rate
Our SEOP platform provides full visibility into quality metrics at all times.
Can you integrate with our existing systems?
Yes. We specialize in complex integrations, whether it's connecting to legacy ERP systems, third-party APIs, payment processors, CRMs, or proprietary databases. We handle:
- REST and GraphQL API integrations
- Webhook and event-driven architectures
- Legacy system connectors (SOAP, XML, EDI)
- Data migrations and synchronization
Our teams have deep experience with Jira, GitHub, GitLab, Azure DevOps, Slack, Salesforce, SAP, Oracle, and more.
What happens after the software is launched?
Post-launch, we provide:
- Maintenance & support for bug fixes and minor updates
- Feature iteration based on user feedback and business priorities
- Performance monitoring and optimization
- Security updates and compliance maintenance
- Scaling support to handle traffic growth or add new features
You can keep the same team on a retainer or scale down to minimal support, your choice.
How do you handle data security and compliance?
Security and compliance are non-negotiable. We follow:
- SOC 2 Type II, PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, POPIA standards
- Secure development practices including code reviews, penetration testing, and vulnerability scanning
- Data encryption at rest and in transit
- Audit trails and access controls for governance and accountability
Our teams are trained in secure coding for regulated industries like FinTech, Banking, and Healthcare.
Can we start small and scale later?
Absolutely. Many clients start with:
- A small team or individual specialists for initial validation or MVP development
- A discovery phase to clarify scope, requirements, and technical approach
- A pilot project to test our delivery model and team fit
Once you're confident in the partnership, you can scale to larger teams with no penalties, re-contracting, or delays. Our platform-enabled delivery model makes scaling seamless, add capacity when you need it, adjust as priorities change.
What's your typical team structure?
Our custom software development teams are tailored to your project needs. A typical team may include:
- Frontend Developers (React, Angular, Vue, etc.)
- Backend Developers (Node.js, Python, .NET Core, Java, etc.)
- QA Engineers (automated and manual testing)
- DevOps Engineers (CI/CD, infrastructure, monitoring)
- Delivery Manager / Scrum Master (coordination, reporting)
- UX/UI Designers (optional, based on needs)
- Tech Lead / Architect (for complex systems)
Team composition is fully customizable based on your project requirements, tech stack, and timeline. Discuss your project and we'll recommend the optimal team structure.
How fast can you deploy a team?
We deploy teams on average in <21 days from signed contract. Our bench of vetted African engineers means we're not starting recruitment from scratch, we match skills to your project and onboard quickly.
Do you offer fixed-price or time-and-materials pricing?
We offer flexible engagement models to match your project needs:
- Fixed-price: Best for well-defined scopes (MVPs, specific features, greenfield projects)
- Subscription-based: Best for ongoing product development with evolving requirements
- Time-and-materials: Available for certain engagement types
Each model includes platform access, real-time visibility, and the flexibility to adjust as your needs change. View our complete pricing models or discuss your project to find the best fit.
What industries do you specialize in?
We focus on FinTech, Banking, Insurance, Healthcare, SaaS, Logistics, Retail, and Telecommunications, industries where compliance, security, and delivery predictability are critical. Our teams have deep domain expertise in regulated environments.
How do you handle intellectual property (IP)?
You own 100% of the IP. All code, designs, and deliverables are transferred to you upon payment. We sign NDAs and IP assignment agreements as standard practice.
Can you work with our existing in-house team?
Yes. Our teams integrate seamlessly with your in-house developers, attending your standups, using your tools (Jira, Slack, GitHub), and following your processes. We're not a separate vendor, we're an extension of your team.
What makes Scrums.com different from other custom software development companies?
- Platform-first delivery: Every project runs through our SEOP platform with real-time visibility, DORA metrics, and AI-powered risk detection.
- AI-augmented teams: Our engineers work alongside AI agents that automate QA, code reviews, and sprint coaching, accelerating delivery without sacrificing quality.
- African talent advantage: We deliver 40-60% cost savings vs. US/UK hiring without compromising quality, with timezone alignment for EMEA/US clients.
- Flexible engagement models: Switch between dedicated teams, staff augmentation, and PDaaS with no penalties or re-contracting.
- Proven at scale: 13+ years delivering for FinTech, Banking, and Enterprise clients with a 94% client renewal rate.
- Global delivery, local presence: Our headquarters in Cape Town and Johannesburg deliver African talent at scale, while our New York City presence ensures seamless collaboration for US-based clients.
Still have questions? Get in touch and we'll answer them.
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