By Rahul · 22 Sep 2026 · 4 min read"How much will it cost?" is the first question every client asks, and the honest answer is "it depends" - which is useless on its own. This guide explains what actually drives the cost of custom software in India, so you can compare quotes properly, avoid surprises and plan a sensible budget.
The six things that decide the price
1. Scope: how many screens, roles and workflows
The biggest factor is simply how much the software has to do. A lead tracker with three user roles is a very different job from a multi-branch ERP with approvals, stock and accounting. Count the user roles (admin, manager, staff, customer, partner), the main workflows (enquiry to sale, order to delivery, application to approval) and the reports you need.
2. Integrations
Every connection to another system adds work: payment gateways, SMS and WhatsApp APIs, accounting software, ERPs, courier APIs, government portals or your existing website. Well-documented APIs are quick; old systems without an API can take longer than the rest of the project.
3. Data migration
Moving years of data from spreadsheets or an old system is often underestimated. Duplicates, missing fields and inconsistent formats all need cleaning before go-live. This is exactly what an Enterprise Data Management (EDM) approach solves.
4. Platforms: web, mobile or both
A responsive web application works on every device and is usually the most cost-effective start. Native Android and iOS apps add cost, but make sense when your users need offline access, the camera, GPS or push notifications.
5. Security, performance and compliance
Handling payments, medical records or personal data needs stronger access control, audit logs, encryption and testing. High traffic needs better hosting and caching. None of this is optional, but the level required changes the effort.
6. Design and polish
An internal tool for ten staff can use a clean standard interface. A customer-facing portal or marketplace needs more design, onboarding and testing on real devices.
Fixed quote or hourly billing?
- Fixed quote: you agree the scope and price upfront. Best when requirements are clear. You know the total before you start.
- Time and materials: you pay for hours used. Flexible for research-heavy or evolving products, but the final bill is harder to predict.
At OASIS we quote projects at a fixed price after a short discovery phase, so the number you approve is the number you pay.
The costs people forget
- Hosting and domains - a server or cloud plan, SSL, backups and email delivery.
- Third-party fees - SMS, WhatsApp, maps, payment gateway charges.
- Maintenance - security updates, small changes, bug fixes and monitoring. Plan for an annual maintenance contract (AMC) from day one; see our support and AMC plans.
- Training - a few hours of team training saves weeks of confusion.
How to get an accurate quote
- Describe the problem, not just the features: "our sales team loses track of leads" is more useful than "we need a CRM".
- List user roles and the main workflows, step by step.
- Share examples: spreadsheets you use today, reports you want, apps you like.
- Mention every system it must connect to.
- Say what must be ready first. A smaller first release gets you live sooner and spreads the cost.
How to compare quotes from different companies
A cheap quote often leaves out testing, data migration, deployment or documentation. Ask every vendor the same questions: What exactly is included? Who owns the source code? What happens after launch? How are changes priced? Can I see similar work? Look at real case studies, not only a price.
Get a fixed quote for your project
OASIS has 15+ years of experience building custom software, CRM and lead management systems, EDM platforms and e-commerce portals for clients in India and abroad. Tell us what you need and we will come back with a clear scope and a fixed quote. Book a discovery call or read how we work.