Key facts
| Price | Fixed price in writing, with milestones; list of what is excluded |
|---|---|
| People | A named person accountable from scope to handover |
| Process | Prototype early; previews every few days; testing and review before release |
| Ownership | Code, deployment and accounts in your name, no lock-in |
| Proof | Work you can verify through references or live products |
What should you decide before you talk to agencies?
Agencies can only quote well if you know what you want. Before the first call, write down:
- The problem, in two lines, and who suffers from it.
- Who will use the software, grouped into roles.
- Which tools it must connect to.
- A budget range and a date you care about.
- Who on your side will make decisions. A project without one stalls.
The cost estimator and the price bands guide give you a sense of what is realistic.
What questions should you ask a software agency?
| Question | A good answer |
|---|---|
| Who will be responsible for my project? | A named person, who stays from scope to handover |
| Can I see the scope and price in writing? | Yes, fixed, with what is not included |
| When do I first see something working? | Within the first week or two, as a prototype |
| How do you test and review? | Automated tests plus a human review before each release |
| Who owns the code and the accounts? | You do, from day one |
| What happens after launch? | Documentation, handover and optional support at a stated price |
| What do you not take on? | A clear answer. If nothing, be careful |
| Can I speak to a past client? | Yes, or you can see a live product |
What are the red flags?
- A price with no written scope, or hourly billing with no cap.
- A quote far below others. Unicoconnect warns that this can signal a junior team.
- No named person; you talk to a salesperson and then a rotating team.
- Code or hosting held in the agency's account.
- No demo until the end.
- Reviews or case studies you cannot trace to a real client.
- Promises of a result without seeing your data or process.
How should you compare quotes?
Do not compare the totals. Compare what is inside them: platforms, roles, integrations, design, testing, hosting, support and what is excluded.
Published agency pricing in India varies a lot. Ecorpit lists a simple MVP at ₹4–12 lakh and Zartek lists ₹3–5 lakh for a tightly scoped one (links below). Neyven's own packages run from ₹75k for a rescue, ₹1.5L–3.5L for a build and ₹3.5L–8L for a platform. Two quotes are only comparable once you know the scope behind each.
Also ask about the cost after launch. A common benchmark for upkeep is 15–20% of build cost per year, per Mind Studios.
Freelancer, agency or in-house?
| Option | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Freelancer | Small, well-defined tasks | Single point of failure; availability |
| Agency | A full product with design, build and testing | Scope, price clarity, rotating staff |
| In-house | Long-term core product | Hiring time, salary cost, management load |
Where does Neyven fit?
Neyven is one option, and not the right fit for everyone. We build internal platforms, client portals, workflow automation, AI features and MVPs for business teams. One person scopes and delivers each project. Agents help with implementation and tests under that person's control. You get a fixed price, a prototype in week one and the code at handover.
We don't do staff augmentation, gambling or adult products, or projects with no decision-maker on the client side. The method is described on how we build. If you compare us with others, use the checklist above for all of them, including us.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose the cheapest agency?
No. Choose the one with the clearest scope, the most accountable people and the most verifiable work. Cheap and clear is fine; cheap and vague is not.
How many agencies should I talk to?
Two or three is enough. More than that tends to produce confusion, not information.
Do I need a technical person on my side?
Not necessarily, but you need someone who can decide quickly and test the product.
Is a fixed price always better than hourly?
For a defined scope, yes. For exploratory work, a capped time-and-materials deal can be more honest.
How do I check an agency's past work?
Ask for a live product you can try, or a client you can speak to. Be careful with logos and testimonials you cannot trace.