Knowledge base
Everything we have written about custom software development, in one place. 41 articles on costs, how off-the-shelf packages compare with bespoke software, what the key terms mean and what to watch out for. Search by keyword or filter by topic.
All 41 articles
Apps and web apps 8
Flutter versus React Native: which suits your app?
Flutter and React Native compared on language, maintenance, rendering architecture, ecosystem and platform reach. An objective overview, with no...
Costs and timelinesHow long does it take to have an app built? Timelines for 2026
How long does it take to build an app? Find out the timeline per type of app: simple (8-12 weeks), medium (12-20 weeks) or complex...
ComparisonsWhat is a Progressive Web App versus a native app
Progressive Web App versus native app: the complete comparison. Discover which app strategy best suits your organisation.
Explanations and terminologyWhat is a web application? Website versus app explained
What is a web application, and how does it differ from a website or mobile app? Discover the benefits, uses and when a web app is the right...
Costs and timelinesHow much does it cost to have an app built? Prices and costs for 2026
What app development costs in 2026: from a sprint budget (MVP) to an enterprise budget. An honest price comparison by platform, complexity...
Costs and timelinesHow much does it cost to have an expense claims app built?
How much does a custom expense claims app cost? Discover the six key cost factors, three app types, integration costs and ongoing costs after...
Costs and timelinesHow much does it cost to build a SaaS in 2026? Prices, rates and budgets
How much does it cost to build a SaaS? From MVP to enterprise platform: which factors determine the price and which development route suits your...
Costs and timelinesHow much does it cost to have a web app built in 2026?
How much does a web app cost to build? ✓ Market prices 2026 ✓ 5-year TCO ✓ Hourly rates in the Netherlands ✓ WBSO subsidy ✓ 12 FAQs
Integrations 5
API integration: what it is and how it works (+ examples)
What is an API integration and how does it work? A clear explanation with examples, benefits and a step-by-step plan for implementation in your business.
ComparisonsAPI integration versus an integration platform: which should you choose, and when?
When should you opt for standalone API integrations, and when for an integration platform (iPaaS)? We compare both approaches on cost, maintenance...
ComparisonsAPI integration versus an integration platform: which should you choose, and when?
When should you opt for standalone API integrations, and when for an integration platform (iPaaS)? We compare both approaches on cost, maintenance...
Explanations and terminologyIntegrating ERP and HR systems: guide and costs (2026)
Everything about ERP integrations: what they are, how they work and why they are essential for business processes. A complete guide from Appfront.
Costs and timelinesHow much does an API integration cost in 2026? Prices, rates and budgets
How much does an API integration cost? From simple connections to enterprise integrations: which factors determine the price and how do you choose the right...
CRM and ERP 5
AFAS versus custom software: when do the limits of the package weigh more heavily?
AFAS Profit compared honestly with custom software. When do modifications, profiles and GetConnectors become restrictive? When does custom development pay off over 5 years...
ComparisonsExact Online versus custom software: when building your own pays off
An honest assessment for SMEs growing out of Exact Online. Six signals, TCO over 3-5 years, a migration path, and when custom software...
ComparisonsHubSpot or a custom-built CRM: when does the sum tip?
HubSpot versus a custom CRM compared honestly: tier pricing, Custom Objects, Operations Hub, EU data residency, migration via the HubSpot API and the...
ComparisonsSalesforce versus a custom CRM: when is a bespoke system cheaper?
Salesforce or a custom CRM? An honest TCO comparison, six reasons to migrate, a phased migration path and when Salesforce is genuinely the right choice...
Costs and timelinesHow much does a CRM system cost? A rundown of cost factors
How much does a CRM system cost? The difference between SaaS, semi-custom and fully custom, the factors that determine the price, and how to make a sensible...
AI 4
AI agents: what can they mean for your business?
What are AI agents and how do they automate your business processes? Discover the possibilities and how to get started with AI agents in your organisation.
Risk and policyThe EU AI Act: what does this law mean for your business?
What the European AI Regulation (2024/1689) means for businesses commissioning or deploying AI: risk categories, obligations by role and the...
Costs and timelinesHow much does an AI implementation cost? Prices and factors
A comprehensive guide to AI implementation costs. What determines the price, which implementation routes are available and how to budget sensibly for pilot...
Costs and timelinesHow much does it cost to have a chatbot built? An honest cost overview for 2026
How much does it cost to have a chatbot built? From FAQ bot to conversational AI: discover the three budget levels, seven cost factors and ongoing...
Websites and webshops 3
Cost of having a portal built
How much does it cost to have a portal built? Discover the key cost factors for customer portals, B2B portals and more. No hidden costs, but...
Costs and timelinesHow much does it cost to have a webshop built?
How much does it cost to have a webshop built? Discover the budget levels, cost factors and ongoing costs, from off-the-shelf platforms to fully custom...
Costs and timelinesHow much does it cost to have a website built?
How much does it cost to have a website built in 2026? ✓ Prices by type of website ✓ CMS comparison ✓ Template vs bespoke ✓ Hourly rates ✓ Webshop costs ✓.
Learning and LMS 2
Bespoke LMS vs off-the-shelf package: the honest comparison
Bespoke LMS or off-the-shelf package? Compare on eight criteria: flexibility, costs, integrations, compliance, scalability and more. An objective...
Costs and timelinesHow much does it cost to have an LMS built? An honest cost overview for 2026
How much does it cost to have an LMS built? From basic learning environment to enterprise learning platform: discover the three budget levels, eight cost factors and...
Strategy and management 14
Build vs buy: choosing bespoke software or a package
Build vs buy considerations for management and CTOs. Packaged software vs bespoke: five-year TCO, vendor lock-in, package fit, build-on-buy and...
Costs and timelinesCalculator: how much does manual administration cost your haulage company per year?
Use your own figures to work out what manual administration costs your haulage company per year, what automation could save and how many hours...
Risk and policyeFTI 2027: why invest in digitising transport documents now?
What the eFTI Regulation requires from 9 July 2027, what an eFTI platform is, and a checklist for weighing waiting against digitising now.
ComparisonsLow-code vs bespoke development: when Mendix, OutSystems or Power Apps no longer scale
An honest assessment of low-code platforms (Mendix, OutSystems, Power Apps) versus bespoke development. The six ceilings, hybrid architecture and...
Explanations and terminologyMoSCoW method: explanation, examples and application
MoSCoW method explained: how does Must, Should, Could and Won't prioritisation work? Learn its origins, common mistakes and practical application in...
ComparisonsMVP vs prototype: what is the difference and what do you need?
What is the difference between an MVP and a prototype? Learn when to choose which approach and how to reach a successful product faster.
Risk and policyTechnical debt and legacy software: when to replace?
Technical debt explained through Ward Cunningham's debt metaphor. The signs that legacy software is becoming a risk and when modernisation becomes more urgent...
Risk and policyYour haulage business is growing, but so is the administration. How do you break that pattern?
Why administration in transport grows linearly with vehicles and trips, and the order in which to intervene: process, integrations, automation...
Risk and policyTransport planning in Excel: when does it stop working?
Six signals that transport planning in Excel no longer scales, and four routes forward: adjusting the process, a TMS, integrations or bespoke development.
Risk and policyAvoiding vendor lock-in: what should you look out for?
Avoiding vendor lock-in in software and SaaS. Recognise data, technical, contractual and knowledge lock-in, and the measures that protect your freedom of choice...
Costs and timelinesWhy does transport administration take so much time? 7 causes and solutions
Seven reasons transport administration takes so much time, from duplicate data entry to paper proof of delivery, with a digital solution for each cause.
Risk and policyWhen should you replace your software? 7 signs
Seven concrete signs that business software is due for replacement, from disappearing system knowledge to shadow Excel processes. A practical...
Costs and timelinesWhat does custom software development cost?
What does custom software cost in 2026? ✓ Prices by type of system ✓ Custom vs off-the-shelf TCO ✓ Cost breakdown ✓ Hourly rates ✓ Ongoing costs ✓...
Costs and timelinesWhat does software maintenance and support cost?
What does software maintenance and support cost? The four maintenance types according to ISO/IEC/IEEE 14764, the factors that determine costs and how to...
No article found matching that. Try a different word or clear the filters.