Nearshore Software Development
Cost Calculator — Europe

How the estimates are calculated

Rates are based on blended studio rates — what you pay to an agency, not raw contractor salaries. They include the agency's overhead, management, and margin. Rates reflect 2026 market data across the regions shown.

Rate assumptions by region

Hours per month are estimated at 160 (standard full-time). QA engineers are estimated at 75% of senior engineer rate. These are mid-market estimates — actual quotes will vary based on specific skills, project complexity, and engagement terms.

What affects the actual cost?

• Engagement length. Longer engagements typically come with better rates — studios have more certainty and lower client acquisition cost.
• Technical complexity. Standard CRUD SaaS products come in at the lower end of the range. Real-time systems, complex data models, or regulatory compliance add cost.
• Discovery phase. A proper 2–4 week discovery and architecture phase (€5,000–€15,000) reduces overall cost by catching scope misalignment early.
• Testing. Engagements including automated test suites cost more upfront but significantly less in production support.

How to use this calculator

1. Select the region that matches the studios you are evaluating.
2. Set the team size based on your project scope — most SaaS MVPs need 3–4 engineers plus QA.
3. Set the duration based on your roadmap. Factor in 2–3 weeks of discovery before development starts.
4. Compare the total cost against your budget and against what an equivalent onshore team would cost.

For a specific quote based on your actual requirements, start a conversation with us. We scope projects properly before pricing them — you will get a real number, not a range designed to get you to sign.

Related resources

• Nearshore software development in Europe: costs, quality, and what to expect
• How to hire a software development agency in Europe
• Co-founder equity dilution calculator