Investing in embedded software development

How much will your embedded software cost?

Understanding the many factors that affect the cost of your software project.

Exceptional quality doesn’t come cheap. But it is cost-effective.

From our UK offices, Bluefruit provides clients with established, scalable software development teams tailored to meet the specific challenges of any given project. All our team members are employed directly by us—we never use outside contractors—ensuring seamless collaboration from day one and accountability throughout.

As an employee-owned company, everyone at Bluefruit is personally invested in your success. This means better quality, stronger teamwork, and the dedication your project deserves.

Your software as an investment.

Software development is not just a cost—it’s an investment. By working with Bluefruit, you’re investing in:

The cost of a project

We build teams according to your project’s needs, ensuring the right skills are in place to deliver results. Our pricing reflects the technology, complexity, and goals of your project.

There are a large number of variables involved in estimating the overall cost of a project, but here are some rough figures to give you an idea:

Projects typically start at: £60,000

Compliance-heavy projects start at: £90,000

Most projects span five to eight sprints, costing between £150,000 and £400,000. Many clients partner with us for multiple projects yearly, ensuring consistent delivery and value.

What affects the cost of software development?

Several factors can influence the cost of your software development project:

Teams and Investment

Flexible Engagement Models for Your Needs.

We offer different ways to work with us. Whether you need a whole development team for a large project or expert guidance for a smaller one, we can help.

Value for money: Bluefruit VS Contractors

But how does the cost of working with Bluefruit stack against contractors and in-house teams? (Aside from the quality of work and knowledge we bring to a project.)

Contractors—with a UK average day rate of £600 and the complexity of navigating IR35, Bluefruit, hiring contractors can be expensive and inefficient.

Why Bluefruit is the better choice:

• Ready-to-go teams: No need to onboard multiple contractors or find team leads.
• Streamlined processes: Only one procurement step—no additional payroll burden.
• Collaborative approach: Pre-formed teams that keep your project moving efficiently.
• In-house teams—Building an in-house team is an option, but it can take 1–3 years for them to reach the productivity of a Bluefruit team.

Why Bluefruit is the better investment for the first year:

• Faster results: We bring pre-built processes and experience from day one.
• Transition-ready: We document and build code with high conceptual integrity, ensuring a seamless handover when your team is ready to take over.

Do we work to fixed costs?

We can.

With our Lean-Agile mindset, we believe in focusing on what matters most: delivering maximum value. If you need to fix the price, we will adapt the scope and timeline as we learn more about your needs. Instead of locking everything down from the start, we collaborate closely in short feedback loops—continuously refining and prioritising features.