How Much Does It Cost To Become A Software Developer? (In 2024)
Looking to start a software developer?
But curious about:
- how much it costs to start a software developer?
- what are the typical software developer startup costs?
- or the actual cost of starting software developers?
Well, we have the data to prove it, supported by real software developers and how much they actually cost to start.
Let's go over it.
What is the average cost of starting a software developer?
Based on our data reported by actual software developer founders, the average cost of starting a software developer is between $30 and $2,400,000.
Additionally, our data shows that the the median startup costs for a software developer are around $10K.
Remember, though, not all software developers are the same - and neither are people's budgets. It's important to distinguish between different levels or types of software developers
Real World Examples: How much does it cost to start a software developer?
We asked real software developer founders and business owners how much it actually cost to get started?
Here is what they said:
Osman Koc
Founder of UserGuiding ($200K/month)
"We were still spending our savings made on our previous startup for personal and company expenses. Since we were in San Francisco, our biggest expenses were accommodation and food. Our monthly rent was around $3,000."
Osman Koc is the co-founder of UserGuiding, a SaaS product that helps web applications improve their ease of use by creating interactive product tours without coding.
Sajin Rajan
Founder of Epixel Solutions ($150K/month)
"The startup cost was manageable and we could afford it with our savings and business loans."
Sajin Rajan is the founder of Epixel Solutions, LLC, a software company that specializes in Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) software and has grown to a monthly revenue of about $70,000.
Angel Lacret
Founder of Cobuild Lab ($90K/month)
"I started the business using a couple of credit cards that I had. I started just with $20K at that moment as I was working at a friend’s office in Downtown Miami: 4Geeks Academy, I couldn't have started without them."
Angel Lacret is the founder of Cobuild Lab, a custom software solutions company that has significantly grown since its inception, now generating substantial annual revenue.
Vitaly
Founder of Data Excavator ($4K/month)
"To give you a better idea of the scale of our project, our initial investment was $50,000 which we mainly spent on software development, marketing, and some office expenses. It wasn't a small amount, but considering the impact it had, it was worth every penny."
Vitaly is the founder of Data Excavator, a data scraping application that helps businesses efficiently collect and process large volumes of data.
Jesus Vargas
Founder of LowCode Agency ($10K/month)
"I quickly rebranded from Legal Cloud to LowCode Agency, built a quick landing page using Carrd, set up my Stripe account, and opened the digital doors… a few days before COVID lockdown."
Jesus Vargas is the founder of LowCode Agency, an app building agency that leverages no/low code tools to create custom apps quickly and affordably.
Jacob Klug
Founder of Creme Digital ($100K/month)
"Luckily, running an agency the easiest part is starting it. No upfront capital or intensive resources needed."
Jacob Klug is the co-founder of Creme Digital, a no-code development agency that has scaled to $100k/month.
Md. Yousuf Ali
Founder of Rank Trends ($6K/month)
"At the initial stage, we did not do a massive investment to start our project. Just developed a simple website by myself, wrote content, and optimized it."
Md. Yousuf Ali is the founder of Rank Trends, a digital marketing agency, and Khan, a grocery business that provides various digital marketing services and quality grocery items.
Annette Thomas
Founder of The Digital Vibe Podcast and Network ($20K/month)
"I probably spent a total of about $10,000 [on my passion project]."
Annette Thomas is the founder of The Digital Vibe Podcast and Network, a podcast network that also includes a publishing company, brand clothing, and affiliate sales, which generates a substantial monthly income.
Philip Young
Founder of Session ($8.33K/month)
"Despite its simplicity, Session took a long time to build, almost 9 months with 20 hours per week."
Philip is the founder of Session, an app designed to help users stay focused by blocking distracting websites, apps, and Slack, which he launched after initially starting it as a side project.
Samuel Colvin
Founder of TutorCruncher ($100K/month)
"The creation of the product as an in-house system meant the prototyping and design process was incredibly unique. Simultaneously as the system was being developed, it was also being tested by working tutoring agencies. Tutors and agency owners were able to give direct feedback to the developers from the foundations of the system, all the way through to the final product. This means the management tools are truly created by tutors and for tutors!"
Samuel Colvin is the co-founder of TutorCruncher, a Tutor Management Software company that helps tutoring agencies worldwide streamline their administrative tasks.
Enjoyed reading these real world examples?
Our platform is full of case studies of successful software developers that you can learn from.
Starting a software developer - what you should know:
Starting a software development venture requires careful planning and a clear understanding of various cost factors.
Initial Equipment Costs
Investing in suitable equipment is essential. A high-end laptop or desktop capable of handling complex programming tasks typically ranges from $1,200 to $3,000. Additionally, dual monitors can enhance productivity, costing between $200 and $600 each. Don't forget peripherals like a reliable mechanical keyboard and an ergonomic mouse, which can together add another $100 to $200.
Software and Tools
The software development environment needs powerful tools. Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) like JetBrains' IntelliJ IDEA or Microsoft's Visual Studio range from $150 to $500 annually. Version control systems like Git are usually free; however, private repositories in platforms like GitHub will add approximately $4 per user per month. Don't overlook other essential tools, which might add up to $200 to $1,000 yearly.
Licensing and Certifications
Obtaining necessary software licenses and professional certifications can be significant. Licensing fees for essential software like Microsoft Office are roughly $70 annually. Certifications through programs such as AWS Certified Developer or Microsoft Certified Azure Developer can cost $150 to $300. Attaining multiple certifications or more specialized licenses can increase costs substantially.
Training and Online Courses
Continuous learning is vital in software development. Online courses from platforms like Udemy, Coursera, or Pluralsight range from $30 to $300 per course. Subscriptions for these platforms could cost around $200 to $400 annually. Investing in high-quality training materials ensures you stay current with industry trends and technologies.
Workspace Costs
Whether working from home or renting office space, there are associated costs. A co-working desk can range from $100 to $500 monthly. Setting up a home office includes purchasing furniture like a good quality chair and desk, potentially costing $300 to $1,000 in total. Internet service, a necessary utility, can range from $50 to $100 per month.
Miscellaneous Expenses
Miscellaneous costs might include contributions to developers' communities, which can provide networking opportunities and additional learning resources. These could be subscriptions to online forums, attending conferences, or participating in hackathons, adding anywhere from $200 to $1,000 annually.
Understanding these factors and their financial implications can help you budget effectively and make informed decisions when starting your journey as a software developer.
Potential Costs of Starting a Software Developer
Starting a software developer involves several potential costs, ranging from tool subscriptions and hardware to hosting and labor fees. Below is a detailed breakdown of these potential costs.
| Cost Component | Description | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware | ||
| Computer | High-performance laptop or desktop (e.g., MacBook Pro, Dell XPS) | $1,500 - $3,500 |
| Monitor | High-resolution monitor for coding and testing | $200 - $1,000 |
| Accessories | Keyboard, mouse, headphones, ergonomic chair | $100 - $500 |
| Software Tools | ||
| Integrated Development Environment (IDE) | Popular IDEs such as Visual Studio, JetBrains, etc. (annual subscription) | $100 - $700 per year |
| Version Control Systems | GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket | Free - $9 per user/month |
| Project Management Tools | Jira, Trello, Asana (per user, per month) | Free - $10 per user/month |
| Design Tools | Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma (monthly subscription) | $20 - $52.99 per month |
| Hosting and Cloud Services | ||
| Domain Name | Purchase and annual renewal costs | $10 - $15 per year |
| Hosting Fees | Shared hosting, VPS, or dedicated servers | $5 - $300 per month |
| Cloud Services | AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure (usage-based pricing) | $50 - $300 per month |
| Content Delivery Network (CDN) | Services such as Cloudflare or AWS CloudFront | Free - $200 per month |
| Labor Costs | ||
| Hiring Developers | Salaries or hourly rates for junior, mid-level, or senior developers | $50,000 - $150,000 per year |
| Freelancers/Contractors | Costs associated with hiring freelance developers | $30 - $150 per hour |
| Training and Development | ||
| Online Courses and Certifications | Courses from platforms like Udemy, Coursera, or official certifications | $50 - $300 per course |
| Conferences and Workshops | Fees associated with attending industry conferences or workshops | $500 - $2,000 per event |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Legal and Accounting Fees | Initial setup and ongoing bookkeeping | $500 - $5,000 per year |
| Marketing and Advertising | Initial marketing to launch the developer or software product | $500 - $5,000+ |
| Office Space | Optional cost if not working remotely; includes rent, utilities, internet | $300 - $2,000 per month |
By understanding these costs, you can better budget and plan for launching a successful software developer.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
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