The first release
The smallest version that proves the idea: core workflow, sign-up and onboarding, built so it can grow instead of being thrown away.
Services · SaaS & MVP Development
SaaS and MVP development, from idea to paying customers
A first version needs to do a few things well: let people sign up, take payment and solve the problem they came for. We build that version, then the admin, billing and support tools that keep a product running. We know what comes after launch because we run our own SaaS, Account Trail.
- First release
- 6–12 weeks
- Projects from
- $2,500
- Written quote
- 2 business days
- Hours
- 8–4 CST
Is this you?
- You have a product idea and a deadline, but no technical co-founder or in-house team.
- Your prototype works for ten users, and you're not sure it will hold up for a thousand.
- Billing, accounts and permissions keep growing into the part nobody planned for.
What we build
Accounts, billing and subscriptions
Authentication, teams and roles, plans and trials, with Stripe or Paddle handling payment, tax and invoices.
Multi-tenant data and admin
Each customer's data kept separate, plus the admin screens your team needs to support customers without touching the database.
Hosting and releases
Docker-based deployments, staging and production environments, backups and monitoring, so shipping an update is routine. Hosting & DevOps
Every product ships with
- A written scope for the first release, with a fixed price and date
- Role-based access and an audit trail of who changed what
- Error monitoring and automated backups
- Documentation your future team can follow
- Full ownership of the code and intellectual property
How we build it
- 01 / 04
Shape the product
Who it's for, the one job it must do well, and what can wait for version two.
- 02 / 04
Specification
Screens, data and integrations in writing, with a fixed price and date.
- 03 / 04
Build in stages
Working features on a staging site every week, so you can show users early.
- 04 / 04
Launch and iterate
Go-live, 30 days of fixes, then a dedicated developer or retainer as the product grows.
Our own SaaS
In-house product
Account Trail
Our own free, open-source accounting app for freelancers and small businesses. We designed, built and run it: invoicing, expenses, stock, budgets, reports and multi-currency, with a self-hosted option.
Read the case study: Account Trail
Pricing
A first release is a fixed-price project from $2,500, scoped in writing before work starts. For a product that keeps evolving, a dedicated developer from $4,800/month is usually better value.
For agencies
Your client wants a product built and your team builds websites. We deliver the application under your name.
FAQ
SaaS & MVP FAQ
Small enough to launch in weeks, complete enough that people will pay for it. We agree the one workflow that has to work end to end and leave the rest for version two.
Have a product you want to launch?
Tell us the idea and who it's for. We'll come back with a scope for the first release, a fixed price and a date within two business days.