Insights
Notes on building software
Plain-English guides on scoping, building, and shipping apps, web apps, and custom systems — written for the people paying for them.
Website vs. web app vs. custom system: what do you actually need?
Website, web app, or custom system? A plain-English guide to telling them apart and choosing the smallest build that solves your problem.
ReadMVP vs. full build: which should you start with?
When to ship a lean MVP and when to commit to the full build — a practical framework for founders deciding where to start.
ReadHow much does a custom web app cost?
Why there's no single price for a custom web app, the factors that actually drive cost, and how to get a trustworthy fixed-price estimate.
ReadHow long does it take to build a SaaS?
A focused SaaS MVP usually ships in about 4–6 weeks; a fuller v1 runs across milestones over a few months. An honest timeline by phase.
ReadReact Native vs. native: which should you build?
React Native/Expo vs native Swift/Kotlin: a founder's decision guide. When cross-platform wins, when native earns its cost, and why you can mix.
ReadDo you own your code? What to demand from a dev agency
Who owns the code a dev agency builds? Why ownership matters, what to put in the contract, the red flags, and a checklist to run before you sign.
Read5 signs you've outgrown no-code
No-code is great to start. Five concrete signs it's time to move to a custom build — and how to migrate without losing your data.
ReadWhat's in a good software proposal (and our 48-hour process)
A trustworthy software proposal frames the problem, sets scope and out-of-scope, gives a fixed price and milestones, and confirms you own the code.
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