Custom software development in London
Looking for a UK custom software company that can build software around how your business actually works? We do that.
Software for your business
Pixelfield has shipped over 100 platforms and product builds for businesses in eight countries since 2013.
If you want a senior team owning your build, let’s talk about scope, risks and what going live would look like.
/ Why bespoke
Benefits of a bespoke build
A bespoke system beats off-the-shelf tools when your process does not fit a generic product. The main benefits:
Fits how you work
When we build the system from scratch, you choose the features, design and behaviour that match how you work.
Whether you are adapting something that already works or inventing a workflow from scratch, we can build it.
High Security & Reliability
Attacks get more sophisticated every year, so security has to sit in the build, not get bolted on at the end. We keep current with the protocols that matter and put them in before launch.
Reliability matters as much as features. The last thing you want is to hire a team, invest heavily, and end up with a product that isn’t all that reliable.
We test security and reliability properly, so the software holds up once it is live, not only in a demo.
Exclusive Ownership
When Pixelfield builds your system, you own it: exclusive rights, and control over how the software is used.
Off-the-shelf tools often lock you in: you cannot always change, scale or own the product the way you need to.
Selected work
MyLuxor
A reading platform connected to existing systems for user accounts, purchase history and digital content.
Kaleido
A VR application with a custom back end for users, subscriptions and virtual trips.
/ From brief to delivery
How we deliver
Have a Discovery Meeting
Unlike many UK agencies, we don’t force a fixed framework. We shape the delivery process around your team and the job.
Whether we’re working on a web product or a wider platform, the first step is a discovery meeting. The aim is to understand your business and the software you want, down to the last detail.
That way we know what we are building, and why, before anyone writes production code.
Create a Plan of Action
Once we have the brief, we write a plan of action: what we will build, in what order, and what is out of scope.
That plan is what we work from. It keeps scope honest, reduces rework, and gives you a realistic date.
Start Working on Your Software
Once the plan is agreed, the developers on your project get a full brief, then build work starts.
Longer builds need clear communication. You get several points of contact and regular progress reports, so you know what is happening as we go.
Pixelfield in numbers
100+
projects
8
countries
20+
developers & designers
12+
years of experience
/ A good fit
Software you own, not another SaaS workaround
Internal tools, platforms and backends for teams that have outgrown rented features, or never fitted a neat SaaS box in the first place.
Typical buyer
Operators and product leads whose workflows, data and revenue do not match what off-the-shelf tools allow without duct tape.
The expensive path
Body shops pad the calendar. Forced SaaS creates shadow IT. A junior demo collapses the first time a real edge case or integration shows up.
Our default
Same senior team from brief to launch since 2013. Design and engineering stay in one London room. You leave with software you own.
We will talk you out of it if…
An off-the-shelf tool already covers ~90% of the job. Custom only makes sense when the last 10% is how you compete.
Custom software pricing
Costs depend on scope and complexity.
We break work into phases so you control spend and see value at each stage.
Discovery
£5,000 to £10,000
Prototype / clickable
£3,000 to £10,000
PoC
£8,000 to £20,000
MVP / v1
£15,000 to £50,000
Complex / multi-system
From £50,000
Retainer
£1,000 to £5,000 / month
FAQs
What Technologies Do You Use for Development?
The tech stack varies by project. Once we understand what you need to build, we can give you a better idea of the technologies that would be the best fit for your project.
Do You Provide Ongoing Maintenance and Updates?
Yes. Maintenance and updates are available. Most of our builds need little work after handover.
After handover we can stay on for support and updates if you need them.
How Do I Communicate With Your Team During the Project?
You talk to the project manager running the work, not a ticket queue.
If you have a question, a concern or want a progress update, you can reach them directly from start to finish.
What if I still don’t have a clear image of my project and can’t decide on the best solution?
Before we start, we try to understand what you actually need. A first conversation is enough to set the goals the software has to meet.
Based on our experience, we propose specific features, technologies and a realistic budget.
How long will the build take?
It depends on how hard the project is. More features and integrations take longer than a simple build.
How much does the development cost?
Costs depend on scope, complexity and integrations. As a guide: Discovery £5,000 to £10,000, Prototype / clickable £3,000 to £10,000, PoC £8,000 to £20,000, MVP / v1 £15,000 to £50,000, Complex / multi-system from £50,000. Retainers run £1,000 to £5,000 per month. Final cost depends on feature count, third-party integrations, security requirements and team size. Share your requirements and we will come back with a tailored estimate.
How do you ensure the flawlessness of your products?
Developers work with testers throughout the build. Testers find issues, developers fix them, then we check again.
What if I am going to need new features in a few months?
That’s fine. If you need to add or change something later, tell us. We are happy to pick up follow-up work.
How do you test custom software?
Developers and testers work against agreed acceptance criteria throughout the build. We prioritise critical workflows, permissions and integrations, resolve identified issues and document known limitations before release. Testing reduces risk; it does not guarantee defect-free software.
Custom software with production AI
For model-backed features, see Pixelfield as an AI development company. We build LLMs, RAG and agents into custom software, with discovery and pricing on the AI hub.