Software Development & Maintenance from Berlin

What does software development at TenMedia cost?

Comparing offers requires clarity. Here are current hourly rates, maintenance packages and SLA options — transparent and without fine print.

Our hourly rates

We bill transparently based on actual effort. Hourly rates depend on seniority and role in the project.

Lead Developer & Management
Technical leadership, architecture decisions, project management
€210/h
Senior Developer
Experienced developers for complex implementations
€175/h
Developer / PM / UX
Development, project management, UX/UI design
€135/h
Editorial / QA
Content, quality assurance, documentation
€100/h

Prices valid from 01.02.2026. All prices exclude VAT.

Custom software development

For new custom software development or a complete relaunch, we offer fixed-price contracts (Werkverträge). Scope and deliverables are defined upfront — acceptance is based on the specification. In exceptional cases, also available for major extensions, migrations or modernisations of existing systems.

Binding fixed price based on a detailed service specification
Acceptance based on clearly defined criteria
For new development and relaunch — in exceptions also for extensions and migration
Source code and documentation are fully handed over to the client

Maintenance packages: Predictable costs, dedicated contacts

Our maintenance contingents secure a monthly hour budget — for support, further development, monitoring and emergencies. All contingents at an effective rate of €112.50/h.

8
hours/month
€900
/month
16
hours/month
€1,800
/month
Preferred
30
hours/month
€3,375
/month
40
hours/month
€4,500
/month
80
hours/month
€9,000
/month

No fixed contingent needed? Service contract.

For projects without regular maintenance needs, we offer service contracts without a fixed hour contingent. The advantage: the project is set up on our end and we can step in at short notice — especially important for unforeseen requirements. Billing is based on actual effort at the respective hourly rate.

Service Level Agreements

The right SLA tier depends on availability and response time requirements. The basic SLA is included in every maintenance contingent (min. 8 hours).

Basic
Included

Included in every contingent

✓ Business hours support
✓ Email and phone
Tier 1
€1,500/month
✓ Extended response times
✓ Priority handling
Tier 2
On request
✓ 99.5% availability
✓ 24h on-call
Tier 3
On request
✓ 99.9% availability
✓ 24/7 support

SLAs require a maintenance contract of at least 8 hours/month. Extended SLA tiers require operation on our infrastructure (data centre, VM, CI/CD pipeline).

Outside business hours

Emergency ticket flat rate: €200. Hourly surcharge: +50%.

View all SLA details →

Why companies work with us

14+
years of experience
ISO 27001 & 9001
TÜV Süd certified
100%
permanent team in Berlin — no freelancers

Payment models at a glance

Billing differs depending on the type of contract. Here are the four models at a glance.

Monthly billing Illustration

Monthly billing

For maintenance contracts: monthly billing of the agreed flat rate plus flexible costs such as hosting and additional services.

Progress payments Illustration

Progress payments

For new development via fixed-price contract: 20% down payment, then monthly progress payments of approx. 10%, and a final payment upon acceptance. The exact schedule depends on the project size.

Code for Equity Illustration

Code for Equity

Similar to the fixed-price model, but part of the development costs is offset against company shares. Particularly attractive for startups with limited budgets.

Learn more →
Charity Coding Illustration

Charity Coding

Non-profit organisations receive a flat 10% discount on all services — our contribution to projects with social impact.

Learn more →

FAQs

Are there any hidden costs? keyboard_arrow_down keyboard_arrow_up
Our current hourly rates and package prices for standard services are clearly listed on our pricing page. For individual development projects, we always provide a binding cost estimate. All prices are exclusive of statutory VAT. Before the start of a project, we always conclude a written service or work contract in which all conditions are clearly stipulated—including any special items such as travel expenses, weekend/holiday surcharges, or license costs. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
How does the transition from another service provider to TenMedia work? keyboard_arrow_down keyboard_arrow_up
We regularly take on projects during ongoing operations. The process is clearly structured: code audit, documentation review, knowledge transfer with the existing team (or directly through the codebase), then gradual takeover. The transition typically takes two to four weeks — depending on the system's complexity and input from the previous provider.
Are we locked into a long-term contract? keyboard_arrow_down keyboard_arrow_up
No. Maintenance and service contracts can be terminated with four weeks' notice. The source code belongs to the client — we use standard technologies, no proprietary frameworks. In case of a transition, we hand over everything with proper documentation. We retain clients through quality work, not contract clauses.
What happens if the project doesn't go as planned? keyboard_arrow_down keyboard_arrow_up
Before the project starts, we provide a binding cost estimate. During implementation, there are regular milestone check-ins and weekly status reports. If the scope changes, we discuss it transparently before continuing.
Why are the hourly rates higher than offshore providers? keyboard_arrow_down keyboard_arrow_up
We develop 100 percent in-house in Berlin — exclusively with permanent employees, no freelancers. That means: no communication overhead across time zones, dedicated contact persons who know the project, and processes certified under ISO 27001 and ISO 9001. In practice, this leads to less rework, faster alignment, and predictable outcomes. The total cost of ownership is often lower than with seemingly cheaper alternatives.
Is a fixed price possible for further development of software developed elsewhere? keyboard_arrow_down keyboard_arrow_up
No. For software not developed by us, billing is based on hourly rates and actual time spent. The reason: without full knowledge of the codebase and architecture, the effort for extensions and modifications cannot be reliably estimated. Fixed-price contracts are only available for new development and relaunches.
How quickly can a project start? keyboard_arrow_down keyboard_arrow_up
That depends on current capacity. For maintenance contracts, onboarding usually begins within four to eight weeks. For development projects, we start accepting offers within eight to twelve weeks.
Are there special conditions for public institutions? keyboard_arrow_down keyboard_arrow_up
We are listed in Germany's Official Registry of Pre-Qualified Companies (AVPQ) and have been working with public sector clients for years — from Berlin authorities to federal institutions. Our processes are aligned with procurement procedures, and references are available. We're happy to discuss individual conditions on request.
What happens if more hours are needed in a month than booked? keyboard_arrow_down keyboard_arrow_up
Minor fluctuations are balanced through the flexible hour contingent. If significantly more hours are required, these are billed at the respective employee's hourly rate in the following month. It is therefore recommended to choose a contingent that matches the expected workload in order to benefit from the lower contingent hourly rates.
What happens if fewer hours are used than booked? keyboard_arrow_down keyboard_arrow_up
50% of unused hours expire at the end of the month, the remaining 50% are carried over to the following month. It is therefore recommended to choose a contingent that matches the expected workload.

Ready for a no-obligation conversation?

Just describe the project. We respond within one business day with an initial assessment — free and without commitment.

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