Introduction
Buildly offers Custom Software as a Service.
What is Buildly?
Buildly is a Custom Software as a Service platform that lets businesses subscribe to custom-built software instead of buying the same off-the-shelf tool as everyone else. The service covers custom website development, mobile app development, desktop app development, and custom business tools, with hosting, maintenance, security updates, and ongoing improvements included in the plan.
The core problem Buildly solves is the gap between ready-made software and fully bespoke development. Off-the-shelf tools often force a business to change its workflow, while traditional custom development can be slow and expensive. Buildly uses a subscription-style model: users choose a plan, submit requirements, approve a written scope, and then move through design, build, and launch stages. This makes Custom Software as a Service practical for small and growing businesses that need software shaped around their real processes.
Buildly is suitable for companies that need a custom software subscription without building an in-house development team. The platform states that pricing and scope are written before payment, and each plan includes a defined initial build plus a set number of change requests after delivery. The code and database become the client’s property after the agreed commitment is complete.
Key Features of Buildly
Custom Software Built Around Business Workflows
Buildly designs and builds websites, apps, and business tools around each client’s requirements. This helps teams fit the software to existing workflows rather than forcing a process change to match a generic product.
Subscription-Style Development Plans
Users subscribe to a Custom Software as a Service plan with monthly or yearly billing. Plans include development, baseline hosting, monitoring, backups, security updates, and bug fixes, so software maintenance is part of the ongoing service.
Written Scope and Price Before Payment
Buildly prepares a free written scope in the client portal before billing starts. The scope lists deliverables, exclusions, price, and schedule, and it can be reviewed, commented on, or approved before work begins.
Custom Website, Mobile, and Desktop App Development
The service can build business websites, customer portals, web applications, internal tools, mobile apps for Android and iOS, and desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux. This gives businesses one custom software subscription path for several common platform needs.
Change Requests After Launch
Each Buildly plan includes a set number of change requests after delivery. Essential includes 2 per year, Growth includes 1 per month, Business includes 2 per month, and Scale includes 3 per month, handled one at a time.
Code Ownership and Data Control
Buildly states that client data always belongs to the client. After the plan commitment is complete and payments are up to date, the agreed source code and database become the client’s property, with handover materials such as build instructions and architecture notes.
Use Cases for Buildly
Custom Business Website
A small company can use Buildly for a focused business website with a contact form, enquiry page, or a simple buy button for a few products. This fits the Essential plan’s small-scope website example.
Customer Portal
A business can build a customer portal with accounts, document sharing, dashboards, and reports. This is a common fit for the Growth plan’s broader workflow and sign-in features.
Internal Operations Tool
Teams can request an internal tool with approvals, audit history, permissions, and multiple user roles. Buildly’s Business plan is designed for software that runs several parts of an operation.
Mobile App with Sign-In and Notifications
A company can use custom mobile app development for Android and iOS, including customer or staff sign-in and notifications. The app can be maintained and updated through the same subscription.
Online Store with Accounts and Shipping
Buildly can support a small online shop with cart and checkout, or a larger store with accounts, stock, and shipping. This makes the Custom Software as a Service model useful for ecommerce needs that go beyond a simple template.
How to Use Buildly
- Select a plan. Choose the Buildly plan and billing interval that appear to fit the project. Plans can be changed before approval.
- Submit requirements. Provide a brief explaining what is needed, who will use it, and which platforms matter. A call is optional.
- Approve the scope. Review the free written scope in the portal, including deliverables, exclusions, price, and schedule. Request changes or approve it before payment.
- Build and launch. Move through stages such as wireframes, design, and build, with approval at each stage. Buildly launches the software on the hosting included in the plan.
- Request improvements. After launch, submit change requests and new features. Each request is estimated and approved before it uses the plan allowance.
Target Audience for Buildly
- Small businesses that need a custom website or simple business tool
- Growing companies that need a customer portal, web app, or mobile app
- Operations teams that need internal software with roles and approvals
- Businesses that want a custom software subscription with hosting and maintenance included
- Companies that prefer written scope and price approval before development starts
- Organizations that value code ownership after a defined commitment period
Is Buildly Free?
Buildly does not appear to offer a free subscription plan. It does provide a free written scope and price before payment, and plans start at a launch price of $35/month for small, clearly scoped software. The regular Essential price is listed as $60/month.
| Plan | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | $35/month launch price; regular $60/month | Small website or tool, 2 change requests per year, 12-month commitment, code ownership after commitment |
| Growth | $100/month | Broader workflows, sign-in, dashboards, 1 change request per month, 12-month commitment |
| Business | $250/month | Multiple workflows and user roles, 2 change requests per month, 2-year commitment |
| Scale | $600/month | Larger projects and ongoing development, 3 change requests per month, 3-year commitment |
Third-party accounts, licences, usage charges, app-store fees, code-signing fees, hosting upgrades, migrations, and complex enterprise integrations are paid separately. Standard integrations are listed at $20 each, one time, per approved integration.
Buildly's Pros and Cons
| Aspect | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Starts at a $35/month launch price; hosting, maintenance, and updates are included | Ongoing monthly cost may be higher than simple off-the-shelf software |
| Features | Custom design and code, written scope, change requests, mobile and desktop app options | Development is not unlimited; each plan has a defined allowance |
| Ownership | Data belongs to the client; code and database transfer after commitment | Essential and Growth use 12-month commitments; Business is 24 months and Scale is 36 months |
| Process | Scope and price are approved before payment; stage approvals are included | Clients need clear requirements and must review scope details carefully |
Frequently Asked Questions about Buildly
What is Custom Software as a Service?
Custom Software as a Service is a subscription model where software is designed and built for a specific business instead of being sold as the same product to every customer. Buildly combines this model with hosting, maintenance, updates, and change requests.
What can Buildly build?
Buildly can build business websites, online stores, web applications, customer portals, internal tools, mobile apps for Android and iOS, and desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Each subscription covers one agreed project on one platform unless a published bundle applies.
Is there a free Buildly plan?
No free subscription plan is listed. Buildly provides a free written scope before payment, and users can review the deliverables, exclusions, price, and schedule before approving anything.
Is development unlimited with Buildly?
No. Each Buildly plan includes a defined initial build and a set number of change requests after delivery. Extra work is estimated and must be approved before it starts.
When does the client own the code?
The agreed source code and database become the client’s property after the plan commitment is complete and payments are up to date. Handover includes code, database, build instructions, dependency list, and architecture notes.
How long does the first version take?
The timeline depends on the agreed scope. Buildly states that the written scope includes a schedule before payment, and the service does not promise instant delivery.
Buildly Tags
Custom Software as a Service, Buildly, custom software subscription, custom website development, mobile app development, desktop app development, business software, software maintenance, custom business tools, software development plans, customer portal development, code ownership
