
ERP Software Development Cost Basics
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are used widely in US company. In fact, around 140,000 businesses have integrated ERPs into their daily processes. The custom ERP development cost can range between $30,000 and $500,000, but the final sum will depend on the size of the system and the company. In this article, we'll discuss what influences EPR costs and how to optimize them.
Higher price doesn't always guarantee higher quality. An ERP system consists of several modules, each with various functions. A custom ERP ensures that each module is suited specifically for your business processes and none of them go unused. Customization usually also means that some modules and functions aren't necessary and shouldn't be included if you want to maximize productivity. So, a fair ERP price for your business includes only the modules you need.
With that in mind, let's answer the question: How much does it cost to build an ERP system?
What is ERP?
ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software is used to manage company activities. In 2025, the ERP market in North America alone is worth over $20 billion, and it's expected to reach nearly $32 billion by 2029. Usually, the system includes several modules, such as finance, human resource management, supply chain management, production, customer relationship management, and project management. It can also include other modules, like billing for specific needs.
- The finance module is central to any ERP system. Its accounting block collects and analyzes information about all business transactions, so you can measure expenses and income. Another one of this module's blocks is controlling, which lets you calculate net and gross prices. Basically, the finance module helps you understand your current financial situation and plan for the future.
- Employees are an indispensable part of any business. The human resources management module collects the information and necessary documentation for the people who work there-it's a kind of CRM for company employees. This module tracks work orders, productivity, and personal records. It's also useful for recruiters, who can use it to improve the workplace atmosphere and find new candidates who share the company's values.
- Supplier relationship information, including contacts, product rations, and other information, is saved in the supply chain management module. This module is closely connected with warehouse inventory and can have its own module to track shipments and orders. When both modules are integrated, employees can easily find products on the way, reducing ERP costs.
- A production module consists of production planning and quality management. It works with manufacturing bills and receipts and can be combined with the existing production programs. The module is equipped with a calendar to remind users about recurring production planning activities. Also, it works in tandem with the supply management module to collect orders in time.
- The ERP system may have its own customer relationship management module or be integrated with your current CRM. As a basic CRM system, the module contains all the information about customers and their interaction history. It helps you build a strategy for working with clients, staying in contact and building reliable relationships with them, and finding your target audience.
- The project management module tracks the company's project progress. It takes into account specific tasks according to priority and is very useful for planning. Also, this module forms reports and helps you follow up with contractors to finish projects on time. Usually, it's integrated with a calendar to track whether the plan completes all project stages. If not, the owner or the head of the department can see where the delay is.
The above modules form the base of ERP, and any company that works with products will use them. However, this list can be supplemented with industry-specific features and modules as well. The benefit of a custom-made ERP system is its flexibility to build tailored software that fits any and all requirements.
Benefits of Using ERP
An ERP system's primary benefit is that it automates business processes. In the first month of use, the business owner will have already seen the majority of those automations at work. Depending on the company-defined KPI, the employees will be able to evaluate the results of working with the ERP in one to six months.
Optimization of Business Processes
An ERP system optimizes and automates a company's key processes, starting with financial management and accounting. It keeps all income and expense reports in one place, and money transfers are managed automatically. No penny is unaccounted for.
The system also influences production planning and supply chain management. With an ERP system, you don't need journals or Excel files because everything is counted in the program. This function noticeably speeds up the process when you're working with products.
Human resource and customer relationship management also feel the difference. Working with people becomes easier when automation results in increased work efficiency, reduced manual operations, and error reduction.
Data Centralization
An ERP system creates a single database for the entire company, which speeds up business processes. Employees access relevant and accurate information in real time because all information can be edited and updated with automated notifications. This ability also eliminates data fragmentation between departments, as everyone in the company has access to the same information. This approach improves cooperation between different departments by allowing them to exchange information quickly. Also, when the data is available to every relevant coworker, the employees appreciate the transparency.
Better Decision Making
For the department heads and owner, the ERP system's main benefit is that it speeds and facilitates the decision-making process. When all the information is available, reports are formed automatically, and when the integrated AI advises the next moves and shows consequences, leaders feel more informed and can better justify their most important decisions. ERP also influences strategic planning, as the system can identify trends and patterns in business that you maybe hadn't noticed before. These insights make processes, disadvantages, and advantages clearer for everyone in the organization, and the ERP software development cost pays for itself faster.
Increased Productivity
Your employees will soon notice how an ERP system increases productivity. After the routine tasks are automated, the workers have time for the more interesting, intellectual work that adds value. An ERP system also reduces the time it takes to complete some operations, which means the company doesn't need as many human hours for those tasks. Because fewer people can do the same amount of work with the help of ERP software, staff reductions may be necessary, but a competent manager will likely transfer released employees to a new project or another branch of the business.
Improving Customer Service
The CRM module tremendously influences client satisfaction. A single customer base improves the quality and speed of service because neither customer nor order will ever be forgotten, thanks to the notifications and integrated calendar. Also, more efficient warehouse and supply management leads to faster order delivery. In short, all of an ERP system's work is geared toward the product's end users-your clients-which is why it's important to improve internal processes and grow your business.
Scalability and Flexibility
An ERP system's capabilities help it easily adapt to business growth. You can start using only a few central modules and then add new ones organically as you develop the business and increase the number of clients and orders. Some modules can be replaced with familiar systems that you've already used, and this integration will add new functions without ruining the useful ones. ERP systems' flexibility also means they can fit various business models in different industries. They simply adjust the existing processes and improve using the available resources, updating outdated and ineffective features.

Optimization of Business Processes;
Data Centralization;
Better Decision Making;
Increased Productivity;
Improving Customer Service;
Scalability and Flexibility;
Understanding What Determines ERP Software Development Cost
As an ERP system is a completed software with many modules, several factors influence the cost, and many of these factors are universal for the majority of businesses. The good news is that because an ERP system is flexible, the company can choose the variation that exactly fits its current budget and add new blocks down the road. So, the answer to the question 'How much does it cost to build an ERP system?' is unique for every business.
1.Complexity of Business Processes
Some company use a lot of programs and have a tangled structure of inner processes. In such cases, the ERP software development cost can be higher to correspond to all business needs. The idea is to add new functionality without ruining the processes that work well. ERP integration into an already sophisticated process will likely require more time and working hours, thereby increasing the cost.
2.Company Size
Usually, the number of departments plays a big role in cost. The number of departments usually correlates with the number of ERP modules, which determines the size of the system. So, the custom ERP development cost directly correlates with the number of blocks an ERP system has. The greater the number of blocks, the more expensive it is.
3.Level of Security and Compliance with Regulatory Requirements
In many cases, cost depends on the industry in which the company works. Some security standards connected with personal data are very high, so a developer needs to check whether the system complies with these standards and the regulatory requirements before employees can use it. Otherwise, the company's reputation may be seriously damaged.

The final ERP software development cost requires business analysis, solution searching, software development, installation of ERP modules, data migration, testing, checkout, user training, and documentation. Also, the ERP development team usually proposes support and updates for future system maintenance. They can take these services into account when calculating the final cost.
In the initial negotiation stages with your development partners, it is also worth specifying other expenses that could accrue during the building of an ERP system. Ideally, all the details will be fixed in the contract.
One of these details is changing requirements after the development has been started. Usually, if the development is done with Agile methodology, change is acceptable. Depending on many factors, though, changes could entail an increase in the project budget. Also, if they are significant, the whole project could be reviewed.
Integration with the existing programs and systems could take more time and effort than were originally planned. In this case, the party responsible for the delay-the client or the developer-should be clearly determined. If a clear consensus isn't reached, more than likely the developer will issue an invoice for the extra time spent working on the project.
Over time, any system will need updates, support, or additional modules. In a perfect scenario, you'll understand from the very beginning how much time and money it will cost to scale the system or change anything about it. It's possible to go with a different developer in the future for the update, but it's much more convenient to continue cooperating with the same team.
In comparison with ready-made solutions, custom systems have a significant benefit because they are made specifically for your business needs. Also, the owner can sell a subscription to the ERP system as a SaaS, so the company gets another source of income.
Although the first payment for ready-made solutions is usually lower than it is for a custom one, in the long run, the returns and savings from a custom ERP system are much higher. This advantage can be seen when the company grows because scalability and flexibility play an important role in this process.
Custom ERP Cost Ranges in 2025
The custom ERP development cost can range anywhere from $30,000 to $500,000. This big gap is explained by several factors, like the size of an ERP system, the number of modules, integration with other programs, and available functions. Also, the industry influences the cost, as the software solution should match the prescribed level of security. Additional costs like support and upgrades also influence the final sum.
Small company that need only basic functions like a finance module can expect to stay within the budget of up to $50K. Big enterprises that have complex business processes and systems of supplies and sales are more likely to spend up to $250K. If you need the full package with all functions and programs integrated into one ERP system, the cost will grow to $350K - $450K. Even in that case, though, the price is worth it, as you get all the advanced features with one huge project. Those who need to save costs a bit will learn how in the next paragraph.
- Solopreneurs
- Small businesses
- Medium-sized businesses
Basic functions and minimal customization
- Large enterprises
- Multinational corporations
Advanced features like telehealth integration, remote patient monitoring capabilities, and detailed data analytics
Optimizing Custom ERP Development Cost
Good software decisions have high price tags, and not all company can afford them in one fell swoop. Here are some tips to mitigate the high ERP software development cost:
Phased Development and
Implementation
First, develop the most needed ERP modules. As the whole system is formed from blocks, it will be easy to add new ones later on. This approach will save money and let you experience the benefits of a new program. Also, this strategy is good when you don't have a preconceived notion about what the final product should look like. That way, you can update the requirements over time and add new blocks when it suits your purposes.
Integration with Existing
Programs
Some ERP modules can be replaced by existing programs. Take a CRM, for example: There's no need to do a new one if the current CRM system satisfies your needs. You can update it in the future after the more important and unique ERP blocks are installed. Also, if you don't need an integration with some particular program, for now, it can reduce current costs.
Cloud Solutions vs. Local
Ones
The choice between cloud and local solutions depends largely on the type of business you're running. Cloud solutions offer almost unlimited storage places for data, which is a good option for company with big data files, as they can save on infrastructure costs. On the other hand, local solutions have a higher security level and they help you avoid technical pauses that could occur with cloud solutions.
If you follow the above advice, the answer to your 'How much does it cost to build an ERP system?' question will be 'much less than it costs your competitors.' Also, when you decide to start developing ERP software, it's nice to have a consultation with external business analytics experts to better understand the current situation and possibilities with an ERP.

Choosing the Right ERP Developer Partner
As a leading ERP software development company, iWeb-Soft helps businesses automate manual processes and improve visibility throughout operations. We move software from separate systems to a centralized platform, close communication gaps, overcome scalability limitations, and address cost inefficiencies. Having completed over 40 projects for different types of organizations, iWeb-Soft has impressive expertise in developing custom ERP Software solutions specified to each company's goals and abilities. We have tons of experience with a wide range of different clients and a reasonable ERP software development cost.
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Transform your business operations with our custom ERP development services. From automating manual processes to overcoming scalability limitations, our expert team delivers custom ERP development services to suit your unique needs. Let's develop a perfect solution for your company.
We offer:
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Expertise in Manufacturing, Retail, Healthcare, and More
- In-Depth Business Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance
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At iWeb-Soft, we prioritize integrity, innovation, and client satisfaction. When you choose us for your ERP development, you're selecting a partner who's committed to your success. We specialize in creating unique ERP solutions to help you smooth your operations, save time, drive sales, and maintain a competitive edge. Customers prefer us for many reasons:
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Open Communication & Collaboration
- Smooth Transition with Existing Systems
- In-Depth Business Analysis
- Strict Adherence to Deadlines
- Cost-Efficient ERP Solutions
- Proven Track Record of Successful ERP Implementations
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