Software Maintenance Costs: The Ultimate Guide For 2025

Developing reliable and future-proof software requires various software maintenance processes to keep everything up to date.

This system means breaking down an application’s software maintenance cost, from performing bug fixes to implementing security measures.

Read on for an overview of software maintenance services and the steps to deliver these within specific budgets.

What Is Software Maintenance?

Software maintenance is when applications are updated to correct bugs, implement security measures, and improve performance.

The process begins during software development and forms one of the pillars of implementing DevOps for applications.

On a functionality level, software maintenance addresses problems with code, implementation of new features, and compatibility issues.

It also covers preventative measures, including implementing systems to protect against hackers and cyberattacks.

Software maintenance also provides developers and clients with in-depth documentation to refine and improve future updates.

Partnering with a software maintenance company provides access to AI tools that streamline maintenance and reduce costs.

Discover MyDevTeam’s software development services.

Key Factors Influencing Software Maintenance Costs

The software maintenance cost for a project varies depending on various factors, including the time and complexity of processes.

Here are some key factors influencing maintenance costs to consider before beginning the development process:

Software Complexity

The complexity of software is one of the most significant factors influencing maintenance costs for businesses.

Simple software can be maintained on a low budget, but highly complex systems take time and expertise.

You can review custom software examples of simple and complex applications to understand their features. Some may include specialist functionalities that require specific knowledge to maintain or an understanding of sophisticated algorithms.

The more complex the software, the more experience and diagnostic tools are needed to perform maintenance.

Code Base Size

The size of an application’s code base also inevitably increases the cost of software maintenance, since it takes more time to analyze.

Failure to maintain software through code optimization can lead to hidden costs for businesses further down the line.

While some automation can save time and money with this process, manual attention and fixes are still required.

Version control and deployment tools are also necessary for maintaining the codebase and other potentially costly resources.

Update Frequency

The more frequently software is updated, the higher the overall maintenance costs will be, covering planning, testing, and fixing bugs.

Depending on the nature and complexity of the update, it can also require the hiring of dedicated teams.

If an application is regularly updated, this can mean permanent staff with a continuous operational workflow and higher costs.

Required Technology Stack

The necessary technology stack for maintaining software can vary depending on the type and complexity of an application.

Different tech stacks are applied to various software development outsourcing models, with variable associated costs.

They comprise programming languages, frameworks, databases, web servers, and operating systems.

Front- and back-end technologies also form the basis of technology stacks and the necessary infrastructure to implement.

Niche and legacy systems with unique technical factors require specialist knowledge and skilled professionals.

Necessary Technical Expertise

Technical expertise and the necessity for experienced programmers are related to the issue around technology stacks.

This consideration plays a key role in software development team structure and the cost estimation for a given project.

Expertise may be required on an ongoing basis, or brought into the team as and when the project needs their services.

This expertise is essential for ensuring operational efficiency and robust operating systems that meet user demands.

Quality Of Documentation

Creating robust and comprehensive documentation is another aspect of maintaining software that can affect costs.

This process involves cataloging any code changes that other development team members may need to reference.

It also covers extensive design documentation, outlining the evolution of interfaces and other functionality aspects.

Documentation begins in the early stages and continues after an application has been launched to the pubic.

A benefit of DevOps for projects is the integration of documentation methods between developers and clients.

This approach ensures all parties are on the same page throughout development, updating the application when necessary.

Integration With Legacy Systems

Some applications require integration with other systems, and specialist engineers must address this issue.

If legacy systems are not integrated correctly, faults can spread through other applications and cause irreparable damage.

While this issue doesn’t affect software development for startups, established businesses need to consider integration costs.

Costs for standalone software can be relatively low, while applications with extensive third-party integrations are more expensive.

Industry-Based Regulatory Requirements

Industry-specific requirements and regulations also impact software and improve application maintenance.

This process revolves around data security and online privacy, with regular maintenance to align applications with requirements.

It can impact various applications, from property management software to healthcare and FinTech digital products.

Software maintenance costs can also be increased if specialized legal teams are required to verify compliance with industry standards.

Failure to do so can result in hefty fines and costs that exceed the application’s initial development.

User Feedback

User feedback, including bug reports and feature requests, is another critical factor impacting the cost of software maintenance.

On a functional level, this feedback can provide valuable insights into performance and help improve reliability.

It can also flag new features that the developers otherwise overlook, based on practical interactions with the application.

Users can provide feedback directly through the application or contact the customer support team when issues arise.

Software Maintenance Costs: The Ultimate Guide For 2025

Evaluating the cost of custom software development requires factoring in maintenance costs during and after development.

Here’s an overview of various types of software maintenance for projects and when developers typically apply them.

1. Adaptive Maintenance

Maintenance budget: 50% approx

Adaptive maintenance costs comprise a significant percentage of a budget, often requiring complex modifications to software.

They are conducted in an operating environment and include updates to interconnected systems that require implementation time.

Adaptive maintenance is vital for ensuring software remains compatible across all platforms and meets user expectations.

2. Corrective Maintenance

Maintenance budget: 20 – 25%

Corrective maintenance, also called reactive maintenance, is focused on identifying and fixing errors, bugs, and other defects.

Representing a smaller percentage of maintenance costs, it’s nevertheless vital for keeping software functional.

Software developers use various tools to assess applications for bugs and implement fixes, providing software support post-launch.

3. Perfective Maintenance

Maintenance budget: 10 – 30%

The cost of perfective maintenance can vary considerably, depending on the client’s requirements and response to user feedback.

Cost factors around perfective maintenance are also influenced by the industry in which the application is serving.

In some cases, new features that improve software quality can be expensive, particularly when they require a significant overhaul.

These costs can be minimized by choosing a software development company with the necessary industry expertise.

4. Preventive Maintenance

Maintenance budget: 40 – 90%

Preventive maintenance costs depend on the software’s functionality and complexity, and proactive monitoring is used to identify issues.

During the software development workflow, preventive maintenance is applied to minimize the impact of issues.

The process can be tackled on a time, usage, or condition-based approach, following pre-determined protocols to streamline results.

5. Bug Fixes

Maintenance budget: 15 – 25%

Monitoring for bugs and fixing them promptly continues throughout the software development life cycle to ensure functionality.

These can be performance-related bugs or aesthetic issues, such as the user interface incorrectly displaying information.

Addressing bugs enhances user satisfaction and software reliability, extending the application’s lifespan.

6. Code Optimization

Maintenance budget: 15 – 25%

The nature of code and managing associated costs is constantly in flux, but software code requires optimization regardless.

This aspect of software maintenance ensures that code performs as intended with efficient processes and resource use.

It also reduces the memory footprint and optimizes runtime operations to streamline software, so it’s ready for scaling.

Further reading: The ultimate guide to DevOps-As-A-Service in 2025.

7. Security Patches & Updates

Maintenance budget: 15 – 25%

Security concerns are increasing due to cyberattacks, making software security maintenance vital for peace of mind and customer satisfaction.

Outsourcing to a software development partner provides access to security maintenance services that protect users from bad actors.

This support includes patching for system integrity and implementing measures to protect against cyberattacks and hackers.

Software maintenance costs for security patches and updates also cover backing up data and recovery procedures.

8. End User Satisfaction

Maintenance budget: 15 – 20%

Software maintenance costs are also impacted by end-user satisfaction, based on assessments of feedback and research.

One of the benefits of outsourcing software development is continuous monitoring that overlooks evolving user feedback.

This process includes bug fixes raised by users, general performance improvements, and tweaks to improve the interface.

Software Maintenance Cost Examples

Different projects require different maintenance processes depending on the various factors outlined in the earlier section.

To help give a clearer idea of budget requirements, here are some examples of software maintenance costs:

• Native mobile apps of average complexity: $11,000 per month
• Communication and email platforms: $6,000 per month
• Office productivity and performance management software: $6,000 per month
• Standard functionality web applications: $11,000 per month

Each cost range includes the application of effective software engineering principles to ensure the software system performs as intended.

How To Reduce Software Maintenance Costs

If you’re launching a new application and hiring software developers, you can take steps to reduce maintenance costs.

Here are some methods to keep your software maintenance cost budget to a minimum:

• Perform comprehensive testing throughout development: Bugs and other issues are prone to arise throughout the software development lifecycle. Testing at all stages with automation tools spots these issues early on and prevents them from compounding.
• Adopt agile development methodologies: Maintaining software is an ongoing process that can be streamlined with agile development methodologies. This approach also improves communication and clarifies clients’ expectations about their application’s features.
• Create clear and updated documentation: Creating and maintaining detailed documentation ensures high-quality software performance and system maintenance. Developers can analyze maintenance activities and use this data for proactive monitoring.
• Use automation tools whenever possible: Automation tools can significantly reduce the total cost of software maintenance without compromising on quality. Most development teams apply automation for various maintenance tasks when creating software solutions.
• Implement continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD): Continuous integration and deployment are among the core foundations of cutting-edge software development. As with ongoing testing, the process is designed to identify and resolve issues as early as possible.

By partnering with a reputable provider, businesses can keep software maintenance expenses to a minimum.

See what we’ve built — explore MyDevTeam’s success stories.

Create Optimized Software With MyDevTeam

Developing applications means choosing the software maintenance services essential for delivering robust, high-performance results.

If you’re hiring developers for a startup or developing for an established brand, MyDevTeam delivers complete software maintenance.

Here’s an overview of additional software development services MyDevTeam provides:

• Comprehensive cross-platform software development: Reaching the largest possible audience is essential for maximizing ROI and long-term growth. MyDevTeam develops applications with cross-platform support to engage with your target audience.
• Ongoing software maintenance before and after launch: With years of experience developing software, MyDevTeam delivers complete maintenance services. These processes are applied throughout a project’s lifecycle to minimize risk at all stages.
• Cutting-edge AI-powered tools to reduce software maintenance costs: MyDevTeam’s development tools deliver robust maintenance efforts without exorbitant costs. This setup includes AI-powered automation tools for fixing bugs and monitoring performance.
• Complete product strategy services: If you’re creating a new application within a broader business strategy, MyDevTeam can help. With complete product strategy services, projects are developed in alignment with core business goals.

With expertise in DevOps-as-a-service and experience in major industries, MyDevTeam delivers industry-leading applications.

Summary

Maintaining software is more important than ever, with users expecting reliability, security, and cutting-edge features.

Business leaders can reference this guide to assess software maintenance costs and ensure projects meet industry standards.

Consulting with a provider to assess software maintenance factors specific to your project will maximize your return on investment.