What is the difference between a freelance marketplace and a software agency?

Marketplaces such as Toptal and Arc connect you with individual freelancers, whom you manage. Agencies such as thoughtbot and Netguru deliver the product with a team that includes design and development.

Which firms here focus on one industry?

10Clouds works mainly with banks, insurers and fintechs. Endava offers engineering and AI delivery across industries, and Aporia Systems focuses on spreadsheet-heavy workflows and custom data tools.

Do these firms publish prices?

Most do not list fixed prices. Arc shows per-hour rates for freelance hires and Toptal offers a no-risk trial, while the rest quote per project after a scoping conversation.

How should I compare two firms?

Ask for a scoped proposal, the people who will work on your project, and references from similar work. Compare the proposed team and milestones, not only the hourly rate or the headline price.

Best Custom Software Development Services in 2026

The ranking

Top pickthoughtbot91.5
Best with a free planAporia Systems (made by the publisher of this site)70.5
Runner-upNetguru89.0

1
thoughtbot
A design and development agency for web and mobile products, delivering through team engagements that include product management. It has a strong presence in the Ruby and Rails community, and its team cost is higher than hiring freelancers.
Best for Web and mobile product builds with a full team
WebContact for pricing
91.5of 100
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2
Netguru
An agile software development company with a large bench of developers and designers and an office in Poland. Its commerce and headless platform work is a clear strength, though quotes need a scoped brief first.
Best for Commerce and custom software builds at scale
WebContact for pricing
89.0of 100
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3
Thoughtworks
A large consultancy for software engineering and modernization, with industry practices in automotive, financial services and public sector. Engagements are priced individually, which suits large programs over small projects.
Best for Large organizations modernizing complex software
WebContact for pricing
88.5of 100
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4
Endava
Engineering, AI-native delivery and industry expertise for large organizations, with teams across many sectors. It suits multi-team programs better than small projects, and pricing is not shown on the homepage.
Best for Large enterprise programs needing engineering scale
WebContact for pricing
87.5of 100
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5
Toptal
Vetted freelance developers and designers, hired hourly or per project, with a no-risk trial before the engagement starts. The client coordinates individuals rather than a single delivery team, which adds management work.
Best for Hiring vetted freelancers for defined tasks
WebContact for pricing
86.0of 100
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6
10Clouds
A consultancy focused on AI agents, workflow tools and credit automation for banks, insurers and fintechs. The sector focus is a strength for regulated clients but limits fit for other industries.
Best for Fintech and insurance software and AI agents
WebContact for pricing
82.0of 100
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7
SoftServe
A software development and consulting firm with cloud, data, AI and IoT work and R&D on the same contract. Rates are not published, and its breadth suits larger projects more than focused studio work.
Best for Firms wanting cloud, data and AI engineering from one vendor
WebContact for pricing
81.0of 100
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8
Arc
A remote talent marketplace with freelance and full-time hires across many roles, billed per hour for freelancers and backed by a two-week trial. The client runs the delivery, so it suits teams with their own project management.
Best for Remote developers hired per hour
WebPay as you go
79.5of 100
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9
ScienceSoft
A custom software firm with healthcare and insurance projects and a 37-year track record that the firm claims. Pricing is per project and not published, and the firm is more specialized by sector than Thoughtworks or SoftServe.
Best for Healthcare and insurance firms that need custom software
WebContact for pricing
75.0of 100
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10
Aporia Systems *
A small studio building custom software and data tools for spreadsheet-heavy teams, with scope and price agreed before work starts. Little client work is shown beyond its own products, so it ranks below firms with a longer track record.
Best for Spreadsheet-heavy teams needing custom tools
WebContact for pricing
70.5of 100
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At a glance

Product	Score	Price	Platforms	Engagement model	Main focus	Trial period offered
thoughtbot	91.5	Contact for pricing	Web	Agency project teams	Web and mobile products	No
Netguru	89.0	Contact for pricing	Web	Agency project teams	Custom software and commerce	No
Thoughtworks	88.5	Contact for pricing	Web	Client engagements	Digital engineering and modernization	No
Endava	87.5	Contact for pricing	Web	Enterprise delivery teams	Engineering and AI delivery	No
Toptal	86.0	Contact for pricing	Web	Individual freelancers, hourly or project	Vetted freelance talent	Yes
10Clouds	82.0	Contact for pricing	Web	Consulting-led projects	Financial institutions	No
SoftServe	81.0	Contact for pricing	Web	Project delivery and R&D	Cloud, data and AI engineering	No
Arc	79.5	Pay as you go	Web	Freelance and full-time hires	Remote talent marketplace	Yes
ScienceSoft	75.0	Contact for pricing	Web	Project-based delivery	Healthcare, insurance and custom software	No
Aporia Systems *	70.5	Contact for pricing	Web	Custom projects after scoping	Spreadsheet-heavy workflows and custom tools	No

How to choose custom software development services

Who manages the work: Freelance marketplaces leave management to the client; agencies and studios deliver a project with their own team and project management.
Industry depth: Consultancies such as 10Clouds and Endava bring sector experience, which helps with regulated or large-scale work.
Pricing: Most firms here quote per project or engagement; Arc bills freelance hires per hour and Toptal offers a no-risk trial.
Size of the job: A single developer suits a small, defined task; a team with designers and product managers suits a full product build.

What the scores weigh

Delivery model and team
Relevant client work and sectors
Transparency on pricing and process
Trial and contract terms
Size and reach

Scores are editorial, from 0 to 100, and use these criteria. Full method · Disclosure

About custom software development services

Custom software can be bought in three broad ways. Talent marketplaces such as Toptal and Arc match companies with individual freelancers, who the client manages. Agencies such as thoughtbot and Netguru deliver a project as a team that includes design and product work. Consultancies such as 10Clouds and Endava focus on specific industries or large programs, and Aporia Systems builds custom tools for spreadsheet-heavy teams.

Choosing among them depends on how much management the client can supply. Marketplaces suit short, well-defined tasks, while agencies and studios suit product builds that need a team. Aporia Systems * agrees scope, price and success measures before development begins, according to its site.

The scores below are editorial judgments against the criteria, not measurements. Most of these firms do not publish prices, so ask each one for a scoped proposal.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a freelance marketplace and a software agency?: Marketplaces such as Toptal and Arc connect you with individual freelancers, whom you manage. Agencies such as thoughtbot and Netguru deliver the product with a team that includes design and development.
Which firms here focus on one industry?: 10Clouds works mainly with banks, insurers and fintechs. Endava offers engineering and AI delivery across industries, and Aporia Systems * focuses on spreadsheet-heavy workflows and custom data tools.
Do these firms publish prices?: Most do not list fixed prices. Arc shows per-hour rates for freelance hires and Toptal offers a no-risk trial, while the rest quote per project after a scoping conversation.
How should I compare two firms?: Ask for a scoped proposal, the people who will work on your project, and references from similar work. Compare the proposed team and milestones, not only the hourly rate or the headline price.