Negocio 8 min
How to choose a custom software development company
10 objective criteria to evaluate vendors, red flags to avoid and the questions that separate a great partner from one that will cost you dearly.
Choosing badly costs twice: you pay for the project and then pay to redo it. These are the 10 criteria we apply when advising a client comparing vendors.
The 10 criteria
- Verifiable portfolio with cases you can visit live
- Direct references from current clients, not just logos
- Clear methodology (sprints, deliverables, communication channels)
- Contract with intellectual property of the code assigned to you
- Up-to-date technology stack — no hidden legacy
- Stable team, not rotating per project
- Documented QA and security processes
- Transparent, itemized pricing model
- Post-launch support and evolution plan
- Location and time zone compatible with your operation
Red flags
- "Closed" quote without prior discovery
- They refuse to show code or previous repositories
- The whole team is subcontracted and they do not disclose it
- No standard confidentiality agreement
- They promise "everything in 2 weeks" without knowing your case