---
title: "Web Application Development | Artus Engineering"
description: "Web apps you will still understand in three years: Next.js, Postgres, GDPR hosting in Germany. From spreadsheet migration to customer portal — from €25k."
canonical_url: "https://artus-engineering.de/en/services/web-applications"
md_url: "https://artus-engineering.de/en/services/web-applications.md"
last_updated: "2026-09-11T14:47:09.931Z"
lang: en
---

# Web Apps You Will Still Understand in Three Years

*Web Applications*

When spreadsheets buckle, a SaaS contract gets canceled, or a major client demands a portal: we build web applications with architecture that is documented — not with buzzwords nobody can verify.

Web apps from €25k · MVP in 8–12 weeks

## The Moment Before You Start Googling

CEOs and IT leads look for a web application when the current solution visibly breaks — not out of boredom.

### Excel or Access Collapses

The more people work on the same data, the messier it gets. Excel turns into a growth blocker — and nobody dares to replace it.

### The Last Agency Experience Was Bad

A year of development, €200,000, nothing to show. Buzzwords instead of architecture, account managers instead of engineers.

### The Fixed-Price Trap

As soon as requirements sharpen, a rigid fixed price leads to renegotiation, quality cuts, or hidden risk buffers.

### Bus Factor of One

Critical processes hang on one person. When they leave, it is not a question of if but when.

## Why Artus Engineering

### Architecture That Is Documented

Next.js → Node API → Postgres → backups → German hosting. We show you the diagram — not just “scalable cloud-native solution.”

### GDPR Plus Build and Run from One Source

Hosting on green power in Germany, a data processing agreement, and one contract partner for development and operations.

### Time and Materials with a Budget Cap Instead of Fixed-Price Theater

Transparent sprint reviews and a visible hour count — agreed in writing, not negotiated months later.

## Show, Don't Tell — How We Work

### Spreadsheet X → Web App Y

Before and after with real screenshots: 12 spreadsheets, 47 macros → one Postgres schema, three roles. Migration is a core competency.

**47 macros → 0**

### An Honest Tech Stack Comparison

Bubble, Make, or Next.js plus Postgres — where each stack tears and when custom development is cheaper than no-code.

### Mini Case with Real Numbers

Production planning for a machine builder, 22 users, go-live in week 9, hosting at €38 per month — no vague “success stories.”

## No-Code vs. A Custom Web App

When each one pays off — honestly.

|  | Bubble / Make | Next.js + Postgres |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Time to market | Fast (weeks) | MVP in 8–12 weeks |
| Scaling (>10k users/records) | Limited — rewrite from ~10k users | Unlimited |
| Custom logic and integrations | Limited | Complete |
| Vendor lock-in | High | None (your code) |
| GDPR-compliant German hosting | Difficult | Standard |
| Long-term TCO | Rising + rewrite risk | Predictable, scales with you |

## What Week One Looks Like

### Day 1: Kickoff

Understand the problem instead of working through a technology wish list.

### Day 3: Domain Model

Data structure and roles — the foundation for everything that follows.

### Day 5: Click Dummy

A clickable interface to try out and discuss.

### Day 7: First Data Migration

Real spreadsheet data in Postgres — you see progress, not slides.

## What You Get When the Project Ends

- Git repository with full access from day one
- Architecture and operations documentation (Markdown)
- Deployment scripts and runbook
- Data processing agreement and record of processing activities
- Role and permission model

## A Realistic Investment

### MVP / customer portal: €25k–80k

Core features, few roles, a clear scope boundary

### Full application: €80k–150k

Several modules, integrations, production-grade operations

### Maintenance: 15–20% per year

Updates, monitoring, support — optional and transparent

An MVP in 8–12 weeks is the market standard for portals and internal tools.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What does a web application cost?

An MVP typically runs €25k–80k, a full application €80k–150k. On the intro call we estimate honestly — with scope and risks, not a marketing number.

### Web application or off-the-shelf SaaS?

SaaS when the standard fits. Custom when you need data sovereignty, custom logic, or GDPR-compliant German hosting — or when SaaS pricing explodes as you scale.

### Why not no-code?

For prototypes it often makes sense. For production systems with scale, permissions, and long-term maintainability: custom development on an open stack.

### How do I find the right agency?

Ask for an architecture diagram, code handover, and who is actually on the project. If you only ever talk to sales, that is a warning sign.

## Related Services

- [Internal Tools](https://artus-engineering.de/en/services/internal-tools.md)
- [Custom Software](https://artus-engineering.de/en/services/custom-software.md)
- [App Development](https://artus-engineering.de/en/services/app-development.md)

## Next Step

[Start a project](https://artus-engineering.de/en/contact.md)

## Sitemap

Complete overview of every page: [Sitemap](https://artus-engineering.de/en/sitemap.md)