Plan
Translate a business process, product idea, or operational problem into a focused software request and an execution path that avoids wasted build time.
Professional software execution without adding headcount
Software design, build, launch, and maintenance on subscription.
Engineer-led software work for small companies that need custom applications without hiring full-time. Experienced software engineers use modern AI-assisted development workflows to turn a business process, product idea, customer workflow, or internal tool need into scoped, usable software.
Founded and led by Elliot Shabram, M.S., an industry software engineer.
- Plan
- clear scope
- Build
- usable software
- Run
- ongoing support
How the work moves
focused execution1You subscribeChoose the level of help your company needs this month.
2We define the requestScope the priority clearly before design, code, or setup starts.
3DevRetainer executesDesign, build, deploy, or maintain with engineering discipline.
4You receive the workDesign assets, source code, deployed updates, or maintenance output.
Scope controlone priority at a time
Problem
Most companies do not need a full-time engineer year-round.
They need focused, reliable help at specific moments: turning a manual process into an internal tool, shaping a product experience, building a customer-facing interface, putting software into use, or keeping shipped work healthy.
Hiring is slow, expensive, and often too much commitment for intermittent software needs.
Agencies and consulting contracts can be heavy when the work needs practical engineering execution, not months of process.
Ad hoc freelancers can leave companies with inconsistent quality, unclear process, and fragile handoff.
Solution
A monthly custom software service with one active priority.
Subscribe for the level of execution your company needs now. Credentialed software engineers combine technical judgment with AI-assisted tooling to move faster through common build, deployment, and maintenance work while keeping one active request clear at a time.
How it works
1
Subscribe for the capability you need
Choose direction/design, design/build, or design/deploy based on the current custom software need.
2
Keep one priority in motion
Requests are handled one at a time so the work stays focused, scoped, and easier to review.
3
Move from build work to upkeep
Start with product, design, build, or deployment work, then shift into maintenance when the software is live.
The model is intentionally simple: clear plan, clear request, focused execution, useful handoff. AI-assisted workflows help reduce repetitive implementation time, while engineering judgment, review, and accountability stay with people.
1
Scope
Priority request
2
Design
Interface direction
3
Build
Source code
4
Release
Platform setup
5
Maintain
Health and updates
Services
A practical software lifecycle, handled in focused monthly work.
Use DevRetainer for the stage where efficient engineering execution will move the business forward fastest: internal tools, customer-facing web apps, product interfaces, workflow software, websites, mobile/tablet app interfaces, desktop app interfaces, Microsoft-based workflows, or related software projects.
Design
Turn strategy into polished interface concepts, screen flows, and practical visual assets for software products.
Build
Convert approved direction into clean source code for the custom website, app interface, internal tool, or workflow your company needs.
Deploy
Put software into use with platform setup, release guidance, managed services, analytics, and light integrations.
Maintain
Keep shipped software healthy with small updates, bug fixes, dependency updates, content changes, and monthly review.
Pricing
Three clear ways to get professional software work moving.
These are monthly service levels for scoped custom software work, not unlimited agency output. Most companies should start with a short fit review so the business need, first request, timing, and right plan are clear before subscribing.
Copy + Digital Assets
$2,500/month
A focused monthly plan for producing practical copy, simple graphics, page layouts, and digital assets delivered as usable files.
Includes
- Copy for websites and landing pages
- Headline, offer, CTA, and section copywriting
- Simple graphics, diagrams, and visual assets
- Static page layout files
- Social, presentation, or marketing support assets
- File handoff for approved digital deliverables
Does not include
- Full application builds
- Source-code implementation
- Deployment or hosting setup
- Backend services or integrations
- Ongoing strategy or planning sessions
Popular build plan
Design + Build
$5,500/month
New software interfaces designed and built as clean source code. Client receives the repo.
Includes
- Website, app, desktop, or mobile/tablet UI design
- Application interface implementation
- Responsive/adaptive screens and components
- Source-code handoff
- Static/mock data when needed
- README/setup instructions
Does not include
- Deployment
- Custom service architecture
- Production environment setup
- Deep custom integrations
Design + Deploy
$8,500/month
Design, build, and deploy software interfaces with basic production setup and release support.
Includes
- Design
- Build
- Deployment
- Hosting, app platform, or distribution setup when appropriate
- Domain, environment, or release setup guidance
- Basic forms, data capture, or app-service connections
- Analytics or usage tracking setup
- Managed database, auth, CMS, subscription, and other app-service setup when appropriate
Does not include
- Custom service architecture
- Large-scale DevOps
- 24/7 emergency support
- Enterprise infrastructure
After deployment
Maintenance
Ongoing upkeep after deployment for companies that want small changes, bug fixes, dependency updates, and site health handled without hiring full-time.
Small updatesBug fixesDependency updatesContent changesMinor UI changes
Starts at $2,000/month
Request fit reviewNot sure which plan fits? Start with onboarding. DevRetainer reviews the business problem, confirms the first software request, and recommends the appropriate subscription level before payment.
Founder
A practical engineering background behind the work.
DR
Software work handled with engineering judgment, not template churn.
- Plan
- Scope the right work
- Design
- Make the interface usable
- Build
- Deliver clean source code
- Support
- Maintain what ships
Founded and led by Elliot Shabram, M.S., an industry software engineer. DevRetainer builds practical, professional software for companies that need high-quality technical execution without the overhead of hiring full-time. Work is led by skilled software engineers and supported by modern AI-assisted development workflows, reducing repetitive implementation time while keeping technical judgment, review, and accountability with people. The service is designed for specific business software needs: internal tools, customer-facing interfaces, workflow software, product screens, websites, app interfaces, Microsoft-based workflows, deployment support, managed-service setup, and ongoing maintenance.
FAQ
Clear terms before you subscribe.
The service is intentionally focused: one active request, professional execution, and a plan structure that can change with the business.
Is this a replacement for hiring a full-time engineer?+
Can I switch plans?+
Do you work on multiple requests at once?+
How are requests prioritized?+
Do you work with databases, subscriptions, and app services?+
Can you help with specialized software projects?+
How does AI fit into the work?+
Do I own the work?+
What happens after I subscribe?+
Do I need a consultation before subscribing?+
Do you offer refunds?+
Consultation
Start with a fit review before subscribing.
For most companies, the next step is not blind checkout. Send the business context first so DevRetainer can confirm the first software request, recommend the right plan, and identify anything that needs separate scope.
Technical fit review
New subscriptions are reviewed for fit, scope, and execution path before work starts, so the first request begins with clear technical judgment.
If the request needs heavier architecture, regulated-data handling, deep integrations, or unusual infrastructure, you will get a direct recommendation before subscribing.
Useful context to include
- Current app, website, repo, product, or project links
- Priority request for the first active work item
- Assets, brand direction, screenshots, or design files
- Target timeline and launch constraints
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