GrownApps is a boutique software company founded in 2008 in Košice, Slovakia. We rescue, rebuild, and accelerate SaaS products for scaleups across Europe and the US.
We specialize in the work other agencies avoid: cleaning up tech debt that's killing feature velocity, taking over projects left half-finished by previous development teams, and rebuilding legacy architectures that can't keep up with business growth. Our clients include SaaS platforms managing $150M+ portfolios, hotel booking systems processing 100,000+ daily updates with zero data loss, and subscription platforms that achieved 300% growth after we rebuilt their architecture.
Our team of ~10 senior engineers works with the stacks that power most SaaS products: Laravel, Symfony, React, Angular, Flutter, Node.js, PostgreSQL, and AWS/GCP infrastructure. We don't just write code — we diagnose architectural problems, create phased remediation plans, and transfer knowledge so your team owns the result.
What makes us different: We deliberately position around rescue and tech debt — the messy, unglamorous work that most agencies avoid because it's harder than greenfield development. We've built our methodology around taking over complex, undocumented codebases and turning them into platforms teams can actually build on.
Our engagement models are flexible: start with a €5,000 technical audit to understand the real scope, proceed with a focused remediation sprint, or bring us on as a long-term partner. Our longest client relationship spans 9+ years — we don't disappear after the project ends.
Led by CEO David Melich, who has 20+ years of hands-on technical leadership experience and teaches web applications at UPJŠ university in Košice. When your tech is holding your business back, we're the team you call.
Min project size
$5,000+
Hourly rate
$50 - $99 / hr
Employees
10 - 49
Locations
Kosice, Slovakia
Year founded
Founded 2008
1 Locations
Kosice , Slovakia
No have been added yet...
Pricing Snapshot
Min. project size
$5,000+
Avg. hourly rate
$50 - $99
/hr
Rating for cost
4.8
/5
What Clients Have Said
GrownApps offers competitive pricing, with project costs ranging from $10,000 to $35,000 per release. Clients appreciate their value for cost, especially in terms of timely delivery and project management. They could improve by offering more discounts and enhancing time estimation.
Clients appreciate GrownApps's attention to detail, flexibility, and enthusiasm in finding the best possible solutions. This has been a recurring positive highlight.
Excellent Communication
GrownApps is praised for their clear and effective communication. They maintain regular touchpoints, such as weekly meetings, and are responsive to client needs.
High Customer Satisfaction
Clients are generally very satisfied with GrownApps’s work. They have reported successful project outcomes and positive feedback from their end customers.
Strong Architectural Design
Clients have noted that GrownApps’s architectural designs are robust, allowing for easy maintenance and updates without extensive refactoring.
Underestimated Project Timelines
There were instances where initial project timelines were underestimated, leading to delays. However, the company addressed these issues with flexible pricing and additional support.
Successful API Integration
GrownApps successfully developed an API interface for a property management software, allowing for direct contracts with OTAs and improved control over connections.
Software Dev Support for IT Software & Hardware Company
Custom Software Development
Confidential
June 2019 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
“GrownApps has a truly broad development specialization.”
Apr 1, 2022
Managing Director, Tentacles IoT
Jeff van den Berg
Verified
Other industries
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Phone Interview
Verified
GrownApps has provided software development support for an IT software and hardware firm. The key tech stacks they use include JavaScript, Vue, and React.
The company is happy with GrownApps’s work; their end customers have also given positive feedback on the team’s work. They manage projects well using GitLab and ClickUp, and their resources meet their obligations and deadlines. Overall, the team proves to be experts in development.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the managing director of Tentacles IoT. We provide tailor-made IT software and hardware solutions for companies.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with GrownApps?
I needed GrownApps for their software development services. For context, I was working with another company, but I didn’t like their services. That team didn’t meet their obligations. As a result, I switched to GrownApps.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
Our engagement with GrownApps has started small, and then it became bigger. In our first development project, we developed a software dashboard using JavaScript, Vue, and React.
We currently stay in partnership with them.
What is the team composition?
We mainly deal with a project manager. He’s also a developer.
How did you come to work with GrownApps?
GrownApps found me.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working together in June 2019, and the engagement is ongoing.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
With GrownApps, we’ve been able to provide a complete service to our customers. We use their development power and my business ideas to do that. My customers receive good services from our team and GrownApps.
How did GrownApps perform from a project management standpoint?
Their project management is great. They meet obligations and deadlines — it’s like working with people within our internal team. To manage projects, we’ve used GitLab and ClickUp. I communicate with them through their private cellphone numbers.
What did you find most impressive about them?
GrownApps has a truly broad development specialization. They have specialist developers.
Are there any areas they could improve?
They can offer more discounts.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Financial App Design & Dev for Boutique Consulting Company
Custom Software Development
$200,000 to $999,999
Mar. 2005 - Aug. 2012
4.5
Quality
5.0
Schedule
4.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"GrownApp’s architecture design was done well — we could maintain and update the app easily."
Mar 17, 2022
Managing Director, Boutique Consulting Company
Anonymous
Verified
Other industries
Helsinki, Finland
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
GrownApps provided development services for a boutique consulting firm. Their team handled the UI/UX design and front- and backend development on a financial reporting app using Apache, PHP, and JavaScript.
Internal and external stakeholders were happy with GrownApps’ services. The team delivered everything on time, meeting the company’s strict requirements. They worked within the allocated budget and communicated closely with the firm about any changes. Their architectural design was also top-notch.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the managing director of a small boutique consulting company with a team of 10 people.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with GrownApps?
We hired GrownApps for their custom software development services.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
GrownApps was responsible for a custom-made app. I subcontracted parts of its development to the team. It was a financial reporting app for specific business workflows. The technologies we used were the standard ones; we used Apache as our web server and PHP as the programming language on the backend and JavaScript on the frontend. It wasn’t a big app but it was a critical product for our end client. We did several releases in the span of seven years.
Moreover, the team did the complete design of the product. I simply gave them all the requirements of the project, and their resources did everything from the UI/UX design to the front- and backend development.
In terms of features and functionality, the app was made for processing financial reports along with financial KPIs. It was also used for review and approval processes. Managers could use it to enter data and approve monthly financial reports in a coordinated manner with their respective companies.
For context, the end client had a strict methodology and delivery criteria. The production could only allow the smallest of defects in the solution. In other words, they had a strict QC process. We also needed to deliver more than 100 test cases for each release to check the product’s quality. Security tests were also done to check for vulnerabilities. These were the critical criteria of the end client for every release that GrownApps delivered.
What is the team composition?
Since the engagement spanned seven years, the team composition varied. Small releases were handled by one person, while major releases were facilitated by around five people. The iterations were typically handled by one project manager, who took care of day-to-day communication and the coordination of tasks. A testing specialist handled app reviews. Around 1–2 developers also worked on the product.
How did you come to work with GrownApps?
GrownApps was recommended to me by a friend.
How much have you invested with them?
We invested between $10,000–$35,000 per release. The total investment was around $200,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
The engagement lasted from March 2005–August 2012.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
We were 100% satisfied with GrownApps’ work. They mainly exceeded expectations. Timely delivery was critical for our end customer — they didn’t accept any delayed deliveries — and GrownApps always delivered on time.
How did GrownApps perform from a project management standpoint?
Their project management was great. They always worked within our budget, and if there were any changes needed in terms of the funds, they always communicated that to us in a clear manner.
In terms of communication, the GrownApps team had daily internal standup meetings, but I communicated with them on a weekly basis. During such meetings, we brought up all issues that we experienced. We broke down various aspects of their tasks using Excel Spreadsheets.
What did you find most impressive about them?
GrownApp’s architecture design was done well — we could maintain and update the app easily. When we wanted to expand our requirements, we didn’t have to do a lot of refactoring. Simply put, we could add features to the app without a lot of problems.
Are there any areas they could improve?
It would’ve been better if they could allocate part-time people to the project. They mainly allocated full-time people to us.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Define your requirements clearly. In our engagement with GrownApps, we defined our end client’s requirements, and that helped the team deliver well. Overall, the better you specify your requirements, the better results they’ll provide.
RATINGS
4.5
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
4.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
"This was the main reason I hired them."
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"I wouldn’t have hesitation in recommending them.
Database & Education Tool for Child Protection Firm
Custom Software DevelopmentIT Managed Services
$10,000 to $49,999
July - Dec. 2021
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"For the type and the amount of the work they did for us - it was a very reasonable price!"
Mar 16, 2022
CEO, Child Protection Firm
Anonymous
Verified
Other industries
Slovakia
51-200 Employees
Online Review
Verified
GrownApps was tasked to create a database and an educational training tool for a child protection firm. The client aimed to use the platform for statistics and evaluation purposes in a more efficient manner.
GrownApps launched the project on time and the provided solution what exactly what the client needed. The client's consultants have been using the database successfully without any problems. The team also had a high level of attention to detail, flexibility, and enthusiasm.
The client submitted this review online.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and your position there.
We provide distance psycho-social counseling, information, prevention and crisis intervention for children and young people as well as for adults contacting us in the interest of children. CEO of the NGO
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
For what projects/services did your company hire GrownApps, and what were your goals?
Our goal was to create a database and educational training tool for our specific needs. We needed to solve efficient, professional and secure data storage, which is then used for statistics and evaluation of services provided. And we also needed to have readily available educational training tools for our counselors.
SOLUTION
How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?
We were looking for an IT company that could meet our specific requirements and would be willing and able to respond accordingly to all our needs. We found GrownApps via the internet. When we contacted them, they listened carefully to our goals and needs and responded very welcoming and receptive to our needs. An important factor was their flexibility and highly professional approach.
Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.
GrownApps designed and created a solution that we can use as both: as a database for data collection and statistical evaluation of services, as well as an educational tool for our consultants.
Project steps:
A detailed discussion of our needs.
Communication and fine-tuning of our needs while creating a solution.
Solution creation and programming of database and educational training tool itself.
Presentation of the programmed database and educational training tool.
Testing and capturing deficiencies and refining the database and educational training tool to the final version.
Final delivery of the finished completed solution
How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?
In our project they were involved 4 people: CEO of the GrownApps, Project manager, Designer and Senior Developer.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?
The whole project was lunched on time, plus the provided solution was exactly what we needed. The whole design and implementation of the database and educational training tool was perfect. The best outcome of the project is that our consultants have been using the database successfully for several months now without any problems. In addition, GrownApps offered to us a free consultation and corrections if needed.
Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.
The project management was great. Communication was without any problems. We communicated via phone and email.
What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?
Great approach, excellent performance, extensive knowledge, high professionalism, and great customer service, attention to details, listening to client needs, flexibility and enthusiasm for finding the best possible solution for the client.
Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?
Not that we can think of. We are very satisfy with their performance, product delivered and with their professional approach during the whole project!
RATINGS
5.0
"Excellent - highly recommended!"
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
"Excellent!"
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
"Up to the date and agreement!"
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
"For the type and the amount of the work they did for us - it was a very reasonable price!"
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"Highly likely! GrownApps are great professionals!
API Integration for Property Management Software
Custom Software Development
$50,000 to $199,999
Nov. 2018 - Jan. 2020
4.5
Quality
5.0
Schedule
4.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
4.5
"The main goal was to develop the webapp using the technologies we agreed."
Jun 1, 2020
CTO, PREVIO s.r.o.
Petr Klas
Verified
Information technology
Prague, Czech Republic
11-50 Employees
Online Review
Verified
GrownApps provided API integration for a property management software. Their team developed the web app and built a high-quality interface.
GrownApps successfully improved the project. Their team had great technical skill and met all deadlines. They gave a great picture of the progress throughout.
The client submitted this review online.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and your position there.
We are software company that provide Property management software for small and mid size properties (mostly hotels, apartments, pensions). With more than 2600 licenses on Czech, Hungarian, Slovakian market.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
For what projects/services did your company hire GrownApps?
We wanted to develop API interface between our software and online travel agencies like Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb. Using this API we push the rates, availability and other properties. We also get the reservations created on these portals.
What were your goals for this project?
The goal was to build an application that serves as an interface between our PMS and OTAs. This interface has to transform all the requests regarding OTAs API specification. It has to handle over million requests a day, it also has a specific requirement on security, because it is part of the environment under PCI DSS certification.
SOLUTION
How did you select this vendor?
Base on their previous references. For other client they build similar application we requested.
Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.
The main goal was to develop the webapp using the technologies we agreed at the beggining of the cooperation. The Grownapps was responsible for developing, writing the unit tests, writing the documentation and QA.
What was the team composition?
project manager and 2 developers
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?
We could switch from 3rd party Channel manager solution to direct contract between our PMS and OTAs. This helped us to have more controll over the connection, provide reliable solution and better product support.
How was project management arranged and how effective was it?
At the beggining we consulted the project goals and set the project architecture including the programming languages and technologies we will use. We had a weekly sessions with Grownapps project manager, where we checked the status and assigned new tasks.
What did you find most impressive about this company?
Technology skills and experiences despite they are all young people.
Are there any areas for improvement?
Better time estimation and meeting deadlines and giving better picture of overall progress of the project.
RATINGS
4.5
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
4.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
4.5
NPS
WordPress Migration for Trading Strategy Page
Web Development
$10,000 to $49,999
Nov. 2019 - Sep. 2020
4.0
Quality
4.0
Schedule
3.0
Cost
4.0
Willing to Refer
4.0
"We appreciate the personal involvement of the owner of the company."
May 27, 2020
CEO, Quantpedia.com
Anonymous
Verified
Financial services
Bratislava, Slovakia
1-10 Employees
Online Review
Verified
GrownApps moved a legacy webpage to WordPress. Their team built the architecture from scratch.
GrownApps successfully moved the website to WordPress. it is much faster than the old website. Although the process took longer than expected, they were flexible and cared deeply about the project.
The client submitted this review online.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and your position there.
I am the CEO of Quantpedia - The Encyclopedia of Algorithmic and Quantitative Trading Strategies. Quantpedia's mission is to process financial academic research into a more user-friendly form to help anyone who seeks new quantitative and algorithmic trading strategy ideas.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
For what projects/services did your company hire GrownApps?
Our previous version of Quantpedia's webpage was running on legacy .net architecture. We hired GrownApps to migrate our page to a WordPress architecture to allow us better manage our product offering.
What were your goals for this project?
We wanted to be migrate our legacy webpage to CMS architecture to allow us to better develop new features and products for our company.
SOLUTION
How did you select this vendor?
We did market analysis and compared several companies which were offering WordPress web-building. We selected GrownApps after a round of interviews and after receiving pricing offer.
Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.
GrownApps suggested a new website architecture and built it for us from the scratch.
What was the team composition?
Project team had 4 people. Two of them on our side (one designer/GUI specialist and me as a business owner) and two on GrownApps side (one junior programmer and one senior programmer/owner of GrownApps)
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?
WordPress solution for our website is the correct choice. After migration, we hired few junior designers, copywriters and product managers and are able to develop new sub-pages with product offerings faster. The whole process from the product idea to building a dedicated sub-page is much faster on WordPress when compared to our previous legacy solution.
How was project management arranged and how effective was it?
The initial estimate for the overall project cost and time until completion was underestimated. So migration project took longer than expected. But initial estimates for this project were similar in all companies we interviewed and considered as partners. But once the project started to run into the delay, we were offered generous pricing terms and owner of the company was personally involved into the project which helped the project to successfully finalize.
What did you find most impressive about this company?
We appreciate the personal involvement of the owner of the company when the project run into delay. It is apparent that the GrownApps' owner cares about his customers and we appreciate it.
Are there any areas for improvement?
Probably deeper assessment of project schedule/time.
RATINGS
4.0
Quality
4.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
3.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
4.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
4.0
NPS
Web App Development for SaaS Company
Custom Software DevelopmentWeb Development
$10,000 to $49,999
Jan. 2018 - Dec. 2021
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"They seemed to care about each of their customers being satisfied on a personal level."
Mar 19, 2022
CEO, SaaS Company
Anonymous
Other industries
Sweden
1-10 Employees
Online Review
GrownApps helped a SaaS company with developing their main product. They also developed their web platform with PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, and CSS.
GrownApps increased the client's development process for the client. They were accountable for much of their processes, thanks to their simple yet effective workflow. The team was also friendly. Above all, they were satisfied on a personal level.
The client submitted this review online.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and your position there.
CEO of a SaaS company
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
For what projects/services did your company hire GrownApps, and what were your goals?
Develop our SaaS product.
SOLUTION
How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?
Evaluating different firms found offering outsourced developers. Good first impression and communication from Grownapps were the main deciding factors.
Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.
Web development PHP, MySQL, js, css.
How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?
3-5 different developers and project managers.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?
Increased development speed and more projects completed.
Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.
Project manager responsible for getting things done. Simple yet effective.
What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?
Friendly. They seemed to care about each of their customers being satisfied on a personal level.
Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?
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