Second opinion before you decide

Danijel Balog
By Danijel Balog
Founder, Fragon Studios

Independent advice on architecture, stack decisions, and modernization. Code reviews and feasibility studies for SMEs in DACH.

Clarity Before the First Step

A code review at Fragon Studios costs between 1,200 and 4,500 euros in 2026, depending on codebase size; hourly rate is approximately 190 euros net. Fragon Studios offers architecture consulting independently of whether the client commissions the implementation. Many software projects fail not during implementation but because of wrong decisions at the start. The wrong tech stack, an unsuitable architecture, or unrealistic timelines cost more in the end than any consulting. We bring experience from our own products; our recommendations are based on what works in production, not on what's trendy in blog posts.

Independent

We also recommend solutions we don't implement ourselves. Our goal is your success, not our revenue.

Practical Experience

We run our own software in production. Our recommendations come from practice, not textbooks.

Concrete

No vague statements. You get clear recommendations with reasoning and concrete next steps.

Our Consulting Process

Transparent, agile, and goal-oriented to success.

1

Initial Meeting

Free and non-binding. We understand your situation and clarify if we can help.

2

Analysis

Depending on scope: Code review, architecture analysis, stakeholder conversations, or technical evaluation.

3

Documented Recommendation

You receive a written report with concrete recommendations and next steps.

4

Optional: Implementation

If desired, we accompany implementation or take over development ourselves.

Technical Standards

Experience from own products
Written report with recommendations
Technology-agnostic evaluation
Stakeholder interviews on request
Implementation support optional

Typical engagements

Four recurring consulting situations. Not exhaustive, just a sense of the range.

GDPR audit for a SaaS provider

Problem: An Austrian SaaS provider is facing a data-protection audit and needs an honest gap assessment up front.

Solution: Two days of code and architecture review against GDPR Art. 28 to 32, a written report with prioritised findings, quick wins, and a hardening plan.

Tech due diligence before acquisition

Problem: An investor is evaluating a software company and needs an independent read on the code, architecture, and scaling risks.

Solution: Three to five days of repository walkthrough, architecture workshop with the CTO, written report with a risk score and an estimated remediation cost.

Architecture review of a legacy monolith

Problem: A long-grown system needs to move to the cloud, but the team disagrees on the migration path.

Solution: Two-day workshop with all stakeholders, evaluation of three migration paths (lift-and-shift, strangler, greenfield), a recommendation with rationale and a roadmap.

Stack decision for a greenfield project

Problem: A new product is in the concept phase and the team needs a second opinion on stack, hosting, and build-vs-buy decisions.

Solution: One-day workshop, stack comparison matrix (e.g. Next.js vs. Remix, .NET vs. Node), recommendation with clearly documented trade-offs.

What consulting costs

The initial meeting is always free. Hourly rate is approximately 190 euros net. An honest review of a mid-size codebase takes one to three days and delivers a written report with prioritized findings.

Guideline prices for Austria and Germany 2026.
ScopePrice rangeDurationTypical use
Code review1,200-4,500 €1-3 daysWritten report, prioritized findings, concrete recommendations
Architecture workshopfrom 1,500 €1 dayOn-site or remote whiteboarding, written architecture sketch, risk assessment
Feasibility analysisfrom 3,000 €1-2 weeksTechnical evaluation incl. effort estimate and stack recommendation

Frequently Asked Questions

Hourly rate approximately 190 euros net. An honest review of a mid-size codebase takes one to three days, so 1,200 to 4,500 euros. You receive a written report with prioritized findings and concrete recommendations.