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Software Development Agreement
Free software development agreement template for a freelancer or agency building custom software for a client.
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This free software development agreement covers 1. Scope of Work, 2. Deliverables and Milestones, 3. Fees, 4. Acceptance Testing, 5. Intellectual Property with 12 clearly marked [placeholder] fields to fill in — built for founders, freelancers, and small business owners formalizing a business decision or agreement without paying a lawyer to draft it from scratch. Copy it into your own word processor, fill in the placeholders, and review it — or adapt it — before use. It's part of docstoc's free document template library, alongside business, legal, real estate, finance, and HR templates. Every template here is free to copy with no signup required, and each one carries a plain disclaimer: this is a starting point for informational purposes, not a substitute for advice from a licensed professional in your jurisdiction.
Software Development Agreement
Developer: [Name/Company] Client: [Name/Company] Effective Date: [Date]
1. Scope of Work
Developer will design and build [Description of software], per the specifications in [Attached SOW/spec document].
2. Deliverables and Milestones
| Milestone | Description | Due Date | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Milestone] | [Description] | [Date] | [Amount] |
3. Fees
Total price: [Amount / hourly rate], paid per the milestone schedule above.
4. Acceptance Testing
Client has [Number] business days to review each deliverable and report defects before it's deemed accepted.
5. Intellectual Property
Upon full payment, Client owns the custom code developed specifically for this project. Developer retains rights to any pre-existing frameworks, libraries, or tools used to build it.
6. Warranty
Developer warrants the software will perform substantially as specified for [Warranty Period] after delivery, and will fix defects reported during that period at no additional charge.
7. Source Code and Documentation
Developer will provide [source code / documentation] upon [final payment / project completion].
8. Maintenance (if applicable)
[State whether post-launch maintenance/support is included or requires a separate agreement.]
Developer: ______________________ Date: ____________ Client: ______________________ Date: ____________
*This document is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Be specific about what counts as a "defect" covered by warranty vs. a new feature request — vague acceptance criteria is the most common source of development-project disputes.*
Edit directly in the box above. Download PDF anytime — the docstoc.io footer is always included and cannot be removed.
What's included
- Edit online — click the document, fill in placeholders, download a PDF
- 8 standard sections: 1. Scope of Work, 2. Deliverables and Milestones, 3. Fees, 4. Acceptance Testing, 5. Intellectual Property, 6. Warranty, …
- 12 clearly marked [placeholder] fields for quick personalizing
- Free to use — no account or signup required
- Fully editable — adjust any clause to match your actual situation
- Includes a signature block, ready to print or sign digitally
- Fixed docstoc.io footer on every PDF (not removable)
Who this template is for
Freelancers & solo founders
Handling routine business paperwork without commissioning custom legal drafting for every document.
Small businesses
Standardizing recurring documents — leases, agreements, notices — across a growing operation.
Anyone reviewing before signing
Using a clear starting structure to understand what a document should cover, even if a lawyer finalizes it.
Early-stage businesses
Getting the basics documented before things get more complex.
FAQ
Is this software development agreement template really free?
Yes, completely free — view, edit, and download this software development agreement as a PDF without creating an account.
What does this software development agreement cover?
This business template includes 1. Scope of Work, 2. Deliverables and Milestones, 3. Fees, 4. Acceptance Testing. Fill in the [bracketed] placeholders, edit any clause online, then download a PDF — the docstoc.io footer stays on every export.
Is this legal advice?
No. Templates like this cover the common ground most businesses need, but they can't anticipate your specific deal terms, jurisdiction, or industry rules. Treat it as a first draft to build from, and get a business attorney's eyes on it before signing anything that matters.
Can I edit the wording?
Yes. All 12 placeholder fields and every clause are editable right on the page — change what doesn't fit, then download an updated PDF anytime.
Where can I find more free templates like this?
Browse more free business and related document templates in the docstoc library at /document-templates/.
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