Calculator
What does QA actually cost?
Compare the first-year total cost of 3 options for your startup. Figures based on 2026 US/EU market averages.
$90,000
Mid-level QA salary in your market
$8,000
Small-team agency average
4×
Quick tests before each release
First-year total cost
Testopius
Recommended$3,400
4 Spot Checks × $250 + 1 Full Audit $900 + 1 Automation Starter $1,500
⏱ 5 days — 2 weeks·No commitment
QA Agency (6-month retainer)
$48,000
+$44,600 vs cheapest
$8,000/mo × 6 months
⏱ 2–4 weeks onboarding·6+ month contract
In-house QA engineer
$138,000
+$134,600 vs cheapest
$90,000 salary + 30% overhead + $3k equipment + ~20% recruiter fee
⏱ 6–12 weeks to hire·Full-time contract
Let's talk about which fits your situation best.
Talk to meAssumptions
- •In-house: gross salary + 30% employer overhead + equipment + recruiter fee
- •Agency: 6-month retainer assumption (common minimum contract)
- •Testopius: yearly mix of ad-hoc Spot Checks + 1 Full Audit + 1 Automation Starter