Pricing models allocate risk. They do not create quality by themselves.
Fixed price
Best when scope is truly stable and definition of done is precise. Risky when requirements will learn from users — change orders appear.
Time and materials (T&M)
Best when discovery is ongoing and you want flexibility. Risky when there is no demo cadence or cap — you can fund thrash.
Sprint / capacity pricing (often best)
Buy a fixed capacity for a period with weekly deliverables and a clear backlog. You keep flexibility with a budget fence.
Decision rule
- Stable, well-specified slice → fixed or capped phase can work.
- Evolving product → sprints or T&M with weekly acceptance.
- Unknown AI/integration risk → paid discovery first, then sprint.
ConaiSoft prefers transparent sprint capacity with demos you can accept — so commercial model matches how products actually get built.