CodeGuides - Your. I.T. Compass.
Get an IT and software assessment

Get your software reviewed before a purchase, investment, or new development

Do you need technical due diligence on software, an app, or a platform?
We assess code quality, architecture, security, and operational risks, then provide a sound basis for deciding on next steps.

  • Short report within 48 h
  • Prioritized risk assessment
  • Independent review

Contents

Who prepares a Software reports and what goes into it?

A reliable software assessment comes from an independent software agency with expertise in architecture, security, and operations. It evaluates code quality, architecture, security, technical debt, test coverage, and operability, and provides a prioritized assessment of risks and effort. CodeGuides prepares assessments confidentially, with an NDA upon request, and translates technical findings into a basis for decisions by management, investors, or buyers.

Why do teams search for “Software audit experiences, “review,” or “forum”?

Searches for reviews, user experiences, forum discussions, or Reddit posts show that decision-makers want an independent assessment—not just vendor promises. A software audit should provide verifiable findings: which risks are critical, what constitutes technical debt, which measures are truly needed before a purchase, investment, or launch, and what level of effort is realistic. A good assessment makes these points easy to review.

Questions an audit should answer

Is the architecture viable? Are security, data protection, database design and operations implemented cleanly? Are there risks that should delay a purchase, financing round or launch?

What does not help

A checklist or automated scanner cannot replace an expert assessment. What matters is sound technical judgment from developers who can also stabilize, modernize, and operate software in production.

Which type of technical review do you need?

Different questions call for different types of assessment. These three reviews address the most common needs, from code quality to pre-launch security.

Do you want a code review but aren't sure how in-depth it needs to be? We can help you determine the right scope in a free preliminary consultation. If the code was generated with AI, that Get your AI app reviewed and continue.

Code review

Reason: Doubts about quality and maintainability. Subject: structure, technical debt, tests, dependencies. Result: prioritized findings. It differs from the architecture review by focusing on concrete code.

Architecture review

When to request one: scaling, conversion, or acquisition. Areas reviewed: system architecture, data model, scalability, and operations. Deliverable: an assessment and target-state vision. Broader than a code audit and more technical than general consulting.

Security review

When to request one: before launch, in response to an audit request, or if you suspect a security issue. Areas reviewed: authentication, secrets, input validation, OWASP risks, and data access in the app and backend. Deliverable: risks, their impact, and recommended measures.

What a software audit should actually deliver

An expert opinion is only valuable if it Enables informed decisions. We combine technical depth with an executive summary so risks, effort, and priorities are clear.

Technical rigor, not guesswork

Code, architecture, tests and operation are specifically evaluated, not just superficially described.

  • Code and architecture analysis
  • Quality, testing, CI/CD
  • Stability and operation

Clear risk prioritization

We assess each risk's impact, likelihood, and mitigation effort—not just identify it.

  • Risk matrix showing impact
  • Action plan by priority
  • Dependencies transparent

Confidence for management decisions

An executive summary, clear recommendations, and a budget range for next steps.

  • Executive Summary
  • Investment scenarios
  • Go/No-Go criteria
CodeGuides team during planning

This is how it works Software reports with us

We provide quick clarity, without disrupting your operations. The process is transparent, structured and delivers usable results.

Low coordination effort, clear results. Each step has defined outputs and traceable progress.

Day 1

Kickoff, access, and objectives

We define the scope based on your goals, systems, roles, and access to the repository, infrastructure, and monitoring tools.

Scope Goals Accesses
Day 2-5

Analysis, testing, and review

Code review, architecture analysis, security checks, performance testing, and operational assessment.

Code Security Performance
Day 5-7

Results workshop

Findings, prioritization, an action plan, and a Q&A session with your team or management.

Prioritization Measures Decision
Optional

Proof of concept or stabilization

We can verify critical findings or move straight into implementation, from stabilization to roadmap planning and sprints.

Proof of concept Stabilization Roadmap
Clarify the process in the preliminary discussion Download checklist

Measurable results, not guesswork

A good report sets out a clear timeline, specific review criteria, and actionable recommendations.

48 h
Short report possible

Ideal before a decision or as a quick reality check.

5-10 days
Full report

Detailed assessment plus prioritized action plan.

Three areas
Code, architecture, and operations

We look at system, process and infrastructure together.

0 hype
Substance over marketing

Clear risks, clear priorities, clear recommendations.

Software audit checkpoints

What we review

An independent evaluation requires reliable data. We examine the core technical areas that determine stability, security and costs.

Franz Opitz and Alexander Hähnel on the laptop

We can also assess product and process risks, such as team structure, roadmap risks, or operating costs. For software due diligence when acquiring an app company or making an app investment, we tailor the scope.

Code and architecture

Quality, structure, dependencies, design patterns, technical debt, documentation.

Security and compliance

Authentication, permissions, secrets, GDPR, OWASP Top 10, and supply chain risks.

Performance and operations

Runtime, monitoring, scaling, costs, CI/CD, deployments and reliability.

Schedule an initial consultation

Software Due diligence before an app purchase or investment

If you're acquiring an app company or planning an app investment, you need thorough technical due diligence. We assess risks, licensing issues, and operational readiness so the deal isn't derailed hidden technical debt fails.

Make deal risks visible

We identify technical debt, security risks and architectural breaks that influence the purchase price or integration.

Operations & scaling

We check whether the system can be operated stably and what costs realistically arise in the event of growth.

Clear action plan

You receive priorities, effort estimates, and a realistic roadmap for stabilization or replatforming.

Clarify due diligence in the preliminary discussion Download checklist

Results that support better decisions

You get clear findings to inform a decision to invest, buy, acquire, or start over.

Short report (within 48 hours)

Quick overview of critical risks, technical debt and next steps.

  • Executive Summary
  • Top risks and their impact
  • Recommendation for next steps
Full report

Detailed analysis with prioritization, effort estimate and action plan.

  • Architecture and code evaluation
  • Security and Performance Review
  • Stabilization roadmap
Workshop & implementation

Joint evaluation, prioritization and start of implementation.

  • Workshop with management and the team
  • PoC for critical topics
  • Optional stabilization sprints

Our initial general assessments typically cost between €1,000 to €2,500. The exact cost depends on complexity and desired depth. We will clarify the framework in the preliminary discussion.

Discuss the findings in an initial consultation Download checklist

Is CodeGuides the right fit as your independent reviewer?

If you're facing a decision or have concerns about a system, an expert assessment can save you time and money.

A good fit
  • You are planning an acquisition, re-platforming or investment
  • Quality, security or performance are unclear
  • Your team needs an independent assessment
  • You want to see risks prioritized
Not a good fit
  • You expect pure confirmation without criticism
  • Access to repo or infrastructure is not possible
  • You only want price optimization
  • You don't need any specific measures

Software audit FAQ

How quickly can we start?

We usually get started within a few days of the preliminary consultation. For a short report, we just need clear goals and access to the repository and infrastructure.

How much does an IT or software assessment cost?

The cost depends on the complexity and level of detail required. As a rule, our initial assessments cost between €1,000 and €2,500. We'll define the scope and cost during a free preliminary consultation.

What access do you need?

We typically need access to the repository, documentation, monitoring data and logs, and, if necessary, test environments. We'll agree on the scope at kickoff.

What does “commissioning a software assessment” mean in practice?

You receive an independent assessment of your code, architecture, operations, and risks, along with priorities, effort estimates, and clear next steps.

What do you check when we ask you to assess an app?

We check the technical quality, security, performance, dependencies and operating status of the app including backend and infrastructure.

How does software due diligence work when acquiring an app company?

We clarify the scope and goals, then review the code, architecture, security, licenses, and operations. You'll receive a risk matrix and recommendations on pricing and next steps.

Is the assessment also suitable for an app investment?

Yes. We provide investors with a decision brief outlining key risks, cost implications, and implementation options.

How confidential is the report?

We work confidentially and will sign an NDA upon request. The results are yours.

What's the difference between a short report and a full report?

The short report provides a quick, focused assessment of the top risks. The full report includes a deeper analysis, detailed prioritization, and an action plan.

Can you take care of the implementation?

Yes. Depending on your goals, we can run stabilization sprints, develop proof of concepts, or handle full-scale development.

Another question that isn't answered here? Clarify in the appointment →

Why CodeGuides for a software audit?

  • In-house team based in Germany: You work with a dedicated team in Germany—no freelancers or outsourcing.
  • ⌨️ Experts for complex projects: You benefit from specialists in architecture, app development, backend and QA, all working together.
  • 💲 Cost transparency & clear planning: Full transparency with minute-by-minute time tracking, realistic roadmaps and reliable estimates.
Free preliminary consultation View references
Alexander Hähnel portrait
Alexander Hähnel
Managing Director, App and Software Development
Franz Opitz portrait
Franz Opitz
Managing Director, Automation and Cloud Deployment

Discuss Your software audit with us

Project consultation Email

Project questions and practical answers

What does a software code audit examine?

An audit reviews architecture, dependencies, security risks, tests and maintainability against an agreed scope. Provide repository access, build instructions and known incidents. The result should identify evidence, business impact and prioritized remediation, not just a score. CodeGuides can implement agreed improvements after the review; audit findings do not guarantee that every defect has been discovered.

What determines the cost of a code audit?

The published planning range for an initial general software audit is 1 000–2 500 EUR. Repository size, technology mix, build reproducibility and review depth affect the scope. Penetration testing, exhaustive compliance certification and remediation are not automatically included. Agree on deliverables and exclusions before comparing this audit with a separately scoped fixed-price review.

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