Pricing for sponsored features

Most small commissioned features cost around 100 EUR. However, cost is set per individual request. We work with fixed price agreements, and estimate the cost based on the required hours of work, and the risk of schedule overruns. So, depending on what you request, the price may be lower or higher. Contact hanwen@lilypond.org for an assessment.

What am I paying for?

Sponsoring a LilyPond feature amounts to hiring a bright, specialized, free-lance programmer.

For every paid hour of work, we have to put in several unpaid hours with fixing bugs, making releases, keeping up with email, and doing infrastructural coding. In addition, you are paying for our special skill and knowledge: we know everything there is to know about LilyPond's internals.

Is that expensive?

We think it's not: feature sponsoring is IT-consultancy, and professional IT-consultancy can easily cost as much as EUR 90/hour, for much less specialized work.

Comparable proprietary packages, like Finale or Sibelius retail for EUR 500, and then you only get a single-user license.

Of course, if you think that we are expensive, you can always contact MakeMusic or Sibelius, and ask them how much they charge for custom development on Finale or Sibelius. :-)

But I am really poor!

Here are some solutions:
Take smaller steps
If you want something large, then we can work together with you, to take a small, useful step towards your goal. Hopefully, other interested users continue to sponsor the next small step.
Split costs
We don't mind when you buy features with a group of people. If you can find 10 people that are minded likewise, you can split the cost 10 ways. Then, a EUR 200 feature is only EUR 20! We can even advertise this on the LilyPond home page.
Do-It-Yourself
If you cannot afford it, or can't find enough people interested, you are also welcome to write the code yourself.

Can I pay in natura?

We may accept other patches as currency, if they are useful, conform to our coding standards, and you are willing to sign a copyright disclaimer. Original compositions for French Horn are also accepted as currency. Beverages, CDs produced by you, or invitations to stay abroad are appreciated as donations.

How much is the EURO anyway?

Exchange rates vary from day to day. You can check the current rate at xe.com.

Are there any extra charges?

Prices quoted are VAT inclusive for EU individuals. For EU enterprises and non-EU residents, LSD's services fall under Dutch rules for "eCommerce", and are subject to VAT in your country of residence. Costs of money transfer on our end (eg. PayPal and banking fees) are included.

How do I pay?

See our payment FAQ