Local setup and docs
bin/setup, seed data, and a README, so any Rails developer can run the app on their first day.
The Problem
A Rails App Nobody on Your Team Can Safely Change
Rails apps are quick to start and easy to inherit badly. The original developer leaves, the versions fall behind, and every change starts to feel like a gamble.
01 · Setup
A new developer needs days to get the app running.
bin/setup and a README get the app running locally in one command.
02 · Old versions
Rails and Ruby are past their security support.
We upgrade one Rails version at a time, dual booting until tests pass.
03 · Vulnerable gems
The gem audit lists known vulnerabilities nobody has fixed.
Brakeman and bundler-audit findings are ranked, and the critical ones are fixed first.
04 · Broken tests
Half the tests fail, so nobody runs them.
We repair the suite, measure coverage, and run it on every pull request.
Your Rails app was built by a developer who left two years ago. It runs on Rails 6 and Ruby 2.7, both long past their security support. A new hire spent three days just getting it to boot on a laptop. Half the tests fail, so nobody runs them. The gem audit shows known vulnerabilities, and the admin screens still lean on jQuery plugins nobody updates. Every feature request comes back with the same answer: we should probably rewrite it.
We start by making the app boring again. One command sets it up locally, Brakeman and bundler-audit list the real security risks, and a coverage report shows what the tests protect. Then we upgrade Rails one version at a time, running old and new side by side, and build new screens with Hotwire. You keep the app your business runs on instead of paying for a rewrite.
One-command local setup
bin/setup and a short README get any new developer running the app within a day.
Security risks ranked
Brakeman and bundler-audit findings sorted by real risk, with the critical ones fixed first.
Upgrades with dual booting
The app runs on the current and next Rails version side by side until tests pass.
Our Ruby on Rails Development Process
From Takeover to Supported Rails in Five Steps
Five steps take your Rails app from inherited and fragile to upgraded and easy to change. You approve each upgrade step, check every release on staging, and keep the repository.
You tell us how the app came to you, what it does for the business, and what keeps breaking. We ask for repository access if you can share it. You get a short plan and a fixed-price proposal.
What's Included
What Is Ruby on Rails Development?
Ruby on Rails development is building and caring for web apps in Rails, a Ruby framework with strong conventions. For an inherited app, our Ruby development services cover these six parts.
Compare Options
DeveloperLook vs a Full Rewrite vs Patching as You Go
Patching as you go costs the least this month, and a rewrite can make sense when the product itself has changed. Upgrading in place suits apps whose business logic still works but whose versions don't.
| Feature | DeveloperLookBest fit | Full rewrite | Keep patching |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Fixed price per step | Highest of the three | Lowest this month |
| Time to value | Fixes ship within weeks | Months before launch | Small fixes right away |
| Business logic | Kept and covered by tests | Rebuilt from scratch | Kept, mostly untested |
| Security support | Supported Rails and Ruby | Current from day one | Falls further behind |
| Risk to users | Low, one step at a time | High at the switch-over | Grows every month |
| Testing | Suite repaired and in CI | New suite from scratch | Mostly manual checks |
| New features | Hotwire on existing code | Wait until relaunch | Harder with each patch |
| Code ownership | Your repository throughout | New codebase to learn | Your repository |
DeveloperLook
Full rewrite
- Upfront cost
- DeveloperLook: Fixed price per stepFull rewrite: Highest of the three
- Time to value
- DeveloperLook: Fixes ship within weeksFull rewrite: Months before launch
- Business logic
- DeveloperLook: Kept and covered by testsFull rewrite: Rebuilt from scratch
- Security support
- DeveloperLook: Supported Rails and RubyFull rewrite: Current from day one
- Risk to users
- DeveloperLook: Low, one step at a timeFull rewrite: High at the switch-over
- Testing
- DeveloperLook: Suite repaired and in CIFull rewrite: New suite from scratch
- New features
- DeveloperLook: Hotwire on existing codeFull rewrite: Wait until relaunch
- Code ownership
- DeveloperLook: Your repository throughoutFull rewrite: New codebase to learn
Projects We've Built
Membership and Booking Products We Have Built
Gym, yoga, and travel products from our portfolio with memberships, bookings, and payments: the kind of app Rails often runs, not claimed here as Rails builds.
StriveGym Membership Website Design & Development
- Fitness & Gym
- Membership Platform
- Website
SteelFit Gym Membership App Design & Development
- Fitness & Gym
- Membership Platform
- Booking System
TripNest Travel and Tour Booking Website
- Travel
- Booking System
- Dashboard
YogaNest Yoga and Wellness App Design & Development
- Fitness & Gym
- Membership Platform
- Mobile App
What Our Clients Say
What Clients Say After Launch
Feedback from teams we have built and maintained web apps for.
We had a pretty specific idea of what we wanted our website to become, but I wasn’t sure how easily we could explain all of it to a development team. There were quite a few moving parts, and we were working toward a deadline, so I expected a few things to get lost along the way. That never really happened. They understood what we were trying to achieve, kept us updated throughout the process, and got everything ready within the agreed timeline. The final site feels much easier to navigate, works beautifully on mobile, and is noticeably smoother for our customers. It was a huge relief seeing the original idea actually turn into the website we had in mind.
The mobile experience is probably my favourite part of the new site. We had spent a lot of time making sure the desktop version looked right, and the team kept pushing us to think about how everything would actually feel on a phone too. They were right. The navigation is clean, the interactions feel natural, and everything we’ve tested so far works exactly as it should. They also went through the links, forms, integrations, and other details more than once before launch, which I really appreciated. And even after going live, we could still reach out when something came up. The whole process felt friendly, organised, and surprisingly straightforward.
What I appreciate most is that the website is actually easy for us to manage now. We can update content ourselves instead of sending a developer a message every time we need to change something small. They also paid attention to the technical SEO side, which mattered to us because we didn’t want a new website to create problems for the traffic we already had. I’ve probably asked more questions than I should have since launch, but every question has been handled patiently and without any fuss. The team is easy to work with, they explain things clearly, and when we need something changed, they focus on getting it done rather than making the process complicated.
1,250+
Projects shipped
10+
Years of experience
Top 3%
Upwork Top Rated Plus
5 stars
Average review score
Want results like these?
Tell us what you are building. You get a reply within 24 hours on business days, then a written estimate.
Work Culture
Why Teams Trust Us With Inherited Rails Apps
Taking over someone else's Rails app is a trust exercise. These habits keep your app running while we change it, and keep it easy to hand on.
Small, reversible steps
Each upgrade step ships on its own, behind tests, with a rollback plan. If something misbehaves, we step back one version instead of losing a week.
Read before we rewrite
We read the existing code before recommending changes. Many inherited Rails apps need repairs and upgrades rather than a rewrite, and we'll say which yours needs.
Security fixes ranked by risk
Not every Brakeman warning matters equally. We explain which findings expose real data and fix those first, so your budget goes where the risk is.
Docs for the next developer
Setup steps, architecture notes, and upgrade history live in the repository. The next Rails developer gets productive in a day, not a week.
Honest about rewrites
Sometimes a rewrite really is cheaper than repair, and we'll show you why. If a smaller fix already covers your case, we'll tell you before we quote.
Your code stays yours
Code stays in your GitHub, and deploys run from your Heroku, Render, or cloud account. Changing teams later means sharing access, nothing more.
Overview
How do Ruby on Rails development services work for an inherited app?
DeveloperLook offers Ruby on Rails development services for teams that inherited a Rails app or need it on supported versions. We get it running locally, scan it with Brakeman, upgrade Rails one version at a time with dual booting, and build features with Hotwire. Prices start at $1,000, takeovers take 1 to 2 weeks, upgrades 4 to 14 weeks, and you own the code.
DEVELOPERLOOK
Project facts · Ruby on Rails Development Services
- Service
- Ruby on Rails Development Services (takeovers, upgrades, Hotwire features, deploys)
- Typical timeline
- 1 to 2 weeks for a takeover audit, 4 to 14 weeks for upgrades and features
- Platforms
- Rails on Heroku, Render, AWS, or your own servers with Kamal
- Built with
- Ruby, Rails, Hotwire, PostgreSQL, Sidekiq or Solid Queue, and RSpec
- Experience
- 10+ years of development experience and 1,250+ shipped projects
- Post-launch support
- 30 days, or 60 days on the Rails Modernization Program plan
- Communication
- Calls in US, UK, and AU business hours
- Starting price
- From $1,000 USD, fixed scope after discovery
Reviewed 10 Oct 2026 by Saimul Islam
Good fit
Teams that inherited a Rails app
Your Rails app came from a developer or agency that's gone, and nobody on your team can confidently change it.
Companies on unsupported Rails versions
Your app runs on Rails 6 or older, and a customer's security questionnaire just asked which framework versions you use.
Startups growing past one developer
You want to outsource Ruby on Rails development for the next stage of your product instead of recruiting an in-house team.
Owners comparing Rails partners
You're weighing a Ruby on Rails development company against a freelancer for an upgrade your customers mustn't notice.
Agencies with Rails clients
Your agency has a client on Rails and needs a Ruby on Rails web development company to deliver under your brand.
Not a fit
New product, no stack yet
You're starting a brand-new product and haven't chosen a framework yet. Our Backend Development Services page helps you pick before you build.
Code review only
You only want an independent review of the code, with no fixes or upgrades. Our Code Audit Services page covers that on its own.
Server patching only
You only need servers patched and uptime watched, with no code changes. A managed platform such as Heroku or Render already handles most of that.
Budget under $1,000
Your budget is under $1,000, or you only need one small bug fixed. A short freelance task may cost less, and we'll tell you before we quote.
Not sure we're the right fit?
Book a free call or message us. We'll tell you honestly whether we're the right team.
Pricing
Transparent Starting Prices for Ruby on Rails Development Services
These are starting points in USD. Your final price depends on app size, version gap, and test health, and you get a fixed proposal after a free discovery call.
For teams inheriting a Rails app they can't run, test, or upgrade with confidence. About 1 to 2 weeks.
$1,000one-time, USD
- One-command local setup with bin/setup and docs
- Brakeman and bundler-audit scans, findings ranked
- Test coverage report with SimpleCov
- Version-by-version upgrade plan
- Fixes for up to 5 critical findings
- 30 days of follow-up support
Recommended
For apps that need a supported Rails and Ruby release plus one new feature. About 4 to 8 weeks.
$3,700one-time, USD
- Everything in Rails Takeover Audit
- Dual-boot upgrade of up to 2 Rails versions
- Ruby upgraded to a supported release
- One feature built with Hotwire
- CI pipeline running tests on every pull request
- 30 days of post-launch support
For larger Rails apps several versions behind, with slow pages and aging jobs. About 10 to 14 weeks.
$7,200one-time, USD
- Everything in Rails Upgrade and Feature
- Upgrades across several Rails versions
- Slow pages fixed with query and caching work
- jQuery screens moved to Hotwire
- Background jobs on Sidekiq or Solid Queue with monitoring
- 60 days of post-launch support
For Agencies
White-Label Ruby on Rails Development for Agencies and Studios
You keep the client relationship. We supply the Rails engineering behind it: takeovers, security fixes, upgrades, and Hotwire features, delivered under your brand with code in your client's repository and plain-English reports.
How the partnership works
White label: your client only ever sees your brand
- Your client
- You, the agency
- DeveloperLook
Share the brief
Send repository access, your client's concerns, and any deadlines they've set.
- Client needs
- You share the details
- Details received
We audit and quote
You get a ranked risk report, an upgrade path, and a fixed price.
- Scope and plan
- Proposal to resell
- Your quoteYOUR LOGO
Fix and hand off
We fix, upgrade, and release under your client's accounts, then document every change.
- Done by our team
- Your brand on it
- Handed to your clientDone
Partner with DeveloperLookDelivered under your brand
Stay client-facing
Audit reports and release notes go out under your brand.
Predictable delivery
Fixed scope for each upgrade step, checked on staging first.
Senior Rails engineers
Rails, Hotwire, Sidekiq, and RSpec work from experienced developers.
Flexible capacity
One audit, a multi-version upgrade, or ongoing Rails work.
The Right Technology for Your Project
Technology Stack
Ruby and Rails with the Hotwire front end, the data and job tools Rails apps rely on, and the testing and security tools behind every upgrade.
Ruby- Ruby on Rails
- Hotwire
- Stimulus
PostgreSQL
MySQL- Redis
- Sidekiq
- RSpec
- RuboCop
- Brakeman
- GitHub Actions
Heroku- Render
AWS
Docker- Kamal
- Sentry
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers on Rails costs, hiring and finding Rails developers, how Rails works, and Rails security.
Saimul IslamFounder & CEO, DeveloperLookStill have questions?
Send a message or book a call with the team.
Rails work at DeveloperLook starts at $1,000 for a takeover audit with local setup, security scans, and fixes for up to 5 critical findings. An upgrade of up to 2 Rails versions plus one Hotwire feature starts at $3,700. Full modernization programs start at $7,200. You get a fixed quote after a free discovery call.
Hire Ruby on Rails developers by asking them to walk you through an upgrade they've done, step by step. Then give a short paid task in your own app, such as fixing one Brakeman warning with a test. Good Rails developers talk about conventions, background jobs, and deprecations, not just their favorite gems.
You can find Ruby on Rails developers on freelance marketplaces, Rails community job boards, and through agencies that specialize in Rails. A Ruby on Rails development agency is the faster route when you need someone productive this month. Whichever route you take, check their upgrade experience, since most Rails work involves existing apps.
A Ruby on Rails developer builds and maintains web apps in Rails: models, controllers, views, background jobs, and the tests around them. On an inherited app, much of the job is upgrades, security fixes, and making slow pages fast. Many also write the Hotwire or JavaScript code that runs in the browser.
Ruby on Rails works on the model-view-controller pattern. A request hits a route, a controller loads data through Active Record models, and a view renders the response. Rails follows convention over configuration, so file names tell it how pieces connect. Active Job, Action Mailer, and Action Cable add background jobs, email, and WebSockets.
Yes, Ruby on Rails is built for web development, from small internal tools to large products. It covers routing, database access, forms, email, background jobs, and real-time updates in one framework, so fewer outside libraries are needed. GitHub, Shopify, and Basecamp are well-known companies that built their products on Rails.
Use Ruby on Rails when you want a small team to ship a full web product quickly. Its conventions cut setup code, generators create working scaffolds, and one developer can carry a feature from database to screen. The trade-off is that Rails expects you to follow its way of doing things.
Ruby on Rails is good for web app development, especially SaaS products, marketplaces, and internal tools. For mobile, Rails usually serves as the backend API, and Hotwire Native can wrap Rails screens inside iOS and Android apps. It's a weaker fit for heavy number crunching or apps where raw speed per request decides everything.
The main benefits of developing with Ruby on Rails are fast delivery, a mature library ecosystem, and code that new developers can read quickly. Gems cover payments, authentication, and admin panels, and Rails conventions keep projects organized the same way. That consistency is why inherited Rails apps are usually repairable rather than rewrite cases.
Yes, the main Rails security concerns are outdated versions, vulnerable gems, and code that bypasses Rails' built-in protections. Rails escapes HTML output, checks CSRF tokens, and parameterizes Active Record queries by default. Trouble starts with raw SQL strings, misused html_safe calls, and apps left on unsupported releases, which Brakeman and bundler-audit help catch.
Saimul IslamFounder & CEO, DeveloperLookStill have questions?
Send a message or book a call with the team.
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