Software development for teams that need to build, scale, and secure.

Dotenv is a software development agency in Johannesburg, South Africa. We design and build web platforms, mobile apps, and cloud systems for startups and enterprises in finance, hospitality, and higher education. Engagements start with a free technical audit.

PipAlertLocal LifestyleiReport GBVUJ Learn and Earn
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Code Should Work for You, Not Against You

  • Struggling with security flaws, scaling bottlenecks, or deployment headaches? We diagnose and solve.
  • AWS, AZURE, GCP, Kubernetes, Docker - we speak your stack’s language.
  • Weekly sprints, clear workflows, and no jargon - just results.
  • Starting a new project? We can help you build a scalable and secure software solution that meets your business needs.

Ready to Ship Smarter?

Stop patching leaks. Let’s engineer solutions that last.

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Our Services

We offer a wide range of services to help you build, scale, and secure your software. Our team of experts will work with you to optimize your software solutions and ensure your business success.



Questions before you hire a software agency

What does Dotenv do?

Dotenv is a software development agency in Johannesburg, South Africa. We design and build web platforms, mobile apps, backends, and cloud systems, and we modernize software that is already in production.

Where does Dotenv work?

The studio is in Johannesburg and works with clients in South Africa and remotely. Published work includes PipAlert, Local Lifestyle, and two University of Johannesburg platforms.

What kinds of products have you shipped?

Recent production systems cover forex signaling, hospitality bookings, confidential incident reporting, and a student sales and marketing program. The same team also takes on custom web, mobile, and cloud builds.

How does a project start?

Email team@dotenv.co.za or call +27 68 172 1606 and ask for a technical audit. The first conversation maps the system, the risks, and whether a build or a modernization makes sense.

Do you publish fixed prices?

There is no public rate card. Scope and price are set after the audit, because a reporting platform and a payments integration are not the same piece of work.


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How It Works

  • Consult: Free 60-minute discovery call to map your needs.
  • Plan: Roadmap with timelines, milestones, and costs.
  • Build: Agile development with biweekly demos.
  • Launch & Optimize: Post-deployment support and scaling.

Your Project, Our Precision Toolkit

We don’t just code – we engineer success with our Experience, Expertise, Skills and a full-stack of services.

Core Technical Expertise

  • Cloud Architecture
    Designing scalable, cost-optimized systems on AWS/Azure/GCP with Kubernetes, Docker, and IaC (Terraform).
    No more vendor lock-in or surprise bills.
  • Frontend Engineering
    Building React, Angular, or Vue.js apps with code-splitting and edge caching so pages stay fast as they grow.
    Websites that convert, not just look pretty.
  • Mobile Development
    Cross-platform (React Native) or native (Swift/Kotlin) apps with offline-first capabilities and App Store compliance.
    Launch in half the time, double the impact.
  • DevSecOps
    CI/CD pipelines with embedded security checks (SAST/DAST) and GitOps workflows for zero-downtime deployments.
    Ship fearlessly, even in regulated industries.

Strategic Methodologies

  • Microservices & Event-Driven Design
    Breaking monoliths into resilient, independently deployable services using Kafka/RabbitMQ.
    Scale individual features, not entire systems.
  • Legacy Modernization
    Rewriting COBOL/Java EE systems into cloud-native Node.js/Python stacks with phased rollouts.
    Make technical debt history.
  • AI/ML Integration
    Embedding LLMs (GPT-4, Claude) and predictive analytics into workflows without infrastructure bloat.
    Turn data into decisions, not just dashboards.
  • Compliance Engineering
    GDPR/HIPAA/SOC2-ready architectures with automated audit trails and role-based access.
    Sleep well knowing you’re lawsuit-proof.

Performance & Optimization

  • Database Tuning
    Faster queries through PostgreSQL indexing, Redis caching, and sharding when the data model calls for it.
    Your data shouldn’t be your bottleneck.
  • Web3 & Blockchain
    Smart contract development (Solidity), tokenomics design, and private Hyperledger solutions.
    Innovate without crypto volatility exposure.
  • Serverless Architectures
    Cost-efficient AWS Lambda/Firebase setups with cold-start mitigation and auto-scaling.
    Pay per millisecond, not per month.

Client-Centric Practices

  • Agile Leadership
    Biweekly sprints with Jira/Linear transparency and client-prioritized backlogs.
    No black boxes. Ever.
  • UX-Driven Development
    A/B tested interfaces using Figma prototypes and Hotjar heatmaps.
    Designs tested against how people actually use the product.
  • Disaster Recovery
    Multi-region backups, chaos engineering, and 5-minute RTO guarantees.
    Your insurance policy against downtime.
  • Tech Stack Audits
    90-day action plans to eliminate bloated dependencies and security vulnerabilities.
    Cut costs, not capabilities.

Industry Specializations

  • FinTech
    Real-time transaction systems, fraud detection algorithms.
    Secure, scalable financial solutions.
  • HealthTech
    FHIR/HL7 compliance, wearable device integrations.
    Innovating healthcare with tech.
  • E-Commerce
    Headless Shopify/Medusa setups, checkout flow optimization.
    Boost conversions, reduce cart abandonment.
  • SaaS
    Multi-tenant architectures, usage-based billing engines.
    Scale your software, not your headaches.
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Ready to Ship Smarter?

Stop patching leaks. Let’s engineer solutions that last.