The question business owners in Saudi Arabia ask us most is: "what does an app cost?" The honest answer is that this is like asking what a house costs — it depends on size, finish and location. But that does not mean there is no answer. It means there are specific factors you can work out yourself before requesting a quote.
What determines the price
1. Number of screens and their complexity
A simple screen showing static information costs a fraction of one with filters, search and multiple states. An app with 10 simple screens can be cheaper than one with 5 complex ones. The practical approach is to sketch the screens on paper and define what happens on each.
2. The admin dashboard
Most owners forget this part, and it is usually half the project. An app showing products needs a management system to add products, change prices and follow orders. Without a dashboard you need a developer for every change, which costs more over time.
3. Payment methods and external integrations
Integrating Mada, Apple Pay and STC Pay through a certified gateway such as Moyasar, Tap or HyperPay adds development and testing cost, as does connecting couriers or an existing accounting system. Every external integration adds build time, test time and failure cases to handle.
4. E-invoicing compliance
If the app sells products or services, invoicing must meet ZATCA requirements including the QR code, tax number and invoice archiving. This is a separate cost line that many quotes omit and then bill for later.
5. Design
There is a difference between a functional interface and a purpose-designed visual identity. Custom design costs more, but it changes usage rates and client impressions, especially in a market like Saudi Arabia where users are accustomed to global apps.
Price ranges by app type
- Simple informational app: static screens, a contact form, no accounts or payment. Lowest range, fastest delivery (3 to 5 weeks).
- App with accounts and dynamic content: login, profile, dashboard-managed content. Mid range (6 to 10 weeks).
- E-commerce app: products, cart, payment, shipping, full dashboard. Higher range (8 to 14 weeks).
- Delivery stack: customer app plus driver app plus dashboard plus live tracking. Highest range, because it is three connected products (12 to 20 weeks).
Mistakes that inflate cost unnecessarily
Asking for every feature in version one
The biggest cause of budget inflation. Better to launch a core version (MVP) with the features your business model depends on, then add the rest based on real usage. Many features that seem essential turn out unused.
Two separate native apps
Building separate native Android and iOS apps doubles cost and maintenance. Flutter produces one app running on both platforms at near-identical performance, which clearly reduces cost and time for most commercial apps.
Not writing requirements before requesting quotes
When you request a quote with a general description, every company assumes something different and you compare numbers that are not comparable. Write the list of screens, features and payment methods, and send the same document to everyone.
Questions to ask before signing
- Do I own the source code after delivery?
- Which account will the app be published under? (It should be your company account.)
- Exactly what is included in the price, and what will be billed extra?
- What is the warranty period after delivery, and the annual maintenance cost?
- Is the design custom or a template?
Summary
Cost is not a fixed number, but it is estimable once your requirements are clear. If you have an idea and want a detailed estimate, send us the project description and we will return an itemised quote within 24 hours.