Today, as the world becomes more digitalized and evolves quickly, mobile applications become a must-have tool for businesses worldwide. Whether for communication, shopping, or access services, mobile apps address diverse challenges for businesses.
Saudi Arabia, known as a pioneer in embracing technological advancements in the region, is experiencing a notable increase in mobile app development. As a result, many businesses and entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia are looking into developing their own apps.
Yet, they get confused when it comes to the cost to develop an app. If you are also among them, don’t worry anymore! This blog will cover everything you need to know about estimating the cost of developing an app in Saudi Arabia.
Let’s begin reading!
In Saudi Arabia, the demand for mobile app development is rapidly rising due to the tech-savvy population and an expanding digital economy.
Take a look at the chart below, which shows the increasing need for mobile apps in Saudi Arabia.
Now, let’s move to the main section: how much does it really cost to develop an app?
The mobile app development cost in Saudi Arabia can vary significantly due to several factors. These factors include the complexity of the app, desired features, compatibility with different platforms, design details, and the expertise of the development team.
Here’s a table outlining the costs involved with app development in Saudi Arabia, based on complexity and features, along with estimated durations.
| Cost Category | Basic (SAR) | Medium (SAR) | Complex (SAR) | Highly Complex (SAR) | |||
| Development | |||||||
| – Discovery & Planning | 5,000 – 8,000 | 8,000 – 12,000 | 12,000 – 20,000 | 20,000 – 30,000 | |||
| – UI/UX Design | 8,000 – 15,000 | 15,000 – 30,000 | 30,000 – 50,000 | 50,000 – 80,000 | |||
| – Frontend Development | 15,000 – 25,000 | 25,000 – 50,000 | 50,000 – 100,000 | 100,000 – 200,000 | |||
| – Backend Development | 20,000 – 40,000 | 40,000 – 70,000 | 70,000 – 120,000 | 120,000 – 250,000 | |||
| Maintenance & Updates | |||||||
| – Regular Updates | 5,000 – 20,000/year | 10,000 – 30,000/year | 20,000 – 50,000/year | 30,000 – 80,000/year | |||
| – Ongoing Maintenance | 3,600 – 12,000/year | 6,000 – 18,000/year | 12,000 – 36,000/year | 24,000 – 60,000/year | |||
| Marketing & Launch | |||||||
| – App Store Submission | 1,200 – 2,400 | 1,200 – 3,600 | 2,400 – 6,000 | 3,600 – 8,400 | |||
| – Marketing & Promotion | 6,000 – 18,000 | 12,000 – 36,000 | 24,000 – 60,000 | 60,000 – 120,000 | |||
| Total Estimated Cost | Approx. 69,800 – 159,200 SAR | Approx. 139,400 – 339,800 SAR | Approx. 285,800 – 607,000 SAR | Approx. 534,000 – 1,151,400 SAR | |||
Therefore, understanding the cost dynamics of app development is essential for making informed decisions and budgeting effectively.
Are you familiar with the key factors in mobile app development? These factors play a crucial role in determining the cost of building a mobile app in Saudi Arabia.
Below, we have discussed the factors that could raise the cost to hire mobile app developers in Saudi Arabia.
The kind of app you plan to create has a substantial influence on the total cost of developing a mobile app in Saudi Arabia. Simple apps with basic features will generally cost less to develop compared to complex, feature-rich applications.
And the types of apps can include:
This chart illustrates the estimated app development costs in Saudi Arabia across various industries. It provides a range of costs and typical development durations, offering insights into what to expect for different types of app projects.
| Industry | Cost Range (SAR) | Typical Duration |
| E-Commerce | 25,000 – 50,000 | 2 – 4 months |
| Healthcare | 30,000 – 70,000 | 3 – 6 months |
| Education | 20,000 – 40,000 | 2 – 4 months |
| Fintech | 40,000 – 80,000 | 3 – 6 months |
| Food Delivery | 30,000 – 60,000 | 2 – 5 months |
| Social Networking | 20,000 – 50,000 | 3 – 6 months |
| Real Estate | 25,000 – 55,000 | 3 – 5 months |
| Travel & Hospitality | 30,000 – 70,000 | 3 – 6 months |
| Entertainment | 25,000 – 60,000 | 3 – 5 months |
| Sports & Fitness | 20,000 – 50,000 | 2 – 4 months |
| Logistics & Transportation | 40,000 – 80,000 | 3 – 6 months |
| Automotive | 30,000 – 60,000 | 3 – 6 months |
| Manufacturing | 35,000 – 70,000 | 3 – 6 months |
| Retail | 25,000 – 55,000 | 2 – 5 months |
Deciding on the appropriate platform for your app, whether it’s iOS, Android, or both, will affect the cost of mobile app development in Saudi Arabia.
Creating separate native apps for iOS and Android usually requires more resources and time compared to building a single-platform app or using cross-platform frameworks like React Native or Flutter.
Native app development can be costlier because it involves writing and testing code separately for each platform.
App design complexity influences development costs. A smooth user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design gives an app real success, but it can increase the development expenses. As a thorough UI/UX design process includes:
Thus, a more detailed and sophisticated design can increase the cost of developing a mobile app in Saudi Arabia.
The complexity and scope of features needed in the app directly affect development costs.
The apps that include the basic features like;
These are generally less costly to develop.
While the apps include the advanced features like;
These advanced features increase mobile app development costs in Saudi Arabia
Therefore, each additional feature boosts the development time and resources required, thereby impacting overall costs.
The size and composition of the development team can have a significant influence on the overall cost of app development in Saudi Arabia.
Larger teams with specialized roles like developers, designers, QA testers, and project managers may be necessary for the success of your app. However, it may result in higher costs due to increased staffing and coordination.
The location of your development team affects costs because of varying labor rates and overhead expenses. Hiring a local development team in Saudi Arabia could be more costly compared to outsourcing to countries with lower labor expenses.
Offshore development can save costs but requires good communication and project management to ensure quality and on-time delivery.
Here’s how much does it cost to develop an app per hour by region:
|
Location |
Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
| Saudi Arabia | 113 – 300 SAR |
| United States | $100 – $250+ USD |
| India | ₹1,500 – ₹4,500 INR |
| Ukraine | ₴600 – ₴2,000 UAH |
| United Kingdom | £60 – £110 GBP |
After launching your app, ongoing maintenance and support are important factors to consider in terms of overall costs. The maintenance of the app involves:
The frequency of these maintenance tasks affects ongoing expenses. It’s essential to plan for maintenance to keep the app running smoothly, securely, and up-to-date.
Well, integrating advanced technologies and innovative features into your app can set it apart in the market but may also raise the cost of developing a mobile app in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Technologies in the app like:
They demand specialized expertise and development efforts, which lead to higher costs compared to more standard app projects.
Overall, these factors provide a broad overview of potential influences on the cost of building an app in Saudi Arabia. For accurate pricing, it’s recommended to consult with a reputable mobile application development company that specializes in the latest technologies. They can provide specific cost estimates based on your app’s requirements and desired features.
Now that you have an idea of the cost to build an app in Saudi Arabia, you can consider reaching out to reputable mobile app development companies in Saudi Arabia, like ABTACH DMCC, for their services. They can assist you in developing and launching your app based on your budget and requirements.
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