“How much will my app cost?” is the first question almost every client in Jeddah and Riyadh asks us. The honest answer is that it depends on what the app needs to do, but that does not mean you have to guess. This guide gives you real 2026 price ranges in Saudi riyals, explains what moves the price up or down, and shows how to plan a budget before you speak to any agency.
All prices below are in SAR and exclude 15% VAT. They are guide ranges for planning; a fixed quote always comes after a scoping call.
Quick answer: app development cost in Saudi Arabia (2026)
Most business apps in Saudi Arabia cost between SAR 25,000 and SAR 400,000 at typical agency rates, depending on complexity. Whetstonez prices sit about 20% below those typical market rates.
| App type | What it usually includes | Typical market price | Whetstonez price | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple app | One main flow, standard screens, basic admin panel, Arabic and English | SAR 25,000 – 60,000 | SAR 20,000 – 48,000 | 6–10 weeks |
| Mid-level app | User accounts and roles, mada / Apple Pay payments, notifications, admin dashboard | SAR 60,000 – 150,000 | SAR 48,000 – 120,000 | 3–5 months |
| Complex app | Marketplace or delivery app, several user apps, live tracking, many integrations | SAR 150,000 – 400,000 | SAR 120,000 – 320,000 | 5–8 months |
| Large platform | Enterprise-scale system, high traffic, strict security and compliance | SAR 400,000+ | From SAR 320,000 | 8 months + |
Prices by type of app
If you already know what kind of app you want, these ranges are a more useful starting point:
| Type of app | Typical market price | Whetstonez price |
|---|---|---|
| Internal business tool (staff, stock, approvals) | SAR 30,000 – 80,000 | SAR 24,000 – 64,000 |
| Booking app (salon, clinic, services) | SAR 40,000 – 120,000 | SAR 32,000 – 96,000 |
| E-commerce app | SAR 80,000 – 250,000 | SAR 64,000 – 200,000 |
| Delivery app (customer, driver and admin apps) | SAR 120,000 – 300,000 | SAR 96,000 – 240,000 |
| Fintech or health app | From SAR 200,000 | From SAR 160,000 |
For example, Anaqa (salon booking) and Eblal (doctor appointments) are booking-type apps, while EZPick sits closer to the delivery and marketplace category.
What drives the cost of an app?
1. Features and business logic
Every login type, payment method, report and workflow adds design, development and testing time. The fastest way to control cost is to separate “must have at launch” from “nice to have later”.
2. Number of apps in the system
A delivery service is really three products: a customer app, a driver app and an admin dashboard. Each one needs its own screens and testing, which is why these projects cost more.
3. Platforms
Building once with a cross-platform framework such as React Native or Flutter usually costs less than two separate native apps for iOS and Android, and suits most business apps. Fully native builds make sense for heavy graphics, hardware features or very high performance needs.
4. Arabic and English
A properly bilingual app needs right-to-left layouts, Arabic typography and translated content, not just translated text. Planning for both languages from day one costs far less than adding Arabic later.
5. Integrations
Payment gateways, SMS and WhatsApp messages, maps, ERP or CRM systems, and ZATCA e-invoicing all add work. Well-documented services are quick; older or custom systems take longer.
6. Design
Standard, clean UI is cheaper than a heavily branded design with custom illustrations and animation. Good UX, however, is never the place to cut, because it decides whether people keep using the app.
7. Security and compliance
Apps that handle payments, health or personal data need extra security work, testing and hosting arrangements to meet Saudi requirements such as the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL).
The costs after launch
Launch is not the end of the budget. Plan for these running costs every year:
- Maintenance and updates: usually 15–20% of the build cost per year, covering bug fixes, iOS and Android updates and small improvements.
- Hosting and servers: roughly SAR 200 – 2,000 per month for most business apps, depending on traffic.
- Store accounts: Apple charges USD 99 per year for a developer account, and Google Play charges a one-time USD 25 fee.
- Third-party services: SMS, maps, email and payment gateway fees, which grow with usage.
How to reduce your app budget without hurting quality
- Start with an MVP. Launch the core flow first, learn from real users, then add features.
- Write a clear brief. Know your users, the main tasks and the must-have features. Clear scope means accurate quotes and fewer changes.
- Use cross-platform development where it fits, so one codebase serves iOS and Android.
- Reuse proven services for payments, maps and messaging instead of building them from scratch.
- Avoid rushing. Squeezing a four-month project into two months usually costs more, not less.
Why are Whetstonez prices lower? We are a Jeddah-based team that has built apps for Saudi businesses since 2012, and we keep strategy, design, development and testing in-house. Our prices are set about 20% below typical Saudi agency rates for the same scope.
How to get an accurate quote
Send us a short description of your idea, who will use it and the features you need at launch. We will reply with questions, then a scoped proposal with a fixed price and timeline. Learn more about our mobile app development services, see our case studies, or read our guides to website costs and custom software costs in Saudi Arabia.
Planning an app?
Tell us what you want to build and we will send you a clear price range and timeline. Get a free consultation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a simple app cost in Saudi Arabia?
A simple app with one main flow and a basic admin panel typically costs SAR 25,000 – 60,000 at Saudi agency rates. At Whetstonez the same scope usually costs SAR 20,000 – 48,000, excluding VAT.
How long does it take to build an app?
A simple app takes about 6–10 weeks, a mid-level app 3–5 months, and a complex marketplace or delivery app 5–8 months or more.
Is it cheaper to build one app for iOS and Android?
Usually yes. Cross-platform frameworks such as React Native or Flutter let one codebase run on both platforms, which lowers build and maintenance costs for most business apps.
How much does app maintenance cost per year?
Plan for around 15–20% of the original build cost per year for updates, fixes and support, plus hosting and third-party service fees.
Do these prices include VAT?
No. All prices in this guide exclude 15% VAT and are planning ranges. A fixed quote is given after a scoping call.
