Are you interested in building mobile applications? If you are then you definitely have a question about how much mobile app development costs and how much time it will take, right? Well if talked about the cost and time can’t be defined initially but yes we can get an estimation of web app development cost as well as time.
The demand for mobile apps in Saudi Arabia is growing rapidly, because of the country’s digital transformation and increasing smartphone usage. Multiple businesses across various industries are investing in mobile applications to improve customer engagement and streamline the time taking operations.
However, the mobile app development cost in Saudi Arabia depends on several factors which include complexity, features, technology, and many more things. It’s the clients’ choice whether they need a simple app or a feature-rich platform, they have to understand the cost structure to help in planning their budget effectively.
In this guide, we’ll deeply discuss the key factors that completely influence mobile app development costs in Saudi Arabia. But before that, we need to understand the market and the trends in mobile applications. So, let’s have a look at the figures.
Market Insights: Mobile App Development Costs in Saudi Arabia
According to Statista, the total revenue of the mobile app development market is $522.67 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to reach $673.79 billion with an annual growth rate of 8.59% in the year 2027.
As per the study, the mobile app development cost in Saudi Arabia ranges between $30,000 and $200,000, which is completely dependent on factors like app complexity, design, and the development team’s expertise.
The application development market in Saudi Arabia is rapidly growing and is valued in 2022 at $1.595 billion; it is estimated to reach around $2.48 billion by 2027 with an annual growth rate of 9.95%.
Read More: How to Hire Mobile App Developers in Riyadh?
Factors Influencing Mobile App Development Costs in Saudi Arabia
There are many factors that influence the mobile app development cost entirely. Here we cover some essential factors that really need to be considered while developing mobile applications because these factors affect the overall cost.
App Complexity: Basic, Medium, or Complex Apps
The mobile app development cost depends mainly on the app’s complexity. A basic app with the basic features is more affordable and takes less time as compared to advanced or full complexity apps, while a medium-level app with integrations costs more. Complex apps with completely advanced technologies like AI or blockchain require higher costs due to longer development time and expertise.
Platform: iOS, Android, or Cross-Platform
Developing a mobile app for iOS or Android separately costs more than building a cross-platform app. As per the study and results Native apps provide better performance but on the other hand, these apps are more expensive. If we talk about cross-platform apps, save costs by using a single codebase for both platforms.
App Features: Basic vs. Advanced Features
The number and type of features significantly impact the overall mobile app development costs. Basic features like user log-in, search, and notifications are budget-friendly, while advanced features like AI-based chatbots, real-time tracking, and payment gateways increase costs due to added complexity.
Design Requirements: UI/UX Design and Custom Designs
A simple and basic design costs less, while a highly customized UI/UX with animations, different layouts, and interactive elements raises development expenses. A well-designed app improves user experience but requires additional investment.
Development Team Expertise: In-House, Freelancers, or Agencies
The mobile app development cost of hiring developers varies based on expertise and hiring models. Freelancers are the most affordable option but may lack reliability. In-house teams offer better control but involve higher operational costs. Hiring a professional agency ensures quality and timely delivery but comes at a premium price.
App Maintenance and Support: Ongoing Updates, Bug Fixes, and Scalability
Developing an app is not a one-time expense. It takes regular maintenance, security updates, bug fixes, and feature upgrades are necessary to keep the app functional. The more complex an app is, the higher its long-term maintenance costs.
Location within Saudi Arabia: How Costs May Vary by City (Riyadh, Jeddah, etc.)
Mobile app development costs depend upon the location of the development team. Riyadh and Jeddah, being major tech hubs, may have higher pricing due to demand and expertise, whereas smaller cities might offer lower-cost services.
Checkout More: Top Mobile App Development Companies in Oman
Breakdown of Mobile App Development Cost
The mobile app development cost in Saudi Arabia depends on multiple factors such as app features, complexity, development time & approach, and team expertise. Here’s a clear breakdown of mobile app development costs for your consideration:
1. Development Cost Based on Complexity
| App Type | Estimated Cost (SAR) | Features Included |
| Basic App | 30,000 – 80,000 | Simple UI, basic features, static content, no backend |
| Moderate App | 80,000 – 200,000 | Custom UI/UX, user authentication, API integrations, database |
| Complex App | 200,000 – 500,000+ | AI/ML features, AR/VR, blockchain, high security, cloud storage |
2. Cost Breakdown by Development Stage
| Development Stage | Estimated Cost (%) | Description |
| Planning & Research | 10-15% | Market analysis, competitor research, defining scope |
| UI/UX Design | 15-20% | Wireframing, prototypes, user interface design |
| Development | 40-50% | Frontend & backend development, API integration |
| Testing & QA | 10-15% | Bug fixing, performance testing, security checks |
| Deployment & Maintenance | 10-15% | Launch on app stores, regular updates, bug fixes |
3. Cost Breakdown by Development Approach
| Development Approach | Estimated Cost (SAR) | Pros | Cons |
| Native (iOS/Android) | 80,000 – 500,000+ | High performance, better UX | Higher cost, longer development time |
| Cross-Platform (Flutter/React Native) | 50,000 – 300,000 | Faster development, cost-effective | Slightly less performance than native |
| Progressive Web App (PWA) | 30,000 – 100,000 | Lower cost, easy maintenance | Limited offline features |
4. Additional Cost Considerations
- Third-Party Integrations: Payment gateways, Google Maps, chat features (SAR 5,000 – 50,000)
- Backend Development: Custom APIs, cloud hosting, database (SAR 20,000 – 100,000)
- Security Features: Encryption, two-factor authentication (SAR 10,000 – 50,000)
- Ongoing Maintenance: 15-20% of total development cost annually
Read Also: Hire iOS App Developers in Saudi Arabia
Average Mobile App Development Costs in Saudi Arabia
The mobile app development cost in Saudi Arabia varies significantly based on factors such as app complexity, features, design, tech stack, and development team expertise. On average, businesses can agree to invest anywhere between SAR 30,000 to SAR 500,000 or more, depending on the scope of the project.
Here’s a general breakdown of mobile app development costs in Saudi Arabia:
- Basic Apps (SAR 30,000 – SAR 80,000)
- Simple UI/UX design
- Basic functionalities (e.g., informational apps, calculators, or simple e-commerce apps)
- No complex integrations
- Moderate Complexity Apps (SAR 80,000 – SAR 200,000)
- Custom UI/UX design
- Integration of APIs (payment gateways, third-party services)
- User authentication and database management
- Features like real-time chat, push notifications, and basic AI integration (when you make your mind to integrate AI in your app then ask your agency for AI chatbot development cost).
- Complex & Enterprise Apps (SAR 200,000 – SAR 500,000+)
- Advanced features such as AI/ML, AR/VR, blockchain, or IoT
- High-security requirements for fintech or healthcare apps
- Large-scale databases with cloud integration
- Custom backend development and third-party integrations
Read More: Hire Mobile App Developers in Dubai
Cost-Saving Tips for Mobile App Development in Saudi Arabia
Developing a mobile app in Saudi Arabia can be a significant investment, but with the right strategies, businesses can optimize costs without compromising quality. To save mobile app development cost, you have to carefully hire mobile app developers for your project. Here are some practical cost-saving tips:
1. Define Clear Requirements from the Start
If you want to save cost then you have to define your project requirements clearly. Unclear or frequently changing project requirements lead to delays and increased costs. Clearly outline app features, target audience, and objectives before development begins.
2. Start with an MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
Rather than creating a complete-feature-rich app in the beginning, there is another much better option, you can create an MVP with the primary main functionalities of the app. This will allow market testing and feedback from users to be incorporated before investing in more sophisticated features.
3. Choose the Right Development Approach
- Hybrid or Cross-Platform Development: Frameworks like Flutter or React Native can effectively reduce costs with a shared codebase across iOS and Android.
- Progressive Web Apps (PWAs): If a mobile application is not that necessary, then web apps work like an app while saving you a lot of money.
4. Outsource Development to a Reliable Partner
Cost-wise, outsourcing can be more affordable than running in-house mobile app development teams. There can be reliable offshore development teams or mobile development companies in Saudi Arabia. If you outsource your project then outsource app development cost is lesser as compared to hire inhouse team
5. Leverage Open-Source Tools and APIs
Using existing solutions for authentication, payment gateways, and mobile analytics can save you a lot of time and money when compared to building everything from the ground up.
6. Prioritize Essential Features
Avoid feature overload in the initial release. Release the app with only essential basic functions, and then add advanced features later according to users’ demands.
7. Opt for Cloud-Based Solutions
Cloud-host your app via AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure to reduce infrastructure costs and enable scalability.
8. Regular Maintenance & Updates
Carrying out proactive maintenance will save you very expensive fixes in the future. Continuous updates based on client feedback will improve performance and security without requiring a complete rewrite.
With the help of these tips, you can easily minimize your app development cost. So don’t worry about “how to reduce mobile app development cost”.
How Octal Can Help You to Minimize the Mobile App Development Cost?
Octal IT Solution is one of the finest choices for your mobile app development in Saudi Arabia because there are many benefits you get while taking mobile app development services. The mobile app developers all are experts and experienced, they go with the right approach and provide solutions at the most affordable price without compromising quality.
At Octal IT Solution, our professionals specialize in delivering cost-effective mobile app solutions while ensuring high performance and scalability. Here’s how we help you minimize app development costs:
- Our developers use an agile development approach for faster development cycles with optimized resources to reduce the time and expenses of the app.
- Our years of experienced professionals go with the pre-built solutions to leverage our ready-made components to avoid building everything from scratch.
- At Octal, the coders believe in developing the app Cross-Platform because it saves overall mobile app development costs by using a single codebase for Android and iOS.
- Our experts apply MVP development strategy to build a Minimum Viable Product first to test your idea without overspending your money.
- From Octal, you can hire dedicated resources for your mobile app development needs. You will access skilled developers at competitive rates without hiring in-house teams.
- Here our developers can reduce hosting and maintenance costs with efficient cloud solutions. We save your money and believe in providing the best app development solutions.
- Our developers also offer post-launch support & maintenance to avoid costly app downtimes with our affordable support plans.
So overall, with Octal IT Solution, you can get a budget-friendly mobile app development process that delivers maximum value.
Recommended Read: Top Mobile App Development Companies in Qatar
Top 5 Mobile App Development Agencies in Saudi Arabia
Here we cover the top 5 mobile app development companies in Saudi Arabia. You will see the offering services, the location where the company is situated in Saudi Arabia, the average hourly rate charged by developers, and the minimum project size. With all this information you will compare and choose the best one for your project.
| Companies | Services | Location | Avg. Hourly Rate | Minimum Project Size |
| Dtech Systems | Mobile App DevelopmentCustom Software DevelopmentUX/UI DesignWeb Development | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | $25 – $49 / hr | $25,000+ |
| Developer Bazaar Technologies | Mobile App DevelopmentAI DevelopmentCustom Software Development | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | $25 – $49 / hr | $10,000+ |
| Wve Labs | Mobile App DevelopmentWeb DevelopmentUX/UI DesignAI Development | Riyadh , Saudi Arabia | $50 – $99 / hr | $10,000+ |
| Synergy Labs | Mobile App DevelopmentAI DevelopmentCustom Software DevelopmentGenerative AIIT Staff AugmentationUX/UI Design | Dubai , United Arab Emirates | $50 – $99 / hr | $10,000+ |
| DigiTrends | Mobile App DevelopmentAR/VR DevelopmentCustom Software DevelopmentLow/No Code Development | Dubai , United Arab Emirates | $25 – $49 / hr | $5,000+ |
Click Here: Top Mobile App Development Companies in Riyadh
Nutshell
Let’s wrap up the entire blog in a few words. If you really want to develop mobile app then for that you need to have a clear vision about your mobile app idea. Just understand your target audience and accordingly make the requirements of the app and also consider market trends. Well, many mobile app development companies rule the market by providing ordinary development services and solutions at the most preferable and considerable costs.
Mobile app development cost in Saudi Arabia, plays a huge role in the market because of the high-level competition. If you are a client then you must explore the options for your development requirements. Check past work, ask questions while hiring developers for your app project, compare costs, and then make a decision to select the ideal one for your project.
Visit Our Service Page: Mobile App Development Company in Riyadh
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