Thinking of launching a mobile app in Saudi Arabia?
That’s a great thought!
The kingdom, just like the rest of the world, is going through a rapid digital transformation, a booming startup ecosystem, and a tech-savvy population. Building mobile apps has become important for businesses, entrepreneurs, and even government services. Whether you’re planning a sleek e-commerce app, a productivity tool, or the next big social platform, one of the first questions that must come to your mind is: “What is the average mobile app cost in Saudi Arabia?”
Well, there is no straightforward answer to this, as the mobile app development cost in Saudi Arabia can vary widely depending on the type of app, complexity, features, design expectations, and the team you choose to work with. In this blog, we will go through cost breakdown, factors affecting costs, and much more, so you can get a clear picture of the cost to build an app in the Kingdom.
Let’s take a look at how much mobile app development costs in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is driven by Vision 2030, which is a blueprint to boost the overall economy of Saudi Arabia. Due to this, the Kingdom is heavily investing in technology and innovation across sectors, encouraging entrepreneurship, digital services, and smart solutions. With over 90% smartphone penetration and a young, tech-savvy population, mobile apps have become central to how people shop, communicate, work, and access services. According to research, the mobile app development market of Saudi Arabia is projected to be valued at USD 5.70 billion by 2033.
Due to the rising demand for mobile apps, especially in industries like e-commerce, fintech, healthtech, logistics, and entertainment. Startups and established businesses are racing to build mobile platforms that meet the rising expectations of Saudi users, who now prefer seamless, fast, and personalized digital experiences.
The Kingdom is also witnessing a rise in local app development companies, tech hubs in cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Khobar, and government-backed initiatives to support digital innovation. All of this contributes to a thriving app development market, one that offers high potential but comes with a wide range of pricing depending on project scope and execution strategy.
Understanding this landscape is the first step toward estimating the cost of building a mobile app in Saudi Arabia.
Mobile app development costs in Saudi Arabia depend on many factors like complexity, design, platform, backend infrastructure, development team, and their expertise. So, if you are an entrepreneur, looking to launch a basic MVP or thinking about launching an enterprise-grade app with complex features, you need to understand the costs by your app complexity, so you can set your budget accordingly and with clarity.
Let’s have a look at the basic breakdown of mobile app development costs in Saudi Arabia:
| App Complexity | Estimated Cost (USD) | Description | Time Frame |
| Basic | $35,000 – $60,000 SAR 131,250 – SAR 225,000 | Simple UI, basic features, no backend (e.g., calculator, static info apps) | 2-4 Months |
| Standard | $60,000 – $130,000 SAR 225,000 – SAR 487,500 | User login, backend integration, APIs, database (e.g., basic booking apps) | 4-6 Months |
| Feature-Rich | $130,000 – $200,000 SAR 487,500 – SAR 750,000 | Real-time updates, chat, geolocation, complex backend (e.g., delivery apps) | 6-8 Months |
| Highly-Complex | $200,000 – $300,000 SAR 750,000 – SAR 1,125,000 | Custom UI/UX, AI integration, multi-role access, scalability (e.g., fintech) | 9-12 + Months |
The average mobile app development cost, based on its complexity levels, is approximately $35,000 – $300,000, SAR 131,250 – SAR 1,125,000. Although this is the average cost, but finding real costs involves various factors. Once you have decided upon every factor, for example, once you are sure what features you want in your app, what platform you plan to launch it on, then only you would be able to get a clearer picture of the costs.
Making a budget and making decisions regarding your mobile app can be a little overwhelming. To make better decisions, choose to discuss this with your development partner and get a quote depending on your requirements. Companies like DigiTrends have a proven record of providing innovative, creative, and scalable mobile app solutions. They blend technology with creativity, which helps businesses bring their app ideas to life without compromising on the quality of the app.
Now that you are aware of the average mobile app development cost in Saudi Arabia, let’s have a look at the key factors that can influence your app budget and where you might be able to optimize.
Now that you’ve seen the average mobile app development costs in Saudi Arabia, you are also aware that there is no fixed price because the costs depend of many factors such as, app type, platform type, development team etc, basically, every decision you will take regarding your app, it will affect the costs one way or the other.
Let’s have a look at the breakdown of the major factors that shape the mobile app development costs in Saudi Arabia:
The first and one of the most important factors is the type of app you choose to build. The kind of app means specifying the central role of your app, whether it is a healthcare app, an e-commerce app, an educational app, etc. This factor holds importance in deciding the costs because each app category comes with unique features, design expectations, data handling, and compliance requirements, which all impact the timelines and budgets.
Let’s have a look at the breakdown of popular app types in Saudi Arabia, along with estimated development costs:
| App Type | Estimated Cost (USD) | Description |
| Healthcare App | $200,000 – $500,000+ SAR 750,000 – SAR 1,875,000+ | These apps may include patient profiles, appointment scheduling, telemedicine, health monitoring, and data encryption. Compliance with PDPL is key. |
| E-commerce App | $150,000 – $400,000 SAR 562,500 – SAR 1,500,000 | Includes product catalogs, payment gateways, user accounts, order tracking, push notifications, and often admin dashboards for sellers. |
| Fintech App | $300,000 – $600,000+ SAR 1,125,000 – SAR 2,250,000+ | Requires secure login, real-time data processing, compliance with financial regulations, transaction history, and biometric authentication. |
| On-Demand Service App | $200,000 – $450,000 SAR 750,000 – SAR 1,687,500 | Used for food delivery, ride-hailing, or home services. Needs real-time tracking, map integration, a booking system, and notifications. |
| Educational App | $150,000 – $350,000 SAR 562,500 – SAR 1,312,500 | Often includes video lessons, progress tracking, interactive content, gamification, and sometimes AR/VR for engagement. |
| Social Networking App | $250,000 – $600,000+ SAR 937,500 – SAR 2,250,000+ | Involves messaging, friend lists, content sharing, notifications, and sometimes video or voice calls. |
At the planning stage of your mobile app, you will have to decide whether you want to build your app for iOS users or Android users, or make it accessible for both platforms. Your choice will significantly impact the costs of mobile app development, as developing an app for a single platform is comparatively more affordable than building a cross-platform app. Although building a native app is affordable, it also limits the audience you can reach with your app, and it might limit your brand reach.
If your goal is to reach a broader market in Saudi Arabia, where both platforms have a strong presence, then building for both iOS and Android is often necessary. However, this can increase your development costs, as separate codebases are required.
An increasingly popular alternative is cross-platform development using frameworks like Flutter or React Native. These allow developers to write one codebase that works on both platforms, saving time and cost, though there may be trade-offs in terms of performance and access to certain native features. For many businesses, especially those launching on a budget or with tight deadlines, cross-platform apps offer a balanced, efficient approach.
A well-designed app is critical for user retention and satisfaction. Costs increase with custom graphics, animations, and intuitive navigation. A strong UX ensures users complete tasks easily, while a polished UI enhances the brand experience. UX wireframes, user journey mapping, and accessibility considerations are part of modern design workflows. Animation-heavy or gamified interfaces can significantly raise development time and budget.
The overall cost of building a mobile app is heavily influenced by the team behind it. Each role, whether it’s a developer, designer, project manager, or QA specialist, brings unique value to the project, and their expertise is reflected in their hourly rates.
Businesses often assemble development teams based on the complexity and scope of the app. While smaller apps may only require a couple of key roles, larger and more complex applications demand a diverse mix of specialists.
Let’s have a look at the breakdown of average hourly rates in USD and SAR for the core roles typically involved in mobile app development projects.
| Team Role | Hourly Rates (USD) |
| Project Manager | $27 – $32SAR 101.25 – SAR 120.00 |
| Tech Lead (Frontend/Backend) | $29 – $35SAR 108.75 – SAR 131.25 |
| Senior Mobile App Developer | $24 – $32SAR 90.00 – SAR 120.00 |
| Backend/Web Developer | $24 – $29SAR 90.00 – SAR 120.00 |
| DevOps Engineer | $27 – $32SAR 101.25 – SAR 120.00 |
| Business Analyst | $21 – $27SAR 78.75 – SAR 101.25 |
| UI/UX Designer | $21 – $27SAR 78.75 – SAR 101.25 |
| QA Engineer | $21 – $25SAR 78.75 – SAR 93.75 |
While you can choose to hire individual freelancers for specific roles, managing a project with scattered resources often leads to communication gaps, delays, and quality issues. That’s why many businesses prefer to partner with full-service development companies that offer all the necessary expertise under one roof, from strategy and design to development, testing, and deployment.
Where your development team is based significantly affects pricing. While offshore options are more budget-friendly, teams that are operating in your region are often bringing better cultural understanding and alignment.
| Team Location | Hourly Rates (USD) |
| UAE | $60 – $65SAR 225.00 – SAR 243.75 |
| USA | $95- $100SAR 356.25 – SAR 375.00 |
| Australia | $75- $90SAR 281.25 – SAR 337.50 |
| Western Europe | $80 – $90SAR 300.00 – SAR 337.50 |
| Eastern Europe | $50 – $55SAR 187.50 – SAR 206.25 |
| Asia | $25 – $40SAR 93.75 – SAR 150.00 |
Apps handling sensitive data, especially in sectors like healthcare, finance, or government, must prioritize data protection and comply with regional regulations such as Saudi Arabia’s Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL). Implementing encryption, secure user authentication, and cloud data governance adds to the cost but is essential for trust and legal compliance.
Quality Assurance ensures your app works flawlessly across devices, screen sizes, and use cases. This includes manual and automated testing, usability testing, and bug fixing. QA is not an optional phase; it safeguards your app from crashes, poor user experience, and negative reviews.
If your app requires integration with third-party services, like payment gateways, GPS, CRM, AI, or IoT devices, development time and cost increase. These integrations enhance app functionality but require experienced developers to ensure compatibility, scalability, and security.
Developing an app is not only about choosing types and platforms; it also requires a strong understanding of the legal and regulatory environment. In Saudi Arabia, complying with national data protection laws and industry-specific regulations is essential, especially if your app handles sensitive user data, processes payments, or operates in regulated sectors like healthcare or finance.
Let’s have a look at the compliance areas every app owner and developer should be aware of:
Saudi Arabia’s Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL), issued by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), is the cornerstone of data privacy in the Kingdom. It applies to all apps that collect, store, or process personal data of individuals in Saudi Arabia.
Key requirements include:
Failure to comply with PDPL can result in fines up to SAR 5 million ( approximately USD 1 million), with more severe penalties for repeat offenses.
If your app includes online sales, product listings, or payment processing, it falls under Saudi Arabia’s E-Commerce Law, enforced by the Ministry of Commerce.
Key compliance requirements:
Apps dealing with financial services, like digital wallets, budgeting tools, or online payments, must follow SAMA (Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority) guidelines.
Requirements include:
Apps that deal with patient data, telehealth, or medical advice must comply with the National Health Information Center (NHIC) and the Ministry of Health (MoH).
Compliance includes:
Regardless of category, apps must also comply with:
Regulatory compliance in Saudi Arabia is not optional; it’s a critical part of launching a successful mobile app. Working with an experienced development team that understands local laws, technical standards, and government procedures can save you from costly mistakes down the line.
Whether you’re building a fintech platform, a health app, or an e-commerce store, aligning your app with national regulations from day one ensures legal safety, user trust, and smoother app store approvals.
Now that you know all about the custom mobile app cost in Saudi Arabia, you should also be aware of the cost-effective Saudi app development. With the right strategy and decisions, you can develop a high-quality app in Saudi Arabia without overspending.
Let’s have a look at smart, cost-effective ways to make the most of your investment:
One of the most effective ways to reduce initial development costs is by launching with a Minimum Viable Product, or MVP. This means building the most basic version of your app that includes only the core, essential features needed to solve the primary user problem. By avoiding unnecessary extras at the beginning, you not only save time and money but also reduce the risk of building something users don’t need. Once the MVP is in the market, you can gather user feedback, analyze usage patterns, and prioritize future updates more strategically. This phased approach helps you spend wisely and evolve your product based on real-world input.
Building separate native apps for iOS and Android can double your budget, as it requires two codebases, two sets of developers, and more time for testing and maintenance. Instead, many businesses are turning to cross-platform frameworks like Flutter and React Native. These tools allow developers to create a single codebase that works across both operating systems. This significantly reduces development time and cost while still offering excellent performance and a consistent user experience. For most use cases, especially in early-stage projects, cross-platform development is a highly cost-effective alternative to traditional native builds.
Developing everything from scratch might sound ideal, but it often leads to unnecessary costs and delays. A smarter approach is to integrate pre-built APIs and libraries for common features like authentication, payments, chat, and analytics. These third-party tools are secure, reliable, and thoroughly tested, allowing you to add functionality without reinventing the wheel. This method not only reduces development time but also ensures you’re using solutions that already follow best practices in security and performance. It’s a practical shortcut that can lead to long-term savings without compromising user experience.
Instead of hiring an in-house team, which comes with long-term commitments, salaries, and overhead, many companies choose to outsource app development to a trusted external partner. Working with a full-service development firm gives you access to a complete team of specialists, from project managers and designers to developers and QA engineers. This structure ensures smoother execution and faster delivery. More importantly, firms with a proven track record understand how to build efficiently while maintaining quality.
Trying to include every possible feature in your app from the start can inflate your budget quickly. A better approach is to prioritize features based on actual user value and business impact. Focus first on what users truly need to accomplish their goals or solve a pain point. Secondary or “nice-to-have” features can be scheduled for future releases. By taking a lean, focused approach to feature development, you reduce development time, avoid feature bloat, and launch sooner, all of which help control costs while still delivering a useful product.
Many businesses underestimate the ongoing costs of maintaining and scaling an app. Fixing bugs, updating OS compatibility, and responding to user feedback all require regular attention after launch. Planning for maintenance early ensures that you don’t face unexpected expenses down the road. Choosing scalable architecture, automated testing tools, and flexible backends also reduces the need for constant rework. A well-structured maintenance strategy is not just cost-effective, it’s essential to the long-term success of your app.
Cost-effective app development isn’t about cutting corners; it’s about making smart decisions from day one. Whether it’s through building an MVP, leveraging cross-platform tools, or choosing the right development partner, you can significantly reduce costs while still creating an app that performs well and meets user expectations. With the right strategy in place, even modest budgets can lead to exceptional digital products.
Developing a mobile app can seem overwhelming at first, especially with all the moving parts involved, from technical planning to compliance and launch. To simplify the process, you’ll need a step-by-step guide that walks you through everything you need to know about building an app in Saudi Arabia, whether you’re a startup founder, business owner, or enterprise leader.
Let’s have a look at the steps of building a mobile app in Saudi Arabia:
Before writing a single line of code, get clarity on what problem your app will solve and who will use it. Identify your primary users, their pain points, and the value your app will offer. In Saudi Arabia’s diverse market, it’s especially important to consider language preferences, cultural relevance, and device usage trends.
Study your competitors, user behavior, and industry benchmarks. Analyze similar apps in your niche, whether local or global, to find out what works, what doesn’t, and what gaps you can fill. This step will help you define a unique value proposition and align your app features with user expectations.
Decide whether your app will be native, cross-platform, or web-based. Your decision should depend on factors like budget, timeline, feature complexity, and target audience. In Saudi Arabia, Android has a broader reach, but iOS often caters to a more premium segment, so your platform choice should match your market strategy.
List out all the features you want in your MVP. Then, work with a designer or product strategist to create wireframes, simple visual layouts that show how your app will flow screen by screen. Wireframes help clarify user journeys and prevent costly redesigns later.
Based on your feature set and platform, define your budget range. Account not only for development but also for UI/UX design, backend infrastructure, testing, app store submission, and post-launch maintenance. Having a realistic timeline (e.g., 3–6 months for a mid-range app) helps manage stakeholder expectations and ensures better planning.
Choose a development partner that understands both the technical and regulatory aspects of working in Saudi Arabia. Whether it’s an agency or another vetted provider, look for experience in your industry, a transparent process, and a portfolio of successful apps. Ensure your team includes a project manager, developers, designers, and QA specialists.
Once the wireframes and scope are approved, the design and development process begins. Designers will work on the app’s look and feel, while developers build the frontend and backend. Agile or sprint-based methods are ideal, as they allow you to test and refine features iteratively.
Testing isn’t just about fixing bugs; it’s about delivering a smooth, intuitive, and error-free user experience. Your QA team should perform functional testing, performance testing, device compatibility checks, and usability testing across different screen sizes and operating systems.
Before releasing your app, make sure it complies with Saudi regulations, such as PDPL for data privacy, SAMA regulations for fintech, or NHIC rules for healthcare. Prepare the required documentation and visual assets for app store submission. Double-check app performance, security protocols, and analytics setup.
Once approved by the app stores, your app goes live, but your work doesn’t stop there. Monitor app performance using analytics tools, track user feedback, and be ready to release updates. A good launch is followed by active support, maintenance, and optimization based on real user data.
Following a structured process not only ensures a smoother development journey but also maximizes the chances of launching a successful, scalable app. Whether you’re building a healthcare platform, an e-commerce app, or a digital service in Saudi Arabia, having the right roadmap and the right team can turn your idea into a real, revenue-generating product.
Choosing the right app development partner can make or break your project. The right team will not only bring your vision to life but also guide you through budgeting, timelines, compliance, and post-launch support. In Saudi Arabia’s fast-evolving tech landscape, partnering with a firm that understands local market dynamics and global development standards is critical.
Let’s have a look at how to choose the right development partner for your app:
A development company with experience in your industry, whether it’s healthcare, fintech, e-commerce, or education, will already be familiar with the specific challenges, regulations, and user expectations in that space. Ask for relevant case studies or live apps they’ve built. A strong portfolio is one of the most reliable indicators of competence.
It’s not enough to have good designers or coders; your development partner should be skilled across the full tech stack, including mobile platforms (iOS, Android, or cross-platform), backend infrastructure, cloud integration, and cybersecurity. Also, check if they follow best practices like modular code, agile methodology, and CI/CD pipelines.
A local or regionally experienced team will be better equipped to help you comply with Saudi-specific laws such as the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL), SAMA guidelines for fintech, or NHIC requirements for healthcare. This isn’t just about avoiding fines; it’s about ensuring your app is launch-ready and trusted by users.
Transparency, responsiveness, and clear communication are essential for a smooth development experience. Ask how they manage progress updates, feedback loops, and sprint reviews. A good development partner will also assign a dedicated project manager to keep everything on track.
Your relationship with a development company shouldn’t end at launch. Find out what kind of ongoing support they offer, such as performance monitoring, bug fixes, feature updates, and scalability planning. A reliable partner will offer maintenance packages and proactive recommendations even after the app is live.
Many agencies outsource critical parts of the project, which can lead to delays or quality issues. Make sure the company has in-house designers, developers, QA engineers, and project managers who will be working on your app. A well-rounded team reduces communication gaps and ensures higher accountability.
Check online reviews, testimonials, and client references. Beyond the technical qualifications, cultural alignment also matters, especially for projects in Saudi Arabia. A partner who understands local user behavior, design preferences, and language can help tailor your app more effectively to your audience.
The right development partner isn’t just a service provider; they’re a strategic collaborator. They should be invested in your goals, flexible in their approach, and capable of turning your vision into a reliable, high-quality app. Taking the time to thoroughly vet your options ensures a smoother development experience and sets your app up for long-term success.
Building a mobile app in Saudi Arabia is a strategic move, whether you’re a startup aiming to disrupt an industry or an established brand expanding your digital reach. With a tech-savvy population, strong smartphone penetration, and a government that’s actively pushing for digital transformation under Vision 2030, the environment is ideal for innovation. However, success requires more than just a good idea; it takes smart planning, the right technology, and a solid understanding of costs and compliance.
As we’ve explored, the cost of developing an app can vary significantly depending on the app’s complexity, platform, design, required technologies, and the expertise of the development team. Knowing where you can optimize, such as starting with an MVP, using cross-platform frameworks, or partnering with a development firm that operates in your region, can help you stay within budget without compromising quality. Being informed about factors like data protection laws, market trends, and team roles also helps you avoid costly missteps and ensures long-term scalability.
Ultimately, your mobile app is an investment, not just an expense. By making thoughtful decisions at every stage, from defining your features to choosing the right partner, you set the foundation for a digital product that’s not only functional and compliant but also competitive in the Saudi market. Whether you’re in fintech, healthcare, e-commerce, or education, success lies in blending your vision with expert execution and a cost-conscious mindset.
