Published 2026 figures for a mobile app in Saudi Arabia start around SAR 15,000 for a simple app and run past SAR 1 million for enterprise platforms. Even Saudi-based agencies disagree by several times for the same tier, because they define “simple” and “complex” differently and include different things. Compare on scope, team and ownership, not the headline number.
These are market figures from published sources, not our price list. We don’t publish prices because the same project is priced differently in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the US — our project estimator shows the timeline and team for your scope, and we send the price for your market directly.
What published sources say (2026)
| Source | Simple / MVP | Mid-complexity | Complex / enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origami, Saudi (June 2026) | SAR 15,000–30,000 · 6–10 weeks | SAR 30,000–80,000 · 3–5 months | SAR 80,000–250,000+ · 6+ months |
| Neologix, Saudi (July 2026) | MVP SAR 60,000–120,000; simple app SAR 100,000–250,000 | SAR 250,000–500,000 · 4–6 months | SAR 500,000–1,200,000+ · 6–10+ months |
| Tekrevol (Aug 2026) | SAR 30,000–100,000 · 1–3 months | SAR 100,000–500,000 · 3–6 months | SAR 500,000–1,000,000+ · 6–12+ months |
Published hourly rates show the same spread. Neologix lists SAR 80–180 an hour for freelancers, SAR 83–150 for offshore and nearshore teams, SAR 225–360 for regional GCC specialists and SAR 360–450+ for senior consultants. Tekrevol gives a blended agency rate of SAR 188–371 an hour.
Why the numbers disagree
- Who builds it: freelancers, offshore teams, regional specialists and consultancies sit in different price bands — Neologix’s own rate table spans more than five times from bottom to top.
- What “simple” means: one agency’s simple app is another’s MVP. Check whether the backend, admin panel, design and testing are included.
- Local requirements: ZATCA e-invoicing, PDPL-compliant data handling and in-Kingdom hosting add real work — and some quotes leave them out.
What actually drives the price
- How many platforms: iOS and Android, a customer web app, an admin panel, a website.
- How many types of user, each with its own screens and permissions.
- The expensive features: payments, integrations with an ERP or government platforms, real-time tracking, chat, AI features, offline mode.
- ZATCA Phase 2 e-invoicing if the app issues invoices — Wave 25 brings businesses above SAR 187,500 in VAT-able revenue into scope by 1 February 2027.
- Data residency: hosting in the Kingdom when your sector or client requires it.
- Arabic done properly, and design from scratch versus from an existing brand.
Don’t forget the cost of running it
Origami estimates annual maintenance at 15–20% of the build cost. Hosting, updates for new iOS and Android versions, security patches, fixes and small features all continue after launch — ask every company what their support plans include and cost.
How to compare quotes like for like
- Give every company the same scope and ask for the same list of inclusions.
- Ask whether ZATCA e-invoicing, PDPL handling and hosting location are included, if they apply to you.
- Ask who builds it and for a live product you can open.
- Ask whose name the code, cloud account and store listings are in.
- Ask what support after launch costs per month.
How long it takes
A typical business app — iOS and Android with an admin panel, two types of user, Arabic and English — takes us about 11 to 15 weeks from first workshop to launch; a B2B ordering system with ERP integration, about 17 to 24. Our project estimator gives a range for your own scope.
Common questions
- How much does a simple app cost in Saudi Arabia?
- Published 2026 figures for a simple app or MVP range from about SAR 15,000–30,000 (Origami) to SAR 60,000–250,000 (Neologix), depending on who builds it and what “simple” includes.
- Does ZATCA e-invoicing add to the cost?
- If the app or platform issues invoices, yes — Phase 2 means onboarding, signing, clearance or reporting through ZATCA and a nine-field QR code. If your ERP is already certified and issues the invoices, integrating with it is usually the smaller job.
- Why don’t you publish your prices?
- Because the same scope is priced differently in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the US. Our estimator shows the timeline and team for your project; send it to us and we reply with the price for your market.