What a mobile app costs in South Africa
The screens are the part everyone pictures — but most of an app’s cost is usually the backend nobody sees. Here are honest rand ranges for iOS and Android development in South Africa, and what really moves the number.
A mobile app is rarely just an app. Behind it sits a server, a database, and an API doing the real work, and that backend is often where the majority of the budget goes. Pricing the app by counting screens is how projects end up half-funded.
The ranges below are for custom iOS and/or Android development in South Africa, including the backend an app needs to be more than a static shell.
Typical price ranges
These are indicative ranges for a custom-built system in South Africa — not quotes, and not subscription products. Your number depends on scope, integrations, and how much design polish you need.
| Tier | What you get | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Simple | Single platform or cross-platform, a handful of screens, light backend. | R120k – R300k |
| Mid-range | Both platforms, user accounts, custom backend and API, push notifications. | R300k – R700k |
| Advanced | Real-time features, offline support, device hardware, native on both platforms. | R700k – R1.8m |
| Enterprise | Scale, complex backend and infrastructure, integrations, ongoing team. | R1.8m+ |
A real app on both platforms with accounts and a backend rarely comes in under R300,000. If you are quoted much less, check whether the backend, the second platform, and app-store launch are actually included.
What drives the cost
These are the factors that move a project from one band to the next:
- Native vs cross-platform. Cross-platform (one codebase for both) is faster and cheaper for most apps. Native shines when you need maximum performance or deep platform features — and roughly doubles UI work if you build both. See our full guide to choosing native, cross-platform, or a PWA.
- How many platforms. iOS only, Android only, or both. Cross-platform narrows the gap, but "both, done well" is still more than one.
- The backend behind it. Accounts, data sync, and business logic live on a server. For most apps this is the largest single cost, not the screens.
- Device features. Camera, GPS, push notifications, offline mode, Bluetooth, and payments each add integration and testing work.
- Launch and maintenance. App Store and Play Store submission, then ongoing updates as iOS and Android change every year — an app is a commitment, not a one-off.
Apps have running costs, not just build costs
Unlike a website, a mobile app needs regular maintenance to keep working: Apple and Google release new OS versions and store requirements every year, and an app that is left alone eventually breaks or gets removed. Budget for ongoing support — typically a retainer — alongside the build.
Hourly rates and engagement models
Billed by the hour rather than fixed-price, South African rates in 2026 broadly sit at R450 – R950 / hour for independent developers and small studios, and R800 – R1,500+ / hour for established agencies. We usually recommend fixed-price when the scope is clear and you want a predictable number, and a retainer or hourly arrangement when the work is exploratory or will keep evolving. A clear specification up front is the single biggest lever on the final cost.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build an app in South Africa?
A custom mobile app in South Africa typically costs between R120,000 for a simple single-platform app and R1,800,000+ for a complex app with real-time features on both platforms. Most apps with accounts and a backend land in the R300,000–R700,000 range.
Is native or cross-platform cheaper?
Cross-platform is usually cheaper and faster because one codebase serves both iOS and Android. Native costs more but gives the best performance and deepest platform integration. We recommend based on what the app actually needs to do.
Why is the backend such a big part of the cost?
Most apps rely on a server for accounts, data, and business logic. That backend, plus its API, often accounts for more of the budget than the app screens themselves — which is why counting screens underestimates the real cost.
How long does it take to build an app?
A simple app is typically 6–12 weeks. A mid-range app on both platforms with a custom backend runs 3–6 months, and advanced apps with real-time or offline features take longer.
Tell us what you’re building.
We’ll tell you honestly whether we’re the right fit, what it’ll take, and roughly what it costs — usually within a day.