How much does it cost to build an app in South Africa?

We build a simple iPhone and Android app for R50 000 to R120 000. An app that runs part of your business, with several kinds of user and the tools behind it, costs R120 000 to R250 000, and a platform with payments and separate customer and staff apps starts at R250 000. On top of that, Apple charges US$99 a year to publish on the App Store and Google charges a once-off US$25 for Google Play.

That's the short answer. The rest of this article explains what moves an app between those bands, what the stores charge and when, and the costs that come after launch. Our mobile app development page has the detail of what's included.

What does each price band get you?

These are our published prices. After a 20-minute call we send a fixed quote in writing within two working days.

Band	Price	Typical shape
Simple	R50 000 to R120 000	One kind of user, up to about ten screens, submission to both stores
Business system	R120 000 to R250 000	Several kinds of user, the system behind the app with tools to manage it, links to your other software
Platform	R250 000 and up	Customer and staff apps, payments, tools to manage it all from a browser

We build with Flutter, which means one set of code runs on both iPhone and Android. You're paying for one app, not two built separately that slowly drift apart. If a phone feature needs code written specially for one kind of phone, we write it, and it's in the quote.

What do Apple and Google charge?

You need a developer account with each store to publish. Both fees are paid to Apple and Google directly, in US dollars. We've converted them at about R16.2 to the dollar, the rate on 23 September 2026. Your bank's rate on the day you pay will differ.

Store	Fee	Roughly in rands	Source
Apple App Store	US$99 a year	about R1 600 a year	Apple Developer Program
Google Play	US$25 once-off	about R405 once	Google Play Console help

Checked September 2026. Apple notes that prices can vary by region and are shown in local currency when you enrol.

Two practical points that affect your timeline more than your budget:

• Apple needs a D-U-N-S number for a company account. It's a free business identifier issued by Dun & Bradstreet, and Apple uses it to confirm your business exists. Apple's D-U-N-S page says to allow up to 5 business days to get one, plus up to 2 more before you can enrol. Apply early.
• New personal Google Play accounts must test first. Google requires personal accounts created after 13 November 2023 to run a closed test with at least 12 testers for 14 days before an app can go public (Google's testing requirements). The rule is written for personal accounts, which is one more reason to register the account in your business's name.

We handle the developer accounts, screenshots, privacy forms and the back-and-forth with each store's review team.

Do Apple and Google take a cut of sales?

Only on some kinds of sale.

If your app sells digital things used inside the app (premium features, subscriptions to content), the stores take a share. Apple's Small Business Program charges 15% for developers earning up to US$1 million a year. Google's service fee is 15% on the first US$1 million a year in most countries, including South Africa. Checked September 2026.

If your app sells physical goods or services used in the real world (stock from your shop, a delivery, a booking, a consultation), the store cut doesn't apply. Apple's review guidelines (section 3.1.3(e)) require these to be paid through other methods, and Google's payments policy says the same. You pay your normal payment provider's fee instead.

Most South African business apps fall into the second group.

What makes one app cost more than another?

The system behind it. An app on a phone is only part of the job. It usually needs somewhere to store data, sign-in, and a way for your staff to manage content, bookings or orders from a browser. That's often more work than the app itself, and it's the biggest jump between a simple app and a business system.

Kinds of user. Each group that sees different screens (customers, staff, managers, drivers) needs its own screens and permissions, and each adds testing.

Working offline. Staff in the field or on a shop floor often lose signal. An app that keeps working and catches up later costs more than one that assumes a connection.

Connections to your other software. Linking to accounting software, payment providers or WhatsApp takes time, and how much depends on how well that other software supports it.

Payments. Refunds, failed payments and receipts all need handling.

Phone features. The camera, location and notifications sent to the phone are all normal, but each is work to build and test on both kinds of phone.

What does an app cost after launch?

Ask any developer about these before you sign. They're where app budgets go wrong.

• Store fees. Apple's is yearly. If the membership expires, Apple says your app can no longer be downloaded and you can't send updates, though people who already have it can keep using it.
• Yearly phone updates. Apple and Google release new versions of iOS and Android every year. Apps need testing and sometimes changes to keep working and to meet each store's current rules.
• Hosting and the system behind the app. Data storage and sign-in services have running costs.
• Support and changes. New features are new work. We agree the support period before starting, and we reply within one working day.

With us, you own your data and can export it any time. By default we keep the code and license the software to you while you're subscribed, which keeps the build price down. If you need to own the code outright, we can quote that instead.

How can I spend less on an app?

Check you need an app at all. Many businesses don't. If customers use it a few times a year, a fast website does the job for a fraction of the cost. Our websites start at R5 000. We've written a separate guide on whether you need an app or a website.

Build the smallest useful version first. One kind of user, the one task that matters most. Add the rest in paid stages once people are using it.

Put staff tools in a browser. Staff who manage orders or content from a desk don't need that part in the app. A browser page is cheaper to build and update.

Can you show me an app you've built?

The Desmed practice app runs on phone, tablet and web for a multi-clinic practice. It handles patient records, scheduling, billing, stock and medical-aid claims, and it replaced four separate tools the practice was paying for. It's on our portfolio.

We won't quote you results for your app before we know what it has to do. That's what the call is for.

Who shouldn't build an app with us?

• If your budget is under R50 000, a website or an existing product will serve you better.
• If you want an app mainly to look established, spend the money on your website and Google profile first.

What's the next step?

Write down who will use the app, what they need to do in it, and whether they'll have signal while they do it. That covers most of what decides the price.

Then read what's included on the mobile app development page, and get an estimate or WhatsApp us on +27 73 453 8352. If a website would do the job, we'll say so on the call.