Quick Price Summary
- Simple App: KSh 200,000 - 500,000 (4-8 weeks)
- Medium App: KSh 500,000 - 1,500,000 (2-4 months)
- Complex App: KSh 1,500,000 - 5,000,000+ (4-12 months)
- Enterprise App: KSh 3,000,000 - 15,000,000+ (6-18 months)
"How much does an app cost?"
This is the #1 question I get asked. And I understand the frustration when developers answer with "it depends."
So let me give you actual numbers. These are based on projects we've done and quotes I've seen from other Kenyan developers in 2025.
App Types and Their Costs
Simple/Basic App
KSh 200,000 - 500,000
What counts as simple:
- Information/catalog app (like a digital brochure)
- Simple calculator or utility tool
- Basic event or directory listing
- News/blog reader app
Features included: 3-7 screens, local storage, basic UI, no backend server needed
Timeline: 4-8 weeks
Medium Complexity App
KSh 500,000 - 1,500,000
Examples:
- E-commerce app (with M-Pesa)
- Restaurant ordering app
- Booking/appointment app
- Delivery tracking app
- Basic social/community app
Features: User login, backend server, database, payment integration, push notifications, admin panel
Timeline: 2-4 months
Complex App
KSh 1,500,000 - 5,000,000
Examples:
- Ride-hailing app (Uber-like)
- Food delivery platform
- Marketplace app
- Fitness/health tracking app
- Dating/social networking app
Features: Real-time updates, maps/GPS, multiple user types, chat, complex backend, analytics
Timeline: 4-12 months
Enterprise App
KSh 3,000,000 - 15,000,000+
Examples:
- Banking/fintech app
- Insurance platform
- Hospital management system
- Large-scale logistics platform
Features: High security, compliance requirements, multiple integrations, scalable architecture
Timeline: 6-18 months
Real Project Examples
Here are actual apps we've built and what they cost:
E-commerce App for Clothing Store
Cost: KSh 750,000
Features: Product catalog, shopping cart, M-Pesa checkout, order tracking, push notifications, admin dashboard
Timeline: 10 weeks
Platform: Android (Flutter)
Clinic Appointment Booking App
Cost: KSh 550,000
Features: Doctor profiles, appointment scheduling, SMS reminders, payment integration, patient records
Timeline: 8 weeks
Platform: Android + Web Admin
Delivery Service App
Cost: KSh 1,800,000
Features: Customer app, rider app, admin panel, real-time tracking, route optimization, M-Pesa, ratings
Timeline: 4 months
Platform: Android (both apps) + Web Dashboard
Android vs iOS: What to Build First
In Kenya, the answer is almost always: Start with Android.
| Factor | Android | iOS |
|---|---|---|
| Market Share in Kenya | ~83% | ~15% |
| Development Cost | Base price | +10-20% more |
| Store Fees | $25 one-time | $99/year |
| Time to Publish | Few hours - 3 days | 1-2 weeks (stricter review) |
| Testing Devices Needed | Any Android phone | Mac computer + iPhone |
| Best For | Kenya/Africa focus | Premium market, international |
Cross-Platform: Save 30-40%
Instead of building separate Android and iOS apps, you can use cross-platform frameworks:
| Framework | Cost Savings | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Flutter | 30-40% | Most apps, great performance, beautiful UI |
| React Native | 25-35% | Teams with web developers, good ecosystem |
| Ionic | 20-30% | Simple apps, web-like experience |
Our recommendation: Flutter. It's what we use for most projects. You get native performance on both platforms with one codebase.
Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
The app development cost is just the beginning. Budget for these ongoing expenses:
| Item | Cost | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Google Play Store | $25 (KSh 3,250) | One-time |
| Apple App Store | $99 (KSh 12,870) | Annual |
| Server Hosting | KSh 2,000 - 50,000/month | Monthly (scales with users) |
| Push Notifications (Firebase) | Free - KSh 5,000/month | Monthly (high volume) |
| SMS/USSD (Africa's Talking) | KSh 0.80 per SMS | Per transaction |
| M-Pesa Integration | KSh 20,000 - 50,000 setup | One-time + transaction fees |
| Maintenance & Updates | 15-25% of dev cost | Annual |
| Marketing/User Acquisition | Varies widely | Ongoing |
Development Timeline
How long does it actually take?
- Simple app: 4-8 weeks
- Medium app: 2-4 months
- Complex app: 4-8 months
- Enterprise app: 6-18 months
How to Save Money
- Start with MVP. Build only core features first. Add more after you validate your idea with real users.
- Android only (initially). 83% of Kenyans use Android. Don't pay for iOS until you need it.
- Use cross-platform. Flutter or React Native can build both platforms from one codebase.
- Prepare your requirements. Clear requirements = fewer changes = lower costs.
- Avoid scope creep. Adding features mid-project is expensive. Plan everything upfront.
- Choose the right partner. Cheapest isn't always best. A good developer saves you money long-term.
Frequently Asked Questions
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