People are spending approximately 200 minutes in apps.
Inceptor Kenya
You’ve probably been struggling with the idea of building a mobile app for your brand for quite some time now, and you still don’t know how much it can cost, right?
Don’t worry. We’ve got your back.
In Kenya, a mobile application can cost you more than sh.150,000 ($1,500) and up to five million shillings ($50,000) depending on the platform it is built on (iOS or Android) and its complexity.
An app is a crucial system for sending push notifications to your audience, engaging them with promotions and entertainment, and allowing them to make in-app purchases.
In this article, you will discover the cost of building an app in Kenya, so you can prepare yourself effectively.
Knowing the cost of developing an app in Kenya is important for four reasons;
Planning your budget
Choosing the right approach
Setting realistic timeframes
Avoiding overspending
Let’s dive into it.
Five Factors Affecting the Cost of Mobile App Development
The factors that can influence the price include:
Platform: Android or iOS?
Design: Minimalist or Complex?
Third-party tools and APIs: Calculators, forms, dashboards, cloud, etc.
Development team: Project manager, UI/UX designer, coder, QA engineer, system analyst, business analyst, frontend and backend developer, iOS developer, and Android developer.
Project management and testing
Mobile App Development Cost in Nairobi, Kenya
Before we give you the verdict, let’s look at some data from the top app developers in the country ;
According to OakTreeCloud, you may need between six million and 70 million shillings to develop an app in Kenya.
3D gaming apps are the most costly mobile apps to build.
However, you may only need around half a million shillings for a simple informational app.
If you want an e-commerce app, your budget would be sh.3 million to sh.7 million.
Thirty-three per cent of 2020’s in-app purchasing revenue was generated in Q3
The Star
2. Inceptor: $1,500 – $200,000
According to an article published by Inceptor in 2024, the cost of building an app in Kenya falls under two categories: whether it is built for Android or iOS.
Again, you will notice that elementary apps are more affordable than high-tech apps.
So, you may need more than sh.150,000 ($1,350) to make a simple app in Kenya.
In other words, they can allow new app owners to get more basic functionalities for free and more advanced functions at an extra cost.
That is where MVP comes in. It means Minimum Viable Product.
MVP means sacrificing the best for the better.
It makes mobile app development more affordable to entrepreneurs.
According to the app developers, you can get a functional app from sh.877,000 ($800) to sh.2.8 million ($28,000).
Although their app development process is clear, it does not take into account the complexities of apps such as those for the banking and manufacturing sectors.
Verdict
Several things go into the development of a mobile app.
From human resources to capital and individual preferences.
So, the answer to how much it costs to build an app in Kenya is not one-size-fits-all.
At the end of the day, what matters is customization. Consult your digital marketing experts today for a personalized quote that is aligned with your goals.
In general, you may need a budget of more than sh.500,000 ($4,500) for a standard user-friendly, optimized, and impactful app in Nairobi.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the benefits of having an app?
Increased visibility
It is a direct marketing channel
Simplifies the purchase process
Customer engagement
Sales growth
Data collection
Improved customer service
2. What is the process of developing an app?
Here is the seven-step process of building a mobile app:
Discovery and wireframing
App screen designs
iOS and Android native development
backend programming, database, and APIs
Application administration
Quality assurance and refinements for iOS and Android
Deployment and cloud
3. Which app platform should I use? Android or iOS?
This depends on your budget and your target audience.
If your target audience is mostly using Android products, give them Android, and vice versa.
