App Development Cost South Africa

Dinesh Thakur

28 May 2025

The whole world of business is moving on mobile with high-end applications. No matter which sector and what size, from startups to enterprises, and from automotive to healthcare and finance, mobile and web applications have allowed each industry to go global with high-end features and business models. Mobile applications have revolutionized business opportunities and helped many platforms gain an audience from every corner of the world, irrespective of the city, state, or country. 

South Africa is rising up as a reliable option for the online marketplace. Being the early bird in the sector can be a profitable decision to adapt to the change in demand and to gain maximum users. 

One significant concern about app development is the cost. Here, we will discuss the complete app development cost in South Africa, in Rand, to give you an exact idea of the mobile and web development cost.

Scope of App Development in South Africa

• In the year 2022, the total revenue of the app market was $528.32 million.
• By 2029, the revenue is expected to grow to $770.38 million.
• 85% of the users in South Africa are Android users. 
• eCommerce industry has been one of the growing sectors in South Africa. 

Complete Cost Breakdown of App Development Cost in South Africa

The development cost of an application depends on various factors, including the type of platform, the app’s complexity, the size of the mobile app developers' team, engagement models, etc. In South Africa, the app development cost starts from Rand 360,000 and can go up to Rand 180,0000. Multiple other factors also affect the development. 

App Development Cost based on Platform 

• There are more than 3.3 billion Android users worldwide. Getting an Android app can be very beneficial for pitching to a large user base. 
• There are 1.3 billion users who use iOS technology to shop, play, and listen. Taking the business to the iOS platform is a good idea for generating revenue.
• Cross-platform is the most suitable option for businesses. Joining the online marketplace with a cross-platform application helps the business pitch to Android and iOS users simultaneously without developing two mobile applications.
• Progressive web applications cost between R360,000 and R900,000, which is the most affordable and beneficial way for businesses to reach users with a web-based full-fledged application. 

App Development Cost Based on Industry

The development cost of any application based on industry depends on various factors, including the types of features to include, team of developers, demand in the market, complexity of the application, tech stack, etc. 

App Development Cost Based on Size & Complexity

Advanced Technologies in App Development

The development cost of the application also varies depending on the type of advanced technologies businesses want to integrate with the platform. 

Artificial Intelligence

AI is no longer a futuristic concept; it is a necessity for businesses to enter the market. Any business that is into production, services, or product-based solutions requires real-time insights and automation of repetitive tasks. AI helps all types of businesses to improve production efficiency, helps with better decision making, reduces resource cost, makes the platform engaging & flexible, and improves risk management. AI software development costs in South Africa range from R180,000 to R900,000. The development & integration cost of AI depends on complexity, business size, and multiple other factors. Getting in touch with the AI software development company can help with the exact cost of AI software development company & integration cost. 

Internet of Things

IoT helps businesses with real-time monitoring, improves automation, optimizes supply chains, provides data-driven insights, enhances safety and security, improves data analysis, etc. IoT integration helps the business reduce resource utilization costs, making the business platform more scalable and flexible for the admin and users. Hire an experienced IoT software development company to get a perfect solution for the business. The IoT integration cost in South Africa can cost between R90,000 and R10,82000.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computation in apps enables scalable storage, faster deployment, and seamless real-time syncing across devices. It’s ideal for data-intensive applications like collaboration iot tools or social media platforms. The costs of cloud computation range between R540,000 and R1,080,000, depending on the app’s scale and cloud infrastructure (e.g., AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud).

Biometric Authentication

Apps using fingerprint, face, or iris scanning enhance security and user convenience, especially in finance, healthcare, and enterprise systems. This tech requires precise integration with secure data protocols. Facial recognition development cost can add R180,000 to R360,000 to basic development cost, depending on the level of complexity and platform support.

Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

RPA streamlines repetitive, rule-based tasks within enterprise or workflow apps, such as data entry or form processing. Ideal for logistics, HR, and finance platforms, RPA boosts productivity and reduces manual errors. Depending on the number of automated processes and backend systems involved, integration can cost between R720,000 and R1,350,000.

Wearable Technology Integration

Connecting apps to wearables (smartwatches, fitness bands) enhances real-time data tracking, user engagement, and personalization. It’s particularly valuable in health, fitness, and productivity apps. Adding wearable integration generally increases development costs by R360,000 to R720,000, depending on the number of device platforms (e.g., Apple Watch, Fitbit) and feature depth.

Hire DITS for App Development Company in South Africa

Partnering with a reliable and experienced mobile app development company is essential to getting a futuristic and feature-rich app. From app development consultation to a team of mobile app developers, an AI development team, QA, deployment, and support, each step is crucial to building an error-free application. 

Proven Results

The foremost consideration is hiring a company with good application development experience. An experienced mobile app development company can resolve 80% of the friction between idea and execution. 

Expert Team with Industry Experience

DITS brings a skilled team of mobile app developers, experienced designers, and consultants with years of experience in fintech, healthcare, retail, and logistics. This ensures high-quality, scalable app solutions tailored to business needs.

Transparent Pricing in Local Currency

We offer competitive pricing in South African Rand, with flexible packages starting from R54,0000 (USD 30,000 Approx). We provide quotes with complete transparency and no hidden fees, ensuring full cost control from idea to deployment.

Full-Cycle App Development Services

From concept design and UI/UX to backend development, testing, and post-launch support, DITS helps the business handle every stage of app development with complete accuracy and transparency. Our dedicated team of developers 

Focus on Innovation 

DITS integrates cutting-edge technologies like AI, IoT, cloud computing, and wearable tech, building future-ready apps that keep your business competitive in the fast-evolving digital market.

FAQs

How long does it take to build a mobile app?

On average, the development time varies based on multiple factors. It can be based on app size and functionality. A basic feature app may take 2–4 months, while an enterprise-level complex mobile app solution can take 6–10 months. 

Can you integrate emerging technologies like AI or IoT into my app?

DITS is with the dedicated team of AI software developers that specializes in integrating advanced technologies like custom AI, IoT, cloud computing, NLP-based AI chatbot, RPA, and wearable tech to create innovative, future-proof apps.

Will I own the source code of the app?

Once the mobile app development project is completed and fully paid for, we provide complete ownership of the source code and intellectual property rights of the mobile application.