Cost to Hire App Developers in ME: UAE vs Saudi Arabia vs Kuwait

Everything is online now. Businesses worldwide are generating significant profits with digital solutions. So can the Middle East be behind? Of course, not. Businesses in the Middle East are investing heavily in mobile apps, helping the region become a global tech hub.

The mobile app market in the Middle East is expected to reach $26.04 billion by 2030. Countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait have played a crucial role in this significant growth. All of this growth is driven by booming demand for mobile solutions and, ultimately, the need for developers.

With the high demand, app development cost in Middle East vary widely depending on location, expertise, and project scope. For example, Dubai might offer cutting-edge talent with world-class digital solutions but requires a bit higher cost. On the other hand, Kuwait provides budget-friendly services without compromising quality.

In this blog, you will discover the cost to hire app developers in Middle East, especially in three nations: the UAE, KSA, and Kuwait. Besides that, you will also navigate hourly rates to average developer salaries so that you can plan your project with clarity.

Now, before getting delayed, let’s get started!

Cost to Hire Developers in the Middle East

In the Middle East, hiring app developers is a strategic decision since the cost depends on location, project complexity, and the expertise of developers in each country. As demand for mobile and web applications continues to rise across the region, the cost of hiring developers varies significantly between the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.

If we look at the digital infrastructure and the growing number of tech professionals, all three countries are strong, but they’re a bit different from each other. Their developer rates, average salaries, and overall app development costs differ due to economic conditions, business regulations, and, of course, the local tech ecosystem.

Explore More: Hire Top iOS App Developers in Dubai, UAE

Regional Comparison: UAE vs Saudi Arabia vs Kuwait

Let’s have a regional comparison now. Take a quick look at the cost to hire app developers in Middle East: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait:

Hiring a developer in the United Arab Emirates is more expensive than hiring a developer or app development company in Saudi Arabia or Kuwait. However, the quality of the apps in these regions is top-notch, so it doesn’t matter which region you belong to or from which country you are hiring the developers; the quality of the application will never be sacrificed.

Average Software Development Cost in Middle East

The cost to build an app in Middle East depends on several factors, like the developer’s expertise, experience, location, etc. But it mainly depends on the app complexity. Here’s a type of app development based on complexity:

You can hire app developers in Middle East effectively and efficiently with the right balance between price and quality. UAE offers world-class expertise at a higher cost than other Middle Eastern countries but cheaper than Western countries like the United States. Saudi Arabia is a fast-emerging middle ground, and Kuwait is good for businesses seeking value-driven development partnerships.

Let’s now analyze the mobile app development cost in Middle East region by region.

Bonus Read: How Much Does it Cost to Build a Mobile App in Dubai? 

Cost to Hire Mobile App Developers in UAE

The United Arab Emirates is certainly one of the major tech clusters in the Middle East, and it is capable of letting a robust mobile app development ecosystem blossom. The cost to hire app developers in Dubai, UAE, is approximately 18,000 AED-33,000 AED per month, according to the level of experience and stack. Experienced developers and niche expertise, such as Flutter, React Native, or the integration of AI services, require a larger salary.

App Developer Hourly Rates in UAE

The cost to hire a mobile app developer in the UAE is between 180 AED/hr and 360 AED/hr, depending on expertise, experience, and location. A junior developer can be hired for less than 140 AED/hr, but a highly experienced and skilled developer in top development agencies can be expensive, up to 440 AED/hr.

Freelance App Developer Cost in UAE

In the UAE, the cost to hire freelance app developers ranges from 110 AED/hr to 250 AED/hr. The cost depends on factors like developers’ skills, experience, portfolio, experience, and more. Hiring freelancers is always a cost-effective way to get the work done.

Average App Developer Salary in UAE

An average app developer charges around 18,000 AED to 30,000 AED a month in the UAE. But developers with strong skills in iOS, Android, or cross-platform apps and over 5 years of experience charge more.

UAE App Development Companies Cost

Hiring an app development company in UAE is the priciest option, but also the best for creating a mobile app. Top agencies or companies hire the best developers. They charge high rates, usually between 220 AED and 550 AED per hour. Agencies charge up to 360,000 AED or even more for an enterprise-level app.

App Development Cost in Dubai vs Abu Dhabi

The cost to develop an app in Dubai is higher than the mobile app development price in Abu Dhabi due to living expenses and market demand in the cities. In Dubai, developers charge from 220 AED/hr to 550 AED/hr; however, Abu Dhabi developers charge 180 AED to 440 AED per hour with the same level of experience and expertise. On average, you must spend 90,000 AED to 440,000 AED or more to develop an app in Dubai. On the other hand, it costs 70,000 AED to 360,000 AED to build an app in Abu Dhabi.

Mobile App Development Costs in UAE

The cost to develop an app in the UAE is 70,000 AED to 440,000 AED or more, depending on the place, size of the project, and experience of the developer. However, there’s a fact that Dubai is the most expensive city to develop an app in the region.

📲 Don’t waste time guessing.
Check out the Top 15 App Development Companies in Saudi Arabia trusted by startups and enterprises.

Cost to Hire App Developers in Saudi Arabia

KSA is the biggest economy in the Middle East, and its mobile app market is growing every year. The demand for mobile app developers in Saudi Arabia is also rising, with development costs ranging from 90 SAR to 300 SAR, depending on several factors, including project complexity and developers’ expertise. They sometimes charge more for quality, reliability, and local market knowledge.

Mobile App Development Price in Riyadh and Other Cities

The capital of KSA, Riyadh, is the most expensive city in the country and also has the highest app development costs. The cost ranges 75,000 SAR to 450,000 SAR or more, because of its tech ecosystem and highly skilled developers. Cities such as Jeddah and Dammam have more competitive prices that range between 55,000 SAR and 350,000 SAR, thereby making them attractive to startups that are willing to get affordable apps without compromising the quality.

App Developer Hourly Rates in Saudi Arabia

In KSA, the hourly rates of app developers depend on developer type, experience, city, tech stack, app platform requirements, etc. Senior developers and agency professionals cost between 220 SAR/hr and 370 SAR/hr or more, while junior developers charge around 75 SAR/hr and 150 SAR/hr.

Saudi Arabia App Development Companies Cost

Leading app development companies in Saudi Arabia cost between 55,000 SAR and 350,000 SAR to develop an app, depending on the app’s complexity. App development cost in KSA varies depending on a few factors, including platform selection, such as iOS or Android, UI/UX design, and post-launch support.

Average App Developer Salary in Saudi Arabia

As of 2025, the average app developer charges around 15,000 SAR to 25,000 SAR a month in the KSA. But developers with strong skills in iOS, Android, or cross-platform apps and over 5 years of experience charge more, up to 35,000 SAR a month.

Mobile App Development Costs in Saudi Arabia

The app development cost in Saudi Arabia is between 75,000 SAR and 350,000 SAR, depending on the app’s complexity, location, size of the project, developers’ expertise, etc. The price in KSA is average for high-quality app development.

Cost to Hire App Developers in Kuwait

Kuwait’s app market is smaller than the UAE and KSA, but the emerging tech scene, with a focus on cost-effective solutions, makes it an essential country within the Middle East. App development cost in Kuwait is more affordable than in other Gulf countries, which makes it an ideal region to choose developers from, especially for startups. The cost of hiring an app developer in Kuwait starts at 900 KWD and goes up to 2,000 KWD a month, depending on expertise and experience.

App Developer Hourly Rates in Kuwait

The hourly rate of app developers in Kuwait is between 6 KWD/hr and 12 KWD/hr for freelance developers. On the other hand, in-house or experienced developers make 10 KWD to 20 KWD an hour, and developers who work for top app development companies cost 12 KWD/hr to 40 KWD/hr in Kuwait. App developers’ costs in Kuwait indicate that the country offers affordable developers without compromising quality.

Average App Developer Salary in Kuwait

Kuwait has more affordable app developers than the UAE and KSA, who generally earn between 1,000 KWD and 2,000 KWD a month in Kuwait. Developers who specialize in platforms like Flutter, React Native, or native systems earn more if they have over 5 years of experience. Their salaries can reach up to 2,200 KWD.

Kuwait App Development Companies Cost

Kuwait’s top App development companies cost between 3,000 KWD and 25,000 KWD or more to develop an app, depending on the app’s complexity. App development cost varies depending on a few factors, including platform selection, such as iOS or Android, UI/UX design, and post-launch support.

Mobile App Development Costs in Kuwait

The cost to develop a mobile app in Kuwait is between 3,000 KWD and 12,000 KWD for a basic and mid-sized solution. However, advanced app development costs can go up to 25,000 KWD or more with a high level of complexity.

Well, you now understand the cost to hire app developers in Middle East. Now, it’s time to compare these 3 countries’ app developers’ costs and offerings.

Comparison Table: UAE vs Saudi Arabia vs Kuwait

Let’s compare all 3 countries’ developers’ rate or app development cost by analyzing this table:

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Platform-Based Mobile App Developer Cost in the Middle East

The platform you pick impacts both app developer costs and mobile app development pricing in Middle East. Why? Different platforms need various technologies and skills. This affects how long it takes to develop an app, which in turn impacts the cost of hiring app developers in the ME. In this section, we’ll examine the cost to hire app developers in the UAE, KSA, and Kuwait based on platform selection:

iOS App Developer Cost

iOS app developers’ costs more due to Apple’s app guidelines and high-end UI/UX practices.

Android App Developer Cost

Android app developers are more popular and affordable than iOS due to its larger user base.

Cross-Platform App Developer Cost

Cross-platform app developers are always in demand. This is due to their ability to create apps for both iOS and Android. This shortens app development time and cost since it allows for a single codebase to work on both platforms.

App Developers’ Cost Based on Tech Stack

Tech stacks affect developers’ costs in Middle Eastern countries, such as the UAE and KSA. Flutter, React Native, and Node.js like tech stacks have different prices. Let’s look at various stacks and how they affect developer costs and mobile app development pricing in Middle East:

7 Factors Affecting Mobile App Developers’ Cost in Middle East

Indeed, location plays a crucial role in determining the cost of hiring app developers and the cost to build an app in Middle East. However, some other factors influence both app development and developers’ costs. From app complexity to development platform, here are the 7 factors that affect app developers’ cost:

1 Developer Experience and Expertise

Senior developers or specialists in AI, Flutter, or AR/VR charge more due to their advanced skill set. Entry-level developers are more affordable but may lack experience for complex projects.

2 App’s Complexity and Features

A basic app costs less than a mid-size app and a complex app. The cost directly depends on feature integration within the app, which influences both app developers and Software development cost in Middle East.

3 Development Platform

An iOS app developer costs more than an Android app developer, which means platform selection directly influences the mobile app developer’s cost. Building a separate app for both iOS and Android is costlier than cross-platform app development.

4 Location Within the Country

Developers in major cities like Dubai or Riyadh charge more due to higher living costs. Smaller cities typically offer lower rates for comparable talent.

5 Hiring Model

Freelancers are cost-effective but may lack full-time support. Agencies charge more but provide complete services, including project management and QA.

6 UI/UX Design Requirements

Basic designs are quicker and cheaper to implement. Custom animations or user-centric designs require more time and cost.

7 Technology Tech Used

Developers using different tech stacks for app development, like Flutter, React Native, and Node.js, have different salaries and per-hour rates because every tech stack is different and requires a different skill set to use.

Also Read: Cost to Hire iOS App Developers in UAE

Partner with Apptunix for the Best App Developers in the Middle East!

Hiring the best app developers in Middle East doesn’t have to be complex or costly, especially when you partner with Apptunix. Whether you’re targeting the UAE’s premium market, Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing tech space, or Kuwait’s budget-friendly ecosystem, Apptunix delivers top-tier talent tailored to your goals.

We offer dedicated iOS, Android, and cross-platform developers with expertise in the latest tech stacks. Our flexible hiring models and transparent pricing ensure your mobile app is built efficiently without compromising quality.

Ready to turn your idea into a powerful mobile solution? Get in touch with Apptunix today and scale your business with trusted app development experts in the Middle East!