The verdict in three sentences
In Casablanca, a custom business app is priced in 2026 between MAD 180,000 and 900,000 (roughly EUR 17,000 to 84,000 excl. VAT), with a local studio day rate of MAD 3,500 to 6,500. The quote reads in four items — discovery, development, integrations, maintenance (TMA) — not as one opaque total. Versus custom, configuring a market software package costs less upfront but imposes recurring licences and a customisation ceiling: the trade-off depends on how specific your processes are.
2026 quote ranges by item
2026 order of magnitude for a Casablanca SME, built by a local studio. Indicative conversion 1 EUR ≈ 10.7 MAD.
| Item | Content | MAD range | EUR excl. VAT equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery & spec | Workshops, specs, mockups | 25,000 – 70,000 | 2,300 – 6,500 |
| Development | Front, back, business workflows | 120,000 – 550,000 | 11,200 – 51,400 |
| Integrations | ERP, payroll, email, SMS | 30,000 – 180,000 | 2,800 – 16,800 |
| QA & go-live | Testing, training, launch | 20,000 – 90,000 | 1,900 – 8,400 |
| TMA (annual) | Fixes, enhancements | 30,000 – 150,000 | 2,800 – 14,000 |
A clear quote always separates these lines. The local day rate per profile is the calculation base.
| Profile | Day rate MAD | Day rate EUR |
|---|---|---|
| Junior developer | 2,200 – 3,000 | 205 – 280 |
| Senior developer | 3,500 – 5,000 | 327 – 467 |
| Lead / architect | 5,000 – 6,500 | 467 – 607 |
| Project manager | 3,500 – 5,500 | 327 – 514 |
Custom build vs packaged software
The real cost is judged over 3 to 5 years, licences included.
| Criterion | Custom-built | Packaged & configured |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | MAD 180,000 – 900,000 | MAD 40,000 – 250,000 |
| Annual licences | 0 | MAD 20,000 – 150,000/yr |
| Customisation | Unlimited | Capped by vendor |
| Time to launch | 8-20 wks | 3-8 wks |
| Vendor lock-in | None (code delivered) | High |
| Best when | Specific processes | Standard processes |
Over 5 years, a package at MAD 120,000 purchase + MAD 60,000/yr licences costs MAD 420,000, often close to an amortised custom build with no licence. Custom wins when your processes are differentiating; the package wins for standard, time-pressured needs.
Mini case study
Nadia, GM of an import-distribution firm in Casablanca (60 staff), wants to digitise supplier order management and stock tracking. The studio prices a custom build at MAD 480,000 (discovery 55,000, dev 320,000, ERP integration 75,000, QA 30,000) over 14 weeks, plus TMA of MAD 72,000/yr. An equivalent package costs MAD 150,000 purchase + MAD 84,000/yr licences. Over 4 years: custom 480,000 + 216,000 (TMA) = MAD 696,000; package 150,000 + 336,000 = MAD 486,000. Nadia chooses the package, her processes being standard, and reinvests the difference in marketing.
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FAQ
What is the minimum budget for a custom business app in Casablanca?
Around MAD 180,000 (EUR 17,000 excl. VAT) for a narrow scope with discovery, development and go-live. Below that, discovery or QA gets cut, which costs more later.
Does the quote include maintenance (TMA)?
Rarely in the upfront price: annual maintenance is 15 to 25% of the development cost, i.e. MAD 30,000 to 150,000/yr. Require it as a distinct, priced line.
Custom or package for an SME?
If your processes are standard, a configured package launches faster and costs less to buy. If they are differentiating or evolving, custom avoids a customisation ceiling and licences of MAD 20,000 to 150,000/yr.
Is the source code delivered?
In custom builds, yes: require code ownership and a Git repository. This removes vendor lock-in and lets you switch providers without starting over.
How long to launch?
Eight to twenty weeks for custom depending on scope; three to eight weeks for a configured package. ERP integrations often add 2 to 4 weeks.
Let's scope your project. Describe your business processes and integrations (ERP, payroll), with an indicative budget in MAD or EUR: we price each item and compare build vs package. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
