The verdict in three sentences
A single-feature SaaS MVP costs between 45,000 and 90,000 EUR in Dublin in 2026, deliverable in 10 to 14 weeks with a lean team (1 lead, 1 dev, 1 design). The golden rule: one core feature only, Stripe billing from day one, and measure activation before you scale. In Casablanca, the same MVP costs 150,000 to 350,000 MAD at a local day rate of 2,500-4,500 MAD.
The 2026 budget grid
An MVP budget depends on the number of screens, the complexity of the business logic and the level of polish. Here are three realistic tiers for a Dublin founder.
| MVP tier | Scope | Budget 2026 (EUR) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimal MVP | 1 core feature, auth, Stripe billing | 45,000 - 60,000 | 10-12 wks |
| Standard MVP | + dashboard, roles, onboarding, emails | 60,000 - 75,000 | 12-14 wks |
| MVP+ | + multi-tenant, analytics, 2nd feature | 75,000 - 90,000 | 14-18 wks |
Below 45,000 EUR, you are looking at a clickable prototype, not a billable product with real paying users.
Cost structure and Casablanca comparison
Cost breaks down into person-days (day rate) plus infrastructure. Here are the 2026 references for Dublin and the Casablanca equivalent for founders weighing an offshore build.
| Line item | Dublin 2026 | Casablanca 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Development day rate | 500 - 700 EUR | 2,500 - 4,500 MAD |
| MVP team (3 people) | 45,000 - 90,000 EUR | 150,000 - 350,000 MAD |
| Hosting (Supabase + Vercel) | 30 - 250 EUR/month | 300 - 2,500 MAD/month |
| Stripe (commission) | 1.5-2.9 % + fixed fees | 2.9 % + fixed fees |
| UI design (Figma) | 4,000 - 9,000 EUR | 15,000 - 40,000 MAD |
| Annual TMA | 12-18 % of build | 15-20 % of build |
The recommended stack (Next.js + Supabase) enables a short time-to-market and near-free infrastructure at launch, which protects the founder's cash runway.
Mini case study
Karim, founder of a B2B startup in Dublin, wants to launch a SaaS for planning sales rounds. Rather than coding the 8 functions he imagined, he focuses on one: optimised visit scheduling. MVP budget: 68,000 EUR, timeline 13 weeks, Next.js/Supabase stack, Stripe billing.
At 79 EUR/month per user, he needs ~72 customers to cover 68,000 EUR over one year. He first targets 20 free beta testers to measure activation rate (users who create at least 3 rounds). Goal: exceed 40 % activation before investing in the 2nd feature. This discipline stops him burning 55,000 EUR on unvalidated functions.
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FAQ
Why limit to a single feature?
Because 80 % of a SaaS's value comes from one central function. Launching single-feature cuts the budget by 50-60 %, speeds time-to-market and lets you validate the market before spending more.
How cheap is the cheapest MVP really?
A credible minimal MVP (1 feature, auth, billing) starts at 45,000 EUR. Below that, you get a mockup, not a revenue-generating product.
Should billing be in the MVP?
Yes. A SaaS without payment is not a SaaS. Stripe integrates in a few days and lets you test real willingness to pay, not just stated interest.
How long until first revenue?
Expect 10 to 14 weeks of build, then 4 to 8 weeks of beta to measure activation. First recurring revenue usually lands between months 4 and 6.
Is it better to build in Dublin or offshore?
Casablanca offers a day rate 3 to 5 times lower than Europe for comparable quality on modern stacks. It is a decisive advantage for a founder protecting their runway.
Let's scope your project. Describe your core feature, your pricing model and your indicative budget, and we will define a single-feature MVP deliverable in under 14 weeks. 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.
