The verdict in three sentences
Building a SaaS requires a stable dedicated team, not a one-off engagement: in Casablanca it costs 250,000 to 600,000 MAD per month by size in 2026. The MVP is deliverable in 3 to 5 months, then the product lives through continuous iterations on a milestone roadmap. For a vendor, the dedicated team model beats fixed price as soon as the product must evolve monthly: you pay for capacity, not a frozen deliverable.
SaaS team composition and cost
| Team size | Composition | Monthly cost (MAD) | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small squad | 1 lead, 2 devs, 0.5 PO | 250,000 - 320,000 | MVP, early stage |
| Standard squad | 1 lead, 3 devs, 1 PO, 1 QA | 380,000 - 480,000 | Product growth |
| Full squad | 1 architect, 4 devs, 1 PO, 1 QA, 1 DevOps | 520,000 - 600,000 | Scale, multi-module |
These amounts cover a full-time team on your product, steered by a French-speaking PO.
Day rate by profile in Casablanca in 2026
| Profile | Day rate (MAD) | EUR equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Junior developer | 1,800 - 2,600 | 165 - 240 |
| Mid-level developer | 2,800 - 3,800 | 255 - 350 |
| Senior developer | 3,800 - 5,000 | 350 - 460 |
| Lead / architect | 5,000 - 6,500 | 460 - 600 |
| PO / QA | 2,500 - 3,800 | 230 - 350 |
Fixed price or dedicated team for a SaaS
| Criterion | Fixed price | Dedicated team |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Frozen deliverable | Monthly capacity |
| Product evolution | Heavy amendments | Continuous, per sprint |
| Cost | Fixed per batch | Predictable monthly |
| Ideal for | Scoped initial MVP | Living product |
| Roadmap ownership | Shared | Client |
| Iteration speed | Low | High |
The recommended combination: fixed price for the initial MVP, then a switch to a dedicated team for the product's life.
Roadmap and typical milestones
A SaaS is steered by milestones: Month 1 scoping + architecture, Months 2-3 functional MVP, Month 4 private beta and fixes, Month 5 launch and first paying clients, then monthly iterations driven by usage metrics. Each milestone triggers a demo and a go/no-go decision, protecting the vendor's budget.
Mini case study
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Yasmine, founder of an HR SaaS vendor in Casablanca, hires a standard squad at 420,000 MAD/month for 4 months for her MVP: 1,680,000 MAD. She then moves to a small squad at 290,000 MAD/month for maintenance and iteration. At 12 months, her total product investment reaches 1,680,000 + 8 x 290,000 = 4,000,000 MAD. With 180 clients at 400 MAD/month, her MRR reaches 72,000 MAD, an ARR of 864,000 MAD that amortizes the dedicated team from the second year.
FAQ
Why a dedicated team rather than fixed price for a SaaS?
A SaaS evolves monthly with client feedback. Fixed price freezes scope and makes every change costly; a dedicated team sells adaptable capacity, far better aligned with a living product.
How long for a first SaaS MVP?
Count 3 to 5 months by complexity. A standard squad delivers a functional MVP in 3 months, a private beta in month 4.
Can I shrink the team after launch?
Yes. Many vendors move from a standard squad (420,000 MAD) to a small squad (290,000 MAD) once the MVP is stable, to control burn.
Do I own the code and IP?
Yes, fully. A dedicated team works on your repository, with contractual IP assignment and continuous documentation.
What annual budget for a growing SaaS?
Between 3,500,000 and 5,500,000 MAD for a first year mixing MVP and iteration, depending on squad size and release cadence.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your SaaS vision, target squad size and launch horizon: we compose the dedicated team and the milestone roadmap. 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.
