The verdict in three sentences
A credible SaaS MVP costs between 20,000 and 50,000 EUR over 3 to 4 months in 2026, with auth, billing and one core feature. Infrastructure runs 50 to 300 EUR/month at the start, negligible against the real item: time-to-market and post-launch iteration. Technical debt is paid later: better to budget it upfront than discover it during a fundraise.
The detailed budget of a 2026 MVP
| Item | Contents | 2026 budget (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Auth + account management | Signup, roles, password | 3,000 – 6,000 |
| Billing / subscriptions | Stripe, plans, invoices | 4,000 – 8,000 |
| Core feature | The unique value proposition | 8,000 – 25,000 |
| Onboarding + UX | First-use journey | 3,000 – 7,000 |
| Infra + deployment | CI/CD, basic monitoring | 2,000 – 4,000 |
| MVP total | 20,000 – 50,000 |
Recurring launch costs: infra 50 to 300 EUR/month, tools (email, analytics, support) 50 to 200 EUR/month. Plan an iteration budget of 30-50 % of build cost over the following 6 months.
Agency, freelance CTO or no-code: which model?
| Model | MVP cost | Speed | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product agency | 25,000 – 50,000 EUR | High, seasoned team | Cost, dependency |
| Senior freelance CTO | 20,000 – 40,000 EUR (600-800 EUR/day) | Medium | Bus factor of 1 |
| No-code (Bubble, etc.) | 5,000 – 15,000 EUR | Very high | Technical ceiling |
| In-house team | 40,000 EUR+ (hiring) | Slow to start | Time-to-market |
No-code validates an idea in weeks but hits a ceiling fast; an agency secures quality and timeline; a freelance CTO offers the best cost if you accept a single point of failure.
The real hidden cost: iterating after launch
The MVP is not the end, it is the start. Order of magnitude for the first 6 months post-launch:
| Post-launch item | 2026 budget (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Fixes and UX adjustments | 4,000 – 10,000 |
| 2-3 features from feedback | 8,000 – 20,000 |
| Infra scaling up | 300 – 1,500 /month |
| Support and customer success | Founder time + tools |
Budgeting the launch without budgeting iteration is the number-one founder mistake in 2026.
Mini case study
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Sarah, founder of a scheduling SaaS for dental practices in Bordeaux, quotes her MVP at 34,000 EUR (auth, Stripe billing, appointment engine). Infra: 120 EUR/month. She plans 14,000 EUR of iteration over 6 months. With a 49 EUR/month subscription, she needs 58 customers to cover infra and support, and about ~700 EUR of MRR to fund monthly iteration. Target hit in month 5 with 63 subscribed practices. Operational break-even before the first raise.
FAQ
Can you launch a SaaS for under 20,000 EUR?
Yes, with no-code (5,000-15,000 EUR) to validate the idea, but with a technical ceiling. For a billable, scalable product, 20,000 EUR is a realistic floor.
What does infrastructure cost at the start?
Between 50 and 300 EUR/month for the first few hundred users. It rises with load but stays marginal against development cost.
Should billing be in the MVP?
Yes: without billing you don't validate willingness to pay, the only real product signal. Stripe integrates for 4,000-8,000 EUR.
How much to plan after launch?
30 to 50 % of build budget over the following 6 months for iteration. Founders who forget this get stuck at the first market feedback.
Agency or freelance for a first SaaS?
Freelance minimizes cost, an agency secures timeline and quality. Many start freelance then move to an agency at traction.
Let's scope your project. Describe your core feature and subscription model and we will quote an MVP deliverable in 3-4 months with the matching iteration budget. 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.