How Much Does It Cost to Build a SaaS MVP in 2026

It's the first question every founder asks. And every agency gives the same frustrating answer: "It depends."

Here's the truth: most SaaS MVPs cost between $25,000 and $75,000. But that range is only useful if you understand what pushes you toward the lower or higher end.

After building MVPs for dozens of startups, I'll break down exactly where the money goes, what timeline to expect, and how to avoid the budget mistakes that kill early-stage products.

TL;DR: SaaS MVP Cost Ranges

MVP Scope	Cost Range	Timeline	Example
Simple MVP (core feature only)	$20,000 - $35,000	6-8 weeks	Single-purpose tool, basic dashboard
Standard MVP (3-5 core features)	$35,000 - $55,000	8-12 weeks	SaaS with auth, dashboard, billing, one integration
Complex MVP (multiple user types, workflows)	$55,000 - $80,000	12-16 weeks	Marketplace, multi-tenant platform, complex permissions

These assume a professional development team charging $50-100/hour. You can find cheaper options, but cutting corners on your MVP usually costs more in the long run.

What Actually Goes Into an MVP Budget

Let's break down where the money actually goes. Here's a realistic component breakdown:

Core Components (Every SaaS Needs These)

Component	Cost Range	Notes
Authentication & user management	$3,000 - $6,000	Email/password, social login, password reset
User dashboard	$4,000 - $8,000	Depends on complexity and data displayed
Admin panel	$3,000 - $6,000	User management, basic analytics
Billing & subscriptions	$4,000 - $8,000	Stripe integration, plan management, invoices
Landing page	$2,000 - $4,000	Conversion-focused, responsive
Basic email notifications	$1,500 - $3,000	Transactional emails, templates

Subtotal for basics: $17,500 - $35,000

Your Unique Features (The Actual Product)

This is where costs vary wildly. Your core feature — the thing that makes your SaaS valuable — could be:

• Simple: A form builder, basic automation, data visualization → Add $8,000 - $15,000
• Medium: Custom workflows, reporting engine, third-party integrations → Add $15,000 - $30,000
• Complex: Real-time collaboration, AI/ML features, complex calculations → Add $30,000 - $50,000+

Often Forgotten (But Essential)

Component	Cost Range	Why It Matters
Testing & QA	$3,000 - $6,000	Catch bugs before users do
Deployment & DevOps	$2,000 - $4,000	CI/CD, monitoring, environments
Security basics	$2,000 - $4,000	HTTPS, data encryption, secure auth
Documentation	$1,000 - $2,000	API docs, user guides

Timeline Expectations (Be Realistic)

Here's what a typical MVP timeline looks like:

Phase	Duration	What Happens
Discovery & planning	1-2 weeks	Requirements, wireframes, technical decisions
Design	1-2 weeks	UI/UX design, prototyping
Core development	4-8 weeks	Building the actual product
Testing & fixes	1-2 weeks	QA, bug fixes, polish
Deployment & launch prep	1 week	Production setup, final testing

Total: 8-15 weeks for most MVPs

If someone promises to build your SaaS MVP in 4 weeks, they're either:

• Building something extremely simple
• Cutting corners you'll pay for later
• Using no-code tools (which have their own tradeoffs)

What Drives Costs Up

These are the scope decisions that inflate MVP budgets:

1. Too many features

The #1 budget killer. Every feature you add increases cost by 10-20% on average. Be ruthless about what's truly essential for launch.

2. Custom design (when templates would work)

Custom UI design adds $5,000-$15,000. For an MVP, well-chosen templates or design systems often work just fine.

3. Multiple user types with different permissions

Admin, user, manager, viewer... each role adds complexity. Start with 2 roles max for your MVP.

4. Integrations

Each third-party integration (Slack, Salesforce, Zapier) adds $2,000-$8,000. Pick 1-2 essential integrations for launch.

5. Mobile apps

A responsive web app works on mobile. Native iOS/Android apps double your budget. Don't build mobile apps for your MVP unless mobile is absolutely core to your value proposition.

What Keeps Costs Down

1. Use proven tech stacks

Exotic technologies mean longer development time and fewer available developers. Stick to mainstream: React/Next.js, Node.js, PostgreSQL/MongoDB.

2. Start with one user type

Build for your primary user first. Add admin features and other roles in v2.

3. Use existing services

Auth (Auth0, Clerk), payments (Stripe), email (SendGrid), file storage (AWS S3) — don't build what you can buy.

4. Fixed-price contracts

Hourly billing can spiral. Fixed-price contracts force scope discipline and protect your budget.

5. Prioritize ruthlessly

Make a list of features. Cut it in half. Then cut it again. What's left is your MVP.

Agency vs. Freelancer vs. In-House

Option	MVP Cost	Pros	Cons
Development agency	$35,000 - $80,000	Managed team, reliable delivery, multiple skills	Higher cost
Senior freelancers	$25,000 - $50,000	Lower cost, direct communication	Single point of failure, you manage
Offshore team	$15,000 - $40,000	Lowest cost	Communication challenges, quality variance
In-house hire	$80,000+ (first year)	Long-term investment	Slow to start, management overhead

For most first-time founders, an experienced freelancer or small agency is the sweet spot. You get quality work without enterprise pricing.

How We Approach MVP Projects

At Freelancelyst, we've developed a process specifically for MVPs:

1. Scope workshop (free) We spend 1-2 hours understanding your product, users, and business model. No commitment — just clarity on what you actually need.

2. Fixed-price proposal You get a detailed scope document and fixed price. No surprises, no hourly billing anxiety.

3. 2-week sprints We ship working features every two weeks. You see progress, give feedback, and can adjust priorities.

4. Launch-ready delivery We don't just write code. We deploy to production, set up monitoring, and make sure you're ready for real users.

Red Flags to Watch For

When evaluating MVP development partners, be wary of:

• No discovery phase — If they quote without understanding your product, they'll miss requirements
• Vague estimates — "It could be $20K or $100K" means they don't know what they're doing
• No portfolio of shipped products — Building MVPs is a specific skill
• Pushing complex solutions — A good partner suggests simpler alternatives, not more expensive ones
• No fixed-price option — Hourly-only billing puts all the risk on you

Real Talk: Is Your MVP Too Expensive?

If quotes are coming in higher than expected, ask yourself:

1. Is the scope too big? Most MVPs try to do too much. What's the one thing users need?

2. Are you building for scale too early? You don't need to handle 1 million users on day one. Build for 100 users first.

3. Are you designing too much? Sketch the UI, but don't perfect it. MVP means minimum viable.

4. Are you in the right market? US/UK agencies charge $150-200/hour. Eastern European teams charge $50-80/hour for equivalent quality.

Next Steps

Ready to scope your MVP? Here's what to do:

1. Document your core user flow — What's the main thing users will do in your product?
2. List your must-have features — Be honest about what's essential vs. nice-to-have
3. Define success — What metrics will tell you the MVP worked?

Then schedule a free scope call with our team. We'll help you refine the requirements and give you a realistic budget.