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Custom Software

How Much Does Custom Software Development Cost in Kenya?

Sean Paul Shamia28 August 20265 min read

There's no single number, and treat anyone who gives you one before understanding your business with real suspicion. What we can tell you honestly is what actually moves the price up or down, and how we structure engagements so you're never paying for scope you didn't ask for.

What actually drives the price

  • How many workflows the system needs to support, not how many screens it has
  • Whether it needs to integrate with systems you already run (Mpesa, a POS, an existing database) versus starting clean
  • Compliance requirements: a CBK-regulated fintech build carries more engineering and review overhead than an internal booking tool
  • Whether you need ongoing support after launch, or a one-time build handed over cleanly

Three ways we structure an engagement

Project engagements are fixed scope, fixed price, with agreed milestones and a timeline: the right fit when you already know what you're building. Retainers allocate monthly hours to your business for ongoing improvements, support and new initiatives, with flexible scope inside that allocation. Consultation is hourly or fixed-fee advisory work (audits, build-versus-buy decisions, roadmaps) with no obligation to proceed to a build afterward.

The honest answer to "how much" is: tell us what you're trying to build, and we'll size it against one of these three models in a single call. No proposal fee, no obligation.

Get a specific number for your project

Questions people ask about this.

Does Northbit Labs charge a flat rate for all software projects?

No. Pricing depends on the engagement model and scope. Project work is fixed-price against an agreed scope; Retainers are a monthly allocation of hours; Consultation is hourly or fixed-fee advisory work.

Can I get a price without committing to a project?

Yes. That's what a Consultation engagement is for: an hourly or fixed-fee audit or roadmap, with no obligation to proceed to a build.

Is fintech software more expensive to build?

Usually, yes. CBK compliance, AML screening and the review overhead that comes with regulated financial systems add engineering time that a standard internal tool doesn't need.

Have a problem like this one?

Book a 30-minute discovery call and we will tell you honestly what it would take to fix it.