Key takeaways
- Scope, integrations and security needs drive cost more than technology choice.
- Budget for hosting, maintenance and support: typically a yearly percentage of build cost.
- Phase the project so the first release is small and valuable.
- Compare total cost of ownership over three to five years.
"How much will it cost?" is the first question every client asks, and the honest answer is "it depends on scope". Quotes for what looks like the same system can differ many times over because they assume different features, quality, security, support and team seniority. This guide explains the cost drivers so that you can brief vendors clearly and compare quotations fairly.
We deliberately do not publish a single price list for custom software: a fair estimate needs your requirements. For hosting and domains we publish prices: cloud hosting starts at TZS 250,000 per year.
The eight main cost drivers
- Scope and complexity: the number of modules, user roles, workflows and reports.
- Integrations: mobile money, banks, SMS, government or partner systems, biometric devices, accounting software.
- Platforms: web only, or web plus Android and iOS apps.
- Security and compliance: audit logs, approvals, encryption, penetration testing, data-protection controls.
- Data migration: volume and quality of existing records.
- Design and usability: custom UX research and branding versus a standard template.
- Environment and hosting: cloud, on-premise, high availability and disaster recovery.
- Training, documentation and support: how much handover and service level you need.
Indicative project types and what shapes the price
| Project type | What usually drives cost |
|---|---|
| Corporate website | Number of pages and languages, content support, custom design, SEO setup, integrations (forms, booking) |
| E-commerce / portal | Catalogue size, payments, user accounts, order workflows, admin tools |
| Mobile app | Platforms, offline sync, device features (GPS, camera), back-office, store publishing |
| Business system (CRM, POS, HR) | Modules, roles, reports, branches, data migration |
| ERP / SACCOS / HMIS | Process depth, regulatory reports, integrations, number of sites, training |
Beyond the build: total cost of ownership
Over three to five years, running costs add up:
- Hosting and backups, and domain renewals.
- Maintenance: security patches, bug fixes, OS and library upgrades.
- Support: help desk, SLA response times.
- Enhancements as your processes change.
- Staff training for new employees.
As a rule of thumb, plan a yearly budget for maintenance and support alongside hosting; ask each vendor to quote these separately so you can compare apples with apples.
How to get comparable quotations
- Write a short requirements brief with users, key workflows and integrations.
- Ask every vendor to list assumptions and exclusions.
- Request a phased proposal: a small first release plus options.
- Ask for rates for change requests and for ongoing support.
- Compare using a weighted matrix; see our vendor selection guide.
Ways to control cost without cutting quality
- Start with an MVP: launch the highest-value modules first.
- Reuse proven platforms: configure an existing CRM, POS or SACCOS product, then customise only what is unique.
- Decide early: late scope changes are the most expensive change of all.
- Prepare your data: clean spreadsheets before migration.
- Choose the right delivery model: see Agile vs Waterfall.
Need a quotation? Share your requirements and we will respond with a scoped, phased proposal. Request a free quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a website cost in Tanzania?
A simple corporate website costs far less than a web application with logins, payments and integrations. Request a quotation based on pages, features and content support.
What recurring costs should I expect?
Domain renewals, hosting (cloud hosting from TZS 250,000 per year at Melian Software), SSL, backups, support and periodic enhancements.
Why do quotes differ so much?
Different assumptions about scope, quality, testing, security, documentation, training and support. A written requirements document makes quotes comparable.
Talk to a Melian solution architect
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