The Real Cost of a Custom Web App: An Interview with Anouar Drissi of iCatch Agency
When businesses search for “how much does a custom web app cost,” they often find generic ranges that don’t reflect the nuances of real projects. Anouar Drissi, founder of iCatch Agency, a firm specialising in custom web applications and premium websites, has seen both sides of the pricing conversation. In this interview, he shares two contrasting project experiences, explains what cost guides typically omit, and highlights the trade-offs people overlook when comparing custom development with off-the-shelf software.
When the price and the work diverge
Drissi points to two opposite scenarios. In the first, a client arrives with a detailed list of requirements for a full-featured web application. “The project required a complete web application, with extensive frontend and backend functionality and all the features needed to support their business. In this case, the scope was justified, and so was the investment,” he says. Yet even when the scope is justified, the upfront cost can be a burden. For the BDC project (bdc.ma), iCatch offered a payment arrangement spread over two or three instalments to make the investment more manageable.
The second scenario is the inverse: a client requests a long list of features—backend dashboard, SMS integrations, image uploads—but after discussing the business model, it becomes clear that most of these features aren’t needed at launch. “We redesigned the scope, removed unnecessary features, and reduced the initial quotation by approximately 50%,” Drissi recalls. The lesson: “Sometimes, the best solution isn't the biggest one; it's the one that makes the most sense for the business.”
What cost guides leave out
According to Drissi, one of the biggest omissions in articles about custom web app pricing is the absence of a universal model. “There is no universal pricing model for custom web development. Every project is different, and the price should reflect the actual requirements, complexity, and long-term objectives of the business,” he says. At iCatch, the quotation process itself is designed to understand the project before putting a price on it. Prospective clients go through several steps that help the agency grasp the scope, expected functionalities, and future plans.
Another overlooked aspect is post-launch costs. “There is a difference between the initial cost of developing a website and the ongoing cost of maintaining it,” Drissi notes. Some projects require only a one-time development investment, while others need continuous updates, security monitoring, performance optimisation, and technical management. In those cases, iCatch might recommend an initial development fee combined with a monthly maintenance or management plan.
As a reference, Drissi shares that website projects start from around £550, while custom web applications start from approximately £2,500. “However, these are starting prices, not fixed packages. The final quotation depends entirely on the project's requirements.” He also emphasises performance: “We also place a strong emphasis on performance, aiming for website performance scores above 96% through proper optimisation.”
The control and flexibility trade-off
When weighing custom development against off-the-shelf tools, Drissi believes people often settle too quickly on price and underestimate control. “When you invest in a custom web application with its own database and infrastructure, you have much greater control over your business data, how it is structured, how it is managed, and who has access to it,” he explains. Security still depends on how the application is built and maintained, but custom development offers more flexibility in defining security and access policies.
Flexibility to evolve is another factor. “With an off-the-shelf SaaS solution, you're essentially working within a system designed by another company. You can use the features they provide, but you cannot always modify the platform, introduce specific functionalities, or change the way certain processes work,” Drissi says. A custom application, by contrast, can be developed around actual business requirements and adapted as the company introduces new services, changes workflows, or needs specific integrations.
That said, Drissi is careful not to overstate the case for custom. “This doesn't mean that custom development is always the better option. Existing SaaS tools can be excellent solutions for businesses with standard requirements.” The decision, he argues, should hinge on long-term fit: “For me, the decision shouldn't be based only on which option costs less today, but on which one will support the business better in the years ahead.”
Practical takeaways
- Scope before price: Invest time in defining actual needs versus nice-to-haves; a smaller initial scope can cut costs significantly without sacrificing launch goals.
- Ask about ongoing costs: Development is only part of the investment; maintenance, security, and performance optimisation may require a monthly plan.
- Consider payment flexibility: If upfront cost is a barrier, ask whether instalments are possible.
- Weigh control and flexibility: Custom apps offer greater data control and adaptability, but off-the-shelf tools can be perfectly adequate for standard needs.
- Think long-term: The cheaper option today may not be the one that supports your business as it evolves.
For businesses navigating these decisions, Drissi’s advice is clear: understand your requirements, ask the right questions, and look beyond the initial quote. As he puts it, “you cannot determine the real cost of a project simply by hearing an initial idea.”