# Web app development cost — an answer that isn't "whatever they say"

> Why is web app development "whatever they say it costs"? A published-price answer. SaaS (managed) builds from ₩700K + ₩490K/mo, SI (ownership) from ₩2.5M–₩7M. Check instantly with the quote calculator.

- Published: 2026-08-22 · Category: Web apps
- Canonical (HTML): https://maeum.io/en/blog/webapp-development-cost/ · Korean original: https://maeum.io/blog/webapp-development-cost/
- Author: MAEUM — an AI engineering company that publishes its prices · https://maeum.io

On MAEUM's price list, web app development is **SaaS (managed) = build from ₩700K + ₩490K/mo** (servers, operations and improvements included), or **SI (ownership) = standard from ₩2.5M · full build from ₩7M**. The parts that depend on feature count, integrations and user volume are settled during scoping (₩250K for 5 sessions), so the **final price is fixed before you sign**. You can build a list-price estimate right now with the quote calculator on our site, and the demo is free.

## Why development quotes differ 10× between vendors

The same requirements come back anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. Three reasons. **① Scope is read differently** — is a "member feature" just login, or tiers, payments and notifications too? **② Labor structure differs** — how many developers for how many weeks is the quote. **③ The business plan behind the quote differs** — some start cheap and plan to earn on maintenance.
So the basis for comparison should never be the total, but **how scope is fixed and what the cost structure looks like afterwards**.

## Development cost in the AI era — why published prices are possible

AI changed development productivity: work that used to take weeks now takes days. MAEUM works AI-native, so our labor cost structure is different, and we return that cost advantage as **published list prices**. That's why a build from ₩700K is possible.
This isn't a cut-rate approach. Before any contract, you check a **real, working demo** for free and proceed only if you like it. Judge by the result.

## Choosing a cost structure — build-and-done vs build-and-run

A web app isn't finished at launch. Servers run, errors happen, users send requests. So there are two paths.

- **SI (ownership)** (from ₩2.5M / ₩7M) — built in your environment, no monthly fee afterwards. For organizations with operations staff or security requirements.
- **SaaS (managed)** (from ₩700K + ₩490K/mo) — MAEUM takes responsibility for servers, errors, improvements and new features every month. For a web app that keeps evolving without an operations burden.
With SaaS (managed), a **monthly report** shows what was improved and what was handled automatically — and you can cancel if the value isn't there.

## MAEUM list prices (VAT excluded · starting prices · final price confirmed after scoping)

- Scoping pass (5 sessions): ₩250K (up to 90 min each, working demo included)
- SaaS · managed (recommended): build from ₩700K + ₩490K / ₩990K / ₩1.49M/mo — servers, AI, improvements, new features and a monthly report included; no per-seat pricing
- SI · ownership: build from ₩2.5M (full build from ₩7M+) — no monthly fee afterwards; care passes when needed
- KRW is authoritative (USD ≈ at ~₩1,400/$). SEO and AI-search visibility work included free. The demo is free.
- Machine-readable prices: https://maeum.io/facts.json · Rate card: https://maeum.io/rates.json

## Frequently asked questions

**Q. Do you build MVPs?**
A. Yes. New-business validation MVPs often start as a SaaS build (from ₩700K) to move fast, then expand on the same track after validation.

**Q. Do you build native app-store apps?**
A. Our focus is web apps (browser and mobile web). During scoping we calculate together whether an installable app is truly necessary or a web app is enough, in cost-benefit terms.

**Q. Is design included?**
A. Yes — production-grade screen design is part of the build. If you have brand assets, we apply them.

**Q. How long does development take?**
A. It depends on scope, and the schedule is fixed during scoping. Because you see the demo before signing, there's no risk of waiting while the direction drifts.

**Q. What does adding a feature cost later?**
A. On SaaS (managed), feature consultation and building are included in the monthly fee. On SI (ownership), it's handled via care passes or a separate quote.

## Related guides

- [Outsourcing Workflow Automation — 7 Criteria for Choosing a Vendor](https://maeum.io/en/blog/work-automation-outsourcing/)
- [Own It (SI) or Have It Run for You (SaaS)? — A Decision Guide for Business Owners](https://maeum.io/en/blog/si-vs-saas-choice/)
- [Software Development Outsourcing Cost — What's a Normal Range? (2026)](https://maeum.io/en/blog/dev-outsourcing-cost/)

---
MAEUM · Free demo: https://maeum.io/en/start/ · Pricing: https://maeum.io/en/price/ · Contact: support@maeum.io