One app. Twenty services. Your entire life solved.
That’s Gojek in a sentence. And if you’re reading this, you’ve probably had that lightbulb moment: “I could build this for MY city.”
Then you Googled the cost and found estimates ranging from $50K to $2M. Some blogs make it sound easy. Others make it impossible. And you’re sitting there like: “Can someone just tell me the ACTUAL truth?”
Here it is: You’ll spend anywhere from “a decent car” to “a small house” depending on what you’re actually building. But here’s what matters more: 90% of founders waste money building the wrong thing.
Let’s fix that. Real numbers. Real trade-offs. Real strategies that work.
The world is moving fast. Users no longer want to download multiple apps for rides, food, payments, and services. They want one app to solve everything, and that’s the idea behind super apps like Gojek.
The super app industry isn’t just a trend; it’s a movement.
| Metric | Insight |
|---|---|
| Market Size | Projected to exceed $426.01 billion by 2030 |
| Smartphone Users | Expected to reach 7.9 billion by 2028 |
| Leading Players | Gojek, Grab, WeChat dominate Asia-Pacific |
| Investor Trend | Funding “super apps for niches” in health, finance, logistics |
But here’s what’s really interesting: investors aren’t just betting on generic super apps anymore. They’re looking for “super apps for niches, “specialized ecosystems that dominate one vertical like healthcare, logistics, or finance.
Real-world example: In Saudi Arabia, Jahez focused exclusively on food delivery. Once they dominated that vertical, they added grocery, then pharmacy, then rides. Today they’re worth over $1 billion. They didn’t try to build everything at once.
Gojek is not just about booking rides; it’s about creating a connected ecosystem. Transport, delivery, payments, and lifestyle services are all under one umbrella. This kind of integration increases user retention because once a user orders food, they’re more likely to pay bills or book a ride within the same app.
But this convenience comes at a cost. Each added service increases technical complexity, backend infrastructure needs, and development hours. For example, real-time GPS tracking for ride-hailing and delivery requires a highly scalable backend architecture, which is a big part of why apps like Gojek aren’t cheap to build.
Before talking numbers, clarify your app vision. Are you aiming for a full-scale Gojek-style app, or a niche version like delivery-only? Starting with a clear vision helps define your budget, timeline, and development strategy.
For example, if you want to launch a food delivery MVP first, your costs are lower. As you gain users, you can gradually integrate payments, ride-hailing, or grocery services. Think of it like building a house, you wouldn’t order all the furniture before laying the foundation.
A super app like Gojek is built on three main pillars:
| Module | Key Functions |
| User App | Booking, payments, order tracking, customer support |
| Service Provider App | Registration, availability management, payments, navigation |
| Admin Panel | User management, analytics, promotions, dispute handling |
Each module has a separate design, backend, and testing requirements. Overlooking any layer can lead to operational headaches later.
Imagine a local grocery delivery startup trying to manage orders manually without an admin panel; chaos ensues. Proper architecture from the start ensures smooth scaling.
Your app’s features directly influence the cost. Here’s a breakdown:
Each additional feature increases both development and ongoing maintenance costs. AI-powered dispatch, for example, improves service speed but may add 15–20% to the backend budget.
Real-life example: A startup in Jakarta initially launched a ride-hailing service, then added food delivery after analyzing usage patterns. Each feature was carefully timed to control costs and maximize ROI.
The major cost drivers include:
Backend scalability and data security alone often account for 30–40% of total costs. Cutting corners here can result in app crashes and data breaches, as seen in smaller delivery startups trying to grow too fast.
| Scale | Estimated Cost | Scenario |
| MVP super app | $5,000–$10,000 | Single service, basic features |
| Mid-level (3–4 services) | $10,00–$20,000 | Moderate service range with some premium features |
| Full-scale Gojek-style app | $30,00–$40,000 | Multiple services, AI dispatch, loyalty programs, and advanced analytics |
Pro Tip: Hiring experienced development partners like YeasiTech can help manage costs, quality, and timelines, making the process smoother.
| Layer | Technologies | Why It Matters |
| Frontend | Flutter, React Native, Swift, Kotlin | Smooth experience on all devices |
| Backend | Node.js, Django, Java Spring Boot | Scalable and robust |
| Database | PostgreSQL, MongoDB | Reliable data management |
| Cloud | AWS, Google Cloud, Azure | Flexible and cost-effective scaling |
Modern tools help you scale features faster and reduce operational headaches.
Here’s a typical roadmap for building an app like Gojek:
Typical Team Structure:
Development partners like YeasiTech in super apps can help startups assemble the right team efficiently, ensuring quality and timelines are met.
Founders can save money without sacrificing quality:
This approach mirrors Gojek’s growth; starting small, iterating, and expanding services strategically. Experienced partners can guide startups in making these choices wisely.
Even after launch, costs continue:
Accounting for these ensures smoother growth without unexpected surprises. Trusted development partners often assist with managing these post-launch aspects naturally and efficiently.
Gojek’s journey teaches crucial lessons:
Lesson: Tech is important, but understanding your users and solving real pain points is what drives growth.
Building an app like Gojek is more than cloning features; it’s about solving real problems efficiently. Start lean, validate your idea, and expand gradually.
With the right expertise and guidance, creating a Gojek-like super app becomes manageable and scalable. Experienced partners can help you navigate costs, tech choices, and post-launch operations effectively, so your app grows into a platform users can’t live without.
Ready to turn your super app vision into reality? At YeasiTech, we’ve helped dozens of founders build successful marketplaces and super apps. We specialize in cost-effective development without compromising quality, combining strategic planning with expert execution.
Whether you’re starting with an MVP or scaling to full super app status, let’s talk about building smart. Get in touch for a free consultation and detailed project estimate tailored to your vision.
Your super app journey starts with one smart decision. Make it today.
Building an app like Gojek in Singapore typically costs between SGD 10,000 and SGD 30,000, depending on the features, technology, and complexity. A basic MVP (Minimum Viable Product) can start from around SGD 50K, while a full-scale super app with payment wallets, multi-service integration, and advanced analytics will lean toward the higher end.
On average, it takes around 5 to 8 months to develop an app like Gojek in Singapore. This includes time for research, UI/UX design, development, testing, and pilot launch. Working with an experienced tech partner like YeasiTech can help streamline the process and ensure faster, more efficient delivery.
Start with the essentials — user app, driver/partner app, admin panel, real-time tracking, and secure payments. Once you gain traction, you can expand into wallet features, referral systems, and loyalty programs. YeasiTech often recommends building modularly so you can scale without rebuilding from scratch.
Absolutely. You can start small by focusing on just one or two core services (like food delivery + logistics). The key is to launch a functional MVP, test it with real users, and then scale. YeasiTech specializes in creating lean MVPs that fit smaller budgets while keeping room for future growth.
Because YeasiTech isn’t just a development company — they’re your tech strategy partner. They help you design, build, and launch an app like Gojek that’s not only functional but profitable. From cost planning to go-to-market guidance, YeasiTech supports you at every stage, ensuring you get real value for your investment.
YeasiTech is a trusted IT service partner with 8+ years of experience, empowering 250+ businesses with scalable web, mobile and AI solutions.
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