This paper introduces a hybrid desalination system coupled with nano-fluid solar heater for small scale needs. The hybrid desalination system consisting of a two stagehumidification-dehumidification unit and single stage flashing evaporation unit (MSH-SSF) configured by a (Al2O3/H2O) nano-fluid solar water heater is tested under the climatological conditions of Tanta city, Egypt. This system was designed and modeled using the finite deferral scheme in quasi-steady-state conditions. The main parameters that have influence on the system productivity are studied such as feed water mass flow rate of SSF unit, feed water mass flow rate of HDH units, cooling water mass flow rate of SSF unit, cooling water mass flow rate of HDH units, air mass flow rate, inlet cooling water temperature and nano-particle volume fraction. The economic analysis was to show both the economic benefits and the feasibility measurement. The results showed that, the considered MSH-SSF desalination system gives daily water production up to 112.5 kg/day. The gained output ratio (GOR) of the system reaches 7.5. The solar water heater efficiency is affected by the nano-particle volume fraction by increasing the freshwater production and decreasing cost Solar water heater efficiency is about 49.4%. The estimated cost of the generated potable water was 6.43 US$/m(3). (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.