Key takeaways
- App cost is driven by features, integrations, platforms and design quality, not by the number of screens alone.
- Cross-platform frameworks such as Flutter and React Native can cut cost when one codebase serves iOS and Android.
- Budget for running costs: hosting, store fees, maintenance and updates for new OS versions every year.
- A focused first version that solves one problem well is cheaper and more likely to succeed than a feature-packed launch.
“How much will our app cost?” is the first question in almost every mobile project. The honest answer is a range, because two apps with the same number of screens can differ tenfold in effort. Understanding what drives the cost helps you plan a realistic budget and spend it where it matters.
What drives the cost
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Features and logic | Payments, real-time updates, offline mode, maps and chat each add substantial work |
| Back end and integrations | Most apps need a server, database, admin panel and connections to CRM, ERP or payment systems |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, web, or all three; native development for each roughly multiplies effort |
| Design | Custom interfaces and animations take longer than standard components |
| Security and compliance | Healthcare, finance and children’s apps carry extra requirements |
| Testing | More devices, OS versions and edge cases mean more testing |
Typical ranges
The ranges below are our estimates for professionally built apps, based on typical projects. They are not quotes, and rates vary by team and region.
| App type | Examples | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Simple app | Information app, basic booking, internal checklist | $15,000 to $40,000 |
| Moderate app | Customer accounts, payments, notifications, CRM integration | $40,000 to $120,000 |
| Complex app | Marketplaces, real-time features, offline sync, multiple user roles | $120,000 and up |
Native or cross-platform?
Native apps are written separately for iOS (Swift) and Android (Kotlin). They give the deepest access to platform features but require two codebases. Cross-platform frameworks such as Flutter and React Native let one codebase target both platforms, which usually reduces build and maintenance cost. For most business apps, such as customer portals, field service tools and booking apps, cross-platform is a strong choice. Apps that depend heavily on cutting-edge device features or complex graphics may justify native development.
Costs after launch
- Store fees: the Apple Developer Program costs $99 a year, and Google Play charges a one-time $25 registration fee.
- Store commissions: digital goods and subscriptions sold in-app are subject to Apple and Google commissions, typically between 15% and 30% depending on programs and circumstances.
- Hosting and services: servers, databases, push notifications, maps, SMS and email services.
- Maintenance: bug fixes, security updates and compatibility with new iOS and Android versions released every year.
- Improvements: new features based on user feedback.
A common rule of thumb is to budget a meaningful share of the original build cost every year for maintenance and improvements, but the right number depends on how actively the app is developed.
How to keep costs under control
- Define the core job. What is the one thing users must be able to do? Build that first.
- Prototype before building. Clickable designs catch misunderstandings cheaply.
- Reuse what exists. Use proven services for authentication, payments and notifications instead of building them.
- Choose cross-platform when it fits the use case.
- Plan integrations early. Connecting to Salesforce, an ERP or a payment gateway is often a large part of the effort.
- Release, measure, improve. Let real usage decide the next features.
Questions to ask a development partner
- Who owns the source code and accounts after delivery?
- Which framework do you recommend for our case, and why?
- What is included in the estimate: design, back end, admin panel, testing, store submission?
- How do you handle changes in scope?
- What does support look like after launch?
Our mobile development team builds iOS and Android apps, often with Flutter, connected to Salesforce, ERPs and payment platforms.
Where the budget usually goes
In a typical moderate business app, the visible screens are only part of the work. Effort usually splits across discovery and design, the mobile app itself, the back end and admin panel, integrations with existing systems, testing across devices, and store submission. Teams that budget only for “the app” are often surprised by the back end and integration work, which can be as large as the mobile build.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to build an app?
Simple apps can take a few weeks to a couple of months; moderate apps often take three to six months; complex apps longer. Design, integrations and testing drive the timeline.
Is it cheaper to build for one platform first?
With native development, yes. With a cross-platform framework, supporting both iOS and Android from the start often adds relatively little.
Do we need a back end for our app?
Almost every business app does, for user accounts, data storage, integrations and an admin panel. Some can use existing systems such as Salesforce as the back end.
