Mobile app development
How much does it cost to build an app?
The honest answer is “it depends” — but you can bound it. In 2026 a professionally built mobile app typically ranges from about $25,000 for a focused MVP to $150,000+ for a complex, multi-platform product. Here's what actually drives that number.
Cost by app complexity
| App type | Typical range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Simple MVP (1 platform, core flow) | $25k–$45k | 6–10 weeks |
| Standard app (auth, payments, backend) | $45k–$90k | 3–5 months |
| Complex app (real-time, integrations, 2 platforms) | $90k–$150k+ | 5–9 months |
These are build ranges for a senior team. The single biggest lever is scope: every screen, integration and edge case adds hours.
What drives the price
- Platforms — iOS + Android native roughly doubles UI work vs. a cross-platform (React Native/Flutter) build that shares one codebase.
- Backend & data — auth, payments, notifications, admin dashboards and third-party integrations.
- Design — a bespoke, animated UI costs more than a clean system-based design.
- Compliance — HIPAA, PCI, SOC 2 add security and process overhead.
- Team seniority — senior engineers cost more per hour but ship faster with fewer defects.
How to reduce the cost without cutting corners
- Ship a true MVP first — one platform, the core loop only.
- Use cross-platform (React Native or Flutter) if you need both stores fast.
- Reuse proven building blocks (auth, payments, push) instead of rebuilding them.
- Defer nice-to-haves to a phase 2 once you have real usage data.
Frequently asked questions
Can I build an app for under $10,000?
Rarely for a quality custom app. Sub-$10k usually means no-code tools or offshore work with significant trade-offs in performance, ownership and maintainability. A focused native MVP starts around $25k.
Is React Native cheaper than native?
Usually yes when you need both iOS and Android, because you share one codebase. For a single platform or heavy device-specific features, native can be comparable.
What about ongoing costs?
Budget 15–20% of the build cost per year for maintenance, OS updates, hosting and small improvements.
Get a fixed-scope quote in 24 hours
Senior iOS, Android, React Native and Flutter engineers. Tell us about your project — no obligation.
Get a free quote