App Development Cost: The Full Breakdown in One Place
This page gathers every cost figure we publish, for new apps, each platform, rebuilds and maintenance, in one place. They are the same ranges from our cost guides and our service pages, and they are the ranges we quote from. Your exact number is always individual and written, after we understand your app.
What drives app development cost
- Number of features in version one. The single biggest lever. Every extra flow is design, build, testing and maintenance, forever.
- Backend and integrations. Payments, maps, chat, third party APIs and an admin panel each add real work.
- Platforms. One cross-platform codebase for iOS and Android costs less than two native builds, to build and to run.
- What already exists. A sound existing app is cheaper to extend. A badly built one can cost more to fix than to rebuild, which is why rescue work starts with a free check.
App development cost by type
Production grade means an app a real business can rely on, with a custom backend, proper testing and store launch handled. Cheaper quotes usually remove one of those quietly.
| Type of app | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Simple app | From $25,000 | Few screens, basic accounts, no custom backend |
| Production grade business app | $60,000 to $120,000+ | Custom backend, payments, admin panel, both stores |
| Marketplace app | $80,000 and up | Two user apps plus admin, payments, trust features |
| MVP first version | From $25,000 | The smallest version that can win real users |
| Rebuild of a badly built app | $60,000 to $120,000+ | Scoped like a new build after a free verdict |
| Maintenance, per year | 15 to 20% of build cost | Updates, monitoring, store changes, small fixes |
Figures are planning ranges from our published guides, not quotes. Your written quote follows a fit check and a defined scope.
How you get an exact number
- 01
Fit check call
We talk through the product, the users and what version one really needs.
- 02
Scope in writing
Features listed and agreed, with the things deliberately left for later named too.
- 03
Written quote
Cost and timeline in writing, with pricing model options, fixed, hourly or retainer, explained honestly.
- 04
Trial sprint
A two week validation sprint with no upfront billing before the full budget moves.
Work we have shipped
Minno
Faith based streaming and family entertainment app, one of the long running products in our portfolio.
See the projectSwan
AI powered dating app with adaptive virtual partners and a polished consumer interface.
See the projectMovz
Dance learning and social app built around streaming, practice and performance.
See the projectFrequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build an app in 2026?
For a production grade app a real business can rely on, plan for $60,000 to $120,000 or more. Simpler apps start from $25,000, marketplaces cost more, and maintenance runs at 15 to 20% of the build cost per year. Our long cost guide breaks down every driver.
Why do quotes for the same app vary so much?
Because quotes quietly include different things. Proper testing, a real backend, store submission and aftercare are often missing from the cheapest number. Ask every agency what is excluded, and compare the same scope in writing.
Is a fixed price or a retainer better?
Fixed price suits a tightly defined first build. A retainer suits a living product that ships improvements monthly, which is how most successful apps actually run. Many clients start fixed for version one and move to a retainer after launch.
Can you give me an exact cost without a call?
No honest agency can, and you should be suspicious of one that does. What we can do is give you a written quote after a short fit check, and a trial sprint before the full budget moves.
Not sure where your app stands?
Start with a free app check. Two engineers look at your product and your code, and tell you honestly what is working, what is not, and what it would take to fix it. If the report is genuinely useful, all we ask for is a testimonial.