App cost calculator: how much does it cost to build an app?
Pick what you're building and the features it needs. You'll get a realistic price range and timeline for a first release — based on apps we have actually shipped.
What drives the cost of an app
- How many kinds of users there are
- An app for one kind of user is one product. A marketplace with customers, providers and an admin is three — which is why two-sided apps cost the most.
- Money and real-time features
- Payments, subscriptions, chat and live location all have to work reliably under load, and each adds design, testing and edge cases.
- Native or cross-platform
- Flutter ships iOS and Android from one codebase. Native Swift and Kotlin cost more, and are worth it when the app leans on the camera, NFC or hardware.
- The admin side
- Most businesses need a dashboard to run the app — approve users, see orders, issue refunds. It is often forgotten in early budgets.
- Scope discipline
- The single biggest lever. Launching the smallest version that proves the idea, then adding features users ask for, routinely halves the first bill.
Our starting prices
Every project gets a fixed quote after a free call.
| Service | Starting from | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Validation Sprint | $1,000 | 5–7 working days |
| MVP Development for Startups | $5,000 | 3–6 weeks to launch |
| Web Application Development | $4,000 | 4–8 weeks |
| Flutter App Development | $6,000 | 4–10 weeks to a first release |
| AI App Development | $7,500 | 4–10 weeks to a first release |
| SaaS Platform Development | $10,000 | 8–14 weeks to a first release |
| Native iOS & Android Development | $12,000 | 8–14 weeks to a first release |
| Marketplace App Development | $14,000 | 10–16 weeks to a first release |
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build an app in 2026?
For founders working with a small studio, a focused first release typically costs $5,000–$15,000, and a two-sided marketplace or a native app with hardware features more. Large agencies often quote $50,000 and up for the same scope, largely because of overheads. Use the calculator above for a range based on your features.
How accurate is this estimate?
It gives a realistic range for a first release, based on what our own projects have cost. The real number depends on details only a conversation reveals, which is why every project gets a fixed quote after a free scoping call.
Why not just build it myself with an AI app builder?
For a quick demo, you should — tools like Lovable, Bolt and Replit are great for testing an idea. Where they struggle is what comes after: passing App Store and Google Play review, taking payments reliably, keeping users' data secure and fixing things when they break. We use AI tools to build faster ourselves, but you get engineers who are accountable for your product working in production.
How can I make my app cheaper to build?
Cut the first version to the one journey that proves your idea, choose Flutter unless you need native features, and leave the admin dashboard simple at first. A validation sprint is a low-cost way to find that smallest version before committing to a build.
Who owns the app once it's built?
You do. The source code, designs and accounts — app stores, cloud, domain — are set up in your name from day one.
Want an exact number?
Book a free 30-minute call. You'll leave with a clear approach and a fixed quote — whether or not we build it together.
Book a free call