How Much Does It Cost to Build an App? (2026 Pricing)
The short version
- Cost is driven by features, platforms (iOS, Android, or both), and whether the app needs a backend — not by how it looks.
- A simple app starts in the low five figures; one with logins, payments, and a backend climbs from there.
- Building for one platform first roughly halves the initial cost versus building both at once.
- Budget for maintenance too — an app needs ongoing updates after launch, or it slowly breaks.
Short answer: in 2026, a simple single-platform business app usually starts in the low five figures, while an app with user accounts, payments, a backend, and both iOS and Android climbs into the higher five or six figures. The range is wide because "an app" can mean a simple tool or a full platform — so the real number always comes back to what it needs to do and on which platforms.
Here's what actually drives it.
What moves the cost
Three things matter far more than anything else:
- How many features. Every screen, flow and capability is work. A focused app is cheap; a feature-packed one isn't.
- One platform or both. Building for iOS and Android natively is roughly double the work of one. (Cross-platform can share code — trade-offs in native vs cross-platform.)
- Does it need a backend? An app that stands alone is far simpler than one with user accounts, a server, a database, and integrations. The backend is often where the real cost hides.
Notice what's not the main driver: how it looks. Good design matters, but two clean apps cost different amounts because of features, platforms, and backend — not polish.
Ballpark ranges by app type
Rough 2026 starting points, not quotes — your scope decides where you land:
| App type | What it is | Typical starting range |
|---|---|---|
| Simple app | One core function, one platform, no backend | Low five figures |
| Standard business app | Logins, a backend, a few real features | Mid five figures |
| Full platform | Accounts, payments, integrations, both platforms | Higher five to six figures |
Most businesses don't need the bottom row on day one. Start near the top — a focused first version — and grow.
One platform vs both
The single biggest lever on initial cost: build for one platform first. Launch where most of your customers are (check your existing web traffic if you're unsure), prove the app, then add the second platform once it's earning its keep. Building both natively from the start roughly doubles the upfront spend — sometimes worth it, often not for a first version.
The costs people forget
The build is only part of it. Budget for:
- Maintenance — apps need updates as iOS and Android evolve, plus bug fixes and new features. Skip it and the app slowly breaks.
- Backend hosting — if the app has a server, that's an ongoing cost.
- Store accounts — Apple's Developer Program is a yearly fee; Google Play is a one-time fee. Small, but real.
A good partner names these up front instead of letting them surprise you.
How to spend less without buying junk
You don't cut cost by finding the cheapest quote — you cut it by scoping smart:
- Build the core first. The one thing that proves the app earns its place, then expand from real usage.
- Start with one platform. Add the second when the first is working.
- Don't over-build. Defer the nice-to-haves until users prove they want them.
And first, make sure you even need an app — for some businesses a mobile website does the job for a fraction of the cost.
The bottom line
App cost is driven by features, platforms, and backend complexity — a simple single-platform app from the low five figures, a full platform climbing well beyond. Build one platform first, scope to the core, and budget for maintenance. The cheapest quote that delivers a half-built app you abandon is the most expensive option; buy the right scope instead.
Want an honest scope and price before committing? That's how we work — iOS and Android builds with clear costs. For the full path, see from idea to App Store.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build a mobile app?
It depends heavily on scope. A simple, single-platform app often starts in the low five figures. An app with user accounts, payments, a backend, and both iOS and Android climbs into the higher five or six figures. The honest answer to 'how much' is always 'what does it need to do, and on which platforms?'
What makes an app more expensive to build?
More features, building for both iOS and Android instead of one, needing a backend/server and integrations, and custom or complex functionality. The visual design matters less than people expect — it's features, platforms, and backend complexity that move the number.
Is it cheaper to build for one platform or both?
One platform is cheaper to start — roughly half the initial cost of building both natively at once. Many businesses launch on the platform where most of their customers are, prove the app, then add the second. Cross-platform approaches can share code across both, with their own trade-offs.
Are there ongoing costs after building an app?
Yes. Apps need maintenance — OS updates, bug fixes, and new features — plus any backend hosting and the app-store developer accounts (Apple charges yearly, Google a one-time fee). Budget for upkeep; a neglected app gradually stops working as the platforms change.
We give a clear, honest scope and price before any code — so you know what your app costs and what you're getting, with no surprise invoices. Start with the core, prove it, then expand.