Mobile App Development Cost: 2026 Pricing Guide
Mobile app costs range from $5,000 for a single-platform MVP to $80,000+ for enterprise apps. Platform choice, backend complexity and integrations drive the cost — fixed-scope pricing caps it.
2026 cost ranges (USD)
| App type | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| MVP (single platform, core features) | $5,000 | $15,000 |
| Business app (both platforms, custom backend) | $9,000 | $25,000 |
| Complex app (real-time, payments, offline) | $15,000 | $40,000 |
| Enterprise app (SSO, compliance, integrations) | $25,000 | $80,000+ |
| App store launch & setup | $500 | $2,000 |
| Ongoing support | $300 | $1,200 / mo |
Indicative planning bands, not quotes. A fixed price arrives with the written scope after discovery.
What drives the cost
| Driver | Typical effect on cost |
|---|---|
| Platform count | iOS + Android (native) costs roughly 1.6–1.8× a single platform; cross-platform (React Native / Flutter) costs 1.2–1.4× |
| Backend complexity | Real-time sync, offline mode and push notifications add 2–6 weeks |
| Integrations | Payments, maps, calendars and third-party APIs each add 1–3 weeks |
| Compliance | HIPAA, PCI DSS or SOC 2 requirements add architecture and audit work — typically $3,000–$12,000 |
| Design complexity | Custom animations and unique UX add 2–4 weeks vs a structured component library |
Common questions
How much does mobile app development cost?
A defined MVP costs $5,000–$15,000 through a fixed-scope agency, while complex enterprise apps range $25,000–$80,000+. The range depends on platform count, backend complexity, integrations and compliance requirements — discovery produces a fixed price before any build work starts.
Is React Native or Flutter cheaper than native?
Cross-platform (React Native or Flutter) costs 1.2–1.4× a single native platform, versus 1.6–1.8× for two native apps. For most business apps, cross-platform is the right cost-quality trade-off. Choose native when you need platform-specific performance or deep OS integration.
What is the cheapest way to build a mobile app?
Start with a paid discovery to get a written scope and fixed price, then build a single-platform MVP with core features. Fixed-scope agencies let you stop after any working release, so you never commit to a full build before seeing value. Validate on one platform, then expand.
Do you charge hourly or fixed for mobile apps?
Core builds are fixed-price per milestone — finance approves a known number before work starts. Ongoing support is monthly rolling. Reviews and architecture audits are short fixed-price engagements — not open hourly retainers.
How long does a mobile app take to build?
A defined MVP takes 6–10 weeks from discovery to App Store submission. Complex apps take 3–6 months across multiple milestones. Each milestone delivers working software, so you see value before the full budget is committed.
Content last reviewed October 2026.
Related services
Where This Decision Lands
If the answer is we still need the work done, these are the service pages that state scope, price and fit.
- Custom Mobile App DevelopmentLive app + update guidePilot app typically 4–8 weeks after scope; store review times vary by platform
- Custom Software DevelopmentScope doc + tested releasesDiscovery typically 1–3 weeks; first usable release in weekly sprints after that
- UI/UX & Product DesignFigma design system + interactive prototypeDesign sprint typically 2–4 weeks; prototype and developer handoff walkthrough included
Other cost guides
The rest of the pricing picture
Every band on this site comes from one published table, so the number you read here is the number everywhere else. These guides break the same table down by region and project type.
Software development cost in the USA
Price ranges for web apps, SaaS, mobile and ecommerce in USD, plus the cost drivers that move the number.
Open the guideSoftware development cost in the UK
The same table in GBP, with UK vendor onboarding, VAT treatment and the London overlap window.
Open the guideSoftware development cost in Australia
AUD bands, GST-inclusive pricing, and the Australian Privacy Act context for offshore delivery.
Open the guideSoftware development cost in Canada
CAD bands, GST/HST/PST treatment by province, and the Quebec Law 25 question.
Open the guideSoftware development cost in India
The same table in INR, for businesses across India including Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Open the guideEcommerce development cost
Store builds, headless storefronts, platform subscription versus engineering cost and what changes the number.
Open the guideSee the full pricing table in USD, GBP and INR.
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