What the market data says
Clutch's app development pricing guide, built from verified client reviews, finds that most app projects on its platform cost $10,000–$49,999, with an average of $90,780 and typical rates of $25–$49 an hour (Clutch, 2026). The gap between the typical project and the average is the important part: a few large, long builds pull the average far above what most clients spend.
It also finds that developers charge similar rates whether the app is for iOS, Android or both. What changes the price is scope: features, integrations and how many platforms you build separately.
App cost by complexity
The team sizes and durations below are our planning assumptions for a focused scope, not survey data. Costs use 160 working hours per person-month at $25–$49 an hour ($4,000–$7,840 per person-month).
| Type of app | Typical team | Typical time | Cost at $25–$49/hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple app: a few screens, no custom back end | 1–2 people | 4–8 weeks | About $4,000–$31,000 |
| MVP with accounts, payments and an admin panel | 2–3 people | 2–3 months | About $16,000–$71,000 |
| Marketplace, booking or on-demand app | 3–5 people | 4–6 months | About $48,000–$235,000 |
| Enterprise or regulated app with integrations | 4–8 people | 6–12 months | About $96,000–$750,000 |
What drives the cost of an app
- Platforms: one cross-platform codebase, or separate iOS, Android and web builds.
- Back end: accounts, data storage, an admin panel and the APIs behind them are often half the work.
- Integrations: payments, maps, chat, video, CRMs or ERPs each add build and testing time.
- Real-time and offline features: live updates, sync and offline mode are much harder than simple screens.
- Design: a custom design system and animations take longer than standard components.
- Security and compliance: health, finance and children's apps need extra care, reviews and documentation.
- Testing: the more devices and OS versions you support, the more testing each release needs.
Cross-platform or native?
For most business apps, a cross-platform framework such as React Native or Flutter builds iOS and Android from one codebase, which usually means a lower cost and simpler updates. Native development makes sense when the app depends heavily on device features, demanding graphics or the newest platform APIs on day one.
Our mobile app development team builds both and will tell you which one your app actually needs. If you're validating an idea first, an MVP, often web first, can be the cheaper way to learn.
Costs after launch
- Store accounts: Google Play charges a one-time $25 registration fee (Google Play Console Help); Apple's Developer Program is an annual membership.
- Hosting and back-end services: databases, file storage and servers grow with your users.
- Third-party services: maps, SMS, email, push notifications and analytics often charge by usage.
- Updates: iOS and Android ship major versions every year, and store requirements change with them.
- Support and new features: most successful apps keep a development budget after launch.
How to get an accurate quote
- Describe who the app is for and the one job it must do well.
- List the features for version one and, separately, the ones that can wait.
- Say which platforms you need at launch: iOS, Android, web or all three.
- Mention integrations: payments, CRM, booking, maps or existing systems.
- Share your timeline and budget range, so teams can propose the right scope instead of guessing.
Compare scope, not just price
Send the same brief to a few teams and compare what each includes: design, back end, admin panel, testing, store submission and support after launch. A cheaper quote that leaves out the back end or testing often costs more in the end.
If you'd like a fixed quote with clear milestones, tell us about your project. Building a website instead? See how much a website costs.
Frequently asked questions
A simple app with a few screens and no custom back end can cost roughly $4,000–$31,000 with one or two developers at $25–$49 an hour. Accounts, payments and an admin panel move it into MVP territory.
Rates are similar for both, according to Clutch's data. Building both from one cross-platform codebase is usually cheaper than two separate native apps.
A focused MVP typically takes 6–12 weeks; larger apps take several months. Clutch's reviewed app projects average about 11 months, which reflects bigger, longer engagements.
You should. Make sure the contract transfers all code, designs and accounts to you, and that the app is published under your own store accounts.
Sources
- App Development Pricing Guide — Clutch, updated September 2026
- Get started with Play Console — Google Play Console Help
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