Most apps we build cost between $5,000 and $15,000+ and take 4 weeks to 6 months. The price depends on how many types of users the app serves, how much it has to do behind the scenes, and what it connects to. Below are our real price ranges, what you get at each level, and what it costs to run an app after launch.
App development cost by type
Starter
- One type of user
- One complete core journey, from sign-up to payment
- Standard services: payments, notifications, email
- Essential admin panel
- Booking app for one business, habit tracker, startup MVP
Most popular
Growth
- Two types of user, such as customers and providers
- Several connected journeys, with real-time features
- Outside systems: maps, calendars, CRMs, health data
- Full dashboard with reports
- On-demand service app, wellness app with subscriptions, client portal
Advanced
- Three or more, such as buyers, sellers, admins and staff
- A full platform with its own business rules
- Many systems, plus custom logic such as commissions and payouts
- Advanced dashboard with roles, analytics and controls
- Marketplace, multi-vendor store, healthcare platform
What does it cost to add AI?
Add AI to an existing app
- An AI feature added to an app you already have
- Support chatbot, smart search over your documents, personalised recommendations
AI-first app
- An app where AI is the main feature
- AI health companion, AI assistant for a profession, AI-powered analysis tool
AI features also have a running cost: you pay the AI provider (such as OpenAI or Anthropic) for usage.
For most early-stage apps this is $20 to $300 a month. We estimate it for you before the build starts.
The six things that decide the price
- Number of user types. An app for customers only is simpler than one for customers, providers and admins.
- Custom logic. Rules unique to your business, such as pricing, matching or commissions, take longer than standard features.
- Integrations. Each outside system the app connects to adds work.
- Real-time features. Live chat, live tracking and video cost more than static screens.
- Compliance. Healthcare (HIPAA) and financial apps need extra security work.
- Platforms. One codebase for iOS and Android costs less than two separate native apps.
Cross-platform or native?
We build most apps with Flutter or React Native: one codebase that runs on both iPhone and Android. This typically costs 30–40% less than building two separate native apps, and for most products users can’t tell the difference. We recommend separate native apps only when an app needs heavy device-specific features.
What an app costs after launch
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Support for the first 90 days | Free, included |
| Hosting for the first year | Free, included |
| Maintenance plan after 90 days | $500–$1,000 a month |
| Apple Developer account | $99 a year |
| Google Play account | $25, one time |
| Outside services (maps, SMS, AI usage) | Depends on usage; estimated before the build |
The maintenance plan keeps your app running without problems, updated for new iOS and Android versions, and compliant with App Store and Google Play policies.
Products we've shipped
How we price
- Fixed price by milestone. You know the total before we start, and you pay as each stage is delivered.
- Free clickable mockup first. You see and approve the design before any payment.
- Dedicated team option. For ongoing work, ask us for a monthly team rate.
Four ways to lower the cost
- Launch with one core journey and add the rest after real users arrive.
- Use cross-platform development.
- Use proven services for payments, chat and maps; don’t build your own.
- Decide on features before development starts. Changes mid-build are the most common cause of overruns.
App development cost: common questions
Between $5,000 and $15,000+ with us, depending on scope. A Starter app costs $5,000–$8,000, a Growth app $8,000–$15,000 and an Advanced app $15,000 or more.
4–6 weeks for a Starter app, 8–12 weeks for a Growth app and 3–6 months for an Advanced app.
$4,000–$8,000 for a single AI feature, such as a chatbot or smart search. An app built around AI starts at $10,000.
The first 90 days are free. After that, our maintenance plan is $500–$1,000 a month.
No. You approve a free mockup first, then pay by milestone as the work is delivered.
Yes. You own the full source code and all rights to the app.