“How much does an app cost?” has no single answer, because two apps with the same idea can differ ten-fold in price depending on what they do. The useful answer is a set of ranges, the factors that move them, and the costs that arrive after the app is published.
Typical price ranges
- Simple app: a few screens, no custom backend, one platform. Commonly around $10,000–$40,000.
- Mid-complexity app: user accounts, a backend, payments or bookings, both iOS and Android. Commonly around $40,000–$120,000.
- Complex app: real-time features, marketplaces, heavy integrations or regulated data. Commonly $120,000 and up.
These are market ranges for agency work in North America, not our quote for your project. Freelancers and offshore teams can come in lower; large agencies higher.
What moves the price
- Platforms. iOS, Android or both, native or cross-platform.
- Features. Sign-in, payments, push notifications, maps, chat and offline mode each add design, build and testing time.
- Backend. An app that stores user data needs servers, an admin area and security work.
- Design. A custom interface with animation costs more than standard components.
- Compliance. Health, finance and children’s apps carry legal and security requirements.
Costs after launch
- Store accounts: Google Play charges a one-time registration fee; Apple charges a yearly developer fee.
- Hosting and services: servers, databases, email, analytics and maps are often billed monthly.
- Maintenance: bug fixes and updates for new phone software. A common rule of thumb is 15–20% of the build cost per year.
How to keep the cost under control
- Start with the smallest version that proves people want it.
- Pick one platform first unless your audience is split.
- Ask for a fixed scope and price for each phase.
- Make sure you own the source code and the store accounts.
How we approach apps
We design, build and publish Android and iOS apps and keep them updated; our own apps are live on Google Play. Read about mobile app development with Pixelgeometry, or tell us about your app for a scoped recommendation.