How much does a mobile app cost in 2026

"How much does a mobile app cost?" is as broad a question as "how much does a house cost?" A simple app with a few screens and one with accounts, payments, maps, and notifications are different worlds. In this guide we give realistic ranges and show you how to launch smartly, without paying for features you don't need at the start.

Native vs. cross-platform

You have two main paths. Native (Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android) — two separate apps, maximum performance, but double the cost. Cross-platform (React Native, Flutter) — a single codebase for both platforms, cheaper and faster to launch, with excellent performance for most business apps. For most ideas, cross-platform is the rational choice.

Price ranges

• Simple app (an MVP with one core flow): €3,000 – €8,000
• Medium-complexity app (accounts, payments, integrations): €8,000 – €20,000
• Complex app (advanced logic, real-time, a solid backend): €20,000+

On top of these you add a backend (if the app stores data in the cloud) and, later, maintenance — operating systems update often, and the app must be kept up to date.

What drives the price

• The number of screens and flows, but especially the complexity of the logic behind them.
• Integrations: payments, maps, push notifications, authentication, external services.
• Backend and syncing across devices.
• Custom design vs. standard components.

The best way to save on an app isn't to cut quality, but to cut scope: launch what matters first, add the rest later.

How to launch cheaper: MVP first

Don't build everything at once. Define the core flow that brings value — the one people would download the app for — and launch just that as an MVP in a few weeks. See how real users respond, then invest in the rest based on data, not assumptions. Want an estimate for your idea? Use the calculator on the site or get in touch — we'll define the first flow together and give you a realistic budget.