Mobile app development cost: what drives the price

Mobile app development cost depends on three things. The path you build it on: a PWA, one app for iPhone and Android, or two native apps. How many screens, roles and integrations the first version has. And who runs it after launch. With us you have two options: a monthly subscription from €3,980 excl. VAT, or a fixed price per project.

You will not find market price ranges here. We have no verified public source we could honestly cite. Instead we explain what raises the price, where you can save and what to look for in a quote.

What drives the cost of a mobile app?

The first row makes the biggest difference in price. How to pick the path is covered in PWA vs native app: which one does your business need?

PWA, React Native or native app: which is cheaper?

A PWA (progressive web app) is a website a person adds to their phone home screen and opens like an app. One code base for phone and computer, no store fees, new versions right away. Usually the cheapest way to your first users.

React Native with Expo is a way to build an app for iPhone and Android from one code base and publish it to the App Store and Google Play. React Native is the technology itself, Expo a set of tools on top of it for building, publishing and updates. You pay for one development, not two.

Two native apps are written separately for each system. They make sense for heavy graphics or games. But you pay for every change twice. We do not build native apps.

With a store app, also count the fees. A developer account costs 99 USD a year at Apple and 25 USD once at Google. And every new version goes through store review. Apple says it reviews 90% of submissions in under 48 hours; Google says some apps take up to 7 days, longer in exceptional cases.

How much does a mobile app cost with us?

We write down the first month's result before we start. If we miss it, we refund 50%. Monthly subscription from €3,980 excl. VAT, pause or cancel any time. Or a fixed price per project: tell us what you need and we send you a quote. Code, data and infrastructure owned by the client from day one.

Two options:

At the start we agree in writing what should be done by the end of the month. We measure the 50% guarantee against it too. You pay hosting and store accounts directly to the providers, in your company name.

How to lower the cost of the first version?

The cheapest app is the one whose first version does one thing well. This is how we go about it:

On one project we had the first version in under 10 working days. When the app goes live, we stay with the client for another 30 days until everything runs. For another client we built a digital document archive with a web app for admins and a mobile app for Android and iOS. More about our cross-platform mobile app development.

What do you pay after launch?

An app does not end at launch. You pay hosting and data, and for a store app the developer accounts and changes when Apple or Google release a new system version. With a PWA the store fees and approval drop away, hosting stays.

The same goes for code and data. More in Who owns the source code of custom software.

What to check in a quote before the price?

Do you have a quote for a mobile app on the table? Tick what you find in it:

A quote without a path and without operations is only an amount for day one. How to read the price of software in general is covered in How much does custom software cost?

When we do not recommend it

• The app relies on heavy graphics or games. A native app makes sense there. We do not build those and will point you to someone else.
• You want a weekend app for yourself. Build it yourself in an AI tool. You will save money.
• You want a finished platform with everything in month one. We will not promise that. We start with what the first users need.

Want to know what your app would cost?

Tell us who will use the app and what it should do first. We get back to you within two business days with a few questions about your work. Then we agree on what we do first.

If you'd rather talk first, book a 15-minute intro call.

What is the one thing your app must do in the first version?

Frequently asked questions

How much does a mobile app cost?

It depends on the path you build it on, the number of screens, roles and integrations in the first version, and who runs it after launch. With us a monthly subscription starts at €3,980 excl. VAT, or we send you a fixed price for a clearly bounded scope.

Is a PWA cheaper than an app in the App Store and Google Play?

Usually yes. A PWA has one code base for web and phone, you pay no store fees and new versions skip store approval. A store app makes sense when new people should find you there or you need phone features the web lacks.

Why is the cost of a mobile app not a single number?

Because at the start nobody knows how many exceptions and integrations the app hides. When the scope is clearly bounded, we send you a fixed price. When it is still taking shape, it is more honest to build the first version, show it to users and decide what comes next.

What do I pay for a mobile app after launch?

Hosting and data, Apple and Google developer accounts if you are in the stores, and changes for new iOS and Android versions. You pay hosting and accounts directly to the providers, in your company name.

Who owns the code of a mobile app?

With us, you do, from day one. Code, data, infrastructure and the App Store and Google Play accounts are yours, so you can change vendors or hire your own developers at any time.