Mobile App Cost Calculator

How much does it cost to build a mobile app? Select your platform, features, and complexity to get an instant estimate.

1. Target Platform

2. App Complexity

3. Features Needed

4. Design Level

5. Backend Architecture

Your App Estimate

Estimated Cost Range

$45,600 — $74,100

Timeline: 12-16 weeks

Base app + platform$52,000

Selected features (2)$5,000

Design$0

Annual maintenance (post-launch)$11,400/year

Ready to build your app?

Our mobile development team builds iOS, Android, and cross-platform apps from idea to App Store.

Get a Detailed App Quote

When this calculator is the wrong tool

• You need a fixed-bid quote. This is a planning estimate, not a statement of work. Final pricing requires a 1–2 week discovery to lock scope.
• Your app is heavily ML-driven. Computer vision, on-device LLM, and custom model work change the cost shape entirely. See AI development.
• You're replatforming an existing app. Migration cost is dominated by data backfill, parity testing, and store-relisting risk — none of which this calculator models.
• You only need a no-code prototype. Glide, Bubble, FlutterFlow, or even a Notion app will get a v0 to users for under $5K. Don't build custom until you've validated the demand.
• You need a SaaS pricing estimate. Use the SaaS pricing calculatorfor subscription economics rather than build cost.

Real numbers — two worked examples

Anonymized real ZTABS engagements. Inputs and the calculator's build estimate. Verified Apr 2026.

Scenario	Inputs	Calculator output
Minimal — utility app, single platform	iOS only, ~12 screens, low complexity, basic design, Firebase backend, no payments	~$22K–$30K all-in build, 8–10 week timeline
Typical — marketplace app, both platforms	iOS + Android via React Native, ~30 screens, medium complexity, custom design system, Stripe + maps + chat, custom Node backend	~$110K–$140K all-in build, 16–20 week timeline

How App Development Cost Is Calculated

Mobile app cost depends on four main factors: platform (iOS, Android, or both), complexity (number of screens and features), design quality, and backend architecture.

Average App Development Costs in 2026

Simple app: $15,000 - $40,000 (content apps, utility apps)
Medium complexity: $40,000 - $100,000 (e-commerce, social features)
Complex app: $100,000 - $250,000 (marketplaces, fintech, real-time)
Enterprise app: $150,000 - $500,000+ (custom workflows, integrations)

Save Money on App Development

Start with MVP — launch with core features, iterate based on user feedback
Use cross-platform — React Native or Flutter saves 30-40% vs building two native apps
Use BaaS — Firebase or Supabase eliminates custom backend cost for simple apps
Component libraries — pre-built UI components reduce design and development time

Ready to get a more precise estimate? Our mobile app development team can provide a detailed quote based on your specific requirements. Also check our complete mobile app cost guide for more details.

Related Resources

How to Use the App Cost Calculator

Select your target platform — iOS only, Android only, or both (cross-platform).
Choose the features you need: authentication, payments, push notifications, chat, maps, and more.
Set your complexity level and design quality to reflect the scope of the user experience.
Review the instant cost estimate broken down by development phase — design, frontend, backend, and testing.
Compare with our website cost calculator if you're also budgeting for a web presence.

Common Use Cases

Getting a ballpark estimate for investor pitch decks and funding applications
Comparing the cost of native iOS/Android development versus cross-platform frameworks like React Native or Flutter
Scoping an MVP budget by selecting only core features and deferring nice-to-haves
Planning multi-phase development budgets with phased feature rollouts
Evaluating the cost impact of adding real-time features, AI integrations, or payment processing

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is this cost estimate?

This calculator provides a realistic ballpark based on industry averages for 2026. Actual costs depend on your specific requirements, team location, design complexity, and third-party integrations. For a detailed quote tailored to your project, our mobile app development team provides free scoping consultations.

Should I build native or cross-platform?

Cross-platform frameworks like React Native and Flutter save 30–40% by sharing a single codebase across iOS and Android. They're ideal for most business apps. Native development is better when you need maximum performance (games, AR/VR) or deep platform-specific integrations.

What ongoing costs should I plan for after launch?

Budget for hosting (cloud infrastructure), app store fees ($99/year for Apple, $25 one-time for Google), maintenance and bug fixes (typically 15–20% of initial build cost annually), and marketing. Contact us to discuss a complete budget plan including post-launch support.