Mobile app quotes swing from $15,000 to $500,000, and both numbers are real — they're just answering completely different questions. Here's what actually separates one end of that range from the other, based on current 2026 industry data.
Cost by complexity
- Simple app: $15,000–$50,000. Straightforward functionality, minimal backend, a standard UI — think a single-purpose utility or a basic content app.
- Medium complexity: $50,000–$150,000. Custom features, third-party integrations, and a moderately complex backend — most real business apps land here.
- MVP: $25,000–$60,000 for one platform with core features only, meant to validate an idea before a bigger build.
- Complex platform: $150,000 and up, sometimes exceeding $500,000 for apps with heavy backend logic, real-time features, or enterprise integrations.
For context, industry data compiled across more than 5,000 app projects puts the average custom mobile app at roughly $171,450, though most small-to-mid business apps fall between $50,000 and $120,000 (Netguru, Appinventiv).
iOS vs. Android vs. both
Native iOS development typically runs $30,000–$250,000, and native Android $35,000–$280,000 — the historical gap where iOS cost more due to stricter App Store review has narrowed significantly in 2026. Building cross-platform with a single codebase (we use Flutter) instead of two separate native builds cuts total cost by roughly 30–45%, which is why most business apps that don't need platform-specific performance make more sense built once, not twice.
What actually moves the number
- Backend complexity — a simple content app with no real backend costs far less than one built around real-time data, complex business logic, or heavy data processing.
- Third-party integrations — payment processing, maps, push notifications, and auth providers each add real scoping and testing time, not just a line in a feature list.
- Design depth — custom animations and a fully bespoke UI cost more than a clean implementation of standard platform patterns.
- Native vs. cross-platform — the single biggest lever most teams underestimate, worth 30–45% of the total build cost either way.
What these numbers don't include
Design, development, QA, and initial App Store/Play Store deployment are what these ranges cover. Ongoing maintenance, typically 15–20% of the original build cost annually, is a separate and genuinely recurring line item — budget for it up front rather than being surprised by it after launch.
Getting a real number for your project
Ranges help you plan; they're not a quote. If you're scoping an iOS or Android app and want an actual estimate instead of a bracket, get in touch — we'll tell you what your specific app looks like. For the web-app side of the same question, see our guide on custom software development costs.
Sources: Netguru — Mobile App Development Cost: 2026 Complete Guide, Appinventiv — App Development Cost 2026