How much does it cost to develop an app for your business in 2026
"How much does it cost to develop an app?" is the most common question we get from business owners and managers who want to digitize a process or launch a new mobile product. The honest answer is: it depends. But there are precise cost ranges and decisive factors you can know before you even talk to a developer.
In this guide we give you the real prices we apply at FlowUp in 2026, the 4 factors that most influence cost and practical examples for every type of app.
The 4 factors that determine the cost of developing an app
1. Feature complexity
How many screens does the app have? Are there real-time features (chat, live GPS tracking)? In-app payments? Social login? Every feature adds development hours. An MVP with 10-15 screens costs 3-4x less than an app with 50+ screens and complex logic.
2. Platform: native vs cross-platform
A native iOS (Swift) + Android (Kotlin) app requires two separate codebases: practically double the work. A cross-platform app (React Native or Flutter) uses a single codebase for both platforms, cutting costs by 35-45% with equivalent performance for most use cases.
3. Backend and integrations
An app without a backend is a skeleton. If you need a database, user authentication, APIs for real-time data, CRM/ERP integrations, push notifications or payments, the backend can account for 30-40% of the total project cost.
4. UX/UI design
Poor design kills even the best app. Wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, an interactive prototype and a design system can be worth 15-25% of the total budget. Cutting corners on design to save money is the fastest way to burn your development investment.
Price ranges by app type: the real 2026 prices
MVP App (cross-platform)
€15,000 – 25,000⏱ Timeline: 2-3 months
Includes: 10-15 screens, core features, basic backend, authentication, store publishing.
Best for: Startups that want to validate the idea with real users before investing more.
Mid-complexity app (cross-platform)
€25,000 – 40,000⏱ Timeline: 3-5 months
Includes: 20-35 screens, push notifications, payments, maps, full backend, admin panel.
Best for: Companies that want a consumer or B2B app with complete features on iOS and Android.
Native iOS + Android app
€35,000 – 60,000⏱ Timeline: 4-6 months
Includes: Two separate codebases, maximum performance, full access to each platform's native APIs.
Best for: Apps with high performance needs (gaming, AR, video editing) or specific hardware features.
Complex app (marketplace, real-time, integrations)
€50,000 – 100,000+⏱ Timeline: 6-9 months
Includes: Two-sided architecture, real-time chat, GPS tracking, ERP/CRM integrations, payment system with fees, moderation.
Best for: Marketplaces, service platforms, enterprise field service apps, digital products with complex logic.
* All prices include: UX/UI design (wireframes + mockups + Figma prototype), app development, custom backend API, QA and testing, App Store and Google Play publishing, 3 months of post-launch support.
Development timeline: from brief to launch
Discovery and briefing
(1 week)Goals workshop, feature definition, user stories, app architecture.
UX/UI Design
(2-3 weeks)Wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, design system, interactive Figma prototype. Approval before writing any code.
Development (bi-weekly sprints)
(6-14 weeks)App frontend + backend API in parallel. Working demo every 2 weeks on TestFlight/Beta.
QA and testing
(2-3 weeks)Functional and performance tests, device testing (multiple iPhones and Androids), beta testing with real users.
Store publishing
(1-2 weeks)App Store submission (2-7 day review) and Google Play (1-3 day review). ASO included.
Real-world app projects with actual costs
Fashion e-commerce app (B2C)
Stack: React Native + Node.js + Shopify API
Product catalog, wishlist, cart, Stripe checkout, order tracking, promotional push notifications. iOS + Android.
Field service app for technicians (B2B)
Stack: Flutter + Firebase + SAP API
Job dispatching, GPS navigation, checklists, digital signature, before/after photos, offline sync, ERP integration.
Local services marketplace
Stack: React Native + NestJS + PostgreSQL + Stripe
Two profiles (client + professional), built-in chat, payments with a 15% fee, reviews, moderation admin panel.
Medical practice booking app
Stack: React Native + Node.js + custom calendar
Online booking, SMS/push reminders, patient records, doctor calendar integration, cancellation notifications.
How to cut costs without compromising quality
- ✓Start with an MVP: Build only the core features, launch, gather data. Then add features based on real user feedback. Avoid building functions nobody will use.
- ✓Choose cross-platform: For 80% of business apps, React Native or Flutter work perfectly and cost 35-45% less than native.
- ✓Use third-party services where possible: For authentication (Auth0), payments (Stripe), notifications (OneSignal) and maps (Google Maps API), it is cheaper to use existing services than to build from scratch.
- ✓Define the brief well: Every mid-project change costs money. The more detailed the initial brief, the fewer surprises during development. Invest time in the discovery phase.
Want a quote for your app?
Let's talk through your idea in a 30-minute call and we'll send you a detailed quote with cost estimates, timelines and the recommended tech stack. No commitment.
Discover our app development serviceFrequently asked questions about app development costs
Costs depend on complexity. A cross-platform MVP (React Native or Flutter) starts at €15,000-25,000. A mid-complexity native iOS + Android app costs €30,000-50,000. A complex app with a marketplace, real-time features and ERP/CRM integrations can reach €50,000-100,000 or more. All prices include UX/UI design, development, backend, QA and store publishing.
An MVP with core features takes 2-3 months. A mid-complexity app 4-5 months. A complex app (marketplace, real-time, integrations) 6-9 months. These timelines include discovery, UX/UI design, development, QA and store publishing.
Cross-platform (React Native, Flutter) is the right choice for 80% of cases: a single codebase for iOS and Android, costs 40% lower than native, and excellent performance for standard apps. A native app (Swift/Kotlin) is only worth it for gaming, AR/VR, video editing or when you need very specific hardware features.
A complete quote includes: UX/UI design (wireframes, mockups, Figma prototype), app frontend development, custom backend API, database, user authentication, push notifications, payment integration, QA and testing, store publishing (App Store + Google Play) and post-launch support. Always ask for an itemized quote.
Yes, by starting from an MVP (Minimum Viable Product): the app with core features only, built cross-platform. Typical budget €15,000-25,000, timeline 2-3 months. The MVP lets you gather real user feedback before investing in advanced features. It is the smartest approach to reduce risk.