A custom mobile app typically starts at $4,000 for a single platform (iOS or Android) and $6,000 for both, for a straightforward app with authentication, a backend, and a database. More complex apps — real-time features, payments, third-party integrations, or a large feature set — run higher. Ongoing maintenance is separate, usually $150–$600/month depending on platform count and whether App Store Optimization is included.
The rest of this breaks down exactly what moves that number, so you can tell whether a quote you received is reasonable — or figure out where yours will land before you ask for one.
What actually drives the price
Four things determine cost more than anything else: how many platforms you need, how complex the backend is, how many third-party integrations you require, and how polished the design needs to be.
- Platform count — building for iOS and Android separately (or one cross-platform codebase for both) roughly doubles the frontend work but not the backend, which is why "both platforms" costs less than 2x a single platform
- Backend complexity — a simple app with a database and login is inexpensive; real-time features (chat, live tracking, push notifications), payments, or heavy data processing add real engineering time
- Third-party integrations — payment processors, mapping, SMS, calendar sync, or connecting to an existing system each add scoped work
- Design — a functional UI is fast; custom animation, a fully bespoke design system, or onboarding flows take longer
Typical price ranges by complexity
These are realistic ranges for a custom-built app with a real backend — not a no-code template.
- Simple app (single platform, basic backend, no payments): $4,000–$8,000
- Mid-complexity app (both platforms, payments or real-time features): $8,000–$20,000
- Complex app (multiple integrations, custom backend architecture, heavy real-time or data processing): $20,000+
The build cost is not the whole cost
An app needs updates, security patching, and backend hosting after launch — a build-only quote that never mentions maintenance is incomplete. Budget $150+/month for a single platform without App Store Optimization, or $400+/month with it; $250+/month and $600+/month respectively for both platforms. ASO (App Store Optimization) is the difference between an app that's built and an app people actually find in the App Store or Google Play.
Native vs. cross-platform
Native development (separate Swift/Kotlin codebases for iOS and Android) gives the best performance and platform-specific feel, at a higher cost for two platforms. Cross-platform frameworks share one codebase across both, which is usually faster and cheaper for straightforward apps but can hit real limits for anything graphics-heavy or deeply platform-specific. Which one is right depends on what the app actually needs to do — a good development partner will tell you which applies to your case, not default to whichever they happen to build in.
Common questions
How long does it take to build a custom app?
A single-platform app typically takes around 20 days; both platforms together take around 30 days. Complex apps with heavy backend work or many integrations take longer — the timeline scales with the same factors that drive cost.
Do I need to build for both iOS and Android at launch?
Not necessarily. Many teams launch on the platform where their users actually are, validate the product, then add the second platform. Building both from day one costs more upfront but avoids a second full development cycle later.
What is included in a typical app development quote?
A complete quote should include the app itself (frontend, backend, database, authentication) and App Store or Google Play submission. It should not include ongoing maintenance, hosting, or third-party service fees (like SMS or payment processing) — those are billed separately by those providers and should be budgeted for after launch.
Why do app development quotes vary so much between companies?
Mostly scope and location. A quote with no backend, no real authentication, or a no-code template will always be cheaper than a fully custom build — and won't hold up the same way at scale. Compare what is actually included, not just the headline number.
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