How Much Does It Cost to Build a Mobile App?
What drives the price of a mobile app, typical budget ranges for each type of project, and how to get an accurate estimate before you commit.
A custom mobile app starts from €2,300, and an online store with its own downloadable mobile app costs €1,400 to €3,500. UI/UX design is €400, and maintenance is €50 per hour for changes or €200 per month for regular upkeep. The final price depends mainly on the number of features, whether you need iOS, Android or both, integrations with other systems, and design complexity.
- Building with Flutter covers iOS and Android from one codebase, which usually costs less than two native apps.
- The backend, admin panel and integrations are often a third or more of the budget.
- Plan for ongoing maintenance after launch.
What affects the cost of a mobile app?
Five factors decide where your app lands in the price range.
1. Features and complexity
Each screen, user role and piece of logic adds design, development and testing time. User accounts, payments, real-time updates and offline mode each add significant work.
2. Platforms
Building for both iOS and Android natively means two codebases. A cross-platform framework like Flutter lets one codebase serve both.
3. Backend and integrations
Most business apps need a server, a database and an admin panel. Connecting to payment providers, ERPs or existing systems adds to the scope.
4. Design
Custom interface design and animations take longer than adapting standard platform components.
5. Maintenance
Operating system updates, bug fixes, hosting and new features continue after launch.
Typical mobile app cost by type
| Service | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Online store + mobile app | €1,400–€3,500 | Full online store plus access through a downloadable mobile app |
| Custom mobile app | from €2,300 | Calorie tracker, shop, production process management, project management app, etc. |
| UI/UX design | €400 | User flows and interface design for the key screens |
| Maintenance | €50/hour or €200/month | Hourly changes, or regular upkeep: photos, products, content updates |
These ranges are a starting point. A written estimate after a requirements review is the only reliable number for your project.
How to reduce the cost without cutting quality
Start with an MVP that solves one problem well, then add features based on real usage. Use a cross-platform framework when the app doesn't depend on platform-specific hardware. Prepare clear requirements before development; our guide on what to prepare before hiring a team covers this.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a simple app cost?
A custom mobile app starts from €2,300, depending on features, design and backend needs.
Is Flutter cheaper than native development?
Usually, yes. One Flutter codebase runs on iOS and Android, so you avoid building and maintaining two separate apps.
How long does it take to build a mobile app?
A small MVP may take several weeks. A business app with a backend usually takes three to six months.
Are there costs after launch?
Yes. Hosting, app store accounts, OS updates, bug fixes and new features are ongoing costs.