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Mobile app cost by platform and complexity
GoodFirms' 2026 survey of 267 companies prices iOS, Android, and cross-platform separately, and the gap is consistent: building one native app, then a second from scratch, costs noticeably more than one cross-platform codebase that ships to both stores. Netguru and Cynoteck agree on the direction even where their exact numbers differ.
| Tier | Examples | Cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross-platform simple | React Native, Flutter, or FlutterFlow MVP, one core workflow | $15,000–$85,000 | 2–4 months |
| Cross-platform medium | Multiple workflows, payments, integrations, both stores | $40,000–$185,000 | 4–6 months |
| Single native platform | iOS-only or Android-only, simple to medium features | $25,000–$150,000 | 3–6 months |
| Dual native (iOS + Android) | Two separate codebases, simple to medium features | $50,000–$300,000 | 3–9 months |
| Dual native, complex | Marketplace, real-time, or enterprise features on two native apps | $300,000–$700,000+ | 9–18 months |
What each feature adds, mobile-specific
| Feature | Cost range | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Push notifications | $2,000–$5,000 | 20–40 | Purrweb prices this closer to $3,320+ |
| Offline mode | $8,000–$20,000 | 80–200 | Needed for apps used with unreliable connectivity |
| Chat / realtime | $12,000–$35,000 | 120–250 | Netguru and Radical Labs both flag this as a top-cost feature |
| Admin panel | $10,000–$25,000 | 120–300 | Shared across web and mobile builds |
| AI features | $20,000–$60,000+ | 80–300+ (plus usage) | Same range applies whether the feature lives on web or mobile |
| App store submission & review | Built into timeline, not a separate budget line | – | Budget days to weeks per rejection cycle |
Cost by who builds it, mobile rates
| Option | Hourly rate | Total for a typical v1 | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upwork freelancer (≥$10K earned, mobile) | $30/hr median ($20–$40 IQR) | $20,000–$45,000 | You coordinate PM, QA, and architecture yourself |
| Vetted freelance network (Arc) | $61–$80/hr average | $40,000–$75,000 | Higher quality bar for a solo hire |
| Offshore/nearshore agency | $35–$86/hr by seniority (Accelerance, Eastern Europe) | $45,000–$100,000 | Timezone overlap varies by region |
| US agency | $100–$199/hr | $100,000–$220,000+ | Full PM, design, and QA team |
| US in-house mobile developer | Salary median $170,000/yr (Stack Overflow 2025) | ~$33,000 for one dev over 10 weeks, before recruiting | UK median $99,383; Germany $93,972; India $10,462 |
Ongoing costs after launch
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Developer Program | $99/yr | Apple's own pricing page |
| Google Play developer account | $25 one-time | Google's own pricing page |
| Apple commission | 15% (Small Business Program) or 30% standard | Google: 15% on the first $1M/yr, 30% above |
| OS compatibility updates | 40–80 hours/yr per platform | Netguru estimate |
| Backend hosting (<50K MAU) | $200–$800/mo serverless | Netguru estimate |
| Maintenance | 15–25% of build cost per year | Consistent across most agency guides |
On a $9.99/mo subscription, Apple's small-business rate takes about $1.50, Google's US/EEA/UK subscription rate (10% + 5% billing fee) takes about $1.50, and routing payment through a web checkout with Stripe costs roughly $0.66 after card and billing fees.
How to spend less without regretting it
- Build one cross-platform codebase (React Native, Flutter, or Expo) instead of two native ones.
- Launch on one platform first; a single-platform MVP runs $25,000–$60,000 per Netguru, versus $50,000+ for both.
- Consider a PWA first for content-heavy apps; Topflight prices this at roughly 30% of native cost.
- Validate the idea in FlutterFlow or Lovable before committing to a fully custom native build.
- Offshore or nearshore the build to Eastern Europe or LATAM for meaningful savings over a US agency.
- Scope push notifications and offline mode as a phase two instead of launch requirements.
What it costs with RapidDev
RapidDev's Project Scoper prices a cross-platform mobile MVP, login, payments, an admin panel, and push notifications, at $18,000 to $23,000, delivered in 7 to 9 weeks. That sits below the market's own 'simple' cross-platform tier ($25,000–$85,000 per GoodFirms) because the scope is a tight v1, not a full feature set.
It covers a single cross-platform codebase shipped to both the App Store and Google Play. It does not cover two separate native codebases, offline-first architecture, video features, heavy device integrations, or HIPAA-compliant builds, those need a larger scope and budget, even though RapidDev can still build a first phase of them within $13,000–$25,000.
Run your feature list through the on-page Project Scoper for an instant estimate, then book a 45-minute call. You'll get a fixed-price, fixed-scope quote within about 48 hours.
Get a fixed-price quoteFrequently asked questions
How much does mobile app development cost?
Mobile apps cost $15,000 to $400,000 or more. A simple cross-platform MVP runs $25,000–$85,000; a complex app built as two separate native codebases can exceed $300,000.
Is iOS or Android app development more expensive?
They're close. GoodFirms prices Android slightly higher due to device fragmentation, but the bigger cost driver is whether you build native, cross-platform, or both.
How much cheaper is cross-platform development than building two native apps?
Cross-platform frameworks like React Native and Flutter typically cost 60–80% of what two separate native codebases cost, according to GoodFirms and the wider agency consensus.
Why do quotes vary so much?
Agencies price different team locations, platforms, and feature sets under the same label. A $25,000 quote and a $250,000 quote can both be accurate descriptions of very different scopes.
How long does it take to build a mobile app?
A simple cross-platform MVP takes 2–4 months; dual native builds with more features typically take 3–9 months, and complex dual native apps can run 9–18 months.
What ongoing costs come after launching on the App Store and Google Play?
Budget $99/yr for Apple's developer program, a one-time $25 for Google Play, store commission (15–30%), and maintenance at roughly 15–25% of build cost per year.
Can I use a mobile app development cost calculator to get an exact number?
Calculators give a rough range based on estimated hours and a chosen rate; they can't account for your specific features or team. A fixed-price quote after a scoping call is more reliable.
What does RapidDev charge for a mobile app?
RapidDev quotes $18,000–$23,000 for a cross-platform MVP with login, payments, admin, and push, delivered in 7–9 weeks. Two native codebases or heavier features need a bigger scope.
Sources
- GoodFirms – Cost to Develop an App
- Netguru – Mobile App Development Cost
- Cynoteck – iOS vs Android vs Cross-Platform Costs
- App Development Cost Calculator – Mobile App Cost
- Upwork Insights – Mobile App Developer Rates
- Arc – Freelance Mobile App Developer Rates
- Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2025
- Apple Developer – Program Pricing
