"How much does an app cost?" is the first question in almost every discovery call we run — and the ranges quoted online ($5k to $500k) are so wide they are useless. Here are the real numbers we see across projects, and the decisions that actually move the price.
Realistic 2026 price ranges
- Focused MVP — one core workflow, one cross-platform codebase (React Native or Flutter), standard auth and payments: $20,000–$40,000
- Full consumer or B2B app — polished design, offline support, notifications, analytics: $50,000–$120,000
- Enterprise product — integrations, role-based access, compliance: $120,000+, driven mostly by scope rather than the mobile layer itself
If you are at the MVP stage, our MVP development service is built around exactly that first range: one core workflow, shipped in 8–16 weeks.
The three decisions that move the price
1. Platform strategy
Cross-platform development cuts 30–40% versus building iOS and Android separately. Unless you need deep platform features, this is the single biggest lever. (Choosing between the two main frameworks? See our React Native vs Flutter comparison.)
2. Backend scope
The app is often the cheap half. Custom backends, admin panels, and third-party integrations routinely exceed the cost of the mobile client. Using proven platform cores instead of building from zero is where budgets get rescued — that trade-off is the heart of our custom software development practice.
3. Who builds it
US agency rates run $100–200/hour. Our model — senior engineers delivering from our Yerevan hub with California management — starts at $15/hour for embedded engineers, which changes the math for both builds and ongoing maintenance.
Budgeting for what comes after launch
Plan for 15–20% of the build cost annually: OS updates, store policy changes, dependency upgrades, and the feature iterations that follow real user feedback. Apps that skip this line item become rewrite candidates within three years.
The app is often the cheap half. Custom backends, admin panels, and integrations routinely exceed the cost of the mobile client itself.
— Rocket Systems delivery team
For a number specific to your product, send us a short description — our mobile app development team replies within 24 hours with a scoped estimate, or book a free discovery call to walk through it live.
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Get a scoped estimateFrequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build an app MVP in 2026?
A focused MVP with one core workflow, a single cross-platform codebase, and standard authentication and payments typically costs $20,000–$40,000 and ships in 8–16 weeks.
How much does app maintenance cost per year?
Budget 15–20% of the original build cost annually. That covers OS updates, store policy changes, dependency upgrades, and iterative feature work based on user feedback.
Why is offshore development so much cheaper than US agencies?
US agency rates run $100–200/hour largely due to local overhead. Rocket Systems delivers with senior engineers from our Yerevan engineering hub under California management, starting at $15/hour — the engineering quality is the same discipline, without the overhead.
Is iOS or Android cheaper to build for?
Individually they cost about the same. The savings come from not building them separately: a cross-platform codebase in React Native or Flutter covers both platforms for 60–70% of the cost of two native apps.