Short answer: most custom mobile apps built by a professional agency in the US or UK cost roughly $25,000–$60,000 for a simple app, $60,000–$150,000 for a medium-complexity app and $150,000+ for a complex platform. The final price depends on features, platforms, design, integrations and who builds it. Use our app development cost calculator for a quick estimate based on your own features.
App development cost by complexity
| App type | Typical features | Approximate cost* | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple app / MVP | Login, a few core screens, basic admin, one platform or cross-platform | $25,000–$60,000 | 2–4 months |
| Medium-complexity app | Payments, user profiles, notifications, API integrations, admin dashboard | $60,000–$150,000 | 4–7 months |
| Complex app or platform | Real-time features, AI/LLM, marketplaces, multiple user roles, advanced security | $150,000+ | 7+ months |
*Approximate ranges for agency-built apps in 2026. Every project is different, so treat these as a starting point, not a quote.
What affects the cost of an app?
- Features: each screen, integration and business rule adds design, development and testing time.
- Platforms: iOS only, Android only, both, plus web. Cross-platform frameworks such as Flutter reduce the cost of supporting both.
- Design: a custom, animated UI costs more than a standard layout.
- Back end and admin panel: most apps need an API, database and dashboard, often built with ASP.NET Core or Node.js.
- Integrations: payments, maps, CRMs, Bluetooth devices or AI services.
- Security and compliance: healthcare, finance and enterprise apps need extra work.
- Team location: rates vary widely by country and experience.
Typical hourly rates by region
| Region | Approximate hourly rate (USD) |
|---|---|
| United States | $100–$200 |
| United Kingdom and Western Europe | $70–$150 |
| Eastern Europe | $40–$80 |
| South Asia | $25–$50 |
Rates are approximate and vary by experience, technology and engagement model.
App development cost by type of app
| Type of app | What drives the cost | Approximate cost* |
|---|---|---|
| Fitness or lifestyle app | Workout content, tracking, charts, subscriptions | $40,000–$120,000 |
| Food ordering or deals app | Menus, offers, ordering, payments, restaurant admin | $50,000–$150,000 |
| Marketplace or booking app | Two user types, listings, search, payments, reviews | $80,000–$200,000+ |
| Healthcare app | Security, compliance, appointments, device or EHR integration | $80,000–$250,000+ |
| Fintech or banking app | Security, KYC, payments, regulatory requirements | $100,000–$300,000+ |
See also our guide to the cost to develop a banking app.
Where the budget goes: cost by project phase
- Discovery and planning (around 5–10%): requirements, user journeys, technical plan and estimate.
- UI/UX design (around 10–15%): wireframes, prototypes and final designs.
- Development (around 50–60%): mobile app, back end, admin panel and integrations.
- Testing and QA (around 15–20%): manual and automated testing on real devices.
- Launch and project management (around 5–10%): app store release, coordination and communication.
These percentages are typical guidelines; the exact split depends on your project.
Fixed price or time and materials?
A fixed price works well when the scope is clear, such as an MVP with an agreed feature list. Time and materials suits products that will evolve, because you pay for the work actually done and can change priorities after each sprint. Many clients start with a fixed-price discovery phase, then continue on a monthly basis.
Native vs cross-platform: how it changes the price
Building separate native iOS and Android apps means two codebases and roughly double the front-end work. Cross-platform frameworks such as Flutter and React Native share most of the code, which typically lowers the cost of supporting both platforms. Read our comparison of Flutter vs React Native.
Hidden and ongoing costs
- App Store and Google Play developer accounts.
- Cloud hosting, databases and third-party services such as maps, SMS or AI APIs.
- Maintenance: updates for new iOS and Android versions, security fixes and small improvements. See our software maintenance services.
- Marketing and app store optimisation to get users.
How to reduce your app development cost
- Start with an MVP that proves your core idea. See our MVP development services.
- Use a cross-platform framework for iOS and Android.
- Prioritise features and launch in phases.
- Choose an experienced team that gets it right the first time.
- Agree a clear scope before development starts.
Real apps we have built
Our team has built apps such as Optimized Strength, an AI-powered fitness app with 1,000+ downloads; Smart Eats, native Android and iOS food deals apps with a Laravel back end; and an HR platform with a Flutter mobile app used by 5,000+ employees. Tell us about your app for a free, detailed estimate.
Free MVP design offer: we design the 5-6 key screens of your app free as a clickable prototype, with no obligation. When you build, your starter MVP is $1,500 instead of $3,000 (50% off).
Frequently asked questions
A simple app or MVP built by a professional agency typically costs around $25,000–$60,000, depending on features, platforms and design.
Usually yes. Cross-platform frameworks such as Flutter and React Native share most of the code, which reduces the cost of supporting both platforms.
Simple apps often take 2–4 months, medium apps 4–7 months and complex platforms longer.
Expect hosting, third-party services, app store accounts and maintenance for updates, security fixes and improvements.
Share your idea, main features and target platforms with a development team. Three Circle provides a free consultation and detailed estimate.
