How Much Do Apps Cost To Make?
Its a fair question that is difficult to answer…
The most common question we are asked is this – how much does it cost to develop an app? The answer is never straight forward because each development project is going to vary. The next question that is hardly if ever asked is how much do apps cost to keep and maintain? Ongoing development to keep your app up to date is a given, plus hosting costs which can include security updates, server updates and then you have to consider client support and what that story might look like.
We charge for development work on a project by project basis, in order to quote a price we need to know exactly what it is you’re asking us to build, if you don’t have your own project brief you can complete our form and submit it to us online.
A common misconception is that apps that can be downloaded for free or .99 cents on the app store must have been cheap to produce. While this can be the case more often than not tens of thousands of dollars have been invested in design and development. App downloads are often priced low because investors are calculating returns that are based on huge sales volumes that are attainable when you reach the global audience via iTunes and the Android markets.
On the low end a cheap app may cost a few thousand dollars to design & develop while at the other end of the scale more sophisticated apps connected to large data servers may cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars to create. Experienced operators know and understand that a quality app is needed to get traction and the big returns in the highly competitive marketplace, quality comes at a price. Evernote stands tall as an example of a simple high quality app and concept that generates about $45 million in revenue per year.
Contact us today if you need your app built right the first time.
Pricing guide — Smarterapps Ai
How Much Does an App Cost to Build?
It’s the question we’re asked most — and a fair one. Every app is different, so here’s how pricing really works, what drives cost and how to get an accurate estimate.
The short answer
It depends on scope — and quality.
Like homes, no two apps are the same. A simple app with a handful of screens may cost a few thousand dollars to design and develop, while sophisticated platforms connected to servers, integrations and AI can run to tens or even hundreds of thousands.
We price on a project-by-project basis. To quote accurately we need to understand exactly what you want to build — which is why we start with discovery and, where useful, a prototype.
What drives cost
Six factors that shape your budget.
Understanding these early helps you prioritise features and get the most from your investment.
Factor 01
Features & complexity
The number of screens, user roles and features, and how complex the underlying business logic is.
Factor 02
Platforms
iOS, Android, web or all three. Cross-platform frameworks such as Flutter can reduce build and maintenance cost.
Factor 03
Back end & integrations
Servers, databases, admin panels, payments and connections to your existing systems.
Factor 04
AI & automation
AI assistants, data processing and workflow automation — plus the data preparation behind them.
Factor 05
Design
Custom UI and UX design, branding and the level of polish needed to compete in your market.
Factor 06
Security & compliance
Authentication, data protection and industry requirements, such as those for medical apps.
Beyond launch
Plan for ongoing costs.
The question rarely asked is what an app costs to keep. Budget for ongoing development to stay current with iOS and Android updates, plus hosting, security and server updates, and user support.
Free or low-priced apps aren’t cheap to build. Many represent tens of thousands of dollars of design and development, priced low to reach a large global audience. Quality is what earns traction in a competitive market.
How we quote
From idea to an accurate estimate.
Brief. Share your idea through our contact page — a short summary is enough to begin.
Discovery & scope. We define features, users, technical requirements and timelines together.
Prototype. A clickable prototype lets you test the concept before committing to a full build.
Final estimate. With scope approved, we confirm cost, timeline and release plan.
Starting lean? MVP development lets you launch core features first and control spend. Browse all our services.
FAQs
Common questions.
Can you give me a price without a brief?
We can talk through typical ranges, but a firm quote needs a clear scope. Discovery gives you exactly that.
Is an MVP cheaper to build?
An MVP focuses on the core features needed to launch and learn, so the initial investment is lower. See our MVP development services.
What ongoing costs should I expect?
Hosting, maintenance, operating system updates, security patches and support. We can outline these as part of scoping.
Get an estimate
Let’s price your project.
Tell us what you want to build. We’ll talk through scope, options and a realistic budget.