App Development Cost Calculator 2026 (Free)
Estimate the cost of your iOS, Android, React Native or Flutter app in 60 seconds: pick platforms, features, design and team region for an instant price range.
Estimate the cost of your iOS, Android, React Native or Flutter app in 60 seconds: pick platforms, features, design and team region for an instant price range.
1. Base effort from complexity
Simple, medium and complex apps each start from a base build effort that covers screens, user roles and core logic. Complexity also sets the typical timeline shown with the result.
2. Feature effort
Every feature you tick adds its own effort figure, shown next to the feature. Payments, chat, video and AI add the most because they need backend work, third-party services and extra testing.
3. Platform and design multipliers
Two native apps multiply the effort by 1.7, a cross-platform app by 1.25 and a web app by 0.9. Template design multiplies it by 0.85, custom design by 1.0 and premium motion-rich design by 1.25.
4. Team region
The region multiplier reflects typical hourly ranges in that market. These ranges are general planning assumptions, not measured market data and not Interest Bud Solutions prices.
5. The range and what it leaves out
The low end is 15% below the modelled figure and the high end 20% above it. App store fees, third-party subscriptions, hosting, compliance audits and post-launch maintenance are not included.
6. Currency
All totals are shown in US dollars. The UK hourly range is listed in pounds because UK teams usually quote in pounds.
How much does it cost to develop an app in 2026?
A simple mobile app typically costs $15,000 to $30,000, a medium-complexity app $35,000 to $85,000, and a complex app with AI, real-time features, or enterprise integrations $90,000 to $250,000+. Final cost depends on platform, design depth, feature scope, and the development team's location.
What factors influence app development cost the most?
The four biggest cost drivers are (1) feature scope, (2) platform choice (cross-platform is ~30 to 40% cheaper than two native apps), (3) design complexity, and (4) the team's geographic rate. Backend infrastructure, third-party APIs, and post-launch maintenance add 15 to 20% per year.
Is Flutter or React Native cheaper than native development?
Yes. A single Flutter or React Native codebase that ships to both iOS and Android typically costs 25 to 35% less than building two separate native apps, and shortens timelines by 30 to 40%. Native is still preferred when you need deep platform integration, AR, or maximum performance.
How accurate is this calculator?
The estimate is a planning model: each feature adds an effort share, your complexity choice applies a multiplier, and the selected region sets an hourly range. The output runs from 15% below to 20% above the modelled figure, for early budgeting, not a quote; a precise quote requires a discovery call to scope requirements, integrations, and compliance needs.
What is included in the estimate?
The estimate covers UI/UX design, frontend and backend development, QA, project management, deployment, and a basic CI/CD setup. It does not include ongoing maintenance (~15 to 20% of build cost per year), paid third-party services (Stripe fees, SMS, hosting), or marketing.
How long does it take to build an app?
Simple apps: 8 to 12 weeks. Medium apps: 12 to 20 weeks. Complex apps: 20 to 36 weeks. Cross-platform builds typically shave 4 to 8 weeks off a comparable two-platform native project.