1. Your app
2. Features
Estimated build time: about 2–3 weeks for a small team. Every line below is calculated with the published rates — no hidden markup.
| Part of the build | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Utility / simple tool (base build) | $8,000 | $20,000 |
| Total | $8,000 | $20,000 |
Before launch costs: add 15–25% of the build price per year for maintenance, plus hosting and store fees (see the ongoing-costs table on this page).
The rates this calculator uses
Most online calculators hide their numbers. Ours are published right here, and they are the same figures in our guides:
| Feature | Typical cost | Build hours | Why it costs that |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounts & login | $3,000 – $8,000 | 40–80 | Sign-up, password reset, social login, security rules |
| Payments & subscriptions | $5,000 – $15,000 | 60–120 | Stripe/card integration, receipts, refunds, renewals |
| Push notifications | $2,000 – $5,000 | 20–40 | Simple to add, testing on real devices takes the time |
| Chat / messaging | $12,000 – $35,000 | 160–300 | Real-time servers, media messages, read receipts |
| Admin panel | $10,000 – $25,000 | 120–240 | A second product most budgets forget |
| Maps & live location | $4,000 – $10,000 | 50–100 | Map APIs, live tracking, geofencing |
| AI feature | $20,000 – $60,000+ | 200–400 | Model integration, training data, per-use API costs |
Base builds by type run from $8,000–$20,000 (simple utility) to $45,000–$100,000 (regulated healthcare). Choosing both platforms multiplies the build by 1.7 rather than 2, because the backend is shared. Design multiplies by 1.0 (basic), 1.2 (custom) or 1.45 (premium). Region multiplies by the rate ratios in our region table — a South Asia agency at roughly $28–$56/hr against a US agency at $100–$199/hr.
Why published prices beat hidden calculators
Email-gated calculators exist to harvest leads, and their ranges are often set to scare or flatter. A calculator that shows its rates lets you argue with it: if your quotes come back far from these lines, ask the agency which line they priced differently — that conversation is where fair prices come from.
What the estimate does not include
| Running cost | Typical figure | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance & updates | 15–25% of build cost / year | OS updates, bug fixes, small improvements |
| Hosting / servers (MVP) | $45 – $150/month | Grows with users |
| Hosting (under 50,000 users) | $200 – $800/month | Databases, media storage, push services |
| Apple App Store | $99/year | Developer account |
| Google Play | $25 one-time | Developer account |
| Store commission | 15–30% of sales | On in-app purchases and subscriptions |
For the full picture by app type, see the app development cost guide, or jump to fitness, food delivery and healthcare pricing.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is this calculator?
It prices with published 2026 market ranges (Clutch, GoodFirms, Accelerance), so a fair agency quote should land inside or near the range. Quotes far below usually mean missing parts — no admin panel, no testing budget; quotes far above should come with a line-by-line explanation.
Why does the same app cost less in South Asia?
Hourly rates differ: roughly $28–$56/hr for South Asia agencies against $100–$199/hr in the US. The work hours are similar; the labour price is not. Lower rates come with more vetting work on portfolio and communication.
Does building for iOS and Android double the price?
No. The backend, design system and admin panel are shared, so two platforms cost about 1.7 times one platform in this calculator — cross-platform frameworks can bring that closer to 1.3–1.5.
What is the cheapest way to build an app?
One platform, a basic design, proven third-party services instead of custom features, and an offshore or freelance builder. A simple utility app can start near $8,000–$10,000 that way — but expect to manage the project yourself.
How much should I budget after launch?
15–25% of the build price per year for maintenance, plus hosting and store fees. On a $50,000 build that is $7,500–$12,500 a year before marketing.