Article · · 3 min read
How much does it cost to build a mobile app in 2026
The price of a mobile app depends less on the "app" itself and more on what it has to do: screens, accounts, payments, a back office, integrations. The same idea can cost a few thousand dollars as a focused first version or many times more as a full product. Here is what drives the price, how to start smaller and what you will pay after launch.
Related service Website development — from $500AI automation & bots — from $350
In short
At Veilvex a mobile app for iOS and Android starts at $2,500 for a focused first version (MVP) built with one cross-platform codebase. The price grows with the number of screens, user accounts, payments, a back office and integrations. Plan for store fees (Apple about $99 a year, Google a one-time $25) and for support after launch. If you only need bookings or orders, a Telegram bot or a fast mobile website is often enough and costs less.
In this article06
01What drives the price of an app
- Screens and logic: five simple screens and thirty screens with filters, chat and a map are different projects.
- Accounts and data: sign-up, profiles, history and synchronisation need a server and a database.
- Payments and subscriptions: in-app purchases, cards, invoices and their rules in the stores.
- A back office: an admin panel where your team adds products, sees orders and answers clients.
- Integrations: CRM, delivery, maps, notifications, AI features.
02Native, cross-platform or not an app at all
| Option | What it is | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-platform app | One codebase for iOS and Android | Most business apps: bookings, catalogs, loyalty, services |
| Native apps | Separate apps for iOS and Android | Heavy graphics, complex device features, very large audiences |
| Mobile website or web app | Opens in the browser, no store needed | When people use it rarely or find you through search |
| Telegram or WhatsApp bot | Works inside a messenger | Orders, bookings, notifications, simple personal accounts |
Cross-platform development usually saves a large part of the budget compared to two native apps, with little difference for the user in typical business tasks.
03Start with an MVP
An MVP is the smallest version that solves the main task for real users. It lets you check demand before you pay for every feature.
- Write down the one main action a user must be able to do.
- Keep only the screens needed for that action, plus sign-in if it is really required.
- Launch, collect feedback and data for a few weeks.
- Add features that users actually ask for.
04Costs after launch
- Store accounts: Apple Developer about $99 a year, Google Play a one-time $25.
- Server and services: hosting, database, notifications, maps; for a small app often from a few dollars to a few dozen a month.
- Updates: new iOS and Android versions require regular updates; many teams budget around 15–20% of the build cost a year for support.
These are typical figures for small business apps, not a quote. The real numbers depend on users, data and integrations.
05How to get a realistic price
- Describe who the users are and the main thing they do in the app.
- List the must-have features and the nice-to-have ones separately.
- Say where data should go: your CRM, a spreadsheet, a messenger.
- Ask for a price and timeline for the MVP and a separate estimate for the next stage.
If an app is more than you need right now, look at a website or a bot and automation first. To get an estimate for your app, write to us.
06Frequently asked questions
How much does a simple mobile app cost?
At Veilvex a focused first version for iOS and Android starts at $2,500. The final price depends on screens, accounts, payments and integrations.
How long does it take to build an app?
A focused MVP usually takes from several weeks to a few months, plus store review, which typically takes from one day to a week.
Do I need separate apps for iOS and Android?
Usually not. One cross-platform codebase covers both stores and costs less than two native apps.
Is a Telegram bot enough instead of an app?
For orders, bookings and notifications it often is. A bot is faster to launch and cheaper: at Veilvex a scenario bot starts at $350.
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