Most people asking this question want a number, so here it is: a simple app built by an experienced team in India usually costs between $8,000 and $20,000, a medium app $20,000 to $50,000, and a large platform $50,000 and up. The same work from a US or UK agency is often three to four times higher. The rest of this guide explains where those numbers come from and how to spend less without ending up with a poor app.
The prices in this guide are typical market ranges in 2026 to help you plan a budget. They are not a fixed price list. Every project is different, and we always give a written estimate after a short call.
App cost at a glance
| App size | Typical examples | Time to build | Team in India | US / UK agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | Booking form, catalogue, event or information app, basic login | 6 to 10 weeks | $8,000 – $20,000 | $40,000 – $90,000 |
| Medium | Online store, appointment booking with payments, staff app with admin panel | 3 to 5 months | $20,000 – $50,000 | $90,000 – $200,000 |
| Complex | Marketplace with customer, vendor and driver apps, live tracking, AI features | 5 to 9 months | $50,000 – $120,000+ | $200,000 – $500,000+ |
These figures include design, iOS and Android apps, a web admin panel, testing and store launch. They do not include marketing or yearly running costs, which we cover further down.
What actually decides the price
When we estimate a project, five things move the number more than anything else.
- Number of features. Every screen, rule and notification takes time. A chat feature alone can add two to four weeks.
- Platforms. Building separate native apps for iPhone and Android costs more than one cross-platform app in Flutter or React Native. For most business apps, cross-platform saves around 30 to 40 percent with no difference users would notice.
- The admin panel and backend. This is the part people forget. Somebody has to manage users, orders, content and reports, and that web panel is often a third of the total work.
- Integrations. Payment gateways, maps, SMS, accounting software, ERP or government systems each add time, especially when their documentation is poor.
- Who builds it. Hourly rates vary hugely by country, as the table below shows.
Typical developer rates by region
| Region | Typical hourly rate (2026) |
|---|---|
| India | $20 – $45 |
| Eastern Europe | $40 – $75 |
| UK and Australia | $70 – $150 |
| USA | $100 – $200 |
A lower rate only saves money if the team is good. A cheap team that needs everything rebuilt a year later is the most expensive option of all. See our guide to hiring developers in India for how to check a team before you sign.
Running costs people forget
Launching the app is not the end of spending. Plan for these every year:
- Store fees: Apple charges $99 a year for a developer account. Google charges a one-time $25.
- Servers and hosting: from about $30 a month for a small app to several hundred dollars once you have thousands of daily users.
- Third-party services: maps, SMS for OTP login, email, push notifications and AI usage are often billed per use.
- Maintenance: budget 15 to 20 percent of the build cost each year for bug fixes, security updates and changes needed for new iOS and Android versions.
How to keep your app budget under control
- Start with a first version (MVP). Pick the few features your users cannot live without and launch those. Add the rest once you have feedback.
- Write down what you want. Even a one-page list of screens and user types gives you more accurate quotes and fewer surprises.
- Use ready-made services for login, payments and notifications instead of building them from scratch.
- Pay by milestone, with a working build to test at each step, so you are never paying for work you have not seen.
- Make sure you own the code. It should be in your own repository and app store accounts from day one.
How we estimate at iTech Solutions
We start with a free call about your idea, then send a written estimate that lists each feature, splits them into must-have and later, and gives a fixed price for each milestone. You can see examples of what we build on our case studies page, and we work with clients in the USA, UK, UAE and Australia.
Want a quick number for your own idea? Try our free app cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a simple app cost?
A simple app with a few screens, login and an admin panel usually costs $8,000 to $20,000 with a team in India, and takes 6 to 10 weeks.
Is it cheaper to build only for Android or iPhone first?
A little, but with cross-platform tools like Flutter the extra cost of covering both is small. Most clients launch on both at once.
Why do quotes for the same app vary so much?
Different teams assume different features, quality levels and hourly rates. Ask every company to quote against the same written feature list so you can compare fairly.
How much does it cost to maintain an app?
Plan for about 15 to 20 percent of the build cost per year, plus hosting and third-party service fees.
Want a real number for your app?
Share your idea and we will send a written estimate with a feature list and timeline, usually within one business day.
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