July 16, 2026 · 7 min read
Building a mobile app starts at €3,000 for a simple cross-platform app, while more complex projects with a backend, user accounts and integrations can exceed €15,000. The cost depends on the features, the number of platforms (iOS, Android or both) and whether the app needs a server and an admin panel behind it.
App cost by type
| Type of app | Typical price | Examples |
|---|
| Simple app (MVP) | from €3,000 | Catalog, showcase, content |
| App with backend and accounts | from €6,000 | Login, profiles, push notifications |
| Complex app | from €12,000 | Payments, geolocation, chat |
Native or cross-platform?
A cross-platform app (React Native, Flutter) uses a single codebase for iOS and Android: it costs less and ships faster, ideal for most projects. A native app (Swift, Kotlin) offers maximum performance and full access to device features, but doubles the effort because it needs two codebases. For 90% of cases we recommend cross-platform.
What drives the quote
- Backend: if the app must store data or manage users, it needs a server, which must be designed and maintained.
- UX/UI design: a polished experience takes more work but increases real usage.
- Integrations: payments, maps, push notifications, social login, external services.
- Publishing and maintenance: Apple developer account (€99/year) and Google (€25 one-time), plus updates over time.
Often, before an app, it's worth considering a web app or a mobile-optimized site: it costs less and reaches everyone without a download. We discuss this together when scoping the project. See our app development service, consider custom software development, and read how much a website costs to compare the investments.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build an app from scratch?
A simple cross-platform app starts at €3,000. With a backend, user accounts and notifications it rises to €6,000+, while complex apps with payments and geolocation exceed €12,000.
Native or cross-platform app?
For most projects cross-platform (React Native, Flutter) is best: one codebase for iOS and Android, lower cost and time. Native is only needed when you require extreme performance or advanced hardware features.
Are there costs after publishing the app?
Yes: the Apple developer account costs €99/year and Google €25 one-time. Then there's backend hosting and periodic updates for compatibility and security.
Do I really need an app or is a website enough?
Often a mobile-optimized site or web app is enough and costs less, because it needs no download. An app is worth it when you need push notifications, offline use or device features.