How much does a mobile app cost in 2026? Prices, timelines and how apps are built
Real mobile app prices from a Bucharest development team: what an MVP costs, what drives the price, native vs cross-platform, timelines, store fees and maintenance.
Most articles about mobile app costs give ranges so wide they are useless, from a few thousand to half a million. This guide uses real numbers from apps we have built at Athryx Tech in Bucharest, explains what moves the price up or down, and shows how a mobile app goes from idea to the App Store and Google Play.
Short answer: what does a mobile app cost?
A small app or MVP can start from around €3,000–5,000. A complete mobile app with a backend, an admin panel and integrations, like the loyalty app we built for MAM Bricolaj, typically costs €15,000–21,000 or more. The final price depends on what the app must do, which platforms it runs on and which systems it connects to.
You are not paying for screens. You are paying for the logic, data and integrations behind them.
Mobile app cost by type
| Type of app | What it includes | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Simple app or MVP | A few core screens, login, a basic backend and one main user flow | From about €3,000–5,000 |
| Business app | Accounts, bookings or payments, push notifications and an admin panel | Around €10,000–15,000 |
| Complex app with integrations | Loyalty, ticketing or operations apps connected to POS, ERP or CRM, plus a web admin | €15,000–21,000 and up |
These are our own ranges. Agencies in Western Europe or the US usually charge several times more for the same scope, while very low offers often leave out the backend, testing or store release. Compare what is actually included, not just the total.
What drives the cost of a mobile app
- Features and screens: every flow, user role and business rule needs design, code and testing
- Platforms: iOS only, Android only, or both
- Native or cross-platform: one shared codebase usually costs less than two native apps
- Backend and admin panel: most real apps need a server, a database and a way for your team to manage content and users
- Integrations: payments, POS, ERP, CRM, maps or loyalty systems
- Design: custom interfaces and animations cost more than standard components
- Security and compliance: GDPR, payments and personal data need extra work
Native vs cross-platform: which should you choose?
| Criterion | Native (Swift, Kotlin) | Cross-platform (React Native, Flutter) |
|---|---|---|
| Codebase | A separate app for iOS and for Android | One shared codebase for both platforms |
| Cost | Higher: roughly two apps to build and maintain | Lower for most business apps |
| Performance | The best, with full access to every device feature | Very good for most apps |
| Best for | Heavy graphics, advanced device features, platform-specific design | Loyalty, booking, ecommerce and business apps |
For most business apps, cross-platform is the right trade-off. MAM+, the loyalty app we built for MAM Bricolaj, uses React Native and runs on both the App Store and Google Play.
How long does it take to build a mobile app?
A focused MVP usually takes from a few weeks to two or three months. A complete business app with a backend and integrations takes longer, and large apps are released in phases. Store review adds a few days at the end, so plan the launch date with that margin.
How a mobile app is built, step by step
- Discovery: who uses the app, what they need to do and how success is measured
- Scope and estimate: the features of the first version, in writing
- UX and UI design: screens and flows tested before development starts
- Development: the app, backend and admin panel built together in short increments
- Testing: on real iPhones and Android phones, including poor connections
- Store release: App Store and Google Play submission, review and launch
- Growth: analytics, updates and new features based on real use
The costs people forget
- Store accounts: Apple's developer programme costs $99 per year, and a Google Play developer account has a one-time $25 fee
- Hosting and backend services, which grow with the number of users
- Updates for new iOS and Android versions every year
- Maintenance, bug fixes and small improvements after launch
To avoid a large upfront payment, you can choose our monthly model: from around €1,000 per month over 12–24 months, with maintenance, updates and support included.
Real example: 7,500 active users in four months
MAM Bricolaj wanted a direct channel to its customers instead of generic promotions. We built MAM+, a mobile loyalty app with points, personalised offers and purchase-behaviour analysis, available on the App Store and Google Play. It reached 7,500 active users in its first four months.
How to choose a mobile app development company
- Ask for apps that are live in the stores, not just designs
- Check that the offer includes the backend, admin panel, testing and store release
- Agree in writing who owns the code and the store accounts
- Ask what happens after launch and how updates are handled
- Compare offers on scope, not only on price
Conclusion
A mobile app can cost a few thousand euros or tens of thousands, and both can be the right answer. Start with the smallest version that solves a real problem for your users, choose cross-platform unless you have a reason not to, and budget for life after launch. If you want a clear number for your idea, describe it to us and we will scope it.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build a mobile app?
Small apps and MVPs can start from around €3,000–5,000. Complete apps with a backend, admin panel and integrations typically cost €15,000–21,000 or more, depending on features, platforms and integrations.
How long does it take to develop a mobile app?
A focused MVP takes from a few weeks to two or three months. Complete business apps take longer, and large apps are released in phases.
Is it cheaper to build one app for both iOS and Android?
Usually, yes. Cross-platform frameworks like React Native use one codebase for both platforms, which lowers development and maintenance costs for most business apps.
How much does it cost to publish an app in the stores?
Apple's developer programme costs $99 per year, and a Google Play developer account has a one-time $25 fee.
Can I pay for a mobile app monthly?
Yes. We offer a monthly model from around €1,000 per month over 12–24 months, with maintenance included.
Have an app idea?
Tell us what the app should do and who will use it. We will reply with a scope, a realistic price and a timeline.
Contact Athryx Tech