How much does
mobile app development
cost in 2026?
Mobile app development costs vary by platform, scope, and quality. Below are 2026 market bands based on our work with clients.
What you get at each tier.
Bargain ($5k-15k)
$5,000-$15,000
What you get: A no-code or template-based app, often single-platform, with limited backend.
Trade-offs: Custom UI, App Store submission readiness, scalability past 1k users.
Mid-market ($25k-60k)
$25,000-$60,000
What you get: A custom RN or single-platform native app with a backend, App Store submission included.
Trade-offs: Pixel-perfect both-platform polish, advanced animations, native module work.
Senior studio ($60k-150k)
$60,000-$150,000
What you get: Native iOS + Android (or polished RN), custom backend, design polish, post-launch support.
Trade-offs: Speed — these projects are typically 12-20 weeks.
Premier ($150k-500k+)
$150,000-$500,000+
What you get: Native both-platform, custom backend, design system, motion-rich UI, post-launch retainer.
Trade-offs: Budget. But you get the App Store-Award-quality output.
Don't forget the add-ons.
- Apple Developer Program ($99/year) and Play Store ($25 one-time)
- Backend hosting and ongoing infrastructure
- Push notification service
- Analytics platform
- Crash monitoring (Sentry, Crashlytics)
- OS update maintenance
- App Store re-submission costs as Apple changes guidelines
What drives cost most
- Number of unique screens
- Native vs React Native
- Backend complexity
- Design polish level
- Animation and motion complexity
- Native module needs (camera, AR, biometrics)
Bands aren't
quotes.
For a real quote tailored to your project, brief us. We respond within two business days.
Get a quoteWhere we sit.
We typically sit in the senior-to-premier band. We don't do bargain projects.