These are broad market ranges based on 2026 industry data. Actual prices vary widely.
Cost by Complexity
| Complexity | Typical Cost Range | Timeline | What You Usually Get |
|------------|---------------------|----------|----------------------|
| Simple / MVP | $15,000 – $50,000 (sometimes lower with freelancers or fixed-price studios) | 2–4 months | Few screens, basic login, simple features, limited or no backend |
| Medium | $50,000 – $150,000 | 4–6 months | User accounts, payments, API integrations, push notifications, custom UI, admin panel |
| Complex | $150,000 – $300,000+ | 6–12 months | Real-time features (chat), maps, multi-role users, offline mode, advanced backend |
| Enterprise / Regulated | $300,000 – $500,000+ | 12–18+ months | Compliance (HIPAA, fintech), heavy integrations, high security, scalability |
Clutch data shows that most reviewed projects fall in the $10,000–$49,999 range, with an average around $90,000.
iOS vs Android vs Both Platforms
- Native iOS only: Often $25,000–$150,000+ depending on scope. Slightly more predictable due to fewer device variations.
- Native Android only: Similar or 10–15% higher than iOS because of device fragmentation and extra testing.
- Both native (separate iOS + Android codebases): Roughly double the cost of a single platform — commonly $50,000–$300,000+ for medium apps, and $300,000–$700,000+ for complex ones.
- Cross-platform (Flutter or React Native): Usually 30–50% cheaper than building two native apps. A simple-to-medium cross-platform app often lands in the $25,000–$185,000 range and is the most common choice when you need both stores.
Main Cost Drivers
- Features: Push notifications (~$2k–$5k), payments (~$5k–$15k), chat/real-time (~$12k–$35k), AI features (~$20k–$60k+), admin panel, offline mode, and integrations each add significant cost.
- Team location and type:
- Freelancers (on Gwtech): ~$18–$50/hour
- Offshore/nearshore agencies (Eastern Europe, Latin America, Asia): ~$30–$80/hour
- US/Western Europe agencies: often $100–$200+/hour
- Design quality, backend complexity, number of screens/user roles, and compliance requirements.
- Development approach: Cross-platform is usually more cost-effective for both platforms; pure native is better for maximum performance or deep OS features.
Ongoing Costs After Launch
Budget an extra 15–25% of the initial development cost per year for maintenance, bug fixes, OS updates, and new features. Also include:
- Apple Developer Program: $99/year
- Google Play developer account: $25 one-time
- Hosting, analytics, and third-party services (variable)
Bottom Line
A realistic starting budget for most serious business or startup apps targeting both iOS and Android is $40,000–$120,000 using a cross-platform approach with a competent offshore or mid-tier team. Simple single-platform MVPs can be done for under $25,000, while polished, feature-rich, or regulated products easily exceed $200,000.
For an accurate quote, define the core features, target platforms, and quality expectations, then request fixed-price or detailed estimates from 2–3 vendors after a discovery call. Prices fluctuate with scope changes, so clear requirements early are the biggest cost-control lever.
What is the cost of having an Android or iOS app developed?
The cost of developing an Android or iOS app in 2026 typically ranges from about $15,000 to $50,000 for a simple app or MVP, $50,000 to $150,000 for a medium-complexity app, and $150,000 to $300,000+ (sometimes much higher) for complex or enterprise-level apps.
