How much does a mobile app cost to build?

Mobile app costs

What it costs to build a mobile app in Australia today, what drives the price, and how AI-assisted development is changing the picture.

The short answer

$10,000 to $200,000+, depending on what your app needs to do

Most mobile apps we’re asked about cost somewhere between $10,000 and $200,000+ to design and build. That’s a wide range because “an app” can mean anything from a simple single-purpose tool to a platform with user accounts, payments, a custom backend and integrations with your other systems.

As a rough guide, a simple app takes about 6 to 12 weeks to design, build and launch, while a complex app can take 4 to 9 months. The best way to pin down your cost is a short scoping conversation: we’ll ask what the app needs to do and who will use it, then give you a realistic range. Talk to us about your app.

App types

What kind of app are you building?

Where your app sits in the range depends mostly on how much it needs to do.

Simple standalone app

A handful of screens, no user accounts and little or no backend. The low end of the range.

Business app

User accounts, a backend, notifications and integration with one or two systems. The middle of the range.

Complex platform

Marketplaces, payments, real-time features, admin dashboards and many integrations. The high end and beyond.

Cost factors

What drives the cost of an app

The main things that move your app towards the lower or higher end of the range.

Features and complexity

Every screen, user role and feature adds design, build and testing time. User accounts, payments, maps, offline mode and real-time updates have the biggest impact.

One platform or two

With Flutter, we build iOS and Android apps from a single codebase, so two apps cost closer to one. Fully native apps for each platform cost more, but suit apps that rely heavily on device hardware.

Design

A polished, custom interface tested with real users costs more than a standard layout, but it is usually what makes people keep using an app.

Backend and integrations

Most apps need a secure backend and APIs to store data and connect to your CRM, payment or booking systems. This is often a large part of the budget.

AI-assisted development

Our developers use AI tools to speed up routine coding, testing and documentation, which makes builds faster and more cost-effective than a few years ago. Experienced developers still design, review and test everything, because security, performance and long-term maintainability can’t be left to a tool.

Testing and launch

Testing on real devices, plus preparing and submitting your app to the App Store and Google Play, which each have their own developer account fees and review processes.

Ongoing costs

Budget roughly 15 to 20% of the build cost per year for updates as iOS and Android change, bug fixes, hosting and any third-party services. See mobile app design and development.

Costs to plan for beyond the build

The build is the biggest cost, but it isn’t the only one. When you budget for an app, allow for:

App store memberships: Apple charges an annual developer membership and Google a one-off registration fee to publish apps.
Backend hosting: the servers and databases your app relies on, which grow with your number of users.
Third-party services: maps, SMS, email, payment processing and push notification services often charge per use or per month.
AI services: usage-based fees from the AI provider, if your app includes AI features.
Updates and compatibility: Apple and Google release major updates every year, and apps need testing and updating to keep working.
Security and maintenance: keeping the backend and the frameworks your app uses patched and secure.
Marketing: an app nobody knows about won’t get used, so set aside budget to promote it.

Planning for these up front avoids surprises and makes it easier to compare quotes on a like-for-like basis.

Saving money

Ways to reduce the cost of your app

Smart decisions early in a project can make a big difference to the final price.

Start with a first version

Launch with the essential features, then add more based on real user feedback.

Build once for both platforms

Flutter delivers iOS and Android apps from a single codebase.

Be clear on scope

A clear brief reduces rework and keeps estimates accurate.

Use proven services

Payments, maps and logins built on existing services, not from scratch.

Reuse what you have

Connect to your existing website, database or systems where possible.

Plan for growth

A sound architecture now avoids an expensive rebuild later.

The process

How app development works, stage by stage

Each stage has its own cost, and the effort in each depends on your app.

1. Discovery and scoping

We work through your goals, users and must-have features, and turn them into a clear scope and estimate. Time spent here saves money later.

2. UX and interface design

Wireframes, then a clickable prototype and visual design, tested with real users before development starts.

3. Development

We build the app and its backend in short iterations, with regular demos so you can see progress and give feedback.

4. Testing

Testing on a range of real iOS and Android devices, covering functionality, performance, accessibility and security.

5. Launch

Preparing store listings, submitting your app to the App Store and Google Play, and handling the review process.

6. Support and improvement

Monitoring, updates and new features once your app is live, guided by how people actually use it.

In-house, freelancer or agency: which is better value?

How you resource your app has a big effect on both cost and risk.

Hiring an in-house team

This makes sense if the app is your core product and you will develop it continuously. You will need designers, mobile developers, backend developers and testers, plus recruitment, salaries and management, so it is rarely the cheapest option for a single app.

Using a freelancer

A freelancer can be cost-effective for a small, well-defined app. The risks are that one person rarely covers design, mobile, backend and testing equally well, and ongoing support depends on their availability.

Working with an agency

An agency brings a complete team, established processes and ongoing support, and can usually start sooner. Rates may be higher than a freelancer’s, but projects tend to finish faster with fewer surprises, and someone remains accountable after launch. If you are weighing up your options, talk to us about your app.

AI features

What does it cost to add AI features to an app?

AI features such as chat assistants, image recognition, smart search, summaries and personalised recommendations are now practical in apps of almost any size. They add to the cost in two ways.

First, there’s the build: designing how the feature should work, connecting to an AI service, and testing that it gives useful, safe answers. Second, there are running costs. Most AI services charge based on usage, so the cost grows with the number of people using the feature.

We help you estimate both up front, choose services that keep your data protected, and design AI features that stay affordable as your app grows.

FAQs

App cost questions

More FAQs

How much does a simple app cost to build?

A simple standalone app, with a handful of screens and little or no backend, typically sits at the lower end of the $10,000 to $200,000+ range. The final cost depends on the design, the features and whether you need iOS, Android or both.

Does AI make app development cheaper?

Yes. AI tools help our developers move faster on routine coding, testing and documentation, which makes builds more cost-effective than a few years ago. Quality still depends on experienced developers designing, reviewing and testing the work, so AI lowers cost without cutting corners on security or reliability.

How much does it cost to maintain an app?

As a guide, plan for around 15 to 20% of the original build cost each year. That covers updates as iOS and Android change, bug fixes, hosting, app store memberships and any third-party or AI services your app uses.

How long does it take to build a mobile app?

A simple app usually takes about 6 to 12 weeks to design, build and launch. More complex apps, with accounts, payments, integrations or custom backends, typically take 4 to 9 months.

Should we build our app with Flutter or go fully native?

Flutter lets us build for iOS and Android from a single codebase, which usually saves time and cost. We recommend fully native development when an app needs deep integration with device hardware or platform-specific features.

Do you handle App Store and Google Play submission?

Yes. We build and test apps to meet Apple and Google requirements, and we manage submission and any resubmissions.

Is it cheaper to build an app with a no-code tool?

No-code and low-code tools can be a quick, low-cost way to test an idea or build a simple internal app. They become limiting when you need custom features, integrations, strong performance or full ownership of your code, which is when a custom build usually offers better value over the life of the app.

Do I need a mobile app, or would a web app do?

If people will use it occasionally, or mainly on a computer, a responsive web app is often cheaper to build and easier to maintain. A mobile app makes more sense when you need push notifications, offline use, device features such as the camera or GPS, or a presence in the app stores. We can help you decide before you commit.