How Much Does Mobile App Development Cost?
Updated on 27 August 2026 2 min read
The budget of a mobile app depends on many factors. An overview of what drives the cost of a mobile project.
Mobile app development cost varies considerably from one project to another. Understanding the factors that influence this budget helps you prepare a better brief before contacting developers.
The factors that drive the budget
The number of features is the first cost driver: a simple app with a handful of screens naturally costs less than an app with geolocation, online payment, push notifications, and real-time syncing. The choice between native development (a separate app for iOS and Android) and cross-platform development (a shared codebase) also strongly influences the budget, as native development generally requires twice as much work.
Costs beyond development
- UI/UX design, often underestimated even though it drives app adoption
- Store publishing fees (Apple and Google developer accounts)
- Post-launch maintenance: bug fixes, compatibility with new iOS and Android versions
- Back-end hosting and maintenance if the app depends on a server
Freelance or agency: what's the impact on price?
As with a website, a freelance mobile developer generally offers more accessible rates than a specialized agency, which brings a full team. For a medium-sized project, an experienced freelance developer is often a good compromise between quality and budget.
How to get a reliable estimate
The most effective approach is to precisely define the features essential to launch (the famous MVP, or minimum viable product) and request quotes on this narrower scope rather than a full version from the start. Find our complete mobile development guide and check the mobile development projects posted to compare announced budgets.
Besoin d'un développeur ?
Publiez votre projet gratuitement sur Dusavoir et recevez des devis de développeurs qualifiés.