How much does a mobile app cost in 2026?
Mobile app development costs start at around $10,000 for simple projects and can extend to, and beyond, $300,000 for enterprise-grade products. The spread is enormous because cost is driven by complexity, platform choice, feature depth and the integrations you need, not by a single line item.
This guide breaks down every major cost driver so you can build a budget that reflects your actual requirements instead of a generic quote.
Cost by complexity level
Typical investment ranges as feature depth and architecture grow.
Platform comparison
Cross-platform can save up to 50% versus building two native apps. iOS builds typically run 15-20% more expensive than Android, while Android effort can be 20-25% higher due to device fragmentation.
Tech stack costs
Where engineering effort lands across the stack.
Feature tiers and their costs
Features are the biggest lever on your total budget.
Cost by industry
Typical development ranges across common app categories.
Integration costs
63% of companies invest in third-party integrations, here's what they add.
Quality assurance: the hidden expense
Nearly 90% of users abandon apps due to bugs and poor performance. Testing is not an optional line item, it's what keeps those users installed.
Budget for dedicated QA cycles alongside development, including usability testing ($1,000 - $3,000) and security testing ($2,000 - $5,000) at minimum.
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