Use this mobile app development cost calculator for an instant estimate on iOS, Android and cross-platform apps: consumer, business, e-commerce and on-demand. Compare traditional and AI-assisted delivery, based on real app projects SolGuruz has delivered.
FREE CALCULATOR
This app cost estimator asks 11 quick questions about your app type, features, platforms and timeline. You get a cost and timeline range for traditional and AI-assisted delivery, with a breakdown you can download as a PDF.
Pick the closest match. Every question after this adapts to the app type you choose.
TRANSPARENT METHODOLOGY
A social app needs feeds and moderation, an e-commerce app needs a catalog and checkout, and an on-demand app needs a provider side and live tracking. The type you pick sets the architecture we price from.
Scope is priced feature by feature. Each feature carries an effort figure from apps we have built, so adding in-app chat or a loyalty program moves the estimate by a known amount.
An admin web panel is always included. A native iOS app, a native Android app, both from one cross-platform codebase, a customer web app or a smartwatch app each add front-end, testing and release work on the shared backend.
Connecting payments, maps, a CRM, an ERP or a store platform adds API work, data mapping and testing. Moving users and records from an existing app adds cleanup and validation.
Standard security is always included. GDPR, HIPAA-aligned safeguards, PCI DSS-aligned payments, SOC 2-aligned controls and app hardening are priced separately and added to your estimate only when you select them.
A shorter deadline needs a larger team running parallel sprints, which adds coordination cost. Fixed price, dedicated team and time-and-materials engagements are each priced differently.
AI-Assisted Development uses AI code generation, automated testing and rapid prototyping to deliver 30-40% cost savings and 30-50% faster timelines, with the same code reviews and QA standards.
We use AI code generation, automated testing, and rapid prototyping to reduce development effort and accelerate delivery, without compromising code quality or QA rigor. Same rigorous code reviews, same QA standards.
Less manual effort across coding, testing, and documentation lowers the build cost.
AI-accelerated prototyping and testing compress timelines so you ship sooner.
We capture the speed and cost upside while protecting what matters most to you.
Every AI-generated line passes the same security review and SAST scans as hand-written code, so model-borne vulnerabilities never reach production.
We use private, enterprise AI only. Your code, data, and prompts are never used to train public models, and an NDA is in place from day one.
You own 100% of the code with documented human authorship, so your IP is legally defensible and your concept stays confidential.
Every AI output is reviewed, refactored, and approved by senior engineers. No blind, auto-generated vibe-coding.
Same architecture standards, code reviews, and QA as traditional development. Built to maintain, not just to ship.
AI output is screened for copyright and license contamination, and HIPAA, GDPR, SOC 2, and PCI controls are upheld regardless of AI use.
COST FACTORS
Most of an app budget comes from a handful of decisions. Knowing which ones move the number helps you scope a first release that fits your budget.
Every screen, feature and user role adds design, build and test effort. A simple app with a few screens starts from $15,000, while an on-demand app with a provider side and live tracking starts around $25,000 and passes $100,000 as dispatch, AI matching and more platforms are added.
Two native apps mean two codebases to build and test. A cross-platform app ships iOS and Android from one codebase, which usually lowers the cost of reaching both app stores.
Payments, maps, chat, live tracking and connections to your CRM or ERP need backend work, API integration and testing. Real-time features add the most effort.
Clean, standard layouts are quick to build. Custom illustrations, complex animations and highly branded interactions take more design and front-end time.
Hourly rates vary widely by region, so the same app can cost several times more with an onshore team. This calculator uses SolGuruz rates for our India-based engineering team.
Plan 15-20% of the build cost each year for OS updates, security patches and small improvements, plus hosting and app store account fees. The calculator covers the build, so budget for these separately.
Planning a mobile app? Explore our mobile app development services
Want the full breakdown with examples? Read our guide to how much it costs to create an app
TYPICAL RANGES
Indicative ranges for a typical scope in each category. Use the calculator above for an estimate based on your own features, platforms and integrations.
| App Type | Typical Cost | Typical Timeline | Typical Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple app or MVP | $15,000 - $30,000 | 3 - 6 weeks | A few core screens with one to three features, on one platform or both |
| Consumer app | $27,000 - $120,000 | 3 - 17 weeks | Profiles, feed, media and push notifications, up to chat, in-app purchases and AI recommendations |
| Business or field team app | $23,000 - $120,000 | 3 - 17 weeks | Forms, scheduling and GPS check-ins, up to offline mode, ERP integration and AI document capture |
| E-commerce app | $24,000 - $115,000 | 3 - 16 weeks | Catalog, cart, checkout and order tracking, up to loyalty, a store platform integration and AI recommendations |
| On-demand or booking app | $25,000 - $130,000 | 3 - 18 weeks | Bookings, provider app, payments and live tracking, up to automated dispatch and AI matching |
Each range runs from a lean scope with AI-assisted delivery to a fuller scope with traditional delivery, using the same model as the calculator above.
BUILD VS BUY
A no-code builder is the cheapest way to launch a simple app, but it limits custom features and ties the app to a platform you do not control. White-label and enterprise low-code licenses cost more each year than maintaining a custom app. Here is how the options compare over 3 years.
| Option | Year 1 Cost | 3-Year TCO | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| No-Code App Builder | $16,800 | $26,400 | Fast to launch, monthly platform fees, limits on custom logic, performance and offline use |
| White-Label App Platform | $38,000 | $74,000 | Ready-made app with your branding, per-month license, little room to stand out |
| Enterprise Low-Code Mobile Platform | $86,000 | $158,000 | Faster internal apps, per-app or per-user licensing, locked into one vendor |
| Custom App (SolGuruz) | $23,000 - $45,000 | $30,000 - $63,000 | No platform fees, full code ownership, 15-20%/yr maintenance |
* TCO includes setup, subscription and estimated customization costs. Custom app Years 2-3 include about 15-20% a year for maintenance. App store fees and hosting apply to every option. Actual costs vary by vendor, user count and scope.
WHY SOLGURUZ
Our estimates come from real delivery data: 102+ products shipped across 14 industries with a 99.9% delivery rate.
Each line item is grounded in real app projects we have delivered, and your final quote is confirmed after a discovery call.
AI code generation, test automation and rapid prototyping cut cost by 30-40% and timelines by 30-50%, with the same code review and QA.
Swift, Kotlin, Flutter and React Native. As an official Google Flutter Agency Partner, we help you pick the stack that fits your budget and app.
We handle builds, store listings, review guidelines and release, so your app is ready for store review without last-minute surprises.
You own 100% of the source code, designs and documentation. No license fees on the app we build for you.
Try our team for a week. If you are not satisfied, you pay nothing.
WORK WITH US
Once you have your estimate, choose how you want to build. We adapt to your team, timeline and budget.
Explore the latest reviews from our existing clients to get a better picture of our services and collaboration.
Mobile App Dev & UX/UI Design for Digital Marketing Company
SolGuruz delivered a Figma file on time, indicating the success of the project. The team kept the client updated and discussed progress through virtual meetings and email. Their regular updates and responsiveness made them stand out.
Summarized from Lawrence's Clutch review
Lawrence, Founder, Lookbooklab
Reno, Nevada, United States
Custom Software Development - Mobile & Web Dev for Documentation Solutions Firm
SolGuruz's work continues to receive positive feedback from the client's customers. The team is highly communicative and professional from a project management standpoint, and internal stakeholders are impressed with the service provider's technical expertise.
Summarized from Deepak Dhanak's Clutch review
Deepak Dhanak, Co-founder & CEO
Mumbai, India
Web and Mobile App Development for Language Education Platform
SolGuruz delivers a fully functional app and website within the agreed timeline and budget. The team follows a clear workflow with defined milestones, making it easy to track the project's progress. They are also responsive to the client's needs and provide professional suggestions.
Summarized from Iman Alsharhan's Clutch review
Iman Alsharhan, Founder, TirTir World
Kuwait
Share your app idea and our solution architects will review the scope, suggest a phased release plan and send a detailed proposal within 48 hours.
Guides on scoping, budgeting and launching mobile apps from our engineering team.
Quick answers to the questions our clients and prospects ask most. If yours is not here, our team is one click away.
Jay NandwanaSenior Technical Business Consultant
Need advice tailored to your project?
FAQs cover the common ground. For decisions specific to your tech stack, timeline, and team, talk to Jay and the team, who have shipped what you are planning.
Or email us hello@solguruz.com
With SolGuruz, a simple app or MVP usually costs $15,000 to $30,000, a consumer, business or e-commerce app $23,000 to $120,000, and an on-demand or booking app with providers $25,000 to $130,000, depending on features and platforms. The calculator above prices your exact scope from the app type, features, platforms, integrations and timeline you choose.
It breaks your app into features and platforms and gives each one an effort figure based on similar apps we have delivered. It then adjusts for integrations, data migration, compliance, timeline and engagement model. Every answer changes the estimate, and you get a cost and timeline range for traditional and AI-assisted delivery with a breakdown you can download as a PDF.
It gives a planning range: 10% below to 15% above the calculated figure. Open requirements, unusual integrations or complex custom animations can move the number. A short discovery call turns the range into a fixed quote or a sprint plan.
A simple app or MVP usually takes 3 to 6 weeks. A consumer or business app takes 3 to 17 weeks, an e-commerce app 3 to 16 weeks and an on-demand or booking app 3 to 18 weeks, depending on features, platforms and integrations. The low end of each range assumes AI-assisted delivery and the high end traditional delivery. The timeline range above is calculated from the scope you selected.
With us, a native iOS app and a native Android app cost about the same: each adds $5,000 on top of the shared backend and admin panel. Building both from one cross-platform codebase adds $9,000, which is cheaper than two separate native apps. Android can need extra testing because it runs on many more device models.
Usually, yes. A cross-platform framework such as Flutter or React Native ships iOS and Android from one codebase, so you design, build and test most features once. Native apps make sense when the app depends heavily on device hardware, platform-specific features or top-end performance.
App store accounts (Apple charges $99 a year, Google Play a one-time $25), hosting and cloud services, third-party APIs and licenses, and maintenance: plan 15-20% of the build cost each year for OS updates, security patches and small improvements. Scope changes after development starts are the other common surprise.
Often, yes, especially for a simple app. No-code builders and white-label apps launch fast for a monthly fee. The trade-offs are platform fees that rise with users, limits on custom features and performance, and an app that is hard to move off the platform. A custom app costs more upfront, but you own the code and can change anything.
We use AI across discovery, code scaffolding, test generation and QA. That typically reduces build cost by 30-40% and shortens timelines by 30-50% compared with traditional delivery, with the same code review. Switch between traditional and AI-assisted in the last step to see the difference on your estimate.
