Honest pricing guidance based on hundreds of projects. No bait-and-switch ranges - real tiers based on what we see in production.
Every project is different, but most fall into one of three tiers. These ranges reflect real project costs from our portfolio.
A focused product with core features, one platform, and a clean launch path. Ideal for validating an idea or serving a single workflow.
Examples: Internal tools, simple booking apps, MVP consumer apps, event apps.
A full-featured product spanning both platforms with custom backend logic, integrations, and polished UX. The most common tier for funded startups and growth-stage companies.
Examples: Fintech apps, healthcare portals, marketplace MVPs, SaaS mobile apps.
Large-scale systems with multiple user types, compliance requirements, AI features, and deep integrations. Built for companies where software is a core part of the business.
Examples: Telehealth platforms, banking apps, logistics systems, AI-powered enterprise tools.
Six factors drive most of the variation in app development pricing.
Building for iOS only is less expensive than iOS + Android + web. Cross-platform frameworks can share 80–90% of code across mobile platforms, and AI-assisted dev tools have made native multi-platform builds more affordable than ever.
Simple CRUD screens cost less than real-time messaging, payment processing, or AI-powered features. The more business logic lives in the app, the more engineering time is required.
Using established design patterns is faster and cheaper than custom UI with animations, micro-interactions, and brand-specific components. Both approaches are valid - it depends on your product.
Each external system (payment gateways, EHR systems, banking APIs, mapping services) adds integration work. Well-documented APIs are straightforward; legacy systems take longer.
HIPAA, SOC 2, PCI-DSS, and similar standards require additional architecture, documentation, and testing. Healthcare and financial apps should budget for this from the start.
Some apps can use existing APIs or BaaS platforms. Others need custom backend systems with complex data models, background processing, and multi-tenant architecture.
The build cost is only part of the picture. Budget for these ongoing expenses from the start so there are no surprises after launch.
A good rule of thumb: budget 15–20% of your initial build cost per year for maintenance and operations. This keeps the app secure, compatible with OS updates, and evolving based on user feedback.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Apple Developer Program | $99/year |
| Google Play Developer | $25 one-time |
| Cloud hosting (AWS/GCP) | $50 – $2,000+/month |
| Third-party APIs | Varies by usage |
| Ongoing maintenance | 15 – 20% of build cost/year |
| OS version updates | Included in maintenance |
| Analytics & monitoring | $0 – $500/month |
| Security audits | $5K – $20K annually |
A short, fixed-price engagement (typically $5K–$15K) where we define the product scope, user flows, technical architecture, and delivery plan. You get a detailed spec and a fixed-price proposal for the build phase.
After discovery, you get a fixed-price proposal with clear milestones. No surprise invoices. You know what you're getting, when you're getting it, and exactly what it costs.
Monthly retainer for maintenance, OS updates, bug fixes, and iterative improvements. Typically 15–20% of the build cost annually. We can also help transition the codebase to your internal team.
Charlotte-based development teams deliver the same quality as Bay Area or NYC agencies at 30–50% lower rates. The Southeast has a strong and growing engineering talent pool, and our lower cost of living means competitive pricing without compromising on experience or execution.
We also serve teams in Raleigh, Nashville, and Asheville with the same pricing model and senior-level execution.
A simple app or MVP typically costs between $25,000 and $50,000. This covers a single platform (iOS or Android), 5–10 screens, basic backend integration, and App Store submission. Simple apps can usually be built in 8–12 weeks.
App development involves multiple disciplines - product strategy, UX design, frontend engineering, backend engineering, QA testing, DevOps, and ongoing maintenance. A production app is a full software system, not just a mobile interface. The cost reflects the breadth of expertise required to build something reliable and maintainable.
Start with an MVP that focuses on your core value proposition. Choose the right platform approach for your project - cross-platform frameworks share code across iOS and Android, while AI-assisted native development has made single-platform builds faster and more affordable. Prioritize features ruthlessly - build what matters for launch and iterate based on real user data.
Yes — Charlotte's lower cost of living means you get senior-level talent at rates 30–50% below Bay Area or NYC shops.
Plan for 15–20% of the initial build cost annually for maintenance. This covers OS updates, bug fixes, security patches, and minor feature additions. You will also have hosting costs ($50–$2,000+/month depending on scale), App Store fees ($99/year for Apple, $25 one-time for Google), and any third-party API costs.
We provide fixed-price proposals after a discovery phase. This gives you cost certainty and clear milestones. The discovery phase itself is a small fixed-price engagement that defines scope, architecture, and timeline before the main build begins.
Tell us about your idea and we'll send you a realistic cost range within 24 hours. No commitment, no sales pressure.
