How much does it cost to build a simple app for your business in 2026?
Vortex Labs ·
Most custom app projects land between US$10,000 and US$50,000. That's the range Clutch, the directory of software agencies, reports for the app projects reviewed on its platform, in a pricing guide updated in September 2026. A simple app, meaning five to ten screens with basic features, takes roughly 150 to 400 hours of work. The final price is those hours multiplied by the team's hourly rate, so where you hire matters as much as what you build. On top of that, you'll pay US$99 a year to publish on Apple's App Store, a one-time US$25 for Google Play, and ongoing upkeep once the app is live.
Where the number comes from
Almost every software quote is built the same way. Estimate the hours, multiply by the hourly rate. That's why two agencies can quote the same idea at three times the price and both be doing honest math.
The hours. A simple app with five to ten screens (sign-in, some content, basic forms) takes about 150 to 400 hours, according to a 2026 cost breakdown from Techsy. That covers designing the screens, building the app, the backend that stores the data, testing, and getting it into the stores.
The rate. Clutch reports that the most common rate among the app agencies it reviews is US$25 to US$49 an hour. Agencies based in the US or Western Europe usually charge well above that, and freelancers often charge less than agencies.
Put the two together and you can sanity-check any quote. Here's how 300 hours plays out at different rates.
| Hourly rate | 300 hours |
|---|---|
| US$40 | US$12,000 |
| US$75 | US$22,500 |
| US$120 | US$36,000 |
That's a reference, not a price. It's useful for telling whether a quote is in a reasonable range or missing something.
What pushes the price up
An app goes from simple to mid-sized with one or two decisions. Know them before you ask for quotes.
- User accounts. If each person logs in and sees their own data, you need sign-up, password recovery and a secure place to store it all.
- In-app payments. Taking cards means a payment processor, plus Apple's and Google's rules for payments.
- Multiple user roles. A customer, an employee and an admin who see different things are, in practice, three apps in one.
- Connections to other systems. If the app has to read from or write to your invoicing, inventory or scheduling software, every connection is its own small project.
- Phone features. Live location, camera, push notifications or working offline all add build and testing time.
If your idea has none of these five, you're probably at the low end of the range.
The costs after launch
Building it isn't the last bill.
| Item | Cost | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Apple App Store | US$99 | Every year |
| Google Play | US$25 | Once |
| Servers and database | Depends on usage | Monthly |
| Fixes and required updates | 15 to 20% of the build cost | Every year |
Apple's and Google's fees are the ones listed on their own help pages as of November 10, 2026. Apple notes that the price may vary by region and is charged in local currency where available. The upkeep estimate comes from the Techsy breakdown, which puts the first year higher.
How to get quotes you can compare
Most of the difference between quotes isn't price, it's scope. Each agency pictured a different app. Avoid that by sending everyone the same brief.
- Who uses it and why. One sentence per type of user. "A customer books an appointment and gets a reminder."
- A list of screens. Even a hand-drawn page works. Every screen is work, and anything not on the list isn't in the price.
- Which phones. iPhone, Android or both.
- What already exists. A website, a management system or a customer database the app needs to talk to.
- What happens after launch. Ask what it costs per month to keep it running and who updates it when Apple or Google change something.
With those five answers, the quotes you get back will be comparable. If one is much cheaper than the rest, you'll know to ask what it leaves out.
Before you decide you need an app
Ask yourself one question first. Will your customers open it every week?
If not, a well-built mobile website usually does the same job for less money, without the app stores and without asking anyone to install anything. An app makes sense when people use it often, when you need to reach them with notifications, or when it uses the phone for something a website can't do well.
At Vortex Labs we build both websites and apps, and the right call is often the cheaper one. Send us your list of screens and we'll tell you which one fits.
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Common questions
What counts as a simple app?
A handful of screens, one type of user and one main job. Booking an appointment, browsing a catalog and placing an order, or logging a site visit. It stops being simple once you add in-app payments, several user roles with different permissions, live maps, or connections to other systems your business already runs on.
Is it cheaper to build for Android only?
Not by much anymore. Cross-platform frameworks let one codebase run on both iPhone and Android, which saves roughly 30 to 50 percent compared with building two separate apps. Launching on one platform mostly saves testing time and a second store review.
How much does it cost to maintain an app?
Budget for it from day one. One developer's 2026 breakdown puts upkeep at 15 to 20 percent of the original build cost per year after the first year, covering servers, fixes and the updates Apple and Google require when they change their systems.
Could a website do the job instead?
Often, yes. If customers will only use it now and then, a well-built mobile website does the same job for less, skips the app stores and doesn't ask anyone to install anything. An app earns its keep when people use it every week, when you need push notifications, or when it relies on the phone's camera or location.
How long does it take?
For a simple app, one to two months of development is a common estimate. Then add time for Apple and Google to review it before it shows up in the stores.