How much does it cost to build a mobile app in 2026?

Publishing an app isn't what it was a few years ago. Today you can build a single app that runs on both Android and iPhone, which brings time and cost down considerably. It's still a significant investment. Here's what drives it, from the experience of publishing my own games on Google Play.

Fixed costs every app has

Before development, there are mandatory expenses. Publishing on Google Play requires a developer account, and Apple's account renews every year: if you don't renew it, your apps disappear from the store. If your app has user accounts, data, or sync, it also needs a server, a monthly cost that grows with usage. And if you'll earn money from ads, your ad network account has to be verified. Store requirements and fees are covered in detail in how much it costs to publish an app on Google Play and the App Store.

What drives the cost by app type

A simple app with no user accounts (a calculator, an offline tool, a casual game) is the most affordable. Once it adds users, synced data, and notifications, the work grows. And a complex app with social features, payments, and several modes (like a game with duels, friends, virtual coins, and subscriptions) takes the most. What moves the cost is scope, number of screens, integrations, and maintenance. I quote per project: tell me your idea on WhatsApp or email and I'll send you a fixed quote within 48 hours. How long each type takes is in how long it takes to develop an app.

One app for Android and iPhone

The biggest advantage today is that the app is built once and ships to both Android and iPhone. You don't need two teams or two separate apps to maintain, which brings the total cost down considerably compared to building each version separately. My games are built this way.

Where people overspend

The most common mistake is starting with too many features. Your first version should have the minimum needed to validate the idea (MVP). Then iterate based on real feedback. Another mistake is paying for design before functionality is defined. And third: not accounting for recurring costs. Your app will need maintenance for OS updates, bug fixes, and account/server renewals. The monthly costs after launch are broken down in how much it costs to maintain an app.

My experience with my published games

My first game, a sudoku, has duels with friends, an adventure mode, and works offline. Block games with other mechanics came next. Each new game took far less time than the first, because much of the work carries over from one to the next. That way of working is what makes publishing several games viable as an independent developer, and it's what I apply so an app doesn't cost more than it should.