App budget
How much does app development cost?
Short answer: there is no responsible number without scope. I offer a working prototype of one core flow for €540. An MVP estimate becomes reliable only after users, platforms, permissions, integrations and risks are defined.
What actually changes the cost
Screen count is a weak measure. User roles, access rules, payments, offline use, integrations, administration and release requirements matter more.
The same sign-in screen can lead to one simple account or a multi-tenant system with several roles. The difference is mostly invisible in a mock-up but substantial in engineering and testing.
Three separate budgets
A prototype tests whether the solution makes sense. An MVP is the smallest version fit for safe real-world use. Operations cover hosting, app stores, support, monitoring, backups and further changes.
Keeping these budgets separate avoids funding production infrastructure before the product itself is validated.
How I estimate an MVP
We define the critical journey and first-release boundaries, then break the system into accounts, data, integrations, administration, platforms and operational risk.
The result is not false precision. It is a range, a list of assumptions and an explanation of what can move the estimate.
How to control the budget
Start with one problem and one primary user. Defer features that do not contribute to the first validation. Review working software frequently and make later decisions from observed use.
The largest saving rarely comes from a cheaper hourly rate. It comes from not building unwanted functionality.
Frequently asked questions
Can an app have a fixed price?
Yes, when the output and revision limit are fixed. That is why the prototype has a fixed price. An unvalidated product is better handled through a range and staged decisions.
Is a mobile app more expensive than a web app?
Not automatically. Scope and platforms matter. One responsive web application is often simpler than separate iOS and Android releases, but a complex web system can exceed a simple mobile app.
What costs continue after launch?
Hosting, third-party services, store accounts, monitoring, support and further development. The exact cost depends on architecture and usage.