“How much does an app cost?” is like asking “how much does a house cost?”. The answer depends on size, features and quality. This guide covers the factors that actually drive cost and timeline.
Features and screens
Every screen and feature adds design, development and testing time. Split your feature list into “essential for v1” and “later”; that simple split usually saves the most money.
Backend, admin panel and payments
Apps with user accounts, data sync, notifications or payments need a backend and admin panel, which is a large share of the cost. Simple offline apps are cheaper, faster to build and work better on weak connections.
Native or cross-platform?
| Criterion | Native (Kotlin / Swift) | Cross-platform (Flutter) |
|---|---|---|
| Codebases | Two separate | One for both |
| Cost and time | Higher | Lower |
| Access to special hardware features | Full | Most cases, sometimes with extra code |
| Best for | Very heavy or specialised apps | Most startups and businesses |
A fuller comparison with selection criteria is in Flutter or native.
Other factors that affect cost
- Custom design and animation vs a simple, standard design
- Integrations (payment gateway, SMS, maps, CRM)
- In-app AI (chatbot, recommendations, image recognition)
- Publishing to several stores (Google Play, App Store, regional stores)
- Support and future releases after launch
The MVP: the cheapest way to start
A minimum viable product contains only the core value of the product. Launching it quickly gets you real user feedback so the budget goes to features people actually use.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a simple app take to build?
An MVP usually takes 4–10 weeks, depending on the number of screens, backend needs and in-app payments.
Is Flutter a good choice?
Yes for most products. One codebase builds both Android and iPhone apps, with full right-to-left support for Persian.
Who owns the app’s source code?
When working with SoloCodeLab, the source code and store accounts belong entirely to you after final payment.