How much a mobile app costs for a small business in 2026
When the $790 starter package is enough and when an app gets an itemised estimate.When the $790 starter package is enough and when an app gets an itemised estimate — with prices, timelines and the catches to watch for.
in short
- “start” within the criteria — $790, 3–4 weeks.
- More complex — itemised estimate after a call.
- Upkeep — from $55/mo.
- The “start” app — a fixed $790, 3–4 weeks, if it fits the criteria: up to 5 screens, one user role, no payments or integrations.
- A more complex app — an itemised estimate after a 15-minute call, and you set the priorities.
- Upkeep — from $55 a month: the server and updates for new iOS and Android versions.
- Studios in Ukraine charge from UAH 70,000 for an app with a backend; SaaS app builders cost UAH 1,500–3,000 every month.
Start or built to orderStart within the criteria, or built to order
Most businesses want customers to come back, see the offers and order without queueing. That doesn’t always take a big build.When a coffee shop owner says “I want an app”, they usually want three things: customers who come back, customers who see the offers, and customers who can order without queueing. That doesn’t always take a big build.
There are two routes — a fixed-price start or an itemised estimate. An app builder is in the table for comparison.
| Start | To order | SaaS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope | 5 screens | anything | template |
| Timeline | 3–4 weeks | from 6 weeks | varies |
| Price | $790 | estimate | from UAH 1,500/mo |
| “start” within the criteria | Built to order | App builder (SaaS) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope | up to 5 screens, 1 role | anything | whatever the service allows |
| Pricing | fixed | itemised | subscription |
| Timeline | 3–4 weeks | from 6 weeks | depends on the service |
| Price | $790 | per estimate | UAH 1,500–3,000/mo |
We’ll price your project in 15 minutes
Free, no strings attached. We reply within a day.
What drives the price
- Number of screens and user flows.
- Online payments: +1–2 weeks.
- Admin and integrations: CRM, POS, Nova Poshta.
- Design: our system or custom.
- Number of screens and user flows: a menu with offers is one thing, delivery with live courier tracking is quite another.
- Online payments: Apple Pay, Google Pay, cards — add 1–2 weeks of work.
- Admin panel: whether you’ll change prices, the menu and offers yourself.
- Integrations: CRM, POS, accounting, Nova Poshta (Ukraine’s biggest delivery service).
- Design: our component system in your branding, or fully custom.
Start criteriaCriteria for the starter app
Up to 5 screens, one role, sign-in, up to 3 data types in the admin, push notifications. Any subject. Payments, chat, maps or integrations get an itemised estimate.The fixed $790 applies if the app meets every criterion: iOS and Android from one codebase, up to 5 screens, one type of user, sign-in by phone, email or Apple / Google, up to 3 data types in the web admin, and push notifications to all users. Any subject matter works.
Payments, chat, maps, offline mode, integrations or several user roles take an app beyond the start. Then, after a call, we send an itemised estimate: every item with its hours and price, and you set the priorities and see how the total changes.
How not to overpay
- Ask for a fixed price in the contract, not a “from” price.
- Check whether publishing to the App Store and Google Play is included.
- Check whose name the developer accounts are registered in — they should be yours.
- Ask what monthly upkeep costs: the server, support, updates for new iOS versions.
Questions
Why cheaper than studios?Why is an app cheaper with you than with other studios?
One codebase for iPhone and Android (KMP), proven templates, no managers.We write one codebase for iPhone and Android (Kotlin Multiplatform) and use proven templates. There are no managers between you and the developer.
What if I don’t fit the criteria?What if my app doesn’t fit the criteria?
Itemised estimate after a call — you pick the priorities.We price it item by item after a 15-minute call. You get an itemised estimate and decide what to build now and what to leave for the next stage.
How much does upkeep cost?
From $55 a month: the server and updates for new iOS and Android.From $55 a month: the server, updates for new iOS and Android versions, small tweaks. For complex apps — from $190 a month.