App development cost calculator.
Pick what your app needs and get a realistic cost range, a timeline and what upkeep will run each year. No email required. The math is explained below so you can check it.
See the breakdown
- Setup, testing, launch and project management60 to 100 h
- iPhone (iOS)80 to 140 h
- Android (shared code)40 to 70 h
- Two user types30 to 60 h
- Accounts and login20 to 40 h
- Admin dashboard40 to 80 h
- Push, SMS or email alerts20 to 40 h
- 1 integration20 to 50 h
- Design (custom brand)x1.15 to x1.25
A rough market estimate for a traditional build, not a quote. Building on an AI app builder like Base44 can bring the first version in for less.
How the numbers work
The calculator adds up typical hour ranges for each part of the build, applies a design multiplier and multiplies by your hourly rate. Every app starts with 60 to 100 hours for setup, testing, launch and project management.
- Platforms: web 60 to 120 hours, iOS or Android 80 to 140 hours each. The second platform counts at 50% and the third at 40%, because code and design are shared.
- User types: a second type adds 30 to 60 hours, three or more add 70 to 130.
- Features range from 15 to 30 hours for uploads up to 60 to 120 hours for chat or live updates. Each integration adds 20 to 50 hours.
- Design: custom branding multiplies the total by 1.15 to 1.25, premium animated design by 1.3 to 1.45.
- Timeline assumes a small team putting about 60 hours a week into the project.
We calibrated the ranges against published data. A GoodFirms survey put simple apps at about 13,000 to 30,000 USD and more complex ones at 35,000 to 60,000 USD. Clutch reports most projects fall between 10,000 and 49,999 USD. Business of Apps puts US developers near 100 USD an hour and yearly maintenance at 15 to 25% of the build. These are rough market numbers, not our prices.
Questions people ask
How accurate is this app cost calculator?
It gives a ballpark, not a quote. It adds up typical hour ranges for each feature and multiplies by the hourly rate you pick. Real projects move with scope changes, unclear requirements and integrations that turn out harder than expected, so treat the range as a starting point for a conversation.
What hourly rate should I use?
Clutch lists typical rates of about 25 to 49 USD an hour for many agencies on its platform, and Business of Apps puts US developers at around 100 USD an hour. Senior US studios often charge more. If you already have a quote, enter that agency's rate.
Why does a second platform cost less than the first?
Most modern apps share code and design between web, iOS and Android, so each extra platform reuses work. The calculator counts the second platform at half and the third at 40 percent. Fully separate native builds would cost more.
Does an AI app builder like Base44 make it cheaper?
Often, yes. AI builders generate a lot of the boilerplate, like screens, database, login and admin views, so the first version can come together much faster. You still pay for design, integrations, permissions and store launch. Our Base44 developers page explains how we use it.
What costs come after launch?
Plan on roughly 15 to 25 percent of the build cost each year for maintenance, according to Business of Apps, plus store fees, hosting and any usage-based AI or SMS costs. Apple charges 99 USD a year for its developer program and Google charges a one-time 25 USD.
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