How Much Does a Mobile App Cost in 2026?
The short answer: a custom mobile app costs $20,000 to $100,000 depending on complexity. A simple app starts around $10,000. Here is what each price tier actually buys, with honest numbers.
Reality Shifting Tech, a Philadelphia web development and AI agency, quotes mobile apps per project, and covers ongoing app work on a flat-fee retainer of $7,199 per month. One price, no hourly billing, unlimited revisions.
Price by app type
Simple utility appOne or two core features, no complex backend. Fastest to ship.
$10,000–$30,000
Standard business appLogin, profiles, data, and integrations. The most common build.
$30,000–$80,000
Complex app or platformMarketplaces, patient portals, real-time systems, heavy integrations.
$80,000–$250,000+
Ongoing app work (RST)Updates, new features, and support on the $7,199/mo retainer. No hourly billing.
flat-fee retainer
What your money pays for
- Product design. User flows, screens, and interactions designed for your customers.
- Native development. iOS and Android builds that feel fast and native.
- Backend systems. Accounts, data, payments, and the servers behind them.
- App store launch. Submission, review, and compliance handled for you.
- Testing. Devices, edge cases, and crash-free releases.
- Ongoing support. Updates and new features after launch, on the retainer.
Why the flat fee wins
- No hourly billing. You never watch a meter. Revisions are unlimited.
- Updates every 48 hours. During the build and after launch.
- One team. The same people build your website, app, and AI systems.
- No surprise invoices. The price you approve is the price you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Why are mobile apps so much more expensive than websites?
An app is a product you maintain, not a page you publish. It needs design for multiple screen sizes, backend systems, app store compliance, updates for every OS release, and often ongoing support. That work compounds into the price.
What makes an app cost $20,000 versus $100,000?
The gap is complexity: how many features, whether users log in, payments, real-time data, integrations with your existing systems, and how much custom design you need. A simple utility app is at the low end. A marketplace or patient portal is at the high end.
Do I need both an app and a website?
Often yes, but not always. If your customers need the experience repeatedly from their pocket, an app earns its cost. If they just need information, a great mobile website may be enough. RST will tell you honestly which one you need.
Is the app mine when it is done?
Yes. The code, design, and app store accounts are yours. There is no lock-in, and you can move teams at any time.
How does the flat-fee retainer cover apps?
The RST retainer covers ongoing design, development, and support across websites, apps, and AI. App updates, new features, and maintenance happen on the retainer instead of a new hourly bill every time.
How long does it take to build an app?
A straightforward app ships in two to four months. A complex one with payments and integrations takes four to eight months. You see progress updates every 48 hours during the build.
Get an exact price for your app
Send us your idea. You get a scope and a fixed price within 48 hours, no obligation.
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