How Much Does It Cost to Build an MVP in 2026?
You have a great app idea. The first question is always the same: how much will it cost?
After building MVPs for over 10 years, I can tell you the honest answer — and it’s probably less than you think.
TL;DR
| Approach | Cost | Timeline | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| No-code (Bubble, Adalo) | $0–5k | 2–4 weeks | Limited |
| Freelancer (Upwork) | $5–25k | 4–12 weeks | Variable |
| Solo senior dev (MVP Factory) | $8–50k | 3–9 weeks | Production-ready |
| Software house / Agency | $50–250k | 3–6 months | High |
| Big consultancy (Accenture, etc.) | $150–500k+ | 6–12 months | Enterprise |
What Actually Drives the Cost?
1. Number of Platforms
Building for one platform is cheaper than three. Simple math.
- 1 platform (Android OR iOS OR Web): $8–15k
- 2 platforms (Android + iOS via KMP): $15–30k
- All platforms + custom design: $30–50k
With Kotlin Multiplatform, I share 70–80% of code between Android and iOS. That’s why cross-platform doesn’t cost 2x — it costs about 1.5x.
2. Number of Screens
A typical MVP has 8–15 screens. More screens = more time = more cost.
| App Complexity | Screens | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Simple (utility app) | 5–8 | $8–12k |
| Medium (marketplace, social) | 10–15 | $15–25k |
| Complex (fintech, health) | 15–25 | $25–50k |
3. Backend Complexity
- No backend (local-only app): cheapest
- Simple API (auth, CRUD, notifications): +$3–5k
- Complex backend (payments, real-time, integrations): +$8–15k
4. Design
- You provide Figma designs: $0 extra
- Basic UI (clean, functional, no custom design): included
- Custom Figma design: +$2–5k
The Hidden Costs Nobody Talks About
App Store fees
- Google Play: $25 one-time
- Apple App Store: $99/year
Ongoing infrastructure
- Server hosting: $5–50/month
- Push notifications: free tier usually enough
- Analytics: free (Firebase, Plausible)
Maintenance
- Bug fixes, OS updates, new features: $2–5k/month retainer
Why Agencies Charge $150–250k
It’s not because the work is 10x harder. It’s because:
- Team overhead — Project manager, designer, 3 developers, QA, DevOps. That’s 6 salaries.
- Office costs — Rent, equipment, benefits.
- Sales & marketing — Someone has to find clients.
- Profit margins — Typically 30–50%.
A solo senior developer eliminates all of that. Same quality code, fraction of the price.
How to Reduce Your MVP Cost
- Start with one platform — Validate first, expand later
- Cut features ruthlessly — What’s the ONE thing your app must do?
- Use existing solutions — Firebase Auth instead of custom, Stripe instead of custom payments
- Provide designs — A Figma file saves $2–5k
- Define scope clearly — Unclear scope = scope creep = higher cost
FAQ
How long does it take to build an MVP? 3–15 weeks depending on complexity. A simple single-platform app can be done in 3–6 weeks. Cross-platform with backend takes 6–9 weeks. Premium products with custom design take 9–15 weeks.
Do I need a backend? Not always. Some MVPs work perfectly with local storage or Firebase. If you need user accounts, data sync, or admin panels — yes, you need a backend.
What’s included in the price? Source code (you own it), deployment to stores, basic documentation, and 30 days of bug-fix support after launch.
Can I add features later? Absolutely. That’s the point of an MVP — launch lean, learn from users, then iterate. Retainer plans start at $2k/month.
Ready to Build?
Get a free estimate for your MVP. Tell us about your project and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours with a detailed proposal.
No commitment, no sales pitch — just honest numbers.