How Much Does It
Cost to Build an App?
Free app development cost calculator — 2026
The honest answer: building an app costs anywhere from $3,500 to $300,000+ depending on platform, features, and complexity. This free calculator gives you a personalised breakdown — not a generic range.
All estimates are at $30/hour — the CV Infotech rate for iOS, Android, React Native, and Flutter development from India. A US agency charges $150-$250/hour for the same work. We show you both.
India (CV Infotech)
$30/hr
USA agency average
$150–$250/hr
UK agency average
$80–$150/hr
Australia average
$100–$200/hr
How much does it cost to build an app in 2026?
| App type | Cost in India | Cost in USA | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple iOS or Android app | $3,500–$8,500 | $18,000–$40,000 | 2–4 months |
| Medium app (iOS + Android) | $8,500–$24,000 | $40,000–$100,000 | 4–8 months |
| React Native (iOS + Android) | $6,000–$20,000 | $30,000–$80,000 | 4–10 months |
| Flutter app (iOS + Android) | $6,000–$18,000 | $28,000–$75,000 | 4–9 months |
| Complex app with AI features | $24,000–$60,000 | $100,000–$300,000 | 8–14 months |
| Enterprise / SaaS app | $36,000+ | $150,000+ | 14+ months |
All India prices at $30/hour. USA prices reflect average agency rates of $150-$250/hour. Use the calculator below for a personalised estimate for your specific app.
What are you building?
Select your project type. Our AI will ask a few targeted questions to generate an accurate estimate.
How the app cost estimator works
Choose app type
Select the type of app you need. Native, cross-platform, and app category each have different cost drivers.
Answer 6 AI questions
Our AI generates 6 targeted questions specific to your app type. Every answer directly impacts the estimate.
Verify your email
Enter and verify your email address. We send the full estimate to your inbox for your records.
Get your estimate
Receive a full cost breakdown by phase, total USD cost at $30/hr, timeline, and key assumptions.
Mobile app development cost ranges — 2026
These are indicative ranges at $30/hour. Your personalised estimate from the tool above will be more accurate for your specific requirements.
| Project type | Cost (USD) | Hours | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple App (1 platform) | $3,500–$8,500 | 120–280 hrs | 2–4 months |
| Medium App (iOS + Android) | $8,500–$24,000 | 280–800 hrs | 4–8 months |
| Complex App with AI | $24,000–$60,000 | 800–2,000 hrs | 8–14 months |
| Enterprise / SaaS App | $36,000+ | 1,200+ hrs | 14+ months |
| React Native (iOS + Android) | $6,000–$20,000 | 200–670 hrs | 4–10 months |
| Flutter (iOS + Android) | $6,000–$18,000 | 200–600 hrs | 4–9 months |
App cost calculator — your questions answered
How much does it cost to build an app in 2026?
Building an app in 2026 costs $3,500-$60,000+ depending on platform and complexity. A simple single-platform app costs $3,500-$8,500 at $30/hour from India. A medium-complexity app for both iOS and Android costs $8,500-$24,000. A complex app with AI features costs $24,000-$60,000. An enterprise platform starts at $36,000. In the USA at $150-$250/hour, the same apps cost $18,000-$300,000+.
How much does it cost to make an app for iOS and Android?
A native iOS app costs $3,500-$25,000 at $30/hour from India. A native Android app costs a similar range. Building separate native apps for both platforms costs $15,000-$50,000+. Most businesses use React Native or Flutter instead — a single codebase that produces both iOS and Android apps at $6,000-$20,000 — saving 40-60% compared to two native builds.
How much does iOS app development cost in India?
iOS app development in India costs $3,500-$25,000+ at $30/hour. A basic iOS app with 5-10 screens and standard features costs $3,500-$8,500 (120-280 hours). A medium-complexity iOS app with authentication, API integration, push notifications, and maps costs $8,500-$15,000 (280-500 hours). A complex iOS app with real-time features or AI integration costs $15,000 and above. The same apps in the USA cost $18,000-$100,000+.
How much does Android app development cost in India?
Android app development in India costs $3,500-$22,000+ at $30/hour. Costs are similar to iOS. For businesses targeting both platforms, React Native or Flutter cross-platform development at $6,000-$20,000 delivers apps for both iOS and Android from a single codebase — significantly cheaper than building two native apps separately.
Is it cheaper to build an app in India than in the USA?
Yes — 70-85% cheaper. A medium-complexity app that costs $40,000-$80,000 at a US agency costs $8,500-$20,000 outsourced to a senior Indian team at $30/hour. The quality difference is minimal when you choose an experienced team with a verifiable track record. CV Infotech has been building apps for clients in the USA, UK, and Australia since 2012.
How much does React Native app development cost?
React Native app development costs $6,000-$20,000 at $30/hour from India for a medium-complexity two-platform app. React Native builds both iOS and Android from a single codebase — saving 40-60% compared to two native apps. A simple React Native app costs $6,000-$10,000 (200-330 hours). A medium-complexity app with maps, payments, and real-time features costs $10,000-$20,000 (330-670 hours).
How much does Flutter app development cost?
Flutter app development costs $6,000-$18,000 at $30/hour from India for a cross-platform app. Flutter produces pixel-perfect UI on both iOS and Android from a single Dart codebase. A simple Flutter app costs $6,000-$9,000. A medium-complexity app costs $9,000-$18,000. Flutter is slightly faster to develop with than React Native for visually rich apps, making it cost-competitive or slightly cheaper.
What does app maintenance cost after launch?
App maintenance costs 15-20% of the original development cost per year at $30/hour from India. For a $10,000 app, expect $1,500-$2,000/year covering OS version updates (Apple and Google release major updates annually), bug fixes, security patches, and API updates. Without maintenance, apps break on new iOS and Android versions and get removed from app stores. The same maintenance from a US agency at $150-$250/hour costs $5,000-$10,000/year.
How accurate is this app development cost calculator?
This calculator uses Claude AI (by Anthropic) to generate estimates at $30/hour based on your specific inputs. Estimates are accurate to within 20-30% for standard projects. For an exact fixed-price quote with a full scope document, book a free 30-minute discovery call. CV Infotech provides fixed-price proposals — no hourly billing surprises.