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Free calculatorSoftware Development Cost Estimator
Estimate what it costs — and how long it takes — to build your web or mobile app. Adjust the inputs to see the numbers update instantly.
How much does it cost to build an app?
Software cost comes down to one thing: engineering hours × hourly rate. Everything else — app type, complexity, platforms, integrations and design polish — just changes how many hours you need. The calculator above turns your inputs into an hours estimate, then prices it at a blended rate for your region.
Typical cost ranges
One platform, a handful of features.
Multiple roles, payments, integrations.
Multi-platform, real-time, compliance.
What drives the cost
- Complexity — data relationships, business logic and edge cases.
- Platforms — web only is cheapest; web + native mobile can nearly double effort.
- Integrations — each payment, messaging or third-party service adds build and testing time.
- Design — a custom, branded UI costs more than a component library or template.
- Team rate — the single biggest lever; offshore vs. US rates can differ 3×.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build an app?
Most custom apps cost between $15,000 and $150,000+ depending on complexity, platforms, number of features and the team's hourly rate. A simple single-platform MVP is usually $15k–$40k; a complex multi-platform product with payments and integrations can exceed $150k.
How is the estimate calculated?
We estimate total engineering hours from your app type, complexity, platforms, feature count and integrations, then multiply by a blended hourly rate for your chosen region. A range of ±15–25% is applied because real scope always varies.
Is this estimate accurate?
It is a planning ballpark, not a quote. Use it to sanity-check budgets and compare options. For a precise figure, get a detailed scope and a fixed bid from a developer or agency.
Planning a specific app type? Read the matching architecture guide for a recommended stack and detailed cost breakdown, or try the tech stack finder.
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