Summary
- Simple apps cost $15,000–45,000 (US) or £12,000–35,000 (UK).
- Standard apps with accounts and a backend run $50,000–150,000.
- Cross-platform builds typically save 30–40% versus two native apps.
- Budget 15–25% of the build cost per year for maintenance.
- Own the code and accounts from day one — write it into the contract.
Quick answer
A simple mobile app costs roughly $15,000–45,000 or £12,000–35,000 in 2026. A mid-complexity app with accounts, payments and a backend lands at $50,000–150,000 or £40,000–120,000. Large, regulated or high-traffic products run well beyond that.
Typical 2026 price bands
| App type | US | UK |
|---|---|---|
| Simple app (content, forms, no login) | $15,000–45,000 | £12,000–35,000 |
| Standard app (accounts, backend, notifications) | $50,000–120,000 | £40,000–95,000 |
| Marketplace or booking platform | $90,000–220,000 | £70,000–180,000 |
| Fintech, health or other regulated app | $150,000–500,000+ | £120,000–400,000+ |
| Clickable prototype / MVP only | $8,000–25,000 | £6,000–20,000 |
Day and hourly rates
| Supplier type | US per hour | UK per day |
|---|---|---|
| Freelance developer | $60–150 | £350–650 |
| Small studio | $100–200 | £550–900 |
| Full-service agency | $150–300 | £800–1,500 |
| Offshore team | $25–60 | £150–350 |
Offshore teams cut the headline rate but add coordination, time-zone and rework cost — budget for a technical lead on your side.
What drives the price
Costs after launch
Budget 15–25% of the build cost per year for maintenance. Ongoing items include:
How to get comparable quotes
Summary
Expect $15,000–45,000 for a simple app and $50,000–150,000 for a standard one, with UK figures in pounds slightly lower. The brief, not the developer's rate, decides most of the final cost — and maintenance is a permanent line in the budget.
Frequently asked questions
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