The cost of developing a mobile or web application: what affects the price

The same app can vary considerably in cost, depending on its features and the devices it supports. The cost of developing an app increases with the complexity of its features, the number of platforms, integrations and the scope of the project. Therefore, a web app, an iOS and Android version, and a product running on multiple platforms must be priced separately.

It’s only natural that you’d want to know the budget before you get started on your idea. However, a list of features alone is not enough for an accurate quote. The way the app works, the interface design, the technical infrastructure and future development are also important. A clearly defined scope helps you understand what you’re paying for and which elements support your business objective.

In this article, you’ll find out what factors influence the cost of a mobile and web app, how this cost varies with the complexity of the project, and how developing a product for iOS, Android and the web differs. This will make it easier for you to decide where to start and how to plan a solution tailored to your company’s needs.

Key findings

• Compare the range of features, integrations and platforms, not just the final price.
• Find out how the number of screens and the level of complexity affect the workload.
• Decide whether the app should run natively on iOS and Android, or use shared code.
• Take the product’s future maintenance and development into account when planning your budget.

Table of Contents

• How much does it cost to develop a mobile or web app?
• What factors influence the final cost of the application?
• The cost of a simple and an advanced mobile app
• The cost of an app for iOS and Android
• Internet Stars: Dedicated apps

How much does it cost to develop a mobile or web app?

The cost of developing an app depends on its features, platforms, integrations and the scope of testing. A simple mobile app usually takes between a few weeks and two months to develop; an average app takes between 3 and 6 months, whilst a complex one takes between 6 and 12 months. A longer development schedule means more work for the team and may increase the budget.

Breakdown of the project budget by phase

The project budget is divided between planning, design, coding and testing. Planning accounts for 10 to 15 per cent of the budget, whilst interface and user experience design account for 20 to 25 per cent. Coding accounts for 40 to 55 per cent. Testing requires a separate scope of work, depending on the number of features and platforms. According to Gov.pl, ongoing support from IT companies during application implementation cost approximately 96,000 PLN gross per year. So be sure to factor in post-implementation costs as well.

Project specifications and costing

The specification outlines the requirements, features and functionality of the application. It enables the team to estimate specific tasks rather than guessing what the idea entails. Identify user roles, screens, integrations and expected outcomes. Good documentation can save around 15 per cent of the budget. Also, set out your priorities: distinguish between essential features and those that can wait. Any subsequent changes will require a reassessment of the work and the schedule.

The complexity of the project

The complexity of a project depends on the number of components that need to be designed, integrated and tested. Factors influencing the cost include, amongst others, user types, data flows, integrations with external systems and differences between the web and mobile versions. For example, an application with payment functionality and separate dashboards requires more work than a simple information database. When processing personal data, Gov.pl emphasises the selection of security measures based on a risk analysis, taking into account the cost of their implementation.

Budget versus the scope and quality of the application

The budget determines how many features can be developed and refined within the project. If resources are limited, choose the most important objective and focus the first version on key user actions. This does not mean compromising on quality: limit the scope, not the testing, the interface’s usability or the stability of core functions. Also take into account updates and further development. It is then easier to divide the work into stages, rather than implementing all ideas at once.

What factors influence the final cost of the application?

The budget is influenced by features, integrations, platforms and post-implementation work. The biggest differences stem from requirements that increase the number of tasks, dependencies and tests. Therefore, two applications with a similar number of screens may require a completely different amount of work.

Estimate the scope by detailing the functions, integrations, platforms and post-launch support. Also take risks into account: vague requirements, changes to the scope and infrastructure costs may increase the overall budget.

Features versus application complexity

Each feature requires separate design, programming and testing. It is not only the number of features that matters, but also the interdependencies between them. For example, a login process involving different user roles requires more work than a single form.

List the functions in order of priority and describe what data they exchange with one another. This overview will show whether a change to one function will require amendments to several parts of the application.

Budget estimation

Break the project down into features, integrations, platforms and implementation work to estimate the budget. For each item, describe the expected outcome and any dependencies, such as linking payments to a user’s account. Then identify the elements that are essential for the first release. This approach makes it easier to compare the scope of work and highlights which assumptions need to be clarified before implementation.

When comparing quotes, check that they include the same items. The final amount on its own doesn’t tell you much if one quote includes testing and the other doesn’t.

Risks and hidden costs

Hidden costs are expenses outside the basic scope of work that may arise during the implementation or ongoing operation of the application. These may include infrastructure, additional testing and changes to functionality once work has commenced. Hosting and infrastructure costs can range from several dozen zlotys a month to tens of thousands of zlotys, depending on the workload.

Before work begins, agree on how changes will be billed and the scope of testing. If the project is billed at a fixed price, a change in requirements may result in additional costs. You should also plan for maintenance, as a mobile app requires a budget for updates and fixes following deployment.

The cost of a simple and an advanced mobile app

Budget differences are influenced by the scope of features, server infrastructure, integrations and the number of platforms. Compare specific tasks rather than simply the terms ‘simple’ or ‘advanced’.

The differences between a simple and a complex project

A simple application focuses on a limited number of tasks, whilst a complex one involves multiple screens, processes and user types. A simple version usually does not exceed 15–20 functional screens. Complex applications can comprise over 100 screens. This difference helps to assess whether an idea requires a single, clearly defined workflow or multiple interlinked modules.

A business application may support employee roles, reports and integrations with company systems. A mobile game may require sophisticated graphics, gameplay mechanics and the synchronisation of scores. Each of these elements increases the scope of development and testing. List the features separately to see which ones require the most work.

The web and mobile versions also have different scopes. A project may include a web application, an Android app and an iOS app – that is, two or three platforms. Shared code for Android and iOS can reduce development effort by 20–30 per cent compared to a native approach. The choice depends on the requirements, integrations and expected functionality.

The components of the cost

The cost of a mobile app includes design, development, testing and preparation for release. The server-side infrastructure handles business logic, data and connections to external services. Payments, for example, require integration, whilst user accounts require login functionality. List these elements before work begins to distinguish core features from extras.

Publishing on Google Play or the App Store is a separate stage. It involves preparing the app in accordance with the store’s requirements and testing its functionality. You should also plan for updates and the testing of subsequent versions. For a project spanning several platforms, identify which elements are common to all and which require separate work. Such a breakdown makes it easier to manage the scope and sequence of implementation.

The cost of an app for iOS and Android

The budget depends on whether you opt for native apps or shared code. Two systems mean different requirements, testing and release processes. First, determine where users will be using the product and which features must work identically. This will help you select the platforms that best suit your business objectives, rather than funding solutions that your project doesn’t need.

A native app is developed separately for iOS and Android. This allows the interface and features to be tailored to each system, but requires work on two versions. With shared code, some of the logic and features are shared. This reduces duplication of work, but does not eliminate the need for testing on both platforms. The choice depends on the product requirements, integration needs and the expected quality of performance.

In the case of Android, tests must be carried out on various devices and system versions. This diversity prolongs the compatibility testing and optimisation process. The team tests key scenarios, such as logging in, displaying forms and making payments. iOS operates in a more controlled hardware and system environment, which makes optimisation easier. However, the app still needs to be tested on the target devices.

For a business application, break down the common and platform-specific features separately. The user interface may look similar on iOS and Android, but handling notifications or accessing device features may require additional work. Document the requirements for each system. Then compare the native approach with shared code in terms of performance, development and future changes. The number of platforms alone does not determine the budget.

Before you start, set your priority: getting the product to market quickly, making full use of the system’s capabilities, or making it easier to develop shared functionality. This choice clarifies the scope and highlights where separate work is required. Discuss the options for iOS and Android apps, tailored to the features and business objectives.

These are different reference points for projects of varying scope, rather than a single rate for every product.

A cross-platform approach allows you to create a single app for Android and iOS using shared code. Compare prices, the range of features, the type of app and how it is built to assess what the quoted prices cover.

Internet Stars: Dedicated apps

Internet Stars develops bespoke applications for businesses that require a tool tailored to their own processes and objectives. This is a good solution when an off-the-shelf application does not provide key features, integrations or adequate user support. The scope can be based on the most important business needs and developed as the project progresses.

Prepare a description of the idea, user groups, required features and platforms. This information helps to organise the requirements and define the scope of the application in concrete terms. If the project also involves online sales or streamlining repetitive tasks, consider setting up an online shop or implementing automation. Training can support the use of the implemented solutions.

Do you have an idea for an app? Get in touch with Internet Stars to discuss the concept.

Turn an idea into a concrete plan

Before you work out the cost of developing an app, define what outcome it should deliver for the company. Write down the user’s most important task, the problem to be solved and the features needed to achieve the goal. This starting point makes it easier to discuss priorities and helps you decide what to develop first. You don’t need to design every detail straight away. Start with the need that is most important to your business.

Internet Stars develops bespoke applications, online shops and automation solutions. These are solutions for businesses looking to tailor digital tools to their sales processes or day-to-day operations. The price depends on the scope, features, platforms and integrations involved. To receive a specific quote, please submit an enquiry.

Draw up an outline of your idea and describe who will be using the solution. Contact Internet Stars to discuss the possible direction of the project. Take the first step and turn your business need into a well-thought-out tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do we estimate the cost of a project?

Start your estimation by describing user scenarios and acceptance criteria. For example, a booking application might involve selecting a date, making a payment and receiving a notification, with each stage requiring a separate scope of work. Also set out the integrations, supported platforms and technical assumptions. This makes it easier to assess whether the quotations cover the same features and responsibilities.

A native app or a cross-platform app – which is cheaper?

A cross-platform app may be more advantageous when the iOS and Android versions are intended to perform similar tasks. Shared components can minimise duplication of effort. A native app allows you to make better use of a specific system’s capabilities, which may be important for non-standard device features. Compare not only the development approach, but also testing, updates and planned product enhancements.

How does interface design affect the price?

The interface design influences the number of screens, their variants and the number of rounds of revisions. A registration form, for example, may require separate views for error messages, confirmation and empty fields. A clickable prototype allows you to evaluate these user flows before coding begins. You should also determine whether the design covers only the layout of the screens, or whether it also includes graphic elements and guidelines for their consistent use.

Why do contractors’ prices vary so much?

Quotations vary in scope, technical specifications and team composition. One quote may include analysis, design and testing, whilst another may cover only programming. Differences also relate to integration and how changes are billed. Compare the list of deliverables, exclusions and acceptance criteria, rather than just the final price.

Why start with a minimum viable product?

A minimum viable product allows you to test a key hypothesis without building all the planned features. Choose one problem and set up a working workflow, such as searching for a service and submitting an enquiry. Then gather user feedback and decide what to develop further. This way, you’ll limit the initial scope without compromising on quality or essential testing.

How long does it take to price a mobile app?

Following the meeting, it may take between 2 and 5 working days to prepare a quote, depending on the volume of project materials. This time is for drawing up the quote, not for building the application. A description of the features, mock-ups and a list of integrations help us analyse the scope more quickly. If the requirements are scattered, organise them before the meeting so that the quotation addresses specific needs.

An article by

Andrzej Klimek

Owner of Internet Stars since 2008