App Development Costs: Transparent Calculator for iOS and Android

A simple app with 3–5 screens and basic functionality costs between €7,000 – 17,500 excl. VAT. The price depends on the platform (iOS, Android or both), design and backend requirements.

Complex business apps with many features, user roles, API integrations and custom design range from €35,000 – 105,000+. Enterprise apps with extensive backend systems can cost more.

As standard: conception, UI/UX design, development, testing, app store publication and handover. Optional: backend development, API integrations, ongoing maintenance and support.

Development costs for iOS and Android are similar. With cross-platform technologies such as Flutter or React Native you serve both platforms from one codebase and save about 30–40% compared with two native apps.

The calculator provides an initial budget orientation for conception, development, backend, interfaces, testing and operations. Typical deviation from a later fixed price: ±20–30%. It is worthwhile when you need a first range before scope and requirements are validated in conversation.

A simple app: 2–3 months. A medium app: 4–6 months. A complex app: 6–12+ months. The timeline depends on scope, feedback cycles and availability for coordination.

App maintenance typically costs 15–25% of initial development per year: OS updates (Apple and Google release major versions annually – apps should be adapted within 6–12 months), library updates, bug fixes, monitoring and security patches. Maintenance keeps the app stable and store-compliant; further development adds new features – both are needed long term. Hosting and backend operations are additional.

It is based on a requirements analysis. We estimate effort by phase – concept, design, development, backend, testing and operations. The calculator on this page gives initial orientation; a binding quote follows scope clarification.

Key drivers are target platform, feature scope, interfaces, data processing, security level, design ambition, test depth, project duration and post-launch operations. Planning iOS, Android and Flutter in parallel saves up to 40% versus two native apps. Costs rise mainly through complex API integrations, offline capability and multiple user roles – a clear release cut keeps budgets predictable.

Costs to have an app built typically range from €10,500 – 140,000 excl. VAT depending on platform, features, interfaces and AI share. Simple business apps start in the lower five-digit range; complex B2B solutions with ERP integration and AI can be significantly higher. Costs cover conception, UX/UI, development, backend, QA, store deployment and ongoing operations – which features belong in the first release is clarified in scoping.

Yes: production costs for self-developed software – including app development – can generally be capitalised under HGB and IFRS if technical feasibility and intention to use are demonstrated. In-house developments are recognised as intangible assets and amortised. Tax treatment may differ – coordinate with your tax adviser or auditor.