It's the most common—and most frustrating—question in the software world: "How much does it cost to build an app?"
You ask five different agencies and get five wildly different answers. Some give you a suspiciously low number, others a terrifyingly high one, and most will simply say, "it depends."
While it does depend, that answer isn't helpful. You need a framework for understanding the costs so you can budget intelligently and make informed decisions.
At WAYF, we believe in transparency. This guide will break down the real factors that drive app development costs. We’ll give you concrete price ranges, explain the role of AI, and even explore how the right software investment can unlock revenue streams you haven't considered.
It's the most common—and most frustrating—question in the software world: "How much does it cost to build an app?"
You ask five different agencies and get five wildly different answers. Some give you a suspiciously low number, others a terrifyingly high one, and most will simply say, "it depends."
While it does depend, that answer isn't helpful. You need a framework for understanding the costs so you can budget intelligently and make informed decisions.
At WAYF, we believe in transparency. This guide will break down the real factors that drive app development costs. We’ll give you concrete price ranges, explain the role of AI, and even explore how the right software investment can unlock revenue streams you haven't considered.
It's the most common—and most frustrating—question in the software world: "How much does it cost to build an app?"
You ask five different agencies and get five wildly different answers. Some give you a suspiciously low number, others a terrifyingly high one, and most will simply say, "it depends."
While it does depend, that answer isn't helpful. You need a framework for understanding the costs so you can budget intelligently and make informed decisions.
At WAYF, we believe in transparency. This guide will break down the real factors that drive app development costs. We’ll give you concrete price ranges, explain the role of AI, and even explore how the right software investment can unlock revenue streams you haven't considered.
The Core Factors That Drive Cost
The price of an app isn't arbitrary. It's a direct reflection of the time and expertise required to build it. Five key factors determine the final cost:
1. Scope & Feature Complexity
This is the single biggest cost driver. An app is a collection of features, and each requires design, development, and testing. A simple user login is worlds away from a real-time payment gateway integration.
2. Design, Taste & User Experience (UI/UX)
A beautiful, intuitive app doesn't happen by accident. This is where taste and experience become a crucial differentiator. Anyone can use a template. A high-value partner invests time in deep user research and crafts a seamless user journey with a unique brand identity. This is what separates forgettable apps from products users love.
3. The Expertise of the Team
Who builds your app is as important as what they build. This is not about job titles like "strategist"; it's about the tangible value of experience.
Junior-heavy teams take orders and build exactly what they're told, which is risky if your initial assumptions are wrong.
An experienced partner challenges assumptions. This is where our 10+ years of experience become your greatest asset. We've seen what works and what doesn't. Our senior team provides the critical thinking to de-risk your project, ensuring you build the right product, not just the product you first imagined.
4. The Technology Stack
The technologies used can influence cost. Building separate native apps for iOS and Android is expensive. Using a framework like React Native allows us to build for both platforms from a single codebase, significantly reducing time and cost without compromising quality.
5. The Role of AI: Hype vs. Reality
You've seen the headlines: AI is making software development cheaper. The reality is more nuanced.
In the hands of an amateur, generative AI tools often create simple, mediocre apps with hidden flaws.
In the hands of a senior engineer, AI is a power tool.
Our senior teams are AI power users. We weave AI into our workflows to handle boilerplate code at breakneck speed. This doesn't replace expertise; it unleashes it. It means our top talent spends more time on complex architecture, security, and the creative problem-solving that AI can't touch. The result isn’t just a cheaper app; it’s a better, more robust app, delivered dramatically faster.
The price of an app isn't arbitrary. It's a direct reflection of the time and expertise required to build it. Five key factors determine the final cost:
1. Scope & Feature Complexity
This is the single biggest cost driver. An app is a collection of features, and each requires design, development, and testing. A simple user login is worlds away from a real-time payment gateway integration.
2. Design, Taste & User Experience (UI/UX)
A beautiful, intuitive app doesn't happen by accident. This is where taste and experience become a crucial differentiator. Anyone can use a template. A high-value partner invests time in deep user research and crafts a seamless user journey with a unique brand identity. This is what separates forgettable apps from products users love.
3. The Expertise of the Team
Who builds your app is as important as what they build. This is not about job titles like "strategist"; it's about the tangible value of experience.
Junior-heavy teams take orders and build exactly what they're told, which is risky if your initial assumptions are wrong.
An experienced partner challenges assumptions. This is where our 10+ years of experience become your greatest asset. We've seen what works and what doesn't. Our senior team provides the critical thinking to de-risk your project, ensuring you build the right product, not just the product you first imagined.
4. The Technology Stack
The technologies used can influence cost. Building separate native apps for iOS and Android is expensive. Using a framework like React Native allows us to build for both platforms from a single codebase, significantly reducing time and cost without compromising quality.
5. The Role of AI: Hype vs. Reality
You've seen the headlines: AI is making software development cheaper. The reality is more nuanced.
In the hands of an amateur, generative AI tools often create simple, mediocre apps with hidden flaws.
In the hands of a senior engineer, AI is a power tool.
Our senior teams are AI power users. We weave AI into our workflows to handle boilerplate code at breakneck speed. This doesn't replace expertise; it unleashes it. It means our top talent spends more time on complex architecture, security, and the creative problem-solving that AI can't touch. The result isn’t just a cheaper app; it’s a better, more robust app, delivered dramatically faster.
The price of an app isn't arbitrary. It's a direct reflection of the time and expertise required to build it. Five key factors determine the final cost:
1. Scope & Feature Complexity
This is the single biggest cost driver. An app is a collection of features, and each requires design, development, and testing. A simple user login is worlds away from a real-time payment gateway integration.
2. Design, Taste & User Experience (UI/UX)
A beautiful, intuitive app doesn't happen by accident. This is where taste and experience become a crucial differentiator. Anyone can use a template. A high-value partner invests time in deep user research and crafts a seamless user journey with a unique brand identity. This is what separates forgettable apps from products users love.
3. The Expertise of the Team
Who builds your app is as important as what they build. This is not about job titles like "strategist"; it's about the tangible value of experience.
Junior-heavy teams take orders and build exactly what they're told, which is risky if your initial assumptions are wrong.
An experienced partner challenges assumptions. This is where our 10+ years of experience become your greatest asset. We've seen what works and what doesn't. Our senior team provides the critical thinking to de-risk your project, ensuring you build the right product, not just the product you first imagined.
4. The Technology Stack
The technologies used can influence cost. Building separate native apps for iOS and Android is expensive. Using a framework like React Native allows us to build for both platforms from a single codebase, significantly reducing time and cost without compromising quality.
5. The Role of AI: Hype vs. Reality
You've seen the headlines: AI is making software development cheaper. The reality is more nuanced.
In the hands of an amateur, generative AI tools often create simple, mediocre apps with hidden flaws.
In the hands of a senior engineer, AI is a power tool.
Our senior teams are AI power users. We weave AI into our workflows to handle boilerplate code at breakneck speed. This doesn't replace expertise; it unleashes it. It means our top talent spends more time on complex architecture, security, and the creative problem-solving that AI can't touch. The result isn’t just a cheaper app; it’s a better, more robust app, delivered dramatically faster.
Real-World Cost Ranges & What You Get
To give you a concrete idea, here are three common project categories.
Category 1: The Foundational MVP
Estimated Cost: €25,000 – €75,000
What it is: A first version built to test a core hypothesis. It has a focused feature set and clean, professional design, delivered with an AI-accelerated workflow.
Best for: Founders looking to validate an idea and secure their first users or next round of funding.
Category 2: The Scalable Business Application
Estimated Cost: €75,000 – €200,000+
What it is: A fully-featured, commercial-grade product ready for a large user base, involving custom UI/UX and a robust, AI-optimised backend.
Best for: Businesses looking to launch a core digital product or scale up a successful MVP.
Category 3: The Enterprise Platform
Estimated Cost: €200,000 – €1,000,000+
What it is: A complex, mission-critical system requiring deep integration, advanced security, and compliance.
Best for: Established companies undergoing digital transformation.
To give you a concrete idea, here are three common project categories.
Category 1: The Foundational MVP
Estimated Cost: €25,000 – €75,000
What it is: A first version built to test a core hypothesis. It has a focused feature set and clean, professional design, delivered with an AI-accelerated workflow.
Best for: Founders looking to validate an idea and secure their first users or next round of funding.
Category 2: The Scalable Business Application
Estimated Cost: €75,000 – €200,000+
What it is: A fully-featured, commercial-grade product ready for a large user base, involving custom UI/UX and a robust, AI-optimised backend.
Best for: Businesses looking to launch a core digital product or scale up a successful MVP.
Category 3: The Enterprise Platform
Estimated Cost: €200,000 – €1,000,000+
What it is: A complex, mission-critical system requiring deep integration, advanced security, and compliance.
Best for: Established companies undergoing digital transformation.
To give you a concrete idea, here are three common project categories.
Category 1: The Foundational MVP
Estimated Cost: €25,000 – €75,000
What it is: A first version built to test a core hypothesis. It has a focused feature set and clean, professional design, delivered with an AI-accelerated workflow.
Best for: Founders looking to validate an idea and secure their first users or next round of funding.
Category 2: The Scalable Business Application
Estimated Cost: €75,000 – €200,000+
What it is: A fully-featured, commercial-grade product ready for a large user base, involving custom UI/UX and a robust, AI-optimised backend.
Best for: Businesses looking to launch a core digital product or scale up a successful MVP.
Category 3: The Enterprise Platform
Estimated Cost: €200,000 – €1,000,000+
What it is: A complex, mission-critical system requiring deep integration, advanced security, and compliance.
Best for: Established companies undergoing digital transformation.
Don't Forget the "Hidden" Costs
A responsible partner will also prepare you for the costs of running a product after launch, including maintenance (15-20% of the initial cost, per year), hosting, and third-party API fees.
A responsible partner will also prepare you for the costs of running a product after launch, including maintenance (15-20% of the initial cost, per year), hosting, and third-party API fees.
A responsible partner will also prepare you for the costs of running a product after launch, including maintenance (15-20% of the initial cost, per year), hosting, and third-party API fees.
A Hidden Opportunity: Turning Your Internal App into a SaaS Product
Over our 10+ years in development, we've spotted a powerful pattern. Companies often come to us needing a custom internal tool—software to streamline operations, manage complex data, or improve team efficiency. They see it as a necessary expense.
We see it as a potential beginning.
The solution to your unique internal problem is often a solution that dozens of other companies in your industry would pay for. A key part of our strategic value is identifying this potential. We don't just build what you ask for; we look ahead to what your app could become.
This foresight completely reframes the initial investment. The cost to build isn't just an operational expense; it can be the seed capital for a future-proof, high-margin SaaS product. When we architect your application, we can do so with the foresight that it might one day be sold to others, building in the necessary scalability and multi-tenancy from the start.
This is the difference between a software vendor and a true product partner.
Over our 10+ years in development, we've spotted a powerful pattern. Companies often come to us needing a custom internal tool—software to streamline operations, manage complex data, or improve team efficiency. They see it as a necessary expense.
We see it as a potential beginning.
The solution to your unique internal problem is often a solution that dozens of other companies in your industry would pay for. A key part of our strategic value is identifying this potential. We don't just build what you ask for; we look ahead to what your app could become.
This foresight completely reframes the initial investment. The cost to build isn't just an operational expense; it can be the seed capital for a future-proof, high-margin SaaS product. When we architect your application, we can do so with the foresight that it might one day be sold to others, building in the necessary scalability and multi-tenancy from the start.
This is the difference between a software vendor and a true product partner.
Over our 10+ years in development, we've spotted a powerful pattern. Companies often come to us needing a custom internal tool—software to streamline operations, manage complex data, or improve team efficiency. They see it as a necessary expense.
We see it as a potential beginning.
The solution to your unique internal problem is often a solution that dozens of other companies in your industry would pay for. A key part of our strategic value is identifying this potential. We don't just build what you ask for; we look ahead to what your app could become.
This foresight completely reframes the initial investment. The cost to build isn't just an operational expense; it can be the seed capital for a future-proof, high-margin SaaS product. When we architect your application, we can do so with the foresight that it might one day be sold to others, building in the necessary scalability and multi-tenancy from the start.
This is the difference between a software vendor and a true product partner.
Your App Cost Questions, Answered
1. Shouldn't I just build an in-house team from the start?
This is a great question. While a dedicated in-house team is a fantastic long-term goal, bringing in an experienced agency partner first is often the most strategic move to de-risk your most critical phase. Here’s why:
Speed-to-Market: Hiring, vetting, and onboarding an entire senior team can take 4-6 months. That's a lifetime in the startup world. An established agency team can start immediately, turning your vision into a market-ready product while you focus on hiring.
Reduced Hiring Risk: A bad senior hire can be costly and set you back months. Our agency model gives you access to a proven, cohesive team from day one, with zero hiring risk.
On-Demand Expertise: Your initial build might require a mobile expert, a backend architect, and a UX specialist. Six months later, you might only need a part-time frontend developer. An agency allows you to flex these specialized skills up and down without the burden of full-time salaries, providing a far more capital-efficient model.
We see ourselves as a strategic launchpad. We get you to market with a high-quality product faster than any other option, setting the stage for your future in-house team to take over a successful, revenue-generating asset.
2. Why not assemble a team of freelancers to save money?
While assembling a team of freelancers can seem cost-effective initially, it often introduces hidden costs in management and coordination. A successful product requires a seamless integration of strategy, design, and engineering—something that's inherently challenging to achieve with siloed, independent experts.
Our agency model provides an integrated, senior team under one roof. This structure is designed to de-risk your investment in several key ways:
It eliminates coordination overhead: You have a single point of contact, not a roster of individuals to manage.
It ensures continuity and shared ownership: The team's collective knowledge isn't lost if one person leaves.
It creates a unified vision: Our designers and engineers work hand-in-hand from day one, preventing the disconnects that can derail projects.
Ultimately, you are investing in a proven, cohesive system built to deliver a high-quality product, not just a collection of individual contributors.
3. Will AI make my app significantly cheaper?
Not necessarily cheaper, but significantly more valuable. AI doesn't reduce the value of a well-architected product; it reduces the waste and tedium involved in creating it.
Think of it this way: AI allows our senior experts to automate repetitive tasks and focus their valuable time on what truly matters—robust architecture, security, and creative problem-solving. This means for a similar investment, you are not getting the same product for less; you are getting a superior, more robust product that would have taken months longer to build traditionally. It’s about maximising the return and quality you get for your budget, not just minimising the price tag.
4. How can I get a firm price for my project?
A quote given without a deep discovery process is just a guess. A true estimate requires a collaborative session where a partner helps you define scope and prioritise features. This is why our process always starts with a free discovery call to build a clear blueprint that aligns with your budget.
The cost of an app isn't just a number; it's an investment in your vision. By understanding what drives that cost, you can find a partner who will treat your investment with the strategic discipline it deserves.
1. Shouldn't I just build an in-house team from the start?
This is a great question. While a dedicated in-house team is a fantastic long-term goal, bringing in an experienced agency partner first is often the most strategic move to de-risk your most critical phase. Here’s why:
Speed-to-Market: Hiring, vetting, and onboarding an entire senior team can take 4-6 months. That's a lifetime in the startup world. An established agency team can start immediately, turning your vision into a market-ready product while you focus on hiring.
Reduced Hiring Risk: A bad senior hire can be costly and set you back months. Our agency model gives you access to a proven, cohesive team from day one, with zero hiring risk.
On-Demand Expertise: Your initial build might require a mobile expert, a backend architect, and a UX specialist. Six months later, you might only need a part-time frontend developer. An agency allows you to flex these specialized skills up and down without the burden of full-time salaries, providing a far more capital-efficient model.
We see ourselves as a strategic launchpad. We get you to market with a high-quality product faster than any other option, setting the stage for your future in-house team to take over a successful, revenue-generating asset.
2. Why not assemble a team of freelancers to save money?
While assembling a team of freelancers can seem cost-effective initially, it often introduces hidden costs in management and coordination. A successful product requires a seamless integration of strategy, design, and engineering—something that's inherently challenging to achieve with siloed, independent experts.
Our agency model provides an integrated, senior team under one roof. This structure is designed to de-risk your investment in several key ways:
It eliminates coordination overhead: You have a single point of contact, not a roster of individuals to manage.
It ensures continuity and shared ownership: The team's collective knowledge isn't lost if one person leaves.
It creates a unified vision: Our designers and engineers work hand-in-hand from day one, preventing the disconnects that can derail projects.
Ultimately, you are investing in a proven, cohesive system built to deliver a high-quality product, not just a collection of individual contributors.
3. Will AI make my app significantly cheaper?
Not necessarily cheaper, but significantly more valuable. AI doesn't reduce the value of a well-architected product; it reduces the waste and tedium involved in creating it.
Think of it this way: AI allows our senior experts to automate repetitive tasks and focus their valuable time on what truly matters—robust architecture, security, and creative problem-solving. This means for a similar investment, you are not getting the same product for less; you are getting a superior, more robust product that would have taken months longer to build traditionally. It’s about maximising the return and quality you get for your budget, not just minimising the price tag.
4. How can I get a firm price for my project?
A quote given without a deep discovery process is just a guess. A true estimate requires a collaborative session where a partner helps you define scope and prioritise features. This is why our process always starts with a free discovery call to build a clear blueprint that aligns with your budget.
The cost of an app isn't just a number; it's an investment in your vision. By understanding what drives that cost, you can find a partner who will treat your investment with the strategic discipline it deserves.
1. Shouldn't I just build an in-house team from the start?
This is a great question. While a dedicated in-house team is a fantastic long-term goal, bringing in an experienced agency partner first is often the most strategic move to de-risk your most critical phase. Here’s why:
Speed-to-Market: Hiring, vetting, and onboarding an entire senior team can take 4-6 months. That's a lifetime in the startup world. An established agency team can start immediately, turning your vision into a market-ready product while you focus on hiring.
Reduced Hiring Risk: A bad senior hire can be costly and set you back months. Our agency model gives you access to a proven, cohesive team from day one, with zero hiring risk.
On-Demand Expertise: Your initial build might require a mobile expert, a backend architect, and a UX specialist. Six months later, you might only need a part-time frontend developer. An agency allows you to flex these specialized skills up and down without the burden of full-time salaries, providing a far more capital-efficient model.
We see ourselves as a strategic launchpad. We get you to market with a high-quality product faster than any other option, setting the stage for your future in-house team to take over a successful, revenue-generating asset.
2. Why not assemble a team of freelancers to save money?
While assembling a team of freelancers can seem cost-effective initially, it often introduces hidden costs in management and coordination. A successful product requires a seamless integration of strategy, design, and engineering—something that's inherently challenging to achieve with siloed, independent experts.
Our agency model provides an integrated, senior team under one roof. This structure is designed to de-risk your investment in several key ways:
It eliminates coordination overhead: You have a single point of contact, not a roster of individuals to manage.
It ensures continuity and shared ownership: The team's collective knowledge isn't lost if one person leaves.
It creates a unified vision: Our designers and engineers work hand-in-hand from day one, preventing the disconnects that can derail projects.
Ultimately, you are investing in a proven, cohesive system built to deliver a high-quality product, not just a collection of individual contributors.
3. Will AI make my app significantly cheaper?
Not necessarily cheaper, but significantly more valuable. AI doesn't reduce the value of a well-architected product; it reduces the waste and tedium involved in creating it.
Think of it this way: AI allows our senior experts to automate repetitive tasks and focus their valuable time on what truly matters—robust architecture, security, and creative problem-solving. This means for a similar investment, you are not getting the same product for less; you are getting a superior, more robust product that would have taken months longer to build traditionally. It’s about maximising the return and quality you get for your budget, not just minimising the price tag.
4. How can I get a firm price for my project?
A quote given without a deep discovery process is just a guess. A true estimate requires a collaborative session where a partner helps you define scope and prioritise features. This is why our process always starts with a free discovery call to build a clear blueprint that aligns with your budget.
The cost of an app isn't just a number; it's an investment in your vision. By understanding what drives that cost, you can find a partner who will treat your investment with the strategic discipline it deserves.
Getting a True Estimate
A quote given without a deep understanding of your goals is just a guess. A true estimate requires a collaborative discovery process where an agency helps you define your scope and prioritise features to align with your budget.
This is why our process always starts with a free discovery call. We work with you to build a clear blueprint that maximises your return on investment.
The cost of an app isn't just a number; it's an investment in your vision. By understanding what drives that cost, you can find a partner who will treat your investment with the strategic discipline it deserves.
A quote given without a deep understanding of your goals is just a guess. A true estimate requires a collaborative discovery process where an agency helps you define your scope and prioritise features to align with your budget.
This is why our process always starts with a free discovery call. We work with you to build a clear blueprint that maximises your return on investment.
The cost of an app isn't just a number; it's an investment in your vision. By understanding what drives that cost, you can find a partner who will treat your investment with the strategic discipline it deserves.
A quote given without a deep understanding of your goals is just a guess. A true estimate requires a collaborative discovery process where an agency helps you define your scope and prioritise features to align with your budget.
This is why our process always starts with a free discovery call. We work with you to build a clear blueprint that maximises your return on investment.
The cost of an app isn't just a number; it's an investment in your vision. By understanding what drives that cost, you can find a partner who will treat your investment with the strategic discipline it deserves.
Table of contents
Paul Utr
Co-founder, Co-CEO, Design Lead
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Build Smarter – Join other product leaders who get our free insights for building successful software.
00
Chmielna 73B / 14,
00-801 Warsaw, PL
VAT-EU (NIP): PL7831824606
REGON: 387099056
KRS: 0000861621
Build Smarter – Join other product leaders who get our free insights for building successful software.
00
Chmielna 73B / 14,
00-801 Warsaw, PL
VAT-EU (NIP): PL7831824606
REGON: 387099056
KRS: 0000861621