"How much does an app cost?" is every founder's first question. The honest answer is: it depends. But in 2026 the price ranges are fairly clear. Here's a practical guide to understand where your project fits — and what you are actually paying for.

Price ranges in 2026

A native mobile app has no fixed price list: the cost grows with the complexity of features, design and integrations. As a market reference:

• MVP (minimum viable product): €8,000 – €15,000. One or two key features to validate your idea in the real market.
• Simple app (3-5 screens): €15,000 – €25,000. Catalog, login, notifications: the essentials, done right.
• Medium complexity: €25,000 – €50,000. Dedicated backend, user area, payments, sync with your management system.
• Complex / enterprise: €50,000+. Advanced logic, multiple integrations, business-grade scalability and security.

What really drives the cost

The final price is the sum of specific choices. The variables that weigh the most:

• UI/UX design: a tailored interface costs more than a template, but it's what makes the app feel professional.
• Backend and features: databases, authentication and external APIs add value — and cost.
• Integrations: payments, maps, social login and third-party systems require dedicated work.
• Platforms: covering both iOS and Android doubles the surface to build and test.

Native or cross-platform?

This is the choice with the biggest impact on the budget. Native development (Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android) delivers maximum smoothness, full hardware access and top performance — ideal for apps meant to last. The cross-platform approach (one codebase for both stores) can cut costs by 30-40%, perfect for MVPs and tighter budgets. There is no universally right answer: only the one that fits your goals.

The costs that continue after launch

An app doesn't end on launch day. Budgeting for the "after" avoids unpleasant surprises:

• Apple Developer Program: €99/year.
• Google Play Console: €25 one-off.
• Backend and hosting: from €20 to over €200/month, depending on traffic.
• Maintenance: around 15-20% of the initial cost per year for OS updates, fixes and new features.

How long it takes

Time and cost go hand in hand. As a rough guide:

• MVP: 4-8 weeks.
• Medium complexity: 2-4 months.
• Complex app: 4-8 months and up.

How Shine Software helps

At Shine Software we design and build native iOS and Android apps that turn your store into a fast mobile experience, always within reach of your customers — with catalog, cart, checkout, push and sync with your e-commerce backend. Before writing a single line of code we define features, platforms and priorities together, so the quote reflects real value, with no surprise items.