It’s the first question almost everyone asks, and the honest answer is: it depends on what the app needs to do. Two projects both called “an app” can differ tenfold in effort. That’s why we don’t publish a price list. Instead, we agree a written scope and give a fixed quote before any work begins.
What we can do is show you what drives the cost, so you can plan a sensible budget and compare quotes fairly.
What drives the cost
- Platforms. A web app, an iPhone app, an Android app and a desktop app are each real work. Cross-platform tools can share code between some of them, where the product allows it.
- Users and roles. One type of user is simpler than customers, staff, managers and administrators, each with different screens and permissions.
- Number of screens and flows. Every journey, from sign-up to checkout, needs design, building and testing.
- Integrations. Payments, your existing systems, maps, email and third-party APIs each add work, and some add running costs.
- AI features. Assistants, document review or automated marking add development work and ongoing usage costs for the AI model.
- Design depth. A clean standard interface costs less than a fully custom, highly animated one.
- Admin tools. Someone needs to manage content, users and data. A good admin area is often a large part of the build.
- Security and hosting. Sensitive data, specific hosting regions or strict access control add care and time.
The running costs people forget
Launch isn’t the end of the budget. Plan for:
- Hosting and services: servers, databases, email sending, storage and any AI usage.
- Store accounts: the Apple Developer Program costs US$99 a year, and a Google Play developer account has a one-time US$25 fee.
- Maintenance: operating system updates, security patches and small fixes keep an app working.
- Improvements: once real users arrive, you’ll want to change things.
How to reduce the cost without cutting corners
- Start with a smaller first release. Launch the core journey, learn from real users, then add features.
- Run a discovery sprint first. A short, fixed-fee step to agree the scope and design the key screens gives you an accurate quote and fewer surprises.
- Choose cross-platform where it fits. One codebase for several platforms can save time, though not every product suits it.
- Fix the scope, not just the price. A clear written scope protects both sides from endless changes.
Fixed price or monthly?
For a defined first release, a fixed price gives you certainty. For a product with an evolving roadmap, monthly development time is often better value, because priorities change as you learn.
How we price at AIGOCO
We start with a short discovery conversation about your goals, users, systems, budget and timeline. You then get a written scope and a fixed quote. You approve it before work begins, and you own the code once the project is paid for. If you’re not ready for a full project, a technical review or discovery sprint is a low-risk first step.
Want to see how we work? Read our mobile app development and web app development pages, or the Scoop Slide case study.
Frequently asked questions
Do you publish fixed prices for apps?
No. Apps vary too much in scope. We agree a written scope and give a fixed quote before work begins.
What running costs should I plan for?
Hosting and services, store accounts (Apple Developer Program US$99 a year; Google Play US$25 one-time), maintenance and improvements.
