App Development Costs
Professional app development costs between 15,000 and 300,000 euros. We transparently show you which factors determine the price. Based on more than twelve years of agency experience.
Request a no-obligation cost estimateClear breakdown with no hidden line items, from the initial estimate to the final proposal
Every project is calculated individually based on your requirements, not on flat-rate pricing
Reliable budget and timeline planning thanks to agile sprints with regular progress reporting
When companies ask us what it costs to have an app developed, we always start with a counter-question: What exactly should the app do? Because the feature scope is by far the biggest cost driver. Beyond that, there are other factors that influence the price.
An app with five screens and a simple database connection is a very different project from an app with real-time synchronization, offline capability, and integration with three existing systems. Every additional feature noticeably increases the effort. That is why we often recommend starting with a clearly defined MVP.
Native iOS development and native Android development mean two separate projects. Cross-platform development with .NET MAUI reduces this effort by 25 to 40 percent.
A well-thought-out app design is crucial for user adoption. In typical B2B projects, we calculate 10 to 20 percent of the total budget for UX/UI design.
Most apps need a backend for data processing and interfaces to ERP, CRM, or proprietary APIs. The more complex the data flows, the higher the effort. A simple REST API is on a completely different level from a real-time architecture with WebSockets.
Unit tests, integration tests, UI tests across different devices, and performance tests make up around 15 to 25 percent of the total effort. This saves significantly in the long run because bugs after launch are many times more expensive to fix.
App development does not end at launch. Expect annual costs of 15 to 20 percent of the original development budget for OS updates, bug fixes, and new features. Factoring in this line item from the very beginning is essential.
Every app is different, yet rough benchmarks are still helpful. The following price ranges are based on our experience from more than a decade of app development for B2B companies.
15,000 to 40,000 euros
A typical scenario: a company digitizes a paper-based process, for example mobile data capture for field service. Manageable screens, simple backend integration, one platform, standard UI components.
40,000 to 120,000 euros
Larger feature scope, iOS and Android, custom design, integration with enterprise systems. Example: the flaschenpost driver app with route planning, scan function, and real-time status.
120,000 to 300,000+ euros
Extensive business logic, real-time data streams, IoT connectivity, multi-tenant capability. Example: the CLAAS TELEMATICS app with telematics data and complex visualization.
Important: These price ranges are benchmarks. The actual price is always based on an individual requirements analysis. We have seen projects that delivered excellent results at 25,000 euros, and others where 200,000 euros was still calculated too tightly.
Native vs. cross-platform
Choosing the technology is one of the most important cost decisions. It determines not only the initial effort, but also the long-term costs for maintenance and further development.
Native development with Swift (iOS) and Kotlin (Android) means two separate codebases. Every feature is developed twice, tested twice, maintained twice. In our experience, costs are 40 to 70 percent higher than a cross-platform solution. Native is worthwhile when extremely compute-intensive tasks or highly specific hardware features are required.
Cross-platform with .NET MAUI is our preferred approach at Cayas. With a shared codebase, we serve iOS, Android, and, if needed, Windows and macOS. In practice, we can reuse 60 to 80 percent of the code across platforms. This significantly reduces the initial app development costs and, above all, the long-term maintenance costs.
As a certified Microsoft partner, we have deep expertise in .NET MAUI. For the vast majority of B2B use cases, cross-platform delivers enterprise quality at significantly lower cost than the native route.
AI and app development
Hardly any topic is currently changing app development as much as AI. And that has a direct impact on costs, though not in just one direction.
AI-powered development tools accelerate routine tasks such as boilerplate code, simple UI implementations, and the creation of test cases. At Cayas, we use these tools selectively and see efficiency gains of 15 to 25 percent, especially in prototyping and standard components. We pass these advantages on to our clients.
AI can generate code, but it cannot design a sustainable software architecture. Anyone who puts AI-generated code into production without experienced review risks inconsistent architectures and growing technical debt. Especially in enterprise apps that are maintained for years, this is an expensive mistake.
Anyone integrating AI features into apps (chatbots, image analysis, recommendation systems) must ensure GDPR compliance: transparency obligations, data processing agreements with AI providers, documentation of automated decisions. This consulting effort must be factored into the calculation.
AI lowers the barrier to entry, but the gap between “it somehow works” and “it is maintainable, secure, and scalable” is getting wider. An experienced agency ensures that AI tools accelerate the process without compromising quality.
Our stance at Cayas: We use AI tools selectively where they deliver real value, but always under the control of experienced developers who keep architecture, security, and maintainability in view. This way, you benefit from shorter development times without taking unnecessary risks.
Development costs are only one part of the total investment. Many companies underestimate the ongoing costs after launch.
Apple: 99 USD/year. Google: 25 USD one-time. Plus 15 to 30 percent store commission on in-app revenue. There are alternatives for internal B2B apps via MDM systems.
From 50 to 500 euros per month for typical B2B scenarios. More for compute-intensive applications. These costs scale with the success of your app.
Annually 15 to 20 percent of development costs for OS compatibility, bug fixes, and performance optimizations. Without regular maintenance, you risk being removed from the store.
Security updates and audits are mandatory, especially in regulated industries and for AI-based features with automated data processing.
Growing user numbers require more server capacity and possibly backend adjustments. Planning for scalability from the start saves a great deal in the long run.
Would you like to know what your specific app project will cost? We will give you an honest assessment -- without a sales call, without obligation. Tell us about your project, and we will get back to you within two business days.
Our process
At Cayas, you will not get black-box proposals. Our process is designed to give you planning reliability right from the start.
In a joint workshop, we understand your project in detail: Which problems does the app solve? Who are the users? Which systems need to be connected? Together, we separate must-haves from nice-to-haves.
We recommend the right technology -- native or cross-platform with .NET MAUI -- and estimate the effort for each project phase individually so you can understand where your budget is going.
You receive a detailed proposal with a clear breakdown: design, development, testing, deployment. Depending on the project, we offer fixed-price models or time-and-material billing -- as with the dsp warehouse logistics app.
During development, we work in sprints and regularly give you insight into progress and budget usage. This keeps you in control and allows you to adjust priorities when needed.
After launch, we offer flexible maintenance contracts -- from fixed monthly contingents to on-demand support. This keeps your app stable in the long term and lets it grow with your company.
FAQ
The cost of having an app developed by a professional agency typically ranges from 15,000 to 300,000 euros. A simple business app or an MVP starts at around 15,000 to 40,000 euros. Medium-complexity apps with backend integration and custom design range from 40,000 to 120,000 euros. Complex enterprise apps with real-time features, IoT integration, or extensive business logic can cost 120,000 euros or more.
The exact price is determined through an individual requirements analysis.
The most important cost factors are:
A solid requirements analysis at the start of the project is crucial for a realistic cost estimate.
Yes, in most cases. With cross-platform frameworks like .NET MAUI, a large portion of the code can be shared across iOS and Android. This saves 25 to 40 percent of development costs compared to two separate native apps.
The savings are even greater in long-term maintenance because changes only need to be implemented once. Native development is mainly worthwhile when maximum performance or highly specific platform features are absolutely required.
After launch, you should expect annual costs of 15 to 20 percent of the original development budget. These cover maintenance, OS compatibility updates, bug fixes, and smaller feature enhancements.
In addition, there are:
Development time and cost are directly linked: the more person-days a project requires, the higher the cost.
An MVP approach -- meaning a deliberate start with the most important core features -- is an effective strategy to limit the initial investment while still getting into productive use quickly.
Absolutely -- and we actively recommend this approach. A Minimum Viable Product focuses on the core features that deliver the greatest value. This gets you into productive use faster, lets you gather real user feedback, and helps you invest specifically in the features that are truly needed.
At Cayas, we plan MVP projects so they are built on a solid architecture from the start and can be expanded easily -- without requiring major rebuilds later on.
Partly, yes. AI-supported tools can accelerate certain development phases -- especially prototyping, standard implementations, and testing. In practice, we see efficiency gains of 15 to 25 percent in these areas.
But architecture design, security reviews, and GDPR compliance require more expertise today, not less. Without experienced oversight, AI-generated code leads to technical debt and compliance risks that become far more expensive in the long run than the short-term savings.
The key lies in the targeted, controlled use of AI by experienced developers.
At Cayas, every project starts with a requirements workshop that results in a detailed, itemized proposal. During development, we work in agile sprints and regularly give you insight into progress and budget usage.
Depending on the project situation, we offer fixed-price models or time-and-material billing. This gives you full control over your budget at all times and lets you adjust priorities flexibly when needed, without unpleasant surprises.
You have an app idea and want to know what implementation will realistically cost? At Cayas, you do not get a sales call -- you get an honest assessment from experienced app developers.