How much does a mobile app cost in 2026?
An answer based on the rate card actually used by the calculator, without turning an indicative range into a fake quote.
The short answer
In 2026, the benchmarks shown by jecréemonapp are:
- Scoped prototype
- Serious MVP
- Scalable product
These figures describe three commitment levels. They are neither fixed packages nor caps: the result is recalculated from the app archetype, platforms and selected options.
Start my estimate →Prototype, MVP, scalable: what changes
The commitment level is not just a screen count. It represents the amount of delivery risk and robustness being addressed.
| Level | Displayed benchmark | Intended use | Delivery frame |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scoped prototype | €12–25k ex VAT | Test an idea, build a demo or validate a concept. | Delivered code, minimal documentation and basic deployment; no systematic testing or warranty. |
| Serious MVP | €35–70k ex VAT | Launch a real product with its first users. | Basic tests, production deployment, CI/CD, monitoring and a one-month post-launch warranty. |
| Scalable product | €80–160k+ ex VAT | Build a product meant to evolve and handle load. | E2E tests, full monitoring, a design system, warranty and full code transferability. |
What changes the estimate
The calculator starts from a range tied to a functional archetype — or a neutral baseline — then applies the following choices.
Platforms
Technical workstreams
Design
Monetization and distribution
Assumptions to keep in mind
- Amounts are expressed in thousands of euros excluding VAT and rounded to the nearest €1k.
- Archetype baselines represent a scalable iOS and Android product; other configurations are derived through coefficients.
- The €12–25k, €35–70k and €80–160k+ benchmarks are educational. The calculation does not clamp the result to those intervals.
- The displayed timeline is derived from the budget range; it is not a contractual schedule.
- The estimate only uses declared answers, without a scoping workshop, technical audit or review of an existing product.
What the calculator does not price separately
No dedicated line item is added for the following costs; they must be scoped separately when relevant:
- recurring hosting, cloud consumption and third-party service licences;
- developer accounts, app-store commissions and payment fees;
- hardware purchases, content production and data migration;
- marketing or media spend;
- maintenance after any warranty included with the selected level;
- certification, legal advice or an external audit unless explicitly selected in the calculator.
How to use the range correctly
Use it to select an ambition level, compare two scopes and prepare a conversation. Before appointing a team, assumptions still need to become features, acceptance criteria, dependencies and a schedule. Only after that scoping work can a quote become binding.
The full formula, coefficients and rate-card date are published in the methodology. Scoping and delivery are handled by Black Tide Studio.