How the estimate is calculated.
The calculator does not claim to produce a quote without scoping. It applies a stable formula to your answers to provide a comparable, explainable order of magnitude.
In one formula
Baseline range × platform coefficient × commitment coefficient × (1 + sum of adjustments)
1. A baseline for each app family
Each starting point has an internal range in €k excluding VAT. It represents a scalable iOS and Android product before modules and options. From-scratch mode uses a neutral baseline.
| Functional family | Low | Central | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| From scratch | 60 k€ | 85 k€ | 115 k€ |
| Snapchat | 85 k€ | 110 k€ | 140 k€ |
| 70 k€ | 90 k€ | 115 k€ | |
| Messenger | 55 k€ | 75 k€ | 95 k€ |
| TikTok | 90 k€ | 115 k€ | 150 k€ |
| Tinder | 50 k€ | 65 k€ | 85 k€ |
| Airbnb | 95 k€ | 130 k€ | 175 k€ |
| Uber | 100 k€ | 130 k€ | 175 k€ |
| Doctolib | 55 k€ | 75 k€ | 95 k€ |
| BlaBlaCar | 65 k€ | 85 k€ | 110 k€ |
| Vinted | 70 k€ | 90 k€ | 115 k€ |
| Strava | 60 k€ | 80 k€ | 100 k€ |
| Spotify | 100 k€ | 130 k€ | 165 k€ |
| Duolingo | 60 k€ | 80 k€ | 100 k€ |
| Lightspeed | 100 k€ | 130 k€ | 170 k€ |
| Pipedrive | 80 k€ | 105 k€ | 135 k€ |
| Notion | 110 k€ | 145 k€ | 185 k€ |
| QuickBooks | 90 k€ | 120 k€ | 155 k€ |
| Shopify | 110 k€ | 145 k€ | 185 k€ |
2. The platform coefficient
Platforms are combined into one coefficient. The model accounts for Flutter code reuse; SEO-focused web remains a separate workstream. The three web choices are mutually exclusive in the interface.
| Configuration | Coefficient |
|---|---|
| iOS only | ×0.55 |
| Android only | ×0.55 |
| iOS + Android | ×1.00 |
| iOS + Android + landing site | ×1.08 |
| iOS + Android + web app | ×1.10 |
| Web app only | ×0.30 |
| iOS + Android + SEO web | ×1.50 |
| iOS + Android + one desktop OS | ×1.15 |
| One desktop OS without mobile | ×0.40 |
| Two desktop OSs without mobile | ×0.47 |
Each additional desktop OS adds 0.07 to the coefficient after the first.
3. The commitment level
The commitment coefficient is applied to the baseline. Ranges displayed in the selector are educational benchmarks; they do not constrain the calculated result.
| Level | Coefficient | Displayed benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Scoped prototype | ×0.20 | €12–25k ex VAT |
| Serious MVP | ×0.55 | €35–70k ex VAT |
| Scalable product | ×1.00 | €80–160k+ ex VAT |
4. Additive adjustments
All selected percentages are added together, then applied once. For example, +20% and +10% produce an adjustment factor of 1.30, not two successive multiplications.
Technical workstreams
| Option | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Critical real-time | +25% |
| Generative AI | +20% |
| Multi-region / sovereignty | +15% |
| Hardware / IoT / BLE | +20% |
| Complex marketplace | +15% |
| Healthcare data hosting | +20% |
| Advanced motion design | +25% |
| Accessibility | +10% |
| ANSSI / sovereign cloud | +18% |
| Third-party security audit | +8% |
Design
| Option | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| None / provided mockups | 0% |
| Simple design | +5% |
| Bespoke design | +15% |
In-app purchases
| Option | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| None / provided mockups | 0% |
| Consumables | +5% |
| Subscriptions | +8% |
| Consumables + subscriptions | +12% |
Advertising
| Option | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| None / provided mockups | 0% |
| Simple banners | +3% |
| Rewarded video | +6% |
| Programmatic advertising | +10% |
Store listings
| Option | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| None / provided mockups | 0% |
| Basic store optimization | +2% |
| Premium ASO | +6% |
Localization
| Option | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| 1 language | 0% |
| 2–3 languages | +4% |
| 4–7 languages | +8% |
| 8 languages or more | +14% |
Themes
| Option | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| One light theme | 0% |
| One dark theme | 0% |
| Light and dark themes | +4% |
5. Converting cost into a timeline
The calculator divides each budget value by 5 and rounds it to display a number of weeks. This provides an order of magnitude consistent with the estimate; it does not model a start date, availability or schedule dependencies.
What the model includes
- the selected functional family or from-scratch baseline;
- platforms and their potential for code reuse;
- the prototype, MVP or scalable commitment level;
- the technical workstreams explicitly selected;
- design level, monetization, store listings, languages and themes.
What remains outside the calculation
- recurring hosting, cloud and third-party service costs;
- commissions, licences, store accounts and transaction fees;
- hardware, content, data migration and marketing spend;
- unknown constraints in an existing system;
- maintenance after any included warranty;
- any work not represented by a selected option.
Limitations and proper use
- Baselines are an internal calibration, not a market average imported in real time.
- Two products with the same archetype can require very different architecture decisions.
- The calculator reads no specification, code or mockups and cannot detect implicit dependencies.
- The range is indicative and non-binding. A quote requires a scope reviewed by someone accountable for delivery.
Rate-card governance
The coefficients above are those used by the production calculator on the stated review date. Maxime Darras is the editorial lead. Any model change must update this page and its review date.
The calculator is published as part of Black Tide Studio. For a project-level interpretation, read How much does a mobile app cost in 2026?.
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