How much to charge for app development
App development is priced per project, ideally billed per milestone, never as open-ended hourly on a large build. Scope tightly and stage the payments, because vague requirements are how app projects double in cost and time.
You should charge
$34,950
per project · typical $5,000–$150,000
Why this number. Quote a fixed scope billed per milestone, and write change requests as paid additions. Open-ended hourly on a big build terrifies clients and burns you on scope creep; milestones give both sides a clear, safe path.
Typical app development prices
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Simple MVP | $5,000 – $25,000 |
| Standard app | $25,000 – $80,000 |
| Complex platform | $80,000 – $250,000 |
Also common: Hourly, $50-$200+ depending on seniority and region.
What changes the price
- Platform (iOS, Android, cross-platform)
- Feature complexity
- Backend, APIs, and integrations
- Design included or provided
The pricing move most people miss
Quote a fixed scope billed per milestone, and write change requests as paid additions. Open-ended hourly on a big build terrifies clients and burns you on scope creep; milestones give both sides a clear, safe path.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge for app development?+
Most app development is priced $5,000–$150,000 per project, with a typical rate around $35,000 per project. Where you land inside that range comes down mainly to platform (iOS, Android, cross-platform) and feature complexity. Use the range as your anchor, then adjust up for experience, strong demand, and a higher cost-of-living area.
Should I charge per job or by the hour for app development?+
Most app development is priced per job, and that is the stronger model. It pays you for the result rather than the clock, and clients far prefer one fixed number they can plan around. Estimate the hours a job takes, multiply by the hourly rate you want, then add a 15-25% buffer for the jobs that run long. Hourly, $50-$200+ depending on seniority and region.
How much should I charge for app development as a beginner?+
Starting out, price near the lower end of the range, roughly $5,000 to $35,000 per project. Resist going below that to win work: a price that is too low attracts price-shoppers, signals low quality, and is hard to raise later. Once you have a few happy clients and reviews, move toward $150,000.
What affects how much app development costs?+
The biggest factors are platform (iOS, Android, cross-platform); feature complexity; backend, APIs, and integrations; design included or provided. Two jobs that look alike can price very differently once these are accounted for, which is why a quick walkthrough or a few questions before quoting protects your rate.
How do I quote app development so the client says yes?+
Quote a fixed scope billed per milestone, and write change requests as paid additions. Open-ended hourly on a big build terrifies clients and burns you on scope creep; milestones give both sides a clear, safe path. Put the quote in writing with exactly what is included, state the price once without apologizing for it, and give one clear next step. A confident, well-structured quote wins jobs at a higher price than a vague one at a lower price.