App Cost Calculator: Web App vs. Native App Costs

If you are thinking of developing an app for your business, one of the first questions you might be asking yourself is, what are the app development costs?

It's a legitimate question. Regardless of whether you are a startup founder who has a product idea in mind or a business executive desiring to expand your business, mobile app development is a kind of investment. The answer, however, is not always simple. App prices vary based on many factors, features and services offered, platforms used, what kind of app you build, you get the idea.

In this post, we’ll break down one of the most common questions we get from clients: What is the cost difference of building a web app versus a native mobile app?

We’ll go over what makes up the cost, how each app works, and how to get a better estimate of your budget. You will get there eventually, and we’ll also show you an excellent technique to work out your app cost without too much guesswork.

Let's dive in.

Web Apps vs. Native Apps: What’s the Difference?

Before we get into numbers, let’s make sure we’re working from the same definition of what we’re comparing.

A web app is just a website that looks and acts like an app. It is not downloaded on the App Store or Google Play. Instead, you access it through your browser. Think about Google Docs or Trello, they run on your browser but act like apps.

A native app is, however, specifically designed for mobile devices. These are the apps you would put on your phone in the app store, like Instagram or Spotify. Native apps developed for a particular platform (iOS or Android) and coded in the native programming languages for each.

Both can give the end-user a fantastic experience, but the process of building either is quite different or so is the cost.

So, What Affects the Cost of an App?

No matter what type of app you build, a few factors will always influence the total cost:

• Features: More features = more time = more money.
• Design: A clean, easy-to-use UI requires diligence. Custom animations or complex layouts will increase the cost.
• Platform: Are you coding app for iOS, Android, or both? Web or desktop? And each will require development time.
• Backend: If your app requires a server, database, or user management system, you will need backend development as well.
• Integrations: Adding third-party services, such as payment gateways, maps, or CRMs, makes things even more complicated.
• Maintenance: After your app goes live, you’ll continue to need updates, corrections and security patches.

Now, let’s look at how these factors show up differently for web apps vs. native apps.

Web App Costs: What You’re Paying For

Web apps are often more economical to build compared to native apps, especially if your focus is to launch the product on multiple devices quickly. Here’s what goes into the price:

1. Single Codebase: You create it once, and it works in all devices with a browser. That means less development time than building separate apps for iOS and Android.
2. Faster to Develop: You do not have to go through app store submission or device-specific design guidelines, which often results in a faster time to market for web apps.
3. Less Hardware Access: You do not have to go through app store submission or device-specific design guidelines, which often results in a faster time to market for web apps.
4. Ongoing Hosting and Security: You will have to pay for server hosting and regularly manage security and performance optimizations.

Cost Range: A simple web app will set you back $5,000 to $30,000. A more sophisticated apps with dashboards APIs and complex features can scale up to $60,000- $70,000.

Native App Costs: Why They’re More Expensive

Native apps are usually costlier than other solutions. They offer a smoother user experience and access to the entire set of device features, but with added complexity.

1. Separate Builds for iOS and Android: You can't use the same code. Each app must be built individually, and often by different developers who are using different tools (Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android).
2. Better Performance and User Experience: Native apps are snappier and more refined. If performance is paramount, as in games or real-time interactions, native is almost always the way to go.
3. App Store Publishing and Updates: It takes time, effort, and sometimes several rejections for your app to be approved on the App Store or Google Play.
4. Higher Maintenance Costs: Every time there’s a change in iOS or Android, you’ll need to update the app. That means ongoing developer hours post-launch.

Cost Range: An indigenous app would begin at around $20,000 to $60,000 per platform for minimal functionality. If you're developing for both iOS and Android, you're at $40,000 to $120,000+ based on scope.

Hybrid Apps: A Middle Ground?

You might be familiar with hybrid apps or cross-platform platforms such as Flutter or React Native. These allow you to write a single codebase and ship to Android and iOS. That can be time- and cost-saving but it's not always the best.

• For more straightforward apps, hybrid platforms are wonderful and cheaper.
• But if your app is extremely UI-focused or relies on deep device integration, a hybrid solution will still lack performance.

Cost-wise, a hybrid app typically falls between a web and native app: around $25,000 to $80,000.

Feature-Based Cost Examples

To give you a more concrete idea, here are some rough cost brackets based on app complexity:

Keep in mind, these are just estimates. The actual price will be determined by what you want the app to do, your tech selection, and whom you contract.

Who Should Go for a Web App?

Web apps are perfect if you:

• Need a quick MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
• You want your app available on any device without installing anything
• You have a small budget but need to validate your idea with actual users
• Don’t need deep mobile features like GPS, camera, or notifications

Who Should Choose a Native App?

Native apps are a better choice if:

• User experience and performance matter a lot to your product
• You need full access to device features
• Your audience is mainly mobile users
• You’re building something complex like a social app, on-demand delivery platform, or marketplace

Don’t Rely on Guesswork—Use an App Cost Calculator

Most companies don't have time to interview five different agencies just to get a rough estimate. And let's be honest, asking around tends to result in vague responses like, "It depends."

There is an App Cost Calculator, which allow you to get an estimate of your development project. It's free, and in a matter of minutes, it provides you with a customized cost estimate based on your project goals, features, and priorities.

Cost Isn’t Just About Development

One crucial aspect that tends to get overlooked, the overall cost of ownership.

In budgeting, don't stop at the development cost. Consider the following:

• UI/UX Design
• Testing and QA
• Backend Infrastructure
• App Store Fees
• Marketing and User Acquisition
• Analytics Tools
• Post-launch Support and Bug Fixes

This is where most projects overspend, post-launch, not during building. Leave some room for surprises like changes, user feedback, or tech upgrades that require your attention.

How to Choose the Right App Type for Your Budget

Let's get real-world. Ask yourself these five questions:

• Who’s my audience? If they spend 90% of their time on phones, a native app might be justifiable.
• What features do I need? Do you want location tracking, camera access, or push notification?
• How fast do I need to launch? Web apps will often launch sooner than native.
• What’s my long-term plan? If you want to scale down the line, consider how easily the platform can scale.
• What’s my current budget? Don't budget too thin. It's better to start with a lean that works than to spend too much on a half-product.