How much does it cost to build an iOS app and publish it on the App Store (2026)

"How much does it cost to build an app?" is the question we get most, and the honest answer is: it depends on which app. A calculator with three screens is nothing like a platform with user accounts, payments and a cloud backend. This guide gives real 2026 ranges for iOS development, what each tier includes, and what makes a project more — or less — expensive.

Price ranges by type of app

• →Simple app ($3,000 – $8,000): calculators, converters, a single focused tool. No login, no server. Data stays on the device.
• →App with a backend ($8,000 – $25,000): user accounts, cloud sync, push notifications, an admin panel.
• →Platform or SaaS ($25,000 and up): payments and subscriptions, third-party integrations, complex business logic, scaling.

These ranges are for a polished, ready-to-ship product, not a prototype. A working MVP to validate an idea can cost much less if the scope is trimmed sensibly.

What makes an app expensive (and what doesn't)

Cost isn't driven by the number of screens but by the complexity behind them. What inflates a budget:

• →User accounts and secure authentication
• →In-app payments (Apple takes a 15–30% cut)
• →Real-time data, maps, chat or video
• →An Android version alongside iOS (usually adds 40–60% if built natively and separately)

What should not cost as much as you'd think: the visual design. A good design system is reused screen by screen. Paying for beautiful pixels is cheap compared to paying for robust server logic.

Costs you forget to budget for

1. 1. Apple Developer account. $99/year, mandatory to publish. No App Store without it.
2. 2. Infrastructure. If the app has a backend, there's a monthly server and database cost. It scales with your users.
3. 3. Maintenance. iOS ships a new version every year. An app left unmaintained breaks. Budget 15–20% of the initial cost annually.

Native, cross-platform or web?

Three paths, three costs. Native (Swift) gives the best experience but doubles the work if you want Android. Cross-platform (React Native, Flutter) reuses most of the code across iOS and Android — the best cost-to-result ratio for most projects. A wrapped web app is the cheapest, fine for internal tools, but limited for consumer apps.

How to ask for a quote without surprises

Before asking for a price, be clear on three things: exactly what the app does (a feature list, not "an app like X"), whether you need Android from day one, and whether you handle money or sensitive data. With that, any serious agency can give you a realistic range. Be wary of anyone who quotes a fixed price without asking a single question.

At Claw Studio we build native iOS apps and publish them on the Apple App Store, alongside Android and custom software. If you have an idea, we'll tell you honestly which budget tier it needs and where to start.