How Long Does It Take to Build an App (and What Does It Cost)?

Most app ideas start with two questions: “How long will it take?” and “How much will it cost?” The honest range is wide, but it isn’t random. Here’s how a typical first version — a minimum viable product, or MVP — comes together.

The typical timeline: about three to six months

A focused first version usually takes around three months of build time, and up to nine months for complex products. Here’s how that time is spent:

1. Discovery and design (2–5 weeks)

We agree what the first version must do — and, just as important, what it won’t do yet. Then come user flows, wireframes and the visual design. Changes here cost hours; the same changes after development cost weeks.

2. Development (5–14+ weeks)

Building happens in two-week sprints, so you see working progress every fortnight. A simple app with accounts and a few core screens sits at the short end; anything with payments, real-time features, AI or lots of integrations sits at the long end.

3. Testing (2–4 weeks, overlapping)

Real devices, real data, edge cases. This is where “works on my phone” becomes “works on everyone’s phone”.

4. Launch (1–2 weeks)

App Store and Google Play review, final checks and release. Apple’s review can take a little longer, so we plan for it.

What an app costs in 2026

• Simple MVP: roughly $25,000–$150,000 depending on features and team location.
• Complex or AI-powered apps: from around $80,000 and often well past $300,000.
• Compliance (GDPR, HIPAA, SOC 2) can add 20–30%.
• Maintenance: plan for 15–20% of the build cost every year for updates, OS changes and hosting.

Five ways to launch sooner

1. Cut the first version ruthlessly. One core job, done brilliantly.
2. Use proven building blocks for logins, payments and notifications instead of building them from scratch.
3. Build cross-platform (one codebase for iOS and Android) when your app doesn’t need deep device features.
4. Have one decision-maker on your side who can answer questions within a day.
5. Prepare content early: app store screenshots, descriptions, privacy policy and support pages.

Thinking about an app?

Our app development team designs and builds iOS, Android and web apps. Tell us the idea and we’ll come back with a scoped first version, a timeline and a fixed price.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Miquido — How much does it cost to develop an app? (2026)