Building a mobile app MVP? The first question is always: iOS, Android, or both? Then: native, cross-platform, or just build a web app? Let's break down the real costs and what actually makes sense.
The Uncomfortable Truth About Mobile MVPs
Mobile apps are expensive. Way more expensive than founders expect.
Why?
- Two platforms (iOS + Android) = build twice
- App store approval processes
- Device testing (dozens of screen sizes)
- Push notifications, offline sync, etc.
- Ongoing maintenance for OS updates
Before you commit to a mobile app, ask: "Do I really need a native app, or would a responsive web app work?"
The Real Costs: iOS vs Android vs Cross-Platform
Option 1: Native iOS Only
Cost: $35K-$70K
Timeline: 10-16 weeks
Tech: Swift, SwiftUI
Reaches: 27% of global users (60% in US)
When to Choose iOS Only:
- Your target market is US/Western Europe
- You're targeting higher-income users
- Budget allows only one platform
- B2B product (corporate users often have iPhones)
Option 2: Native Android Only
Cost: $30K-$65K
Timeline: 10-16 weeks
Tech: Kotlin, Jetpack Compose
Reaches: 73% of global users
When to Choose Android Only:
- Your target market is global/emerging markets
- You're targeting broader demographics
- Budget allows only one platform
- Testing device fragmentation matters for your use case
Option 3: Both iOS + Android (Native)
Cost: $70K-$150K
Timeline: 16-24 weeks
Tech: Swift + Kotlin (separate codebases)
Reaches: 100% of mobile users
When to Choose Both Native:
- You have $100K+ budget
- You need platform-specific features
- Performance is critical
- You're well-funded and can't afford to miss half the market
🚨 Reality Check
Building separate native apps = building your MVP twice. Every feature, every bug fix, every update has to be done twice. Most startups can't afford this.
Option 4: Cross-Platform (React Native / Flutter)
Cost: $45K-$85K
Timeline: 12-18 weeks
Tech: React Native or Flutter
Reaches: iOS + Android with ~70-80% shared code
When to Choose Cross-Platform:
- You need both platforms but have limited budget
- Your app doesn't need cutting-edge OS features
- You want one codebase to maintain
- Speed to market is important
Limitations:
- Some native features harder to implement
- Slightly worse performance than native
- Updates lag behind native OS updates
- Some complex UI patterns are tricky
Option 5: Progressive Web App (PWA)
Cost: $25K-$50K
Timeline: 8-12 weeks
Tech: React/Next.js + PWA features
Reaches: Works everywhere (web + mobile)
When to Choose PWA:
- Budget under $50K
- You don't need device hardware access
- You want to iterate fast
- No app store approval hassles
Limitations:
- No app store presence (less discovery)
- Limited access to device features
- iOS PWAs have more restrictions
- Feels less "native"
💚 Smart Play
Start with a PWA. If it works, build native apps later with revenue from users. Instagram, Uber, and Airbnb all started as web apps before going native.
What Drives Mobile App Costs Up
1. Platform Multiplier
- Web only: Baseline
- PWA: +20-30%
- One native platform: +80-120%
- Cross-platform: +100-150%
- Both native: +200-300%
2. Device-Specific Features
Each adds $3K-$8K to development:
- Camera integration
- GPS/location tracking
- Push notifications
- Biometric auth (Face ID, fingerprint)
- Background processing
- Offline functionality
- Contacts/calendar access
3. Device Testing
iOS: ~10-15 device/OS combinations
Android: 50+ device/OS combinations
Testing adds $3K-$8K for iOS, $5K-$12K for Android
4. App Store Requirements
- App Store Connect setup
- Compliance with guidelines
- Privacy policy
- Terms of service
- App icons + screenshots (multiple sizes)
- Review preparation
Cost: $2K-$5K (often underestimated)
5. Backend & API
Mobile apps need a robust backend:
- RESTful API or GraphQL
- Authentication system
- Push notification service
- Data synchronization
- File storage/CDN
Cost: $10K-$25K depending on complexity
Mobile MVP Cost Breakdown
Simple Utility App
Examples: Calculator, timer, habit tracker, note-taking
| Approach | Cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| PWA | $15K-$25K | 6-8 weeks |
| Cross-Platform | $25K-$40K | 8-12 weeks |
| Both Native | $50K-$80K | 16-20 weeks |
Social/Content App
Examples: Instagram-like, content feed, social network
| Approach | Cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| PWA | $35K-$55K | 10-14 weeks |
| Cross-Platform | $55K-$90K | 14-18 weeks |
| Both Native | $100K-$160K | 20-28 weeks |
On-Demand/Gig App
Examples: Uber-like, delivery, services marketplace
| Approach | Cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| PWA (not ideal) | $50K-$75K | 14-18 weeks |
| Cross-Platform | $75K-$120K | 16-22 weeks |
| Both Native | $140K-$220K | 24-32 weeks |
Ongoing Costs (Don't Forget These!)
Monthly Operational Costs
- Backend hosting: $100-$500/month
- Database: $50-$300/month
- Push notifications: $0-$200/month (scales with users)
- File storage/CDN: $50-$300/month
- Analytics: $0-$200/month
- Error tracking: $0-$100/month
Total: $200-$1,600/month
Annual Costs
- Apple Developer Program: $99/year
- Google Play Console: $25 one-time
- OS update maintenance: $3K-$10K/year
- Bug fixes & minor updates: $5K-$15K/year
Should You Even Build a Mobile App?
Build Mobile App If:
- You need device hardware (camera, GPS, sensors)
- Offline functionality is critical
- Push notifications are core to your product
- You're competing with native apps
- Performance matters (games, AR, heavy processing)
- App store presence is important for discovery
Start With Web/PWA If:
- Budget is under $50K
- You haven't validated demand yet
- Your app is content/CRUD-focused
- You need to iterate quickly
- You can't afford maintaining two platforms
The Smart Mobile MVP Strategy
Phase 1: Web MVP (6-8 weeks, $20K-$40K)
- Build responsive web app
- Add PWA features
- Validate with early users
- Get feedback on features
Phase 2: If It Works, Go Cross-Platform (8-12 weeks, $35K-$60K)
- Build with React Native or Flutter
- Both iOS and Android
- Single codebase
- Launch in app stores
Phase 3: If You Scale, Optimize (Later)
- Rebuild performance-critical parts in native
- Keep most of app cross-platform
- Hybrid approach (like Airbnb did)
Total investment: $55K-$100K over 6-9 months, but you validate before spending big
Real Examples
Example 1: Fitness Tracking App
Approach: Started PWA, moved to React Native after validation
Phase 1 (PWA): $28K, 8 weeks
Phase 2 (React Native): $45K, 12 weeks
Result: Got 1,000 users with PWA, proved demand, then invested in native
Example 2: Local Services App
Approach: Went straight to React Native (needed GPS + push notifications)
Cost: $68K
Timeline: 16 weeks
Result: iOS + Android launched simultaneously in one city
Example 3: Social App (Mistake)
Approach: Built separate native apps for iOS and Android
Cost: $140K
Timeline: 24 weeks
Result: Ran out of money maintaining two codebases, shut down
The Bottom Line
Simple mobile MVP: $35K-$70K (one platform or cross-platform)
Both native platforms: $70K-$150K (2x the work)
Smart approach: Start web/PWA ($20K-$40K), validate, then go mobile
Most founders overestimate how much they need a native app. Start with web. If people love it, they'll tolerate it not being in the app store.
Once you have traction and revenue, THEN invest in native apps. Don't bet everything on mobile from day one.
💡 Need Help Deciding?
Use our calculator to get personalized recommendations based on your app requirements and budget. We'll tell you honestly if you need native, cross-platform, or can start with web.
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