Briefly, what should you know?
Mobile application budget is shaped by product scope, backend, integration, security, platform selection and maintenance plan rather than the number of screens.
Who is this guide for?
- Startups that turn a mobile product idea into an MVP
- Teams choosing iOS, Android or cross-platform
- Decision makers who prepare the budget and publication schedule
- Businesses that manage store processes for the first time
We prepared this guide based on Codeexia's project experience, official sources and real questions that are repeated in bid negotiations. It states the variable fees and technical conditions with its sources; We do not present project estimates as a final offer.
Why can mobile application prices differ so much? Because the mobile application budget is not just about the "development fee". Even if the number of screens and feature coverage are the same; The number of platforms, backend, design complexity, third-party services, store fees and maintenance plan significantly change the total cost.
In this article, we transparently explain all the items that make up the total cost of a mobile application; We explain the real differences between iOS, Android and cross-platform scenarios, frequently missed expenses and how to optimize the budget with an MVP approach.
6 main items that determine the mobile application price
- Display and feature coverage: The number of screens in the application and the logic of each screen directly determine the development time.
- Number of platforms: iOS only, Android only, or both? This is where choosing cross-platform or native comes into play.
- Backend and API: Complexity of the backend system for user data, notifications, sync and payment.
- Design (UI/UX): Special animations, micro-interactions and brand identity details increase the cost.
- Integrations: Payment, map, authentication, analysis and notification systems are priced as one item.
- Maintenance and SLA: iOS/Android version compatibility, critical bug fixing, analytics monitoring is a yearly fixed item.
Typical price ranges by application type
| Application type | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Simple information/catalog application | 80,000 – 200,000 TL | Single platform, limited backend |
| Midrange business app | 200,000 – 500,000 TL | Login, profile, notification, payment |
| E-commerce / market application | 350,000 – 900,000 TL | Cart, payment, order tracking, notification |
| SaaS/Platform application | 500,000 TL + | Custom roles, integrations, real-time features |
| Marketplace/double-sided platform | 800,000 TL + | Payment flow, trust, rating, commission |
Difference between iOS, Android and cross-platform
Platform selection is not just a technical decision; It is a long-term cost decision through target audience, performance expectation, lead time and maintenance.
- Native (iOS/Android separate): Best performance; Separate code base on both platforms. The cost is generally 1.5–1.8 times that of cross-platform.
- Cross-platform (Flutter / React Native): One codebase, release across two stores. Fast delivery, low cost; There may be limits on complex native features.
- Hybrid approach: Common business logic cross-platform, performance-critical modules native. Suitable for scaling projects.
For detailed decision tree Native or Cross-Platform? You can take a look at our article.
Frequently skipped costs
- Apple Developer: 99 USD per year.
- Google Play Console: One time fee: 25 USD.
- Push notification service: Monthly fee based on number of users.
- Cloud infrastructure: Monthly fixed + usage based.
- Analysis and crash tracking: Services such as Firebase, Sentry, Mixpanel.
- Map, SMS, authentication: Usage based pricing.
- App Store/Play commission: 15–30% per transaction on apps that include payments.
- Localization: Translation cost per additional language screen.
real scenario
An application with a budget of 500,000 TL may cost 80,000–150,000 TL in third-party service + maintenance + store fees during the first year. If this figure is not planned at the beginning, it will appear as a "surprise" in the future.
Budget optimization with MVP
Releasing all features in the first release is the biggest pitfall of most projects. An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is the smallest version that contains real user-validated core value. With this approach:
- Development time is reduced by 40–60%
- Your investment risk is halved
- You prioritize subsequent sprints with real usage data
- Store approval process stress is reduced
For a broader process framework What to Consider When Having a Mobile Application Made? Check out our article.
Frequently asked questions
What affects the application price the most?
Screen/feature coverage, number of platforms, backend, integration and design complexity.
Would cross-platform be cheaper?
In most scenarios, yes; However, it may not be the right choice for performance-intensive or native feature-dependent applications.
What costs arise outside of development?
App Store/Play accounts, maintenance, cloud infrastructure, analysis, notification, map and payment commissions should be planned separately.
Sources and verification method
The following official sources were used for pricing, policies and technical requirements, which may vary. Project ranges are not proposals, but rather an editorial framework that facilitates comparison.
- Apple — Developer program memberships (access: 31 July 2026)
- Apple — App Review Guidelines (access: 31 July 2026)
- Google Play — Developer account registration (access: 31 July 2026)
- Google Play — App setup and review (access: 31 July 2026)
What does this information mean in your project?
Explain your need; Let's break down the required scope, the work that can be postponed, and the most logical next step.
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