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How much does a custom app cost? What really drives the price

1 November 2026 · iacloud · Custom apps

It is the first question almost everyone asks us, and it makes sense: nobody wants to start a project without knowing what they are getting into. The honest answer is “it depends”, but we can explain what it depends on, so you can read any quote knowing what you are paying for.

1. What the app has to do

An app to note down orders is not the same as a CRM with PDF quotes, a client portal and phone alerts. The more screens, user types and business rules, the more work.

Tip: start with the essentials. A small first version that already saves you time is worth more than a huge one that takes months. Everything else can be added later.

2. Whether it has to talk to other tools

Connecting to your email, Google Calendar, your website, your bank or your invoicing software adds work, but it is usually what saves the most time afterwards. With tools like n8n, many of these connections are simpler (and cheaper) than they seem.

3. “Native” app or installable web app

A native app (the kind you download from the App Store or Google Play) means building and maintaining separate versions for iPhone and Android and going through the stores. An installable web app (PWA) installs just as easily from the browser, works on phones and computers and updates itself. For most businesses it is the most practical and affordable option, and it is the one we use.

4. What happens after delivery

The cost of an app does not end the day it is delivered. It needs hosting, backups and, above all, changes: your business changes and the app has to change with it. This is where many people end up tied to whoever built it.

That is why we deliver every app with Nubo, an AI agent you ask for changes just by talking. You handle the day-to-day changes; for the big ones, our technical team is there with you.

5. Starting from scratch or from a ready-made app

If what you need resembles something that already exists, starting from a ready-made app is much faster and cheaper. We have several proven solutions: a CRM for events companies, a platform for academies and training centres, and a call and WhatsApp campaign app. We set it up with your branding in a few days and, if needed, adapt it.

In short

• Define the essentials and leave the rest for later.
• Ask what happens after delivery: hosting, backups and changes.
• Consider an installable web app before a native one.
• Check whether a ready-made app can be your starting point.

If you tell us about your case, in a free first call we will tell you which option suits you and give you a fixed quote.

See service: Custom apps →