Updated: 01.10.2026
Short answer. In 2026 a simple mobile app (an MVP of 3–7 screens, no server, Android) costs ₽15,000–50,000 and takes 1–3 weeks. An app with a server side, registration and a customer account — ₽60,000–250,000 and 1–3 months. A service with payments, chats, maps and two platforms — from ₽300,000 and from three months. Publishing in RuStore and Google Play — from ₽3,000 separately, design of all screens — from ₽4,000, connecting AI inside — from ₽5,000.
Below: exactly what moves the price, which budget lines get forgotten, and how to reach the market for less money without losing the result.
Price ranges by app type
| App type | Timeline | Market range | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| MVP without a server: reference, calculator, course, catalogue | 1–3 weeks | ₽15,000 – 50,000 | A learning app with lessons that works offline |
| App with a server: registration, account, sync | 1–3 months | ₽60,000 – 250,000 | Booking a specialist, a tracker, a club with a subscription |
| App with AI: data analysis, consultations, generation | 3–8 weeks | ₽50,000 – 200,000 | Symptom and test-result analysis, a professional helper |
| Service: payments, chats, maps, notifications, two platforms | 3–6 months | from ₽300,000 | Delivery, a services marketplace, car sharing |
| Improving an existing app | 1–10 days | from ₽2,500 | A new feature, screen, fix, update for a new OS |
Five price factors
1. The number of screens and scenarios
A screen is the unit of work: design, layout, logic, tests. An app with 5 screens and one with 25 differ in price several times over with the same "idea". The first thing a sensible contractor does is count the screens with you and suggest removing half from the first version.
2. A server: yes or no
If the data lives only on the phone, the app is half the price and has no monthly costs. As soon as you need registration, sync between devices, a shared catalogue or payments, a server side appears (from ₽6,000 for a simple API, from ₽40,000 for a full one) plus hosting from ₽500–1,500 a month.
3. One platform or two
Android covers most users in Russia and publishes in RuStore without a foreign developer account. iOS adds 30–60% to the price and requires an Apple account ($99 a year) and a Mac for builds. Cross-platform development (Flutter, React Native) gives two platforms from one codebase — usually +20–30% instead of +60%.
4. Payments, AI, maps, notifications
Each such feature is a separate integration: accepting payments — from ₽5,000, connecting AI (ChatGPT / Claude) — from ₽5,000 plus usage costs, maps and geolocation — from ₽8,000, push notifications — from ₽3,000. Individually inexpensive, together — often half the estimate.
5. Design: standard components or custom
An app built on standard Android components looks neat and costs less. A custom design with an icon and all screens — from ₽4,000 for a simple app and from ₽30,000 for a service. For a first version the first option is almost always enough.
What gets left out of the budget
- Publishing. The store listing, screenshots, description, replies to moderation — from ₽3,000. RuStore reviews in 1–5 days, Google Play up to a week, a first App Store release from a week.
- Store accounts. RuStore — free, Google Play — $25 one-off, Apple — $99 a year.
- Updates for new OS versions. Once a year Android and iOS change their requirements; without an update the app may stop passing review. Budget 5–10% of the development cost per year.
- Server and domain. If there is a server side — from ₽500 a month for hosting and from ₽300 a year for a domain.
- Rights. The source code, store accounts and server must be in your name — check the contract.
How to make it cheaper without losing the result
Start with an MVP. Three to five screens, one platform, no server if possible. That way in 2–3 weeks and ₽15,000–50,000 you get a working app in RuStore and first users — and only then decide what to invest in next.
Standard design, cross-platform, ready-made services. Android components instead of custom graphics, Flutter instead of two separate apps, a ready payment service instead of your own billing — each decision saves tens of thousands with no loss for the user.
Your own description and screenshots. You know the store listing copy better than the contractor. Writing it yourself is minus ₽2,000–3,000 and more accurate.
How to estimate your app before enquiring
- Sketch the screens on paper and count them. Remove everything the first version works without.
- Answer: are registration and shared data for all users needed? Yes — a server.
- Choose the platform: Android for Russia is almost always enough at the start.
- Mark the integrations: payments, AI, maps, notifications. Each is a line in the estimate.
- With this list a contractor will name a price to within 15–20% and a timeline to within a week.
How much does an app for Android and iOS at the same time cost?
With cross-platform development — roughly 20–30% more than Android only; with two separate apps — 60–100% more. For a first version we recommend Android + RuStore, iOS — based on actual demand.
How long does development take?
An MVP — 1–3 weeks, an app with a server — 1–3 months, a service with payments and two platforms — from 3 months. Plus store review: RuStore 1–5 days, Google Play up to a week, App Store from a week.
Can an app be made without a server?
Yes, if the data belongs to one user and is not needed on another device: learning apps, reference apps, calculators, diaries. Such an app is cheaper, faster and has no monthly costs.
Who owns the app after delivery?
You do: the source code, store accounts and server are handed to the client. If a contractor publishes the app from their own account "for convenience" — that is a risk worth discussing before the start.