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Budget·August 22, 2026·5 min read

What app development actually costs in 2026

A realistic cost breakdown for iPhone, Android and cross-platform apps: discovery, design, build, integrations, store submission and ongoing support.

The short version

Most cost questions are really scope questions. A single-platform product with a handful of screens and one integration is a different animal from a multi-role platform wired into an enterprise back end.

A realistic cost breakdown for iPhone, Android and cross-platform apps: discovery, design, build, integrations, store submission and ongoing support.

What we build

Budget in four buckets: product strategy and discovery, UX/UI design, engineering across the platforms you need, and launch plus post-release support. Integrations and compliance work are scoped separately because they carry vendor timelines.

How we approach it

Serious engagements with Wve Labs start around $25,000 and cover strategy, design, build and launch for a focused first release.

Wve Labs is a digital product company founded in 2015, bringing product strategy, design and engineering together in one team. Mobile has been at the heart of Wve for more than ten years and remains one of our deepest areas of expertise.

Who this is for

Founders validating a first product, and operators replacing legacy internal tooling.

Serious engagements start around $25,000 and cover strategy, design, build and launch. Email business@wvelabs.com or call (800) 588-9094.

Planning an automotive app?

Tell us about the product and we'll come back with scope, timeline and a realistic budget.