How Much Does an App Cost? Prices and Cost Drivers for Businesses in Austria

"How much does an app cost?" is one of the first questions businesses ask us – and one of the hardest to answer without details. You might as well ask how much a house costs. Still, there are clear factors that determine the price. Knowing them helps you plan, compare quotes and avoid unnecessary costs.

Rough orientation: three sizes

The following ranges are rough orientation (net, as of 2026) and do not replace a quote:

• Lean app / first version (MVP): a few core features, one clear flow, simple design. Our app development starts from €14,900.
• Mid-sized business app: user accounts, connections to existing systems, notifications, an admin area. Projects here often land in the mid five-figure range.
• Complex platform: several user roles, payments, real-time features, high security requirements. Such projects are usually planned and budgeted in stages.

The seven most important cost drivers

1. Scope of features

Every feature has to be planned, designed, built and tested. A login looks simple but brings password resets, security and data protection with it. The biggest lever for your budget is the honest question: what does the first version really need?

2. Platforms: iPhone, Android or both

Modern frameworks allow a shared codebase for iOS and Android, which saves significant effort compared to two separate apps. Sometimes a web app that runs in the browser and can be added to the home screen is enough.

3. Design and user flow

A standard look is cheaper than a custom design with bespoke animations. But don't cut corners on usability: an app people don't understand won't be used – no matter how well it is built.

4. Connections to existing systems

If the app needs to talk to your inventory, CRM, accounting or point-of-sale system, the effort depends heavily on how well those systems are documented. Clean integrations are often the part that delivers the most value.

5. Backend and administration

Almost every app is backed by a server: it stores data, sends notifications and gives your team an admin area. This part is invisible to users but often makes up a large share of the project.

6. Security and data protection

Health data, payments or personal data require additional measures – from encryption to GDPR-compliant data storage within the EU.

7. Testing and publishing

Testing on different devices, submitting to the App Store and Google Play and making adjustments after Apple's and Google's review belong in every serious estimate.

Running costs after launch

An app is never completely "finished". Plan for:

• Store fees: Apple charges around 99 US dollars per year for a developer account, Google a one-off 25 US dollars.
• Servers and services: depending on user numbers and features.
• Maintenance and updates: new iOS and Android versions require regular adjustments. Our maintenance & support starts from €89 per month.

Five tips for spending your budget wisely

1. Start with a first version and only expand once real users give feedback.
2. Check whether a web app is enough – not every idea needs the App Store.
3. Make goals measurable: which time, costs or revenue should the app change?
4. Have a clickable prototype built before development starts. Changes are cheapest there.
5. Agree fixed prices for clearly defined stages instead of one open overall budget.

Conclusion

The price of an app depends less on technology than on the decisions made beforehand: which features, which platforms, which systems. Clarify these questions early and you get comparable quotes – and an app people actually use.

Want to know what your app idea would cost? Describe it briefly via Start a project – you'll receive an honest assessment with a price range, free of obligation.