"I have a million-dollar idea, but I do not know how much it costs to build it." If you searched for "how much does a mobile app cost" or "how much does it cost to develop an app", you are in the right place.
The software development market is still opaque. Many teams will tell you "it depends." At Creativ Digital, we believe in transparency. This guide explains exactly where the budget goes in a software project and how to maximize ROI (Return on Investment).
Quick Pricing Summary (TL;DR)
If you need the short answer first, here are realistic 2025 ranges from a solid software development agency in Romania:
- Simple App (MVP): EUR 3,500 - 8,000
Examples: loan calculator, presentation app, digital menu for restaurants. - Mid-Complexity Business App: EUR 10,000 - 25,000
Examples: eCommerce app, booking app, simplified delivery flow. - Complex App (Enterprise/Startup): EUR 30,000 - 100,000+
Examples: marketplace like eMAG, social platform, fintech app, Uber-like app.
What Are You Actually Paying For? Cost Breakdown by Module
An app is like a car: final price depends on features. Let us break it down.
1. Authentication (Login/Signup)
- Price: EUR 500 - 1,500
- Includes: email login, Google/Facebook/Apple login, password reset.
2. User Profile and Settings
- Price: EUR 800 - 2,000
- Includes: profile photo, account editing, order history, GDPR flows.
3. Online Payment Integration (Stripe / Netopia)
- Price: EUR 1,000 - 2,500
- Includes: PCI DSS security basics, card tokenization, invoice/payment history.
4. Geolocation and Maps
- Price: EUR 1,500 - 4,000
- Includes: Google Maps API integration, real-time GPS tracking, route calculation.
5. Chat and Notifications
- Price: EUR 2,000 - 5,000
- Includes: real-time chat (WebSockets), push notifications (Firebase), read status.
6. Admin Dashboard (Backoffice)
- Price: EUR 2,500 - 10,000+
- Important: many founders forget this part. As the business owner, you need a web admin area to manage users, approve orders and export reports. Without an admin panel, the app is operationally incomplete.
Freelancer vs Agency vs DIY
When searching for a mobile team, you usually have 3 options.
A. Freelancer
- Pros: lower hourly rate (around EUR 20-30/hour).
- Cons: major continuity risk. If the freelancer becomes unavailable, project progress can stop. Code quality and documentation can also vary a lot.
B. Software Agency (Recommended for Business)
- Pros: full delivery team (project manager, designer, QA, developers), contractual accountability, continuity.
- Cons: medium to high rate (around EUR 40-80/hour).
- Why it is worth it: an experienced agency has validated processes and reduces execution risk.
C. No-Code / DIY (Bubble, FlutterFlow)
- Pros: very low initial cost and fast prototype speed.
- Cons: technical limits and lower long-term flexibility. Good for validating an idea, risky for scalable products.
MVP Strategy: How Not to Waste Your Budget
Most failures come from trying to build an Uber clone on day one. Uber invested billions. Most founders have finite budget.
The practical approach is an MVP (Minimum Viable Product):
- Identify the #1 user problem.
- Build an app that solves only that problem, extremely well.
- Launch and collect real feedback.
- Reinvest into new features based on real usage.
This approach gives better capital efficiency and lowers time-to-market risk.
Hidden Ongoing Costs After Launch
Launch is only the beginning. Plan for recurring costs:
- Cloud/server infrastructure: EUR 50 - 500/month (or more at scale).
- Developer accounts: Apple (USD 99/year) + Google (USD 25 one-time).
- OS compatibility updates: new iOS and Android versions require maintenance.
Ignoring these costs can break app stability and user retention.
Conclusion: Investment or Expense?
A well-built mobile app is a business asset: it generates revenue, automates operations and increases company value. A cheap, rushed app usually becomes a cost center.
If you want a realistic estimate for your project:
- Do not ask, "How much does a car cost?"
- Send a clear brief with target features and business goals.
Creativ Digital specializes in custom software development and native/cross-platform mobile apps.
Let us review your project scope.
Request a custom offer and get a technical analysis within 48 hours.
