Buyer guide · 3 min read
How much does it cost to build an app in India in 2026?
By the Nexta Web Solution team · Updated
The short answer
A simple Android and iOS app built from one codebase starts around ₹49,999 + GST with us. A first product (MVP) with logins, payments, an admin panel and a backend usually starts from ₹2,50,000 + GST. On top of that come store fees, servers and third-party services every year, and maintenance from about ₹8,000 a month. The single biggest cost driver is not the platform but the number of screens and the rules behind them.
Three realistic price levels
| Type of app | Starts from | Typical scope |
|---|---|---|
| App Lite | ₹49,999 + GST | Catalogue, content, enquiry or booking app; few screens; simple admin. |
| MVP app | ₹2,50,000 + GST | Logins, payments, notifications, admin panel, backend and analytics. |
| Marketplace or on-demand app | Quoted after discovery | Several user types (customer, vendor, delivery), live tracking, wallets. |
For larger apps we start with a paid discovery sprint (₹24,999 + GST, credited to the build) that produces screens, a clickable prototype and a fixed quote. Try the app cost calculator for a first estimate.
What makes an app cost more
- Number of user types. A customer app is one product; customer + vendor + delivery is three.
- Real-time features. Chat, live location and instant updates need more backend work.
- Payments and wallets. Refunds, partial payments and settlements add rules and testing.
- Integrations. ERPs, Tally, shipping, SMS and WhatsApp each need their own work.
- Design depth. Custom animations and illustration add design time.
- Offline use. Apps that work without internet and sync later are harder to build.
Running costs after launch
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Google Play developer account | One-time US$25 | Paid to Google once. |
| Apple Developer Program | US$99 a year | Needed to publish on the App Store. |
| Servers and database | Monthly, grows with users | Small apps start low; heavy media or traffic costs more. |
| Third-party services | Per use | SMS, maps, push notifications, payment gateway fees. |
| Maintenance | From ₹8,000/month + GST | OS updates, bug fixes, store compliance and small changes. |
Android and iOS release new versions every year. An app nobody maintains starts breaking within a year or two.
How to spend less without regretting it
- 1Start with a mobile-friendly website or web app if you are testing an idea.
- 2Build the smallest version that real users will pay for, then grow.
- 3Use ready services for login, payments and notifications instead of custom code.
- 4Insist on owning the code and store accounts.
- 5Fix the scope in writing before development starts.
Before you ask for app quotes
- Who will use it (user types)
- The 5–10 main screens
- Payments: yes or no
- Admin panel needs
- Integrations
- Android, iOS or both
- Launch date
- Budget range
Sources: Apple Developer Program