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How much does a small business app cost in 2026?
A small business web app, like online booking, a quoting tool, a customer portal or an owner dashboard, costs from $4,000 fixed here and takes 2 to 4 weeks. An iPhone and Android app costs from $9,000 and takes 4 to 8 weeks, including App Store and Google Play review.
Most small businesses don't need an app store app at all. Here is how to tell, what drives the price, and the fees that come on top.
Updated November 14, 2026
Live demo, a web appOwner dashboardRevenue by week, a drag-and-drop job board, schedule by tech, payments and CSV export. Works on any phone with nothing to install.Open the demo
Real example, a store appORC PerformanceA running club's iPhone and Android app with Apple Watch import, 3D run replays, leaderboards and member accounts. Live on both stores.See the case study
Web app or store app?
| Web app | iPhone and Android app | |
|---|---|---|
| Price here | from $4,000 | from $9,000 |
| Time | 2 to 4 weeks | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Install needed | No, opens from a link | Yes, from the stores |
| Push notifications, offline, camera, health data | Limited | Yes |
| Store fees | None | Apple $99/year, Google $25 once |
| Best for | Booking, quotes, portals, dashboards, internal tools | Apps customers open every week |
What drives app cost
Accounts and roles
One kind of user is simple. Customers, staff and an owner who each see different things is more work.
Payments
Taking a card once is quick. Subscriptions, deposits, refunds and invoices add up.
Connections to other tools
Calendars, accounting, field service platforms or spreadsheets. Each one depends on what that vendor lets you connect, which is checked before the fixed quote.
Phone features
Push notifications, offline mode, the camera, Apple Health or a watch app are where store apps earn their price.
Build or buy
If an off-the-shelf tool already does 90% of what you need, like a scheduling app or a field service platform, use it. Custom makes sense when you're bending your business around the tool, paying for seats you don't use, or keeping the real system in a spreadsheet next to it.
What's included
Logins, a database and payments included.
One app for both stores, with accounts, push notifications and payments. Store review handled.
Included
- A written fixed price before any work
- A working demo every week
- Half to start, half at launch
- 30 days of free fixes
- The code and accounts are yours
Not included
- Apple and Google developer fees
- Hosting past the free tiers (usually under $25 a month at the start)
- New features after launch (quoted separately)
Questions
Do I need an app in the App Store?
Often not. Booking, quotes, portals and dashboards work as a web app on any phone with nothing to install. Store apps make sense for push notifications, offline use, phone hardware like the camera or health data, or customers who open it every week.
What fees come on top of the build?
For store apps, Apple charges $99 a year for a developer account and Google charges a one-time $25. Hosting and a database for a small business app are usually free to about $25 a month at the start.
Who handles App Store and Google Play review?
I do, including the screenshots, privacy details and resubmissions if a reviewer asks for changes.
Do I own the code?
Yes. Once the final payment clears, the code and the developer accounts are yours.
What happens after launch?
The first 30 days of fixes are free. After that you can keep me on a monthly plan for updates and new features, or take it in-house.