If you've ever Googled "how much does app development cost" and got answers ranging from $5,000 to $500,000 — you're not alone. The range is confusing because it's real. This guide cuts through the noise and gives you clear, honest numbers for mobile app development in India in 2026.
App Development Cost in India — 2026 Price Ranges
| App Type | India Cost (INR) | India Cost (GBP) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple App (1–5 screens, no backend) | ₹80,000 – ₹1,50,000 | £800 – £1,500 | 3–6 weeks |
| Medium App (login, database, APIs) | ₹2,00,000 – ₹5,00,000 | £2,000 – £5,000 | 8–14 weeks |
| Complex App (payments, maps, chat) | ₹5,00,000 – ₹15,00,000 | £5,000 – £15,000 | 4–8 months |
| Enterprise / SaaS App | ₹15,00,000+ | £15,000+ | 6–18 months |
Native vs React Native — Which Should You Choose?
Native Development (Swift for iOS / Kotlin for Android)
Separate codebase for each platform. Best performance. Highest cost — essentially two projects in one. Recommended only if your app needs maximum hardware access (AR, complex animations, OS-level features).
React Native (Cross-Platform)
This is what 90% of apps should be built with. One codebase runs on both iOS and Android. 40–50% cheaper than native. Performance is excellent for most use cases. Used by Facebook, Instagram, Shopify, and thousands of startups. At NiyajTech, React Native is our primary mobile stack.
What Drives Cost Up
- User authentication — sign up, login, social login, OTP
- Payment integration — Razorpay (India), Stripe (global)
- Real-time features — chat, live tracking, notifications
- Maps & location — Google Maps, GPS tracking
- Admin dashboard — a web panel to manage the app's data
- Multi-language support — English + Hindi + regional languages
- App Store & Play Store submission — ₹7,000 one-time fee (Apple: $99/yr)
Hidden Costs Most Agencies Don't Tell You
- Backend server hosting: ₹1,500–₹8,000/month depending on traffic
- Firebase / third-party APIs: Some are free, others cost per request
- App Store developer accounts: Apple ₹8,000/year, Google ₹2,000 one-time
- Post-launch bug fixes: Budget 10–15% of project cost for first 3 months
- Future updates: OS updates (iOS 20, Android 17) may require maintenance
Start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) — the simplest version of your app with only core features. Launch it, get real user feedback, then invest in improvements. This approach saves 50–70% of your initial budget and reduces risk significantly.
We build iOS & Android apps using React Native from Sohna, Gurugram. Serving clients across India, UK, UAE. Starting from ₹80,000 / £800. Free consultation and project scoping available — no commitment required.