Short answer
Our booking app example costs about $73,000 for iPhone only, $84,000 for iPhone and Android from one cross-platform codebase, and $112,000 as two native apps, all at the midpoint of Clutch's $50 to $99 US development company band. Hours are this site's published assumptions.
One scope, four platform choices
| Platform | App-side multiplier | Hours | Mid | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone only (native iOS) | x1 | 975 h | $73,000 | $41,000 to $130,000 |
| Android only (native) | x1 | 975 h | $73,000 | $41,000 to $130,000 |
| iOS + Android, one cross-platform codebase | x1.25 | 1,132 h | $84,000 | $48,000 to $151,000 |
| iOS + Android, two native codebases | x1.9 | 1,506 h | $112,000 | $64,000 to $201,000 |
Only the app-side hours (and a little design) change between rows. Backend work, which is shared, is the same in every row, which is why two native apps cost less than double one app.
Why the multipliers are what they are
- Cross-platform, x1.25. Most screens and logic are written once in a framework such as Flutter or React Native. The extra quarter covers platform-specific code, store set-up and testing on both operating systems.
- Two native apps, x1.9. Screens and client logic are written twice, in Swift and Kotlin. Some decisions (API design, data models, analytics events) are made once and reused, so it is a little under double.
- Design, x1.1 or x1.15. Design work for two platforms is mostly shared, with adjustments for each platform's conventions.
These are our planning assumptions, not measured figures. If your team quotes something different, put their numbers into the calculator with a custom rate and compare hours.
What the published rate data says about platforms
Clutch's App Development Pricing Guide (updated 21 September 2026) lists the same hourly band for Android, iOS and hybrid or cross-platform apps: $25 to $49 an hour. It reports an average app project cost of $90,780.11 and a usual timeline of about 11 months. The platform choice therefore moves cost mainly through hours, not through the rate.
Store costs
- Apple Developer Program: 99 USD a year. Apple Developer Enterprise Program: 299 USD a year.
- Google Play Console: US$25, one time.
- Commissions on paid apps and in-app purchases: 15% for Apple's Small Business Program members and on Google Play's first $1M a year in most markets. Details on app store fees.
Questions
Is it cheaper to build an app for iOS or Android?+
For the same scope, our model gives both the same hours, because the work is similar. The differences are around the edges: Apple charges 99 USD a year for its developer program while Google Play charges a US$25 one-time fee, and Android testing usually has to cover a wider range of devices. Clutch's pricing guide lists the same $25 to $49 hourly band for Android, iOS and cross-platform work.
How much does cross-platform save over two native apps?+
For our booking app example at the US agency midpoint, one cross-platform codebase comes to $84,000 against $112,000 for two native codebases. The saving comes from writing app-side code once; backend, design and project management change much less. Our multipliers (1.25 against 1.9) are planning assumptions and are explained on the methodology page.
When is native development worth the extra cost?+
When the app depends heavily on platform features (advanced camera or audio work, widgets, wearables, platform-specific interface conventions) or on maximum performance, building natively avoids working around a framework. For most business apps a cross-platform first release is the cheaper way to learn whether the app is worth investing in.
What does it cost to put an app in the App Store and Google Play?+
Apple states that the Apple Developer Program annual fee is 99 USD and the Enterprise Program fee is 299 USD. Google Play charges a US$25 one-time registration fee. Both stores also take a commission on paid apps and in-app purchases; see the app store fees page.
Sources for this page
- Clutch (App Development Pricing Guide). App Development Pricing Guide, updated September 21, 2026. clutch.co/directory/mobile-application-developers/pricing (read 2026-10-02)
- Clutch (Software Development Pricing Guide). Software Development Company Pricing Guide, updated September 21, 2026. clutch.co/developers/pricing (read 2026-10-02)
- Apple Developer (Enrollment support page). Apple Developer Program enrollment. developer.apple.com/support/enrollment/ (read 2026-10-02)
- Google Play Console Help. Get started with Play Console (registration). support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/6112435?hl=en (read 2026-10-02)
- Apple Developer (App Store Small Business Program). App Store Small Business Program. developer.apple.com/app-store/small-business-program/ (read 2026-10-02)
- Google Play Console Help. Service fees. support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/112622?hl=en (read 2026-10-02)
Hours are this site's own planning assumptions, set out line by line on the methodology page. Full quotes for every figure are on the sources page.