How Much Does It Cost to Build an App? The Cheapest Ways Compared
App costs range from $0 with no-code to $50,000+ with an agency. Here are the 5 cheapest ways to build an app, compared by real cost, skill and time.
How much does it cost to build an app? Anywhere from $0 with a no-code builder to $50,000+ with an agency, the price depends entirely on how you build it. This guide from Appy Pie AI compares the 5 cheapest ways to build an app, with the real cost, skills and time for each, plus a cost breakdown by app type, so you can pick the route that fits your budget.
What This Guide Delivers
- What an app actually costs, from $0 to $50k+
- The 5 cheapest ways to build an app, compared
- A clear cost / skills / time table
- Cost by app type (ecommerce, marketplace, etc.)
- Quick tips to keep your costs low
- The cheapest route for most people
No-code builders are the cheapest and fastest route for most apps, from free to about $16/month. Rated 4.7/5 on G2 from 1,388 reviews.
Build Your App FreeApp cost at a glance
Cheapest: no-code
A real app, per month, no coding.
Priciest: an agency
Fully custom, built over months.
TL;DR Quick Summary
There is no single price for building an app, it depends on the method. The five cheapest ways, from least to most expensive, are: a no-code builder (free to about $16/month), converting an existing website to an app ($10 to $30/month), a pre-made template ($30 to $1,000), coding it yourself ($100 to $500+ if you have the skills), and hiring a developer or agency ($5,000 to $50,000+). For most people on a budget, a no-code builder is the fastest and cheapest path to a real, published app.
Build Your App Free With Appy Pie AI →Table of Contents
Jump to any section. This guide covers what an app costs overall, the 5 cheapest ways to build one (with cost, skills and time), a full comparison table, cost by app type, tips to save money, and the cheapest route for most people.
How Much Does It Cost to Build an App?
There is no single price tag. What you pay depends almost entirely on the method you choose, and the gap between the cheapest and most expensive routes is enormous. Here is how the five main ways to build an app stack up by cost.
The 5 Cheapest Ways to Build an App
From least to most expensive, here are the five routes, with the real cost, skills and time each one takes.
1. No-Code App Builder
Free – $16/moNo-code platforms let non-developers build apps with visual drag-and-drop editors, built-in hosting, and ready integrations (Google Sheets, Zapier, payments). They are the fastest and cheapest way to a real, published app.
Pros
- Cheapest route to a published app
- No coding, launch in days
- Hosting and integrations built in
- Publishes to Android, iOS and PWA
Cons
- Less custom than hand-coding
- Monthly subscription on paid tiers
2. Convert a Website to an App
$10 – $30/moIf you already have a responsive website, a wrapper places it inside a native shell (WebView) with an icon, splash screen and push notifications, then you publish it to the stores. A cheap way to go mobile without rebuilding.
Pros
- Reuses your existing website
- Very low cost, very fast
- Adds push notifications and an app icon
Cons
- Not a fully native experience
- Limited to what your website does
3. Pre-Made App Template
$30 – $1,000A ready-made template (from CodeCanyon, Codester, GitHub or Appy Pie AI template library) gives you UI layouts and basic functionality to rebrand and customize, rather than starting from scratch.
Pros
- Cheaper than fully custom
- Faster head start than from zero
- Customizable branding and colors
Cons
- You or a freelancer must customize it
- Quality and support vary by template
4. Build It Yourself (Code)
$100 – $500+If you can code, building your own app gives full control and no subscription, just hosting and maintenance. Typical stacks: Flutter or React Native front-end, Firebase or Node back-end, hosted on Firebase, Heroku or AWS.
Pros
- Full control over design and features
- No platform subscription
- Cheapest long-term if you have the skills
Cons
- Requires strong development skills
- Slow to build and you maintain everything
5. Hire a Developer or Agency
$5,000 – $50,000+Hiring a freelancer or agency is the route for a fully custom product when you lack technical skills. Cost varies widely by location, complexity and agency reputation, and you still define requirements and test.
Pros
- Fully custom build
- No technical skills needed from you
- Scales to complex, high-traffic apps
Cons
- By far the most expensive ($5,000+)
- Slow (months) plus ongoing maintenance costs
Cost Comparison Table
The same five routes side by side, including a couple of variations, so you can match a method to your budget at a glance.
| Method | Estimated cost | Skills | Time to launch | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No-Code (Appy Pie AI) | Free – $16/mo | None | Days | Simple business/personal apps |
| Other No-Code Builders | Free – $60/mo | None | Days–Weeks | MVPs, prototypes, internal tools |
| Website to App | $10 – $30/mo | Low | Days | Sites needing a mobile presence |
| Template + Freelancer | $250 – $1,000 | Low–Medium | Days–Weeks | Semi-custom apps on a budget |
| Build from Scratch | $100 – $500+ | High | Weeks–Months | Developers with time |
| Hire Developer/Agency | $5,000+ | None | 1–3+ Months | Fully custom, high-scale projects |
Prices based on publicly available plans and typical market rates. Last verified: June 2026.
How Much Does It Cost to Build an App by App Type?
Cost also depends on what kind of app you build. Here is a rough range for popular app types, no-code vs a custom agency build.
| App type | No-code | Custom / agency |
|---|---|---|
| Simple business or personal app | Free – $60/mo | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Ecommerce / shopping app | $16 – $60/mo | $15,000 – $50,000 |
| On-demand app (food, taxi) | $30 – $80/mo | $30,000 – $80,000 |
| Marketplace app | $30 – $80/mo | $30,000 – $100,000+ |
| Social media app | $30 – $80/mo | $25,000 – $75,000 |
| Healthcare or fintech app | $60+/mo | $40,000 – $150,000+ |
Ranges are typical estimates and vary with features and complexity. Last verified: June 2026.
Quick Tips to Keep Costs Low
Use a free trial
Almost every no-code platform offers a 7 to 14 day trial. Test a few before you commit to one.
Start with an MVP
Build only the core features that prove your idea, then add the rest once you have real user feedback.
Reuse existing assets
Import your logo, brand colors, fonts and copy instead of paying for new design work.
Choose scalable infrastructure
Pick a plan you can grow into so you are not forced into a costly migration later.
The Cheapest Way to Build an App for Most People
When budget is your main concern, a no-code builder like Appy Pie AI is almost always the fastest, cheapest path to a working app, drag-and-drop editing, built-in integrations and predictable monthly pricing get you live in days, not months. If you already have a responsive website, converting it to an app is an even cheaper way to extend your reach. Coding it yourself is cheapest long-term only if you already have the skills and time, and hiring an agency makes sense only when you need a fully custom, high-scale product and have the budget for it.
Build Your App the Cheapest Way, No Code
Skip the $5,000 agency quote. Appy Pie AI no-code builder gets you a real, published Android and iOS app from a free start, in days.
Build Your App Free Compare the Best AI App BuildersFrequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to build an app?
The cheapest way to build an app is a no-code app builder, which ranges from free to about $16 per month and needs no coding. Converting an existing website into an app ($10 to $30 per month) is another very low-cost option.
How much does it cost to build an app?
It ranges from $0 with a no-code builder to $50,000 or more with a custom agency build. A simple app costs $0 to about $60 per month no-code, while custom development starts around $5,000 and rises with complexity.
How much does it cost to make an app by yourself?
If you can code, building it yourself costs roughly $100 to $500 in hosting and tools, with no subscription. If you cannot code, a no-code builder lets you make an app yourself from free to about $60 per month.
How much does it cost to build an app by type?
A simple app runs free to $60/month no-code (or $5,000 to $15,000 custom), an ecommerce app $16 to $60/month (or $15,000 to $50,000 custom), and a marketplace or on-demand app $30 to $80/month (or $30,000+ custom).
Can I build an app for free?
Yes. Most no-code builders have a free tier or trial, so you can build and test an app at no cost. You typically pay only when you publish to the app stores or need advanced features.
Is no-code really cheaper than hiring a developer?
Dramatically. A no-code builder costs around $16 per month, while hiring a freelancer or agency starts at $5,000 and often runs much higher, plus ongoing maintenance.
The Cheapest App Is the One You Actually Ship
You do not need a five-figure budget to launch an app. For most people, a no-code builder is the cheapest, fastest route to a real app in the stores. When you are ready, start free with Appy Pie AI, and see the best AI app builders to compare your options.
Build Your App Free →Build a Real App From $0, No Code
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Head of SEO and Growth Marketing Lead at Appy Pie AI with 17+ years in digital marketing, AI-powered optimization, and scalable growth strategies.
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Founder and CEO of Appy Pie AI. Builder of one of the world’s largest no-code and AI app platforms, with 10M+ apps and websites created.