Ask ten agencies what an app costs and you will hear ten numbers, most of them "it depends." It does depend, but on things you can count. Once you know what they are, you can price an app yourself before you talk to anyone.
There are two costs, not one
The first is the build: designing the screens, making them work, testing, and launching. You pay it once. The second is keeping the app alive afterward: hosting, security fixes, small updates, and the messages you send customers. You pay that every month for as long as the app is live.
Most surprises come from the second number. An app that costs $2,000 to build and nothing to run does not exist. If a quote does not mention monthly costs, ask.
What changes the build price
- Screens. Every screen has to be designed, built, and tested. A five-screen app and a fifteen-screen app are different jobs.
- Modules. A booking system, an events calendar, a product catalog, or a loyalty program. Each one is a real piece of work.
- Connections. Linking to the booking, payment, or shop tools you already use takes time, and some tools make it harder than others.
- Revision rounds. Each round of "can we change this" is design time. Counting them up front keeps the price from creeping.
What we charge, as an example
| Build | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| SAVI Launch | $1,999 | Up to 5 screens, one module, 2 revision rounds, web app |
| SAVI Growth | $3,499 | Up to 10 screens, three modules, accounts, a booking, payment, or shop connection, 3 rounds |
| SAVI Partner | From $5,999 | Custom screens, workflows, and integrations, 4 rounds, written proposal |
Monthly care runs $499, $995, or from $2,500. So the smallest first year, a Launch build plus a year of Launch care, comes to $7,987. A Growth build with a year of Growth care is $15,439. Those are the real totals, not teaser prices.
What is usually not included
- App store fees. Apple charges $99 a year for a developer account. Google charges a one-time $25. These go to the stores, not the studio.
- New features after launch. Adding a whole new module is a new piece of work, priced on its own.
- Redesigns. Changing the look of the app is different from changing a price or a photo.
- Advertising. Running ads to get people to download the app is a separate job with its own budget.
How payment usually works
Expect a deposit before work starts. Ours is half the build fee, with the rest due when you accept the finished app. Monthly care starts after launch. Ours has a three-month commitment and is billed net 30, so you are not locked in for a year.