What Does It Cost to Develop an Android App?
A native Android app in Kotlin typically costs SEK 300,000–2,000,000 or more in Sweden in 2026, on par with iOS. One extra cost driver is device fragmentation: the app has to be tested across more screen sizes and OS versions. Google Play costs a one-time USD 25 for a developer account.
Considering a native Android app in Kotlin? Here’s the price picture, the cost driver unique to Android, and what Google Play costs.
Price picture for native Android
A native Android app sits at roughly the same level as iOS: from around SEK 300,000 for a simple app to SEK 2 million or more for an advanced one. Scope – backend, integrations, and design – drives the price more than the platform does.
Device fragmentation: Android’s extra cost
What sets Android apart from iOS is the sheer variety of devices. There are thousands of Android models with different screen sizes, resolutions, and OS versions. The app has to work and look good on all of them, which means more testing – often on both an emulator and a selection of physical devices. Budget it as its own line item.
Google Play’s fees
A Google Play developer account costs a one-time USD 25, which is cheaper than Apple’s annual fee. Google does, however, take a commission on in-app purchases, just like Apple.
Android-first or both platforms?
If your audience is Android-heavy, Android-first can give you the most reach for the money. If you want to reach both platforms from the start, cross-platform is usually cheaper than two separate apps. Get in touch and we’ll help you choose the right path based on your audience and budget.
Frequently asked questions
Is an Android app more expensive than an iOS app?
The base price is often comparable, but Android has one extra cost item: device fragmentation. Since there are thousands of Android models with different screens and OS versions, more testing is needed to make the app work everywhere.
What does Google Play cost?
A Google Play developer account costs a one-time USD 25. Just like Apple, Google takes a commission on purchases made in the app, which should be factored into the business model.
When is Android-first the right choice?
When your target audience is Android-heavy – which is often the case globally, and for many B2B and public-sector services. Then Android-first can give you the most reach for the money.
Can I reach both Android and iOS more cheaply?
Yes, with cross-platform technology like React Native, most of the code is shared between platforms. That's usually cheaper than two separate native apps when you want to reach both from the start.