What Does It Cost to Develop an App in 2026?
Developing an app in Sweden in 2026 usually costs SEK 250,000 to 5 million. A simple app runs SEK 250,000–600,000, a medium-complexity app SEK 600,000–1.5 million, and an advanced app with custom integrations and high security SEK 1.5–5 million or more. Price is mainly driven by platform count, backend, integrations, design, and ongoing maintenance.
The price of an app is almost always decided by scope – what the app needs to do, how many platforms it needs to reach, and how much gets built from scratch. Hourly rates at Swedish agencies typically run between SEK 900 and 1,400, but it’s the number of hours that decides the final bill. Here’s the 2026 price picture and the factors that drive it.
Price ranges by complexity level
| Level | Typical cost | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simple app | SEK 250,000–600,000 | An app with login, a couple of views, and content from a simple API |
| Medium-complexity app | SEK 600,000–1,500,000 | Own backend, push notifications, payment, multiple user roles |
| Advanced app | SEK 1,500,000–5,000,000+ | Real-time data, business-system integrations, high security requirements |
The ranges are wide on purpose. Two apps that “do roughly the same thing” can differ sharply in price depending on the details – and the details are what you want to nail down early.
The five biggest cost drivers
- Number of platforms. An app for both iOS and Android costs more than one for a single platform. With cross-platform technology, most of the code is shared, which softens the gap.
- Backend and data storage. An app that only displays content is cheap. As soon as it needs to save data, manage accounts, and sync between devices, a server side comes in that’s often a third of the work.
- Integrations. Every connection to an external system – BankID, payment, business systems, maps – is its own small project with its own testing.
- Design. A template-based design is fast. A custom visual language with its own components and animations takes longer but is often what decides whether the app feels professional.
- Security and compliance. If the app handles personal data or payments, requirements for encryption, GDPR, and sometimes penetration testing come with it.
A concrete worked example
Say you want to build a booking app for both iOS and Android: accounts with BankID, a calendar, payment via Swish, and notifications. That’s a medium-complexity app – expect SEK 700,000–1,200,000 and 3–5 months. Add an admin interface for staff and statistics, and you’ll quickly land in the upper range. The point: every “could we also have…” has a price, and it’s cheaper to cut features before development than during it.
The cost most often forgotten: maintenance
An app isn’t finished at launch. Operating systems get updated every year, third-party services change their terms, and users expect improvements. Budget 15–25% of the development cost per year for maintenance. An app left without oversight effectively stops working within a couple of years – at which point the “savings” turn out to be the most expensive line item of all.
Getting a price that holds
The best way to get an accurate quote is to give the agency good material to work from. A short discovery phase or prototype surfaces the requirements before the build, which makes the price predictable and reduces the risk of expensive surprises. At Weapp we’ve built everything from award-winning insurance services to interactive experiences, and the common thread is that projects that start with a clear scope are also the ones that stay on budget.
Want an estimate for your specific idea? Get in touch with a short description, and we’ll come back with a price range the same day.
Frequently asked questions
Why do app prices vary so much?
The difference lies in scope, not the hourly rate. An app with a single flow and off-the-shelf building blocks takes a fraction of the work compared with an app that has its own backend, real-time data, payments, and business-system integrations. The same agency can therefore quote prices tens of times apart depending on what the app actually needs to do.
Are the app stores' fees included in the price?
No. Beyond development, you'll need an Apple Developer account (USD 99/year) and a Google Play account (a one-time USD 25). Also expect ongoing costs for servers, third-party services, and any licenses – these are rarely included in the development quote.
What does it cost to maintain an app after launch?
A common rule of thumb is 15–25% of the original development cost per year. Operating systems get updated, third-party services change, and users want new things. An app with no maintenance stops working within a couple of years, so budget for it from the start.
Is it cheaper to build one app for both iOS and Android?
Often, yes. With a cross-platform framework like React Native, most of the code is shared between platforms, which is usually clearly cheaper than two separate native apps. If you need maximum performance or deep platform integration, native development can still pay off.
How do I get a price that holds?
Start with a clear set of requirements or a short discovery phase. The better the material, the more accurate the quote. Ask for a price range tied to scope rather than an exact figure, and confirm what's included in maintenance and support.