What a realistic MVP budget looks like in 2026
The line items that decide the cost of a first release, and the ones founders usually leave out.
Product engineering
Mobile apps built
to launch and last.
iOS and Android apps in Swift, Kotlin, React Native or Flutter, from the first release through store review and every OS update after. For teams launching an app, or running one that crashes, rates poorly or is hard to change.
10 yearsBuilding software
250+Projects delivered
90%Client retention
NDA before we talk
You own the code and store accounts
“They work like part of our own team. Same standups, same board, and they push back when a decision is wrong.”
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Trusted by teams in the US, UK, Canada & Europe
What we build
Six kinds of app work we take on most
Most projects start with one app on both stores. The same back end, design system and release process then carry the next version.
01
Customer apps for iOS and Android
Apps for your customers with sign-in, payments, push notifications and analytics, designed to Apple and Google guidelines.
For exampleA booking app with Apple Pay, Google Pay and reminders
02
Cross-platform apps in React Native or Flutter
One codebase for both stores when the app is mostly screens, forms and data. We tell you when native is worth the extra cost.
For exampleA React Native app sharing its API with a web dashboard
03
Native apps in Swift and Kotlin
For apps that rely on the camera, Bluetooth, background location or heavy graphics, where native performance matters.
For exampleA Bluetooth app that pairs with a connected device
04
Field and staff apps
Apps for inspections, deliveries and stock checks that work offline and sync when the signal returns.
For exampleAn offline inspection app with photos, signatures and PDF reports
05
Back ends, APIs and admin panels
The APIs, databases, push services and admin dashboards your app runs on, built alongside it.
For exampleA Node.js API and admin panel for content, users and orders
06
App takeovers, updates and support
Crash fixes, OS and SDK updates, store policy changes and new features for an app another team built.
For exampleTaking over an unmaintained app and clearing its crash backlog
Why Leapstrat
Why businesses choose Leapstrat for their app
A no-code app builder compared with an app built by Leapstrat. A builder can be the right start for a simple prototype; we help you see where it stops fitting.
Compare
No-code app builder
Leapstrat app build
PerformanceSlower screens and a larger downloadNative or near-native speed, tested on older phones
Device featuresLimited to the builder’s pluginsCamera, Bluetooth, location, biometrics and offline mode
Store reviewTemplate apps risk rejection as low qualityBuilt to App Store and Google Play rules, submitted for you
IntegrationsLimited to the connectors availableConnected to your APIs, CRM and payment systems
AccessibilityDepends on the builderTested with VoiceOver and TalkBack before release
Who owns itThe platform, on its termsYou: code, store accounts and signing keys
01
A founder on every project
One of our two founders joins the workshop and stays on the project as your point of escalation.
02
Hours that overlap yours
Engineers on shift 09:00–23:00 IST: 4.5 hours with US Eastern, a full working day with the UK and Europe.
03
Handover planned from day one
Code, build pipelines and store access are kept ready for your own team to take over.
Worried about store review? We prepare the listing, privacy labels and test accounts, and handle any rejection with Apple or Google.
How we handle store review →How a project runs
A typical app in both stores in 14 weeks
Designs are approved before build starts, and you test every sprint’s build on your own phone. The bar shows a typical project, week by week.
011–2 weeks
Discovery and prototype
We agree the users, features, platforms and integrations, then click through a prototype before anything is built.
You get: Feature list, prototype and fixed estimate02About 3 weeks
Design
Screen designs for iOS and Android that follow each platform’s conventions, reviewed with your team on real phones.
You get: Approved designs for every screen03About 7 weeks
Build and test
App, API and admin panel built in two-week sprints, with a test build on your phone after every sprint.
You get: Test builds through TestFlight and Google Play04About 2 weeks
Store release
Device testing, store listings, privacy labels and submission, then a staged rollout with crash monitoring on.
You get: Live app in both stores and a launch report05Ongoing
Support and updates
OS and SDK updates, crash fixes and new features each month, with crash rates and ratings reported back.
You get: A monthly crash and ratings report
Every sprint:
A test build on your phone
Crash reports from testers
Screens ready for your review
An updated estimate if scope changes
Ways to work with us
Pick how the app is built
Most clients start with a fixed scope first release, then move to a dedicated pod for updates and new features. You can switch between phases.
Fixed scope projectAn app with a clear launch dateMost apps
Dedicated podA team that keeps shipping
Staff augmentationMobile developers inside your team
Best for
New apps and first releases
Apps with a roadmap of releases
Teams with a mobile or product lead
Pricing
Fixed price per release
Monthly rate for the whole pod
Flat monthly rate per engineer
Led by
Our delivery lead, against milestones
Our delivery lead, reporting to you
Your own engineering lead
Team
Designer, mobile developers and QA, set by the scope
Lead, mobile and API developers, designer and QA
From one developer, month to month
How it works →
How it works →
How it works →
Fixed scope project
An app with a clear launch date
Most apps- Best for
- New apps and first releases
- Pricing
- Fixed price per release
- Led by
- Our delivery lead, against milestones
- Team
- Designer, mobile developers and QA, set by the scope
Dedicated pod
A team that keeps shipping
- Best for
- Apps with a roadmap of releases
- Pricing
- Monthly rate for the whole pod
- Led by
- Our delivery lead, reporting to you
- Team
- Lead, mobile and API developers, designer and QA
Staff augmentation
Mobile developers inside your team
- Best for
- Teams with a mobile or product lead
- Pricing
- Flat monthly rate per engineer
- Led by
- Your own engineering lead
- Team
- From one developer, month to month
Client result · Logistics · Canada
99.8%
Crash-free sessions after the takeover
A delivery app takeover that drivers trust again
ChallengeA delivery app built by a previous agency crashed on older Android phones, and drivers went back to paper forms.
ApproachWe took over the React Native code, rebuilt offline sync, upgraded the SDKs and added crash monitoring and device tests.
Result99.8% of sessions run without a crash, and drivers complete deliveries offline and sync when back in signal.
React NativeTypeScriptNode.jsFirebase
See all client results →
Have an app that needs fixing?
Send us the store link. On a 30-minute call we will tell you what is causing the crashes or poor ratings, whether to fix or rebuild, and what it should cost.
Industries and technologies
Apps for seven sectors, on the stack that fits
The sector sets the rules for privacy, payments and accessibility. We choose native or cross-platform by what the app needs from the device.
Industries
SaaS and B2BFintechHealthcareLegal and professional servicesRetail and ecommerceLogisticsTravel Sector not listed? Book a call →
MobileSwift · SwiftUI · Kotlin · Jetpack Compose · React Native · Flutter
Back endNode.js · Python · Firebase · GraphQL · PostgreSQL
App servicesPush notifications · In-app purchases · Stripe · Maps · Analytics
Release and operationsTestFlight · Google Play Console · Fastlane · CI/CD · Crashlytics
Security and ownership
✓ NDA signed before discovery✓ Store accounts and signing keys in your name✓ Encrypted storage and secure sign-in✓ Privacy labels and consent handled
FAQ
Questions about mobile app development
Platforms, store review and support after launch. Anything else, ask on the call.
Most first releases fall between $25k–$70k. It depends on the number of screens, integrations and whether you need both platforms. After a 30-minute call we send a written estimate within one working day.
Yes. We prepare the listings, screenshots, privacy labels and test accounts, submit the app and handle any rejection notes until it is approved.
Cross-platform (React Native or Flutter) suits most apps built around screens, forms and data, and costs less to run on both stores. Native suits apps that rely on the camera, Bluetooth or heavy graphics. We recommend one in discovery and explain why in writing.
You do. The app is published under your own Apple and Google developer accounts, and the code, signing keys and back end stay in your name.
Yes, on a monthly plan covering OS and SDK updates, crash fixes, store policy changes and small features. Apple and Google change their rules every year, so most apps need this.
Often, yes. A one-week app review checks the code, crash reports and store ratings, then we send a fix-first list and say whether a rebuild would cost less.
Insights
All app articles →
Read before you start
Hiring
Dedicated team or fixed-price project: how to choose for your next build
Most software engagements fail the brief before anyone writes code, because the commercial model does not match how the work will actually change. A dedicated team and a fixed-price project are both valid. They answer different questions. Choose a dedicated team when the roadmap will move A dedicated team is the right shape when you […]
Engineering
Shipping an MVP in 12 weeks with a distributed team
Twelve weeks is enough to put a product in front of real users. It is not enough to build the version you will be embarrassed to throw away later if the first month is spent negotiating the backlog. Week 0 is a decision, not a workshop Before the first sprint, name the user, the job […]
Tell us what your app should do.
Send the details for a written estimate within one working day, or talk it through with one of our founders first.