No-Code App Development Costs
Affordable app development tools have revolutionized the industry. According to Noloco, no-code platforms reduce development costs by 40-60% while speeding up time-to-market by 10x. Here is what you can expect to pay.
Free Tier
$0/monthMost no-code platforms offer free tiers for prototyping and learning. You can build and test your app concept without spending anything, though publishing to app stores usually requires a paid plan.
Starter Plans
$30-$70/monthEntry-level paid plans include app store publishing, custom domains, and removal of platform branding. This tier works well for MVPs, side projects, and small businesses testing the market.
Professional Plans
$60-$200/monthProfessional tiers include advanced features like custom actions, higher data limits (25,000+ records), priority support, and team collaboration. Suitable for growing businesses with real users.
Business / Enterprise
$200-$500+/monthEnterprise features include white-labeling, dedicated support, SLA guarantees, SSO integration, and unlimited scaling. Some platforms offer custom pricing for large organizations.
Traditional App Development Costs
According to TopFlight Apps, traditional mobile app development costs range from $40,000 to $400,000+ depending on complexity. Here is what drives those costs.
| App Complexity | Cost Range | Timeline | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic MVP | $20,000-$40,000 | 3-6 months | Simple utility apps, basic CRUD |
| Medium Complexity | $50,000-$150,000 | 6-9 months | E-commerce, booking systems |
| High Complexity | $150,000-$300,000 | 9-12 months | Social networks, fintech apps |
| Enterprise Grade | $300,000-$500,000+ | 12-18+ months | Healthcare, banking, logistics |
Source: Appinventiv, ScalaCode
Developer Hourly Rates by Region
Source: AppWRK
App Development Cost Comparison
The difference in low cost mobile app development is dramatic. Here is a comprehensive comparison to help you understand the true cost difference between approaches.
| Cost Category | No-Code | Freelancer | Agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Development | $0-$500 | $10,000-$50,000 | $40,000-$400,000 |
| Monthly Platform Fee | $30-$200 | $0 | $0 |
| Annual Maintenance | Included | $5,000-$15,000 | $20,000-$80,000 |
| Time to Launch | 1-4 weeks | 2-4 months | 4-12 months |
| Customization Level | Medium-High | High | Unlimited |
| Year 1 Total Cost | $360-$2,400 | $15,000-$65,000 | $60,000-$480,000 |
Potential Savings with No-Code
For a medium-complexity app, choosing no-code over agency development saves $50,000-$150,000+ in Year 1 and even more over the app lifetime. This makes no-code the clear choice for entrepreneurs and startups.
No-Code Platform Pricing Breakdown
Here is the current pricing for popular affordable app development tools as of January 2026. Pricing and features verified from official sources.
FlutterFlow
Low-CodeBubble
Web AppsNatively
AI-PoweredGlide
Spreadsheet-BasedTurns Google Sheets into mobile apps. Great for simple data-driven apps.
Pricing as of January 2026. Sources: NerdyNav, Templar Design
How to Minimize App Development Costs
Whether you choose no-code or traditional development, here are proven strategies for achieving cheap app development without sacrificing quality.
Start with an MVP
Build only core features first. Validate your idea before investing in advanced functionality. This alone can reduce costs by 60-70% compared to building a full product upfront.
Choose Cross-Platform Development
Building one codebase for iOS and Android (via React Native, Flutter, or no-code platforms) saves 30-40% compared to building separate native apps.
Use Predictable Pricing Platforms
Avoid platforms with usage-based pricing that can spike unexpectedly. Fixed monthly fees make budgeting easier and prevent surprise bills as you scale.
Leverage Free Tiers for Prototyping
Most no-code platforms offer free tiers. Use these to prototype and test your concept before committing to paid plans. Only upgrade when you are ready to publish.
Choose Platforms with Code Export
Platforms like Natively and FlutterFlow let you export real source code. This avoids vendor lock-in and expensive migration costs if you outgrow the platform.
Total Cost of Ownership: 3-Year Comparison
Looking at the full picture helps you understand the true app development cost comparison over time. Here is what a medium-complexity app costs across different approaches.
| Cost Category | No-Code | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Development | $0 | $100,000 |
| Year 1 Platform/Maintenance | $1,200 | $20,000 |
| Year 2 Platform/Maintenance | $1,200 | $20,000 |
| Year 3 Platform/Maintenance | $1,200 | $20,000 |
| App Store Fees (3 years) | $322 | $322 |
| 3-Year Total | $3,922 | $160,322 |
| Savings with No-Code | $156,400 (97.6%) | |
Based on $100/month no-code subscription. Agency maintenance calculated at 20% of initial cost annually. App store fees: Apple $99/year x 3 + Google $25 one-time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the typical costs for no-code app development?
No-code app development typically costs between $0-$500 per month for platform subscriptions. Entry-level plans start around $30-50/month with platforms like FlutterFlow, Adalo, and Bubble. Annual costs range from $300-$6,000 depending on features needed. This is 90-95% less than traditional development which costs $40,000-$400,000 for a comparable app.
How do no-code costs compare to hiring developers?
Traditional app development costs $40,000-$400,000+ for a custom mobile app, with hourly developer rates of $70-$180 in North America. No-code platforms cost $300-$6,000 annually plus your time. Even hiring a no-code developer ($30-$75/hour) is 50-70% cheaper than traditional development. The tradeoff is less customization with no-code, though AI-powered platforms are closing this gap.
What hidden costs should I watch for in app development?
Hidden costs include: App store fees ($99/year Apple, $25 one-time Google), app store commission (15-30% of in-app purchases), maintenance (15-20% of initial cost annually), hosting and infrastructure ($20-$500+/month), third-party API costs that scale with usage, data storage fees, and premium features or templates. Traditional development also requires ongoing developer salaries for updates.
How can I minimize app development costs?
To minimize costs: Start with an MVP using no-code tools to validate your idea before investing heavily. Use cross-platform development (one codebase for iOS and Android) to save 30-40%. Choose platforms with predictable pricing over usage-based models. Leverage free tiers to prototype. Consider AI-powered builders like Natively that generate real code you own, avoiding vendor lock-in fees later.
Is no-code app development worth it for businesses?
Yes, for most use cases. Gartner predicts 75% of enterprise apps will use no-code by 2026. Companies save 40-60% on development costs and launch 10x faster. No-code is ideal for MVPs, internal tools, and apps with standard features. For highly custom or performance-critical apps, consider hybrid approaches or platforms like Natively that generate exportable code.