Why MVP pricing isn’t one-size-fits-all
MVP means "Minimum Viable Product"—but "minimum" means something different for each type of app. Building a todo app and launching a ride-sharing prototype are worlds apart in scope, tech stack, and user expectations.
Your MVP cost depends on:
Feature complexity
Required integrations (e.g. payments, geolocation)
User flows (e.g. onboarding, profiles, matching)
Platform (iOS, Android, cross-platform, web)
Design expectations and polish
MVP cost example 1: Simple utility app
Example: A sleep tracker or habit-forming app
Estimated cost: $5,000–$20,000
What you get:
Core functionality (e.g. timer, reminders, data logging)
Simple UI with 3–5 screens
Basic analytics or Firebase backend
Launch on one platform (usually cross-platform via React Native or Flutter)
Ideal for: Solo founders, indie hackers, side projects
MVP cost example 2: Social or content-sharing app
Example: A fitness community or short-form video app
Estimated cost: $25,000–$60,000
What you get:
Authentication and user profiles
Media uploads (images, video, audio)
Feed and content moderation
Notifications and social features (likes, comments, follows)
Custom backend or use of BaaS tools (e.g. Supabase, Firebase)
Ideal for: Startup teams, early-stage investors, bootstrapped founders
MVP cost example 3: Marketplace or two-sided platform
Example: A tutoring app or gig-work marketplace
Estimated cost: $60,000–$120,000
What you get:
Dual user roles (e.g. tutor/student)
Matching logic or search filters
Booking or scheduling system
Payments and transaction flow (e.g. Stripe Connect)
Admin dashboard or CMS
Ideal for: Funded startups, incubator programs, scale-focused MVPs
What influences MVP pricing the most?
Custom logic – Anything beyond CRUD (create/read/update/delete) raises cost
Security requirements – Especially for apps with personal data or payments
Scalability expectations – MVPs that need to handle hundreds of users from day one
Design fidelity – Custom animations, onboarding flows, and brand polish
Tips to manage MVP costs wisely
Start with clickable prototypes before any code
Cut features mercilessly – ask “what’s the riskiest assumption?” and focus there
Use no-code or low-code for admin panels or early versions
Build for one platform first unless cross-platform is essential
Set a fixed-scope, milestone-based contract if working with an agency or freelancer
Summary
There’s no universal MVP budget—but there is a smart range for every use case. Focus on the riskiest assumptions, build only what proves them, and choose tools that reduce cost without compromising user experience. Whether you're spending $8k or $80k, the goal is the same: validate, learn, iterate.
