1. Home
  2. /
  3. Guides
  4. /
  5. iOS app development cost

Cost guide 2026

How much does iOS app development cost?

iOS development costs $50K to $300K in Australia. Here is what affects the price and where most founders overspend.

Get Your Free Game Plan

Free 30-min strategy call. No pressure, no pitch deck.

The short version

$50,000 to $300,000

A simple iOS MVP from a quality Australian team starts around $50K to $80K. Most commercial iOS apps land in the $80K to $150K range. Complex iOS apps with deep integrations, compliance, or advanced features push $200K to $300K+. Building iOS only vs cross-platform adds roughly 30 to 40% to the total cost.

iOS vs cross-platform

Native iOS vs cross-platform: the real cost difference

This is the first decision that shapes your budget. It is worth getting right.

Native iOS development uses Swift/SwiftUI and produces apps that are deeply integrated with Apple's ecosystem. Cross-platform development (Flutter, React Native) uses one codebase to target both iOS and Android.

The honest answer for most founders: cross-platform is the right starting point. You get both iOS and Android from one codebase, saving 30 to 40% on build cost. Quality is comparable for 95% of use cases.

Native iOS makes sense when you need deep Apple integrations that cross-platform tools cannot replicate well, like HealthKit, CarPlay, advanced ARKit features, or Apple Watch apps. For a fitness app, a food delivery app, or a marketplace, Flutter covers everything you need.

Cost comparison by approach

ApproachPlatforms coveredMVP cost rangeBest for
Native iOS only (Swift)iPhone, iPad$60K to $120KDeep Apple integrations, iOS-specific audience
Cross-platform Flutter (iOS + Android)iPhone, iPad, Android$60K to $120KMost consumer apps. Covers both markets for same cost as iOS-only native.
Native iOS + Native AndroidiPhone, iPad, Android$100K to $200KLarge budgets where native performance on both platforms is critical

Cost breakdown

What drives iOS development cost

App complexity and screen count

More screens and more complex flows mean more design and development time. A simple 8-screen app costs significantly less than a 30-screen app with multiple user states. Every feature adds to the scope. Ruthless scoping is your biggest lever on cost.

Backend development

The iOS app is only the front end. Most apps require a backend API, database, authentication, and server infrastructure. This typically adds $20K to $60K to the total cost depending on complexity. Serverless architectures can reduce this for simpler apps.

Third-party integrations

Each meaningful integration adds time. Stripe payments: $8K to $15K. Push notifications: $5K to $10K. Social logins: $5K to $8K. Maps: $10K to $20K. Healthcare APIs or identity verification: $15K to $30K. Budget for these separately.

App Store review and submission

Apple's review process typically takes 1 to 3 days. Builds that do not meet Apple's guidelines get rejected and require rework. A good development team builds to App Store guidelines from day one, but budget time for at least one resubmission cycle.

FAQ

iOS app development cost: common questions

How much does iOS app development cost in Australia?

iOS app development in Australia costs $50,000 to $300,000. A simple iOS MVP starts around $50K to $80K. A medium-complexity iOS app with multiple screens, integrations, and a backend typically costs $80K to $150K. Complex iOS apps exceed $200K. See the full app development cost guide for a broader breakdown.

Should I build iOS only or both iOS and Android?

For most founders, building both via cross-platform (Flutter) is the smart move. It covers both markets for roughly the same cost as iOS-only native development. iOS-only makes sense if your audience is demonstrably iPhone-heavy and you need deep Apple integrations. See our page on iOS app development for more detail.

How long does iOS development take?

An iOS MVP typically takes 12 to 20 weeks from kickoff to App Store. Design and strategy (Inception) takes 4 to 6 weeks. Development takes 6 to 14 weeks. Allow 1 to 2 weeks for App Store submission and any review feedback. See our guide on how long app development takes.

Does Rebelled build iOS apps in Flutter?

Yes. Flutter is our primary build framework because it gives you iOS and Android from one codebase without compromising on quality. It produces genuinely native-feeling apps. For the rare case where a native Swift build is the right call, we can advise on that during your Game Plan session.

Let's talk

Get a real iOS
cost estimate for
your app.

Book a free 30-minute Game Plan call. We will scope your iOS app, give you honest numbers, and recommend the right platform approach for your audience.

You will pick a time on the next page.

Related guides

App development cost Australia Android app development cost MVP development cost iOS app development service Flutter app development App development pricing guide