How much does an app cost to build in Ireland?
What it costs to build an app in Ireland, from a simple first version to a full business app, plus running costs, ownership and how to get accurate quotes.
By the TechQuotes team · Updated 23 Oct 2026 · 3 min read
A simple app or first version built in Ireland typically costs €8,000 to €30,000. A full business app with accounts, payments and an admin area often costs €30,000 to €80,000, and complex apps cost more. The biggest factor is how much the app has to do. This guide explains the costs, the choices that change them and how to get quotes you can compare.
Typical price ranges
| What you need | Typical cost (excl. VAT) |
|---|---|
| A simple app or first version (MVP) | €8,000 to €30,000 |
| A business app with logins, payments and an admin area | €30,000 to €80,000 |
| A complex app with many integrations, live features or AI | €80,000 and up |
These are typical ranges, not fixed prices. Freelance developers are often cheaper than agencies, and agencies usually bring designers, testers and project management. Simple internal tools built on low-code platforms such as Microsoft Power Apps can cost much less.
Web app, mobile app or both?
- Web app: runs in a browser on any phone or computer. Usually the quickest and cheapest way to start, and easy to update.
- Native mobile apps (iPhone and Android): needed for offline use, push notifications or phone features such as the camera, location or Bluetooth. Building two separate apps costs the most.
- Cross-platform apps: tools such as Flutter and React Native build iPhone and Android apps from one codebase, which usually costs less than two separate apps.
What makes an app cost more
- More screens and more types of user (customers, staff, admins).
- Logins, payments and subscriptions.
- Links to other systems, such as accounting, CRM, booking or stock systems.
- Live features such as chat, tracking or instant updates.
- A fully custom design rather than a standard one.
- Security and data protection. Apps that hold personal data must meet GDPR.
Running costs to budget for
- Hosting and services: servers, databases, email and maps. These start small and grow with the number of users.
- App store accounts: Apple charges a yearly developer fee and Google a one-off registration fee to publish apps.
- Maintenance: updates for new versions of iOS and Android, security fixes and small improvements. Many developers suggest budgeting around 15% to 20% of the build cost each year.
- Support: someone to fix problems and answer users' questions.
Start small
The cheapest app is the one that does only what it needs to. Build a first version with the few features that prove the idea, put it in front of real users, then spend on what they actually use.
Who owns the code?
You should. Agree in writing that the source code and intellectual property pass to you once the work is paid for, and that the app store accounts, domain and hosting are in your business's name.
Help with the cost
Custom-built apps aren't covered by the Grow Digital Voucher, which pays towards ready-made business software. Your Local Enterprise Office may have other supports for new products, such as feasibility grants, so ask them before you start: money spent before approval usually doesn't count.
How to get quotes you can compare
- Describe who will use the app and the three to five things they must be able to do.
- Say whether you need iPhone, Android, web or all three.
- List the systems it must connect to.
- Share examples of apps you like.
- Ask each developer for a price per feature, a timeline and what's included after launch.
Irish VAT (currently 23% on most services) is added if the developer is VAT-registered. On TechQuotes every quote says whether VAT is included.
Post a free request for app development and compare quotes from developers across Ireland.