How much does an app cost for a small business?
Straight numbers for coaches, studios, schools and other small businesses: what a custom app costs to build, what it costs to run, and what changes the price.
Our prices
| Package | List price | Founding price | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $8,900 | $6,900 | One core flow (daily habits, lessons or check-ins) on iOS or Android, or as a web app |
| Growth | $14,900 | $9,700 | iOS and Android, streaks and challenges, push reminders, admin panel, analytics |
| Premium | from $24,900 | from $16,000 | Integrations with your tools, custom features, a web dashboard for your team |
Founding prices apply to our first three clients, in exchange for a short review and permission to show the app in our work. Prices are fixed once the scope is agreed; anything outside it is quoted separately, never added silently.
What changes the price
- Platforms. One store platform costs less than both. A web app works on iPhone, Android and computers at the same price, and you can add the store versions later.
- Integrations. Syncing with booking, course or billing software (Mindbody, Kajabi, Stripe and similar) adds work, depending on what their API allows.
- Accounts and roles. Separate views for clients, teachers, parents or a team dashboard add scope.
- Payments. In-app subscriptions and purchases need store setup and testing.
- Custom features. Things like video upload, live sessions, AI assistants or offline mode each add a defined amount.
What it costs to run
| Cost | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Developer Program | $99 per year | Apple |
| Google Play developer account | $25 once | |
| Hosting and database | typically $25–100 per month for a small app | Your hosting provider |
| Care plan (optional) | $199–299 per month | Kitewell Studio |
The care plan covers updates, fixes and new iOS and Android versions. It is not required: your app keeps working without it, and you can stop any time.
Custom app vs. a platform’s branded app
| Platform branded-app add-on | Your own Kitewell app | |
|---|---|---|
| 3-year cost | $3,600–21,600 (at $100–600 a month) | One fixed price; care plan optional |
| Design | Shared template | Your brand and voice throughout |
| Daily-habit features | Rare | Built around your program |
| App Store listing | Often under the platform’s account | Under your own developer account |
Platform prices vary by plan and change over time; ranges are typical published prices for branded-app add-ons as of 2026.
Typical budgets by business
| Business | Typical package | Founding price |
|---|---|---|
| Coach (fitness, nutrition, life) | Growth | $9,700 |
| Yoga, pilates or fitness studio | Growth or Premium | $9,700–16,000 |
| Martial arts school | Growth | $9,700 |
| Couples or relationship program | Growth | $9,700 |
| Online course or community | Growth | $9,700 |
| Church or ministry program | Starter or Growth | $6,900–9,700 |
| Music or language school | Growth | $9,700 |
| Spa or salon | Growth or Premium | $9,700–16,000 |
How payment works
Three milestones: 50% to start, 30% when a working version is ready, 20% at handover. The app is published under your own Apple and Google developer accounts, so the listing and your users stay yours.
Cost questions, answered.
How much does it cost to build an app for a small business?
With Kitewell, a custom branded app costs $8,900 to $24,900+ at list price, or from $6,900 for our first three founding clients. Agency quotes for custom apps commonly run from $30,000 to well over $100,000, and freelancers vary widely.
What are the ongoing costs of an app?
Apple charges $99 a year and Google a one-time $25 for developer accounts. Hosting for a small app is typically about $25–100 a month. Maintenance is optional with us: the care plan is $199–299 a month.
How long does it take to build an app?
About 6 weeks from an agreed scope to App Store submission for most of our projects. You see a clickable demo with your brand within 48 hours of your brief.
Is it cheaper to use a platform’s branded app?
At first, yes. Branded-app add-ons on course, booking and coaching platforms typically cost $100–600 a month, which adds up to $3,600–21,600 over three years, and the app still isn’t really yours.
Do I have to be in the App Store?
No. You choose: App Store and Google Play, a web app, or both, at the same price. A web app installs from the browser to the home screen with your icon, opens full screen like any app and can send push notifications (on iPhone once it’s added to the home screen). It launches faster, needs no Apple developer account or app review, and payments go through your own checkout with no App Store commission. Store apps are easier to find and can use extras like widgets and Apple Wallet. Many clients start with a web app and add the store versions later.
Do I pay everything up front?
No. Payments are split into three milestones: 50% to start, 30% when a working version is ready and 20% at handover.
Get a fixed price for your app.
Send a written brief. We reply within one business day with a fixed scope and price, and a clickable demo with your brand within 48 hours. No calls required.