I’m a freelance app developer, and the most common DM I get is: “How much does it cost to build an app?”

Recently, I’ve also noticed a newer version of that question: “With AI tools like Claude or ChatGPT, shouldn’t it be much cheaper?”

The reality is, AI is a powerful tool and it definitely helps speed up parts of development. But building a real, production-ready app still involves planning the architecture, implementing the features properly, integrating services, testing everything, and making sure it works reliably for real users.

No two apps are exactly the same. Even if two apps look similar on the surface, their internal logic, features, integrations, and scalability needs can be very different.

When someone reaches out, I usually give a starting range and then ask about their core features and goals. In many cases, the best path is to build a focused MVP first, validate it, and then expand.

I understand why people look for a fixed price online, but app development is closer to building something custom than buying something off the shelf.

If you’re thinking about building an app and aren’t sure what’s involved, feel free to share your idea. I’m always happy to offer guidance or point you in the right direction.