# How much does an app cost in Denmark? Prices for 2026 > With bon.do, an app MVP costs DKK 30,000–150,000 and takes 2–4 months; complex platforms start at DKK 250,000. What drives the price and the running costs. - URL: https://bon.do/en/articles/app-cost - Markdown: https://bon.do/en/articles/app-cost.md - Author: Morten Bondo Vraa - Published: 2025-11-18 - Updated: 2026-11-09 - Reading time: 7 minutes - Section: Apps · Cost ## In 30 seconds - A focused first version (MVP) typically costs DKK 30,000–150,000 and takes 2–4 months. - Complex or regulated platforms typically cost from DKK 250,000 and are built in phases. - Budget for running costs from day one, own your code, and get a written estimate before you commit. ## Key facts - **MVP app:** DKK 30,000–150,000 - **Complex platform:** From DKK 250,000 - **MVP timeline:** 2–4 months - **Regulated app timeline:** 6–12 months, incl. validation - **Development:** From DKK 400 per hour - **Project assessment:** Free --- "What does an app cost?" is the question we hear most. The honest answer is a range, not a number, but the range is narrower than most guides suggest. This guide sets out the prices bon.do actually quotes, the factors that move them, and the running costs that come after launch. ## How much does an app cost in Denmark? With bon.do, a focused first version of an app (MVP) typically costs DKK 30,000–150,000 and takes 2–4 months, covering UX and design, iOS, Android and/or web, the backend, hosting set-up and the store release. A complex or enterprise platform with many roles, integrations, devices or regulatory requirements typically costs from DKK 250,000 and is delivered in phases, each with its own scope and price. A regulated medical or life science app takes 6–12 months including validation and is estimated per project. Later work on an existing app is billed at DKK 800 per hour for an ad hoc senior developer. These are bon.do's own price ranges, the same ones on our [pricing page](https://bon.do/en/pricing). Other Danish agencies publish different numbers, so compare full quotes on the same scope rather than headline figures. | Type of product | What it usually includes | Typical timeline | Typical price (bon.do) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | MVP app or platform | UX and design, iOS, Android and/or web, backend, hosting set-up, store release | 2–4 months | DKK 30,000–150,000 | | Typical app | An MVP plus more roles, integrations and features | 3–6 months | Estimated per project | | Regulated app | Medical or life science software with validation and documentation | 6–12 months, incl. validation | Estimated per project | | Complex or enterprise platform | Multi-platform, multi-tenant, integrations, IoT and device software | Phased | From DKK 250,000 | Smaller, well-defined tasks are possible too: our fixed-price projects start from DKK 10,000. ## What makes an app more or less expensive? The main cost drivers are platforms, integrations, roles and data, design, documentation and post-launch work. These usually shape the first conversation with a client. 1. **Platforms.** iOS, Android, web, or all three. One shared codebase costs less than separate apps. 2. **Integrations.** Every system, device or partner the product talks to adds design, build and test work. Payment services, login providers, patient records and hardware are common examples. 3. **Roles and data.** More user types and permissions mean more screens and rules. Sensitive data, such as health data, means more security and privacy work. 4. **Design depth.** A clean standard interface is cheaper than a fully custom experience with animation and custom components. 5. **Documentation.** Regulated products need validation and traceable evidence. That work should appear as a separate line item in the estimate. 6. **After launch.** Hosting, support and the roadmap beyond version one. These are not part of the build price but belong in the budget. The cheapest way to influence all six is to cut scope: launch with the one workflow that proves the product, then add features based on actual usage. ## Native or cross-platform: which is cheaper? Cross-platform is usually cheaper. With Flutter or React Native, iOS and Android share one codebase, so most features are built, tested and maintained once instead of twice. Native development (Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android) means two codebases and roughly two implementations of the app itself. Native is still the right choice in some cases: - heavy graphics, 3D, AR or VR - deep use of device hardware or the newest platform features on day one - an organisation that already runs separate iOS and Android teams For most business, health and service apps, cross-platform performance is close enough to native that users do not notice. We build most of our apps in Flutter for that reason. A web app or PWA is cheaper again, but has less access to device features and no regular store presence. ## What does an app cost to run and maintain? An app costs money every year after launch: store fees, payment fees, hosting, monitoring, maintenance, support and compliance. The fixed store fees are small: Apple's developer program costs USD 99 per year and a Google Play developer account USD 25 once. Payment fees grow with revenue; Stripe charges 1.5% + DKK 1.80 per standard EEA card payment in Denmark. Hosting depends more on the architecture than on the number of users: when we rebuilt the [MindPlus app](https://bon.do/en/work/mindplus), a simpler architecture lowered its monthly hosting and service costs. Maintenance is often the largest running cost, because OS updates, security patches and library updates never stop, and a regulated app costs more to maintain because every release must be validated and documented. Budget for these running costs alongside the build price before you commit. | Cost | What to expect | | --- | --- | | Apple Developer Program | USD 99 per year, or the local-currency price where Apple offers one ([Apple](https://developer.apple.com/support/membership-fee-waiver/)) | | Google Play developer account | USD 25, one-time ([Google](https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/6112435?hl=en)) | | Store commission on digital sales | Apple and Google take a commission on paid apps, in-app purchases and subscriptions. Apple's Small Business Program is 15% ([Apple](https://developer.apple.com/app-store/small-business-program/)); Google Play's rates depend on region, revenue and product type ([Google](https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/112622?hl=en)). The EU terms have changed in recent years, so check the current ones. | | Card payments via Stripe in Denmark | 1.5% + DKK 1.80 per standard EEA card payment, higher for UK and international cards ([Stripe](https://stripe.com/en-dk/pricing)) | | Hosting and monitoring | Depends on the architecture more than on the number of users. When we rebuilt MindPlus, a leaner architecture lowered the monthly hosting and service cost ([case](https://bon.do/en/work/mindplus)). | | Maintenance | OS updates, security patches, library updates and small fixes. A common industry rule of thumb is 15–25% of the build cost per year, but it is not based on independent research. We estimate service agreements from the product's actual needs, and a regulated product can cost more to maintain, because every release has to be validated and documented. | | Support and compliance | Your own support time, and for regulated products post-market activities and audits. | One more point on hosting: GDPR does not require you to host in the EU. Transfers outside the EU and EEA are allowed when they meet the rules in Chapter V of the [GDPR](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/679/oj). For health data, most of our clients still choose EU regions because it keeps the compliance work simpler. Read more in our guide to [GDPR and medical data](https://bon.do/en/articles/gdpr-medical-data). ## What does a regulated or medical app cost? A regulated app costs more and takes longer, because the documentation is part of the product. In our experience a regulated app takes 6–12 months including validation, and we price the regulatory work as separate line items in the estimate rather than adding a flat percentage. Depending on the classification, the extra work typically covers: - a quality management system or work inside the client's QMS, often aligned with [ISO 13485](https://bon.do/en/articles/iso-13485-certification) - software life-cycle documentation under IEC 62304 - risk management under ISO 14971 - verification, validation and traceability from requirement to test - usability engineering and accessibility; we design to WCAG 2.2 AA, the current W3C recommendation ([W3C](https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG22/)) - the technical documentation needed for CE marking, and involvement of a notified body if the class requires one Notified body fees, clinical evaluation and insurance vary a lot by device class and supplier. Ask the notified body and your insurer directly rather than relying on a general figure. Our guide from [idea to market in life science](https://bon.do/en/articles/idea-to-market-life-science) walks through the steps. ## Hourly rate or fixed price? A fixed price suits an app with a well-defined scope, and hourly billing suits ongoing development. At bon.do, a defined MVP gets a fixed written estimate in the DKK 30,000–150,000 range, larger platforms from DKK 250,000 are split into phases with their own scope, price and acceptance criteria, an ad hoc senior developer costs DKK 800 per hour, and a dedicated team starts from DKK 400 per hour with a minimum of three months. When you compare offers from app developers, compare the total price for the same scope, not the hourly rate. A low hourly rate combined with a high estimate of hours, or an estimate that leaves out testing, documentation or the store release, is not cheaper. Every project starts with a free project assessment that ends in a written estimate, so you know the price before development begins. - **Fixed price.** Best for a defined MVP. You know the price before you start, and changes are handled as explicit change requests. - **Phased plan.** Best for larger platforms. Each phase has its own scope, price and acceptance criteria. - **Hourly.** Best for ongoing development on an existing product. At bon.do, an ad hoc senior developer is DKK 800 per hour. - **Dedicated team.** Best for a long roadmap. Our teams start from DKK 400 per hour with a minimum of three months. ## How to keep the price down without cutting corners The most effective way to keep the price of an app down is to cut scope and avoid rework, not to cut quality: - Start with an MVP that solves one problem for one group of users. - Choose cross-platform unless you have a specific reason for native. - Use proven, open tools and standard components before building custom ones. - Automate tests from the start, so later changes stay cheap. - Plan the regulatory work from day one; retrofitting documentation is slower than writing it along the way. - Own your code, data and accounts, so you can change supplier without starting over. Our guide to [software ownership](https://bon.do/en/articles/software-ownership) has a checklist. ## How bon.do estimates your app Every project starts with a free project assessment, which typically takes 1–2 weeks. We define what you want to build, identify the risks and map out the fastest safe route to delivery. You get: - the scope and requirements - a concrete roadmap - an architecture and risk overview - a transparent, written price estimate The assessment is without obligation. If we are not the right fit, you can take the material to another team. All code, data and IP are yours from day one. If you are budgeting for an app, [book a free assessment](https://bon.do/en/contact-us) and we will give you a written estimate for your product. --- ## Questions we get asked ### How much does an app cost in Denmark? With bon.do, a focused MVP typically costs DKK 30,000–150,000 and a complex or enterprise platform from DKK 250,000. The free project assessment gives you a written estimate for your product. ### How long does it take to build an app? An MVP typically takes 2–4 months, a typical app 3–6 months, and a regulated app 6–12 months including validation. Larger platforms are delivered in phases. ### Native or cross-platform, which is cheaper? Cross-platform (Flutter or React Native) is usually cheaper because iOS and Android share one codebase. Native is worth it for heavy graphics, AR or deep device features. ### How much does an app cost to run and maintain? Plan for store fees, hosting, monitoring, payment fees and ongoing updates. A common rule of thumb is 15–25% of the build cost per year for maintenance, but it is not based on independent research, and we estimate service agreements from the product's actual needs; hosting can be very low, as the MindPlus case shows. ### What does an app developer cost per hour? At bon.do, an ad hoc senior developer costs DKK 800 per hour and a dedicated team starts from DKK 400 per hour, with a three-month minimum. Fixed-price projects start from DKK 10,000.