What does an app really cost? – Hourly rates, ongoing expenses, and planable development with Dev-Slots

What does it cost to develop an app? If you are on the brink of an app project, whether as a founder, project manager, or corporate decision-maker, you have probably googled this question multiple times. And you have surely noticed: Clear answers are hard to find. Instead, you encounter wide price ranges, confusing hourly rates, and rough calculators where it is difficult to know how realistic they are.

The truth is: The costs of app development depend on many factors, from the complexity of the functions to the team deployed to the ongoing expenses after go-live. A simple “What does an app cost?” calculation model often falls short. Especially if you are looking for reliable planning security, both in implementation and later operation.

In this insight, I will give you a practical overview: from typical app development costs, realistic hourly rates for programmers, to ongoing monthly costs of an app, and the question of how you can maintain control over time and budget with a transparent model like Dev Slots, all without a complicated app development cost calculator.

What does it really cost to develop an app?

The question “What does app development cost?” seems simple at first glance but is often difficult to answer in practice. This is because an app is not a ready-made product off the shelf; it is an individual software project with many variables. The effort and therefore the costs are influenced by:

• Platform

• Functionality

• Design

• Interfaces

• Security requirements

• Backend systems

A common mistake in the early project phase is to look for a fixed total price without clearly defining the actual requirements. Those who simply ask, “What does an app cost?” often end up with very broad estimates or unhelpful price ranges. And this does not make project planning any easier for companies and startups; on the contrary: Uncertainty about costs leads to hesitation, delays, and loss of trust.

It is better to view app development as a time-based process with clear priorities and realistic resource management. This is exactly where the Dev Slots from appsgemacht come into play: Instead of working with vague estimates, you book fixed development times. Thus, the abstract question of price transforms into a concrete decision: How much time do you want to invest, and what should be created in that timeframe?

This not only helps to realistically estimate app costs but also makes the entire development more manageable. Each booked slot increases your predictability, control, and transparency—exactly what traditional price lists or flat-rate offers usually do not deliver.

What does a developer really cost? Hourly rates, models, and actual costs

The hourly rate of a programmer is one of the central metrics when it comes to the costs of app development. However, as simple as the number may sound at first glance, it does not tell the whole story about actual project expenses. Besides the hourly rate, the type of collaboration, project scope, and the efficiency of the process play a crucial role.

Hourly rates in comparison

Typical hourly rates vary greatly depending on the provider and model. Here is an overview of common forms of collaboration:

• Freelancers: Ideal for clearly defined tasks or small modules. Here you only pay for work done but usually have to handle project coordination and quality assurance yourself.

• Agencies: Here, you get a whole team with project management, QA, UX, and more, which can be particularly useful for more complex app projects. You delegate responsibility but also pay for overhead.

• In-house developers: Not calculated on an hourly basis but with a monthly salary. Sensible if you are developing continuously in the long term and aiming for a complete in-house solution.

What the hourly rate does not show

No matter which model you choose, the pure hourly wage of the programmer is only a part of the overall picture. What is more crucial is how transparently planning is done, how well the team collaborates, and whether you can recognize early on how much performance you are getting for your budget.

It is precisely at this point that many companies ask themselves: How can developer time be structured and calculated better without constantly having to estimate?

Calculable app costs through fixed development time: effort estimation and Dev Slots instead of app development cost calculator

One of the biggest challenges in app planning is to move from the “rough cost framework” to concrete implementation. Many companies start with an initial effort estimation or use an app development cost calculator to get a sense of the budget, which is absolutely sensible. But sooner or later, the crucial question arises: How do we specifically allocate this budget – and how do we maintain control throughout?

This is where Dev Slots come into play. They connect strategic estimation with operational planability.

What are Dev Slots?

Dev Slots are bookable development time slots, half a day per week, over four weeks. They are booked in packages of at least two half days to enable meaningful progress and create continuity in the project.

Each slot is firmly scheduled, documented, and used with focus. Instead of managing open hour contingents or searching for spontaneous time, you work with a fixed, recurring development rhythm, similar to a sprint, but more streamlined and individualized.

The added value: From theory to practice

An app development cost calculator or an initial effort estimation provides you with orientation. However, real progress only occurs when it translates into a concrete time schedule. With Dev Slots, you transfer abstract numbers into actual implementation on a daily basis, flexibly expandable, clearly documented.

You can prioritize features, use slots purposefully according to project phases, and always have an overview of how much capacity is booked without rigid contracts or project packages with hidden overhead.

For companies, startups, or SMEs that want to develop in a planned, efficient manner with manageable risk, Dev Slots are the bridge between strategy and practice and a real lever for sustainable app projects.

If you want to dive deeper into how Dev Slots can be concretely applied in project practice, such as for better resource distribution or the step-by-step development of your app, it's worth taking a look at our article “Planning Security in App Projects: How Dev Slots Make Your Company More Efficient”. There you will find examples of how to integrate fixed time units into your development strategy.

What does an app cost monthly? Realistically estimating ongoing costs

Often, the question of costs around apps focuses exclusively on development, i.e., what happens up to the launch. But what comes afterwards is at least as important: ongoing operating costs, regular maintenance, security updates, hosting, and services for user interaction such as push notifications or analytics.

If you want to run an app in the long term, you should get an overview early on of what an app costs monthly.

Typical monthly cost blocks at a glance

Ongoing costs can vary depending on the type and usage of the app, but some components are almost always included:

• Hosting & Backend Services (e.g., databases, cloud APIs)

• Monitoring & Performance Analysis

• Push Services & In-App Communication

• Security Updates & Technical Maintenance

• Bug Fixing & Minor Optimizations

Especially for data-driven or scalable apps (e.g., with user accounts or real-time data), these items can take up a significant portion of the budget. At the same time, it makes sense not to view these costs as a necessity or an evil but as an investment in the reliability and further development of your app.

Continuous maintenance, technical adjustments, and regular improvements are crucial to remain competitively viable in the long run. You can learn why this point is particularly crucial for young companies in the article “Why Ongoing App Support is Crucial for Startups”.

Maintenance & Further Development with Dev Slots

Even after the launch, Dev Slots can provide a useful structure: For example, 1-2 Dev Slots per week, booked solidly over several months. This allows you to regularly implement feedback, develop new features, or integrate technical improvements without needing a completely new project start or a comprehensive offer.

This gives you maximum flexibility and keeps your app technically stable without needing to permanently employ an entire developer team. Thus, ongoing operations do not become a cost risk but rather a clearly manageable part of your digital strategy.

Transparent App Project Planning for Startups & SMEs with Dev Slots

Especially for startups and small to medium-sized enterprises, the biggest challenge in app development is not just the technology but calculability. How much will the app cost? How quickly will we make progress? And how flexible will we remain if requirements change?

Traditional project models with one-time fixed prices or open developer hours are often impractical in such cases. They are either too inflexible or too unclear. This is where Dev Slots offer a significant advantage.

Structure instead of Estimates

With Dev Slots, you do not plan development for “somewhere down the line”; instead, you plan very concretely: For example, you book 2 Dev Slots (1 day) per week over four weeks, providing a fixed framework that fits into your resource planning. Within these slots, exactly what is at the top of the priority list is developed.

This has several advantages:

• You receive regularly usable results instead of long project pauses or total submissions.

• You can flexibly respond to new requirements or feedback.

• You maintain full control over costs, scope, and speed.

Ideal for Modular App Projects

Many modern app projects grow incrementally: First an MVP, then user feedback, then expansion. Dev Slots are specifically designed for this. You do not have to define everything in advance or develop for a large launch. Instead, you build your app in modules, with fixed time units—planable, scalable, and always keeping your budget in mind.

This is a huge relief, especially for founders, decision-makers, and SMEs without internal development teams. You do not have to enter into long-term contracts, hire project managers, or tie down full-time developers; instead, you use the capacity that you need right now.

Conclusion: Realistically Calculate App Costs and Purposefully Book Developer Time

The question “What does it cost to develop an app?” cannot be answered universally, but it can be structured. With a clear view of hourly rates, actual ongoing costs, and your own development needs, a realistic picture emerges. Above all, it becomes clear: The best planning is not based on estimates, but on concrete units.

Dev Slots offer exactly this approach: You do not book developer time into thin air but purposefully in half-day slots, recurring and binding. This allows you to build your project efficiently, develop flexibly, and keep app development costs permanently under control.

Whether you want to launch an MVP, further develop an existing app, or simply need predictable support, with Dev Slots, you bring structure to your endeavor. Combined with a solid effort estimation, this creates a model that enables both financial predictability and technical quality.

Instead of relying on a hypothetical app development cost calculator, you focus on real time, real results, and a path that fits your company—flexible, calculable, and growth-oriented.

You want to know how Dev Slots can be used concretely in your project?
Then easily book an appointment now and find out how to plan your app development in a calculable, flexible manner without detours.