How Much Does It Cost to Build an MVP? A Complete Guide
Manish Kumawat
Last Updated on: 27 November 2025
Whether it's a startup or a well-established enterprise, developing a new digital product is an exciting step, but it comes with some risks too. If you ask what the smartest move is for any startup or business launching a new digital product, the answer is building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). The increasing number of businesses adopting MVP development and the benefits they are harvesting prove that.
At the same time, one question always stands at the center of those who want to make use of MVP development: How much does it cost to build an MVP? Even though MVP offers multiple benefits, we can confirm the MVP development as the smartest move only after understanding the MVP development cost as well.
Startup businesses want to launch feature-rich apps, software, or digital products to establish their presence in the market, and established businesses build new digital products to expand their services or as part of their modernization. In all these scenarios, clarity on MVP development cost is a must for wise investment.
Here we will discuss all the topics related to MVP development cost and guide you for cost-effective MVP development. So if you want MVP solutions at the best prices, this guide is for you.
What Is an MVP and Why Understanding Its Cost Is Essential
An MVP, or Minimum Viable Product, is a simple version of any digital product with only essential features. For example, if a business wants to launch a new app, new software, or a new digital product, they can make mvp of that particular digital product and evaluate the value, success, user demands, and market fitness.
Many businesses are not aware of the relevance of MVP and consider the MVP development cost as an additional expense. So it's better to know the actual cost of MVP and compare it with the financial benefits. There are some more concerns raised related to MVP development cost, like:
- How much does it cost to build an MVP?
- Is MVP affordable for startups?
- What is the minimum investment needed for an MVP?
- Are there any ways to reduce MVP development costs?
- Are there any hidden or ongoing costs?
- What factors influence MVP costs?
But here will cover all these aspects. Not only that, if you have a clear understanding of the MVP development cost, it helps to budget properly, choose the right technology, and avoid overbuilding. The truth is that the development cost of an MVP varies from company to company and project to project, but understanding the MVP development cost structure helps in various ways.
Factors That Affect MVP Development Cost
When we search for the perfect answer for ‘how much does it cost to build an MVP’, you can notice that each MVP development company offers different prices. We can also see the variation in costs from project to project. Yes, there should be this variation. Do you know the reason? The MVP development cost is influenced by many factors, and these factors determine the MVP development cost.
1. Project Idea
Consider that the project demand of an enterprise will be much higher than that of a startup project. How can a startup invest similarly to established enterprises? Even though each startup brings a unique app or digital product idea, some may be complex to build. This causes the price variation.
For example, the cost to develop an online store for a local business is cheaper than building a feature-rich software for a multinational finance company. So the primary thing that decides the MVP development cost is the idea itself. Businesses that want to make use of the MVP must be precise in their idea, which keeps projects within a particular budget.
2. Feature
Even though MVPs are made of minimum features, we cannot skip the core features. MVP development companies identify the core features to be added, which can be beneficial for validating the idea. In each project, these core features vary. The more features, the more the MVP cost will be.
For example, if you build an app with simple login + dashboard, the MVP will cost less than a SaaS MVP with live insights and multiple-layer security features. So, while you develop an MVP, choose the right core features with the assistance of a leading MVP development expert, and you can reduce the MVP development cost.
3. Tech Stack
Depending on the digital product you want to launch, the tech stack also changes. The cost of these technologies and the cost to develop the technology experts will be added to the MVP development costs. Some technologies are costly in terms of license fees and developer hourly rates. So there is a need for a wise decision in choosing the tech stack.
For example, the cost to develop an MVP app in React Native or Flutter will be cheaper than developing a similar app with AI and IoT integration. The cost to build an MVP can be controlled in your project by choosing the best and affordable tech stack for your digital product.
4. UI/UX Design
The UI/UX design of the MVP and its customization highly influences MVP app development cost. The more you customise the UI/UX, the cost will also rise. At the same time, you can't compromise on design because it is the key to user satisfaction and engagement.
For example, the UI/UX design of an e-commerce MVP app is entirely different from that of a financial services app. The key to controlling UI/UX design cost is to tie up with a leading MVP development company that offers services of proficient UI/UX designers at a minimum price.
5. Team Type
Another important factor is who is developing the MVP. The cost of MVP software development changes from team to team. The experience, skills, proficiency, location, and demand of MVP developers influence the MVP development cost. For example, hiring an experienced MVP developer from India is more cost-effective than hiring MVP developers from the USA or the UK. So it is important to choose the MVP development partner wisely. The major choices are:
- Freelancers: Cheapest, but quality varies
- In-house team: Most expensive
- Development agency: Balanced cost + high quality
Leading MVP development companies like Fulminous Software offer affordable prices for complete MVP development services. Also, you can hire MVP developers from Fulminous Software at the best hourly rates.
6. Industry Requirements
The cost to develop an MVP is highly influenced by the industry-specific requirements. Some industry-specific MVPs are more complex in nature and which raises MVP development cost. For example, a financial MVP demands more security features and payment methods compared to a healthcare MVP app.
The secret tip to control MVP development is to hire MVP developers with a clear understanding of each industry or tie up with top MVP development companies with proficiency in industry-specific solutions. Fulminous Software is well known for developing industry-specific MVP solutions.
How Much Does It Cost to Build an MVP?
Even though the exact MVP development cost of a project can be defined by analyzing various factors, the costs can be around $8,000 to $70,000. Here are the general costs. These estimates give you the answer to the common question: How much does it cost to develop an MVP?
- Simple MVP: $8,000 – $20,000
- Moderate MVP: $20,000 – $40,000
- Advanced MVP: $40,000 – $70,000+
- SaaS MVP: $25,000 – $100,000
- Healthcare or Fintech MVP: $40,000 – $120,000
Average Cost to Build SaaS MVP
If you are planning to build SaaS, understanding the SaaS MVP development cost will be useful. Compared to other MVP development, SaaS MVP solutions are slightly costly because of:
- Subscription model setup
- Multi-user architecture
- Cloud deployment
- Security features
The average cost to build a SaaS MVP is between $30,000 and $100,000. But if you tie up with a leading SaaS MVP development services provider like Fulminous Software, you can save a huge amount in MVP development cost while including high-quality features.
Cost to Develop a Mobile App MVP
Today, most businesses want to build mobile apps for their services, and they ask: How much does it cost to develop an MVP mobile app? Mobile app MVPs are in high demand, and the average cost to develop an MVP mobile app is around $10,000 to $50,000.
| Mobile App Type | Platform | Estimated Cost Range (USD) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Mobile App MVP | iOS or Android | $15,000 – $25,000 | 4–6 weeks |
| Cross-Platform MVP | Flutter / React Native | $20,000 – $35,000 | 5–8 weeks |
| Moderate Complexity App MVP | iOS + Android | $25,000 – $40,000 | 6–10 weeks |
| Feature-Rich Mobile MVP | iOS + Android | $35,000 – $60,000 | 8–12 weeks |
| SaaS Mobile App MVP | Multi-platform | $30,000 – $70,000 | 8–12 weeks |
| Health/Mental Wellness App MVP | iOS + Android | $30,000 – $70,000 | 10–14 weeks |
| AI/ML-Powered Mobile MVP | Cross-platform | $40,000 – $90,000 | 10–16 weeks |
But it's up to you to choose the platform(Android, iOS, or cross-platform) and decide on core features. You can get the help of top mobile MVP app development services from Fulminous Software to decide all these factors.
Industry Price Example: Cost to Develop Holistic Mental Health App MVP
The cost to develop MVPs is different for each industry-specific solution. For example, if you want to build a Mental health app, it requires multiple core features, like:
- Secure user registration
- Chat or video sessions
- Mood tracking
- Exercises and content library
- Emergency contact features
As the complexity and features in mental health apps are high, the cost to develop a holistic mental health app MVP is usually high. The cost to develop a holistic mental health app MVP is around $30,000 to $70,000. Fulminous Software is proficient in developing mental health MVP apps, and you can see how we cut down the cost to develop a holistic mental health app MVP.
MVP Development Cost – Product-Wise
If you want to know the average MVP cost in detail, it is necessary to know the MVP development for each digital product. Because some businesses want MVP apps, and some want MVP software. No matter what MVP you want to build, here is a complete list of product-wise MVP development costs.
| Product Type | Key Features Included | Estimated Cost Range (USD) | Estimated Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile App (iOS/Android) | Auth, basic UI, push notifications, core workflows | $20,000 – $60,000 | 2–3 months |
| Web Application | Dashboard, CRUD, login, responsive UI | $15,000 – $50,000 | 1.5–3 months |
| E-commerce MVP | Product listing, cart, checkout, admin panel | $25,000 – $70,000 | 2–4 months |
| SaaS Platform | Role-based dashboards, analytics, and billing | $30,000 – $100,000 | 3–5 months |
| Marketplace App | Buyer/seller flow, profiles, payments | $40,000 – $120,000 | 3–5 months |
| AI/ML-Powered MVP | Model integration, inference API, basic UI | $45,000 – $150,000 | 3–6 months |
| IoT App | Device integration, monitoring UI | $50,000 – $140,000 | 3–6 months |
It is always a wise decision to collaborate with an MVP development company with proficiency in all the above-mentioned digital products. Fulminous Software is one of the best MVP development partners with deep expertise in all these digital product development.
MVP Development Cost – Stage-Wise
Here is another way to understand the average MVP cost. In each stage of MVP development, you need a specific amount. If you break down your MVP development investment stage-wise, you can evaluate at the end of each stage. This is the best way to stick to your budget, and the table below will help you understand both MVP development stages and stage-wise costs.
| Development Stage | Deliverables | Estimated Cost Range (USD) | % of Total Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Discovery & Research | Requirements, user stories, roadmap | $2,000 – $10,000 | 10–15% |
| 2. UI/UX Design | Wireframes, prototypes, design system | $3,000 – $15,000 | 15–20% |
| 3. Backend Development | APIs, database, integrations | $8,000 – $40,000 | 25–35% |
| 4. Frontend/Mobile Development | UI screens, client features | $7,000 – $35,000 | 25–35% |
| 5. QA & Testing | Test cases, bug fixing, UAT | $2,000 – $10,000 | 10–15% |
| 6. Deployment | Server setup, DevOps, launch | $1,000 – $5,000 | 5–10% |
| 7. Post-Launch Support | Bug fixes, enhancements (1–2 months) | $2,000 – $8,000 | 5–10% |
How to Reduce MVP Development Costs
The business always searches for ways to reduce the cost to build MVP software. Especially, startups have limited funds, and they look for all the ways to get the best MVP solutions at an affordable price. Here are the secret tips to access the best MVP solutions at the minimum price:
- Hire affordable MVP developers
- Do proper budgeting
- Define core features
- Choose low-code
- Choose the right technologies
- Test early
- Prefer offshore MVP companies
- Avoid unnecessary redesign
- Use ready-made UI kits
Following these tips can help you reduce MVP development costs without compromising quality. A top MVP development company like Fulminous Software has experienced MVP experts to guide you in cost-effective MVP development. Consult our MVP experts now!
MVP: Cost vs Benefit
As we have seen, the answer to how much does it cost to build an MVP? Now it's important to evaluate whether this investment will bring benefits in financial terms. Beyond guiding you in full product development, MVPs are being done with major financial benefits. Let's see this in this table:
| Category | MVP Cost | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Development Cost | $15,000 – $50,000 | Saves $50,000 – $150,000. Almost 30-60%. |
| Time to Market | 4–12 weeks (costs of the team during that period) | A faster launch can save $10,000 – $40,000. |
| User Research / Validation | $1,000 – $5,000 | Saves $20,000 – $80,000 in wasted development. |
| Design (UI/UX) | $2,000 – $7,000 | Avoids redesign later → saves $5,000 – $20,000. |
| Testing & QA | $1,000 – $5,000 | Prevents costly fixes later → saves $10,000 – $30,000. |
| Pivot / Redirection Cost | Small adjustments: $2,000 – $10,000 | Avoids full rebuild of a failed product → saves $50,000 – $200,000. |
| Market Risk | Moderate financial risk | Reduces total risk by 60%–80%. |
| Investor Readiness | Low cost to show functional proof | Can attract $25,000 – $250,000+ funding. |
| Long-term Savings | Initial cost low | Overall savings of $100,000 – $300,000. |
Choose Fulminous software for Affordable MVP development
Fulminous Software is a top-notch MVP development for affordable MVP solutions. Businesses from all over the region have received our advanced MVP development services. Clients love to work with Fulminous Software, and the reasons are:
- Top MVP development experts
- Trending MVP solutions
- Complete MVP services
- Easy collaboration
- Transparent process
- Industry-specific MVPs
- Proven experience
- Top rating in client reviews
Even though Fulminous Software is well known for all these qualities, our services are affordable when it comes to MVP development cost. Businesses, especially startups, choose Fulminous Software due to multiple reasons:
1. Budget-Friendly Pricing
Fulminous Software is known for offering MVP development at the most affordable price compared to all the available choices in the market. Our MVP development company has custom services for startups and enterprises.
2. Startup-Focused packages
Fulminous Software specialises in MVP app development for startups. Knowing the budget restrictions of startups, Fulminous Software offers startup-focused MVP development packages.
3. Flexible Engagement Models
Fulminous Software offers customizable and flexible choices to get MVP development services. You can choose hourly services, fixed-cost MVP packages, dedicated monthly developers, or hand over the complete project.
4. Affordable But Effective
The MVP development services of Fulminous Software are affordable, but we never compromise in design, features, and quality of mvp solution. Fulminous Software always tries to deliver the best possible MVP within your budget.
5. No Hidden costs
Fulminous Software is well aware of all aspects of the cost of MVP software development. Fulminous Software helps the business to set realistic budgets for MVP development projects, and once we fix the budget with the permission of the client, we will stick to that budget, and there will be no hidden charges.
6. Valuable MVP
If you evaluate the service of Fulminous Software in MVP development, all our MVP solutions are worth what the client invests, even more. Fulminous Software always focuses on delivering the MVP exactly how they demanded within the budget they have. That's why Fulminous Software is well known for MVP development for enterprises, too.
Conclusion
So, we have seen the exact answer for how much does it cost to build an MVP. The average MVP development cost can be $ 8,000 to $70,000. But the full control over the MVP development cost is in your hands. If you manage each factor that influences the MVP development cost, you can have affordable MVP solutions.
Still need clarification? If you need to know the exact MVP app development cost, the cost to develop holistic mental health app MVP, or the cost to build MVP software, you can consult our MVP development experts now and get custom quotes. Our MVP development consulting services will give you proven strategies to get a feature-rich MVP at minimum cost.
As we have seen, the most important step to accessing cost-effective MVP development services is to choose an experienced MVP development company that offers affordable services. Fulminous Software is the best MVP development company that delivers advanced MVPs within your budget. Contact us now to explore our affordable MVP solutions.
FAQs
Q1. What is the average MVP cost, and how much does an MVP cost in 2026?
Most business founders ask, “How much does an MVP cost?” The cost to build an MVP is about $8,000 to $70,000. If you want to know the custom development cost of MVP, you can contact our MVP development experts now!
Q2. What is the cost to develop MVP, and what affects the cost to build MVP software?
The cost to develop MVP is influenced by:
- Project idea
- Feature
- Scope
- Integrations
- Design
- Industry requirements
- Developer team
The cost to build MVP software can be controlled by choosing these factors wisely.
Q3. How much does it cost to develop an MVP for SaaS, and what is the average cost to build SaaS MVP?
The SaaS MVP development cost is comparatively higher, and the average cost to build SaaS MVP usually comes around $30,000 and $100,000.
Q4. What are the most cost-effective MVP development options for early-stage startups?
Early founders often look for cost-effective MVP development for entrepreneurs, which includes outsourcing, using pre-built components, and focusing only on essential features. Among the top cost-effective MVP development options for early-stage startups is choosing low-code tools, which helps lower the low-code MVP development cost.
Q5. How can I reduce MVP development costs without compromising quality?
You can reduce MVP development costs by:
- Prioritizing core features
- Selecting scalable tech stacks
- Outsourcing to affordable teams
- Choosing low-code platforms
Collaborate with Fulminous Software, and you can explore more strategies to bring down the overall cost of MVP software development.
Q6. What is the MVP app development cost, and the average cost to develop MVP mobile app?
MVP app development cost is the overall cost to build a custom MVP app. The average cost to develop MVP mobile app starts from $15,000 to $50,000. Many founders ask, “How much does it cost to develop an MVP?” and you can connect to us for personalised MVP app development quotes.
Q7. What is the cost to develop holistic mental health app MVP?
The cost to develop holistic mental health app MVP is usually higher, around $30,000- $70,000.
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Expert in Software & Web App Engineering
I am Manish Kumawat, co-founder of Fulminous Software, a top leading customized software design and development company with a global presence in the USA, Australia, UK, and Europe. Over the last 10+ years, I am designing and developing web applications, e-commerce online stores, and software solutions custom tailored according to business industries needs. Being an experienced entrepreneur and research professional my main vision is to enlighten business owners, and worldwide audiences to provide in-depth IT sector knowledge with latest IT trends to grow businesses online.
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Discuss your Custom Application Requirements on info@fulminoussoftware.com or call us on +1-903 488 7170.
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