Cost guide — web apps
Building a web app typically costs $15,000–$120,000+, depending on complexity. A simple web app — one core workflow, accounts, and a clean dashboard — runs roughly $15k–$40k; a business-critical web app with multiple user roles, integrations, and payments runs $40k–$120k; a real-time or high-scale platform costs more. Web apps are usually cheaper than native mobile apps because you build one responsive codebase instead of separate iOS and Android apps. Godelian builds web apps on Next.js, TypeScript, and Supabase, scoped to a functional MVP that real users can use — shipped in weeks for $15–30k.
Get a fixed scope & price →| Tier | What it includes | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Simple web app | One core workflow, accounts, a clean dashboard, standard backend. | $15k–$40k |
| Business web app | Multiple roles, integrations, payments, and an admin layer. | $40k–$120k |
| Complex platform | Real-time features, high scale, or regulatory compliance. | $120k+ |
| Godelian scoped MVPGodelian | The core workflow real users can actually use — shipped in weeks. | $15k–$30k |
Ranges are industry ballparks for planning, not quotes. The only number that matters is the one scoped to your build — get that here.
The old way
$100k+
and 12+ months to a first version — spent before you knew whether anyone wanted it.
Now, with AI
$15–30k
in weeks. AI collapsed the cost of turning an idea into working software — and opened a 1–2 years window to win the market.
A responsive web app runs everywhere from one codebase, so it's typically cheaper and faster than building separate iOS and Android apps. Most founders should prove the idea on the web first and add native only if the data demands it.
A single-user tool is simple. Client, staff, and admin views — each with their own permissions — mean you're building several interfaces on one secure spine, enforced at the database layer.
Stripe, email, e-signature, and third-party APIs each add real work. A couple are normal for an MVP; a long list is a bigger budget and should wait until the core is proven.
Live updates, collaboration, and heavy traffic add architectural cost. Worth it when the product needs them — but rarely on day one.
A web app is the fastest, cheapest way to get a real software product in front of users — no app-store review, one codebase, instant updates. That's exactly why it's the right shape for most first versions.
The cost is decided by scope, not the fact that it runs in a browser. Godelian scopes to the core workflow that has to work, builds it custom so you own the code and it scales, and ships it in weeks — then extends what real usage shows is worth extending.
For most founders that lands at $15–30k. AI has collapsed the build cost, and shipping now — while the market is open — is what turns a web app into a business.
Working out the exact scope for a development services build? That page goes deeper on how it's done.
What clients say
“He thinks about things like a founder would. He is communicative, accountable for his work, and delivered upon all milestones ahead of schedule. I highly recommend Andrew.”
web app development cost — questions
Usually, yes. A responsive web app is a single codebase that runs on every device, while native mobile means building and maintaining separate iOS and Android apps — roughly double the surface area. Most founders should validate on the web first and add native apps only once there's traction to justify the extra cost.
A custom web app built from scratch typically starts around $15k for a scoped MVP and rises with roles, integrations, and scale. Godelian builds custom from the start — so you own the code and it can grow — but scopes it to a provable first version so 'from scratch' doesn't mean six figures.
A scoped web-app MVP usually ships in a few weeks. Godelian ships running software every week, so you can launch to real users fast and iterate on what they actually do rather than waiting months for a single big release.
More cost guides
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Get your number.Tell me what you want to build and I'll come back with a scoped first version and a fixed price — usually $15–30k, in weeks.