Key Takeaways
- How much does it cost to maintain an app per year?
You should budget around 15–20% of your app’s original development cost annually. For a $100,000 app, that’s typically $15,000–$20,000 per year.- What affects the cost of maintaining an app?
The size of the app, number of users, supported platforms (iOS, Android), tech stack, and update frequency all play a role in how much you’ll spend.- Are there hidden app maintenance costs to watch for?
Yes, unexpected expenses can include API changes, compliance updates, backend refactoring, and third-party tool upgrades. Planning ahead helps avoid surprise invoices.
You’ve launched your app, the downloads are rolling in, and things seem to be going smoothly, but that’s only the beginning. If you’re asking yourself how much does it cost to maintain an app, start by asking a more urgent question: what happens if you don’t? Without regular upkeep, even the most polished app can start to break down. Devices get updates, operating systems evolve, and user habits shift. Without maintenance, your app may freeze, crash, or expose security vulnerabilities, which is hardly a five-star experience.
That’s why ongoing maintenance is essential, not optional. It’s what keeps your app fast, secure, and user-friendly long after launch day. Most maintenance work falls into a few core areas:
In short, launch is just the start. Maintenance is what makes sure your app keeps showing up, working well, and staying loved.
So, how much does it cost to maintain an app once it’s live and running? A good rule of thumb is to budget around 15–20% of your app’s original development cost per year. That means if your app cost $100,000 to build, you can expect annual mobile app maintenance costs to land somewhere between $15,000 and $20,000. But that’s just a ballpark; the actual number depends on the complexity of your app and how often you plan to update it.
Some apps require frequent updates, active user support, or third-party integrations, while others can run lean with minimal overhead. Costs also scale depending on how many platforms you support (iOS, Android, both?), and whether you’re working with in-house developers or external partners.
Here’s a quick breakdown of typical recurring costs:
Your total app maintenance cost per year could be a few thousand dollars or well into five figures; it all depends on your app’s appetite for attention. Planning for these costs upfront is the best way to avoid nasty surprises later.
Still curious about what happens before maintenance even becomes a thing? If you’re thinking beyond just the numbers and want to see how an idea turns into a live, working app, we’ve got the roadmap you need. From concept to launch, here’s how we build apps that are made to last and easy to maintain. Explore our step-by-step app creation process.
Not all apps are created equal, and neither are their maintenance costs. The cost of maintaining apps varies wildly depending on what your app does, how many people use it, and what kind of tech magic is happening behind the scenes.
Think of it like this: maintaining a simple app with a few hundred users is kind of like running a cozy coffee shop. You’ll need occasional tune-ups, some customer support, and regular cleaning. But if you’re managing a feature-packed app with thousands of daily users, multiple integrations, and real-time data, you’re basically running a global café chain with drive-thrus, delivery, and a loyalty program. That takes a lot more to keep humming.
Here are some of the biggest factors that affect maintenance pricing:
In short, app maintenance isn’t one-size-fits-all. The more your app grows, the more care it needs, and that’s not a bad thing. It means people are using it.
Just when you think you’ve nailed down your app maintenance budget, surprise! An unexpected invoice shows up like an uninvited guest. That’s because not all costs are front and center. Some quietly creep in over time, and if you’re not watching closely, they can take you off guard.
Take third-party APIs, for example. If your app relies on external services like payment gateways, messaging tools, or location tracking, changes on their end can ripple into your app. Sometimes they update their pricing. Sometimes they break compatibility. Either way, someone’s got to fix it, and that someone needs to be paid. Compliance updates are another one. Laws like GDPR and HIPAA evolve, and keeping your app in line with them isn’t just best practice, it’s mandatory.
Then there are the analytics platforms that start out free but suddenly introduce “premium” plans with the features you’ve grown to depend on. Or backend refactoring that needs to happen when performance starts lagging. Even something as simple as a new phone launch can trigger a string of fixes if your app doesn’t play nice with the latest tech.
These aren’t costs you plan for upfront, but they are very real. That’s why mobile app maintenance costs aren’t just about the obvious; they’re also about staying ready for the curveballs.
Good news: trimming your mobile app maintenance cost doesn’t mean cutting corners or ending up with a clunky app. With a few smart choices early on, you can set yourself up for fewer headaches and lower expenses down the road. One of the best ways to start is by launching with a scalable MVP (Minimum Viable Product). Rather than building everything all at once, you focus on the core features that matter most, and only expand based on real user feedback. This keeps the app lean, manageable, and easier to maintain.
Another smart move? Build cross-platform. Frameworks like React Native or Flutter allow your app to work on both iOS and Android using a single codebase. That means fewer bugs, fewer updates, and less time spent fixing the same issue twice. You can also save by automating repetitive tasks like testing or deployments, and by working with a consistent development partner instead of constantly rotating freelancers. Long-term relationships lead to fewer handoffs, faster iterations, and more reliable results. So yes — if you’re still wondering how much does it cost to maintain an app, the answer depends a lot on how wisely you build and who you build it with.
Trying to cut costs without cutting corners? That starts way before the first line of code. If you’ve got an app idea but aren’t sure if it’s the right move yet, we can help you figure that out before you commit time and budget. Check out our app idea review and make confident decisions early.
By now, it’s clear there’s no single answer to the question how much does app maintenance cost per year. It could be a few thousand dollars or much more, depending on how complex your app is, how often you update it, and what kind of experience you want to deliver. However, one thing is certain: maintenance isn’t just a technical checklist. It’s the care your app needs to keep growing, evolving, and staying relevant in a constantly changing digital world.
Think of it like this: maintaining your app is like giving it a regular spa day. It keeps things running smoothly, prevents future problems, and shows your users that you’re invested in their experience. An app that gets regular attention loads faster, crashes less, feels more polished, and let’s be honest, gets way better reviews. So, whether you’re planning your first launch or looking to scale something that’s already out there, don’t treat maintenance as an afterthought. It’s what turns a good app into a great, long-lasting one.
