Industry rates
How much to charge for App & Software Dev
For app & software dev we recommend charging from $4,410 to $32,350 (US rates, default project scope). A typical quote includes Technical scoping, Architecture & setup, and Frontend build. Use the calculator below to adjust region, line items, and your rate.
Or jump straight to the pricing calculator.
What app & software dev usually covers
Web apps, mobile apps, and custom software features.
Our default scope for app & software dev includes: Technical scoping, Architecture & setup, Frontend build, Backend & API, QA & testing, Deployment & handover. Turn optional items on or off in the calculator to match how you actually work.
Deposits and getting paid
Take a deposit before you start. It filters out tyre kickers and protects your time. 50 percent up front is standard for project work.
Revisions and scope creep
Cap your revision rounds in writing. Anything beyond the included rounds is billed at your hourly rate. This is the single best defence against scope creep.
Common questions
- How much should I charge for app & software dev?
- For US freelancers using our default scope, app & software dev projects typically land between $4,410 and $32,350. That range reflects the Charge less / Charge more slider in the tool (0.4x to 3x on the suggested rate). Your market and experience may sit anywhere in that band.
- What should a app & software dev quote include?
- At minimum: Technical scoping, Architecture & setup, and Frontend build. Our calculator pre-selects the usual deliverables for app & software dev so you can start from a realistic scope instead of a blank page.
- Hourly rate or project total?
- The calculator supports hourly, per-item, and whole-project pricing. Most app & software dev quotes start hourly until scope is locked, then switch to a project total for the final client-facing number.