iOS and Android app development, from one codebase to both app stores
I build iPhone and Android apps from one React Native codebase, with the backend and admin behind them. An app on your existing backend usually costs $25,000–55,000 and takes 8–14 weeks.
Scope
What I build
iOS and Android apps from one codebase
Apps for a product you already have
App-first products with their own backend
Push notifications and alerts
Location and maps features
Prototypes to test an app idea
Pricing
How much a mobile app costs
Freelance prices in US dollars, for iOS and Android together. The biggest factor is whether the backend already exists. An app on top of your current product costs far less than one that needs everything built from scratch.
| Type | Price | Timeline | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your website wrapped as an app | $4,000–12,000 | 2–4 weeks | Your existing web app in the stores, with push notifications. Good when the website already works well on phones. |
| App on your existing backend | $25,000–55,000 | 8–14 weeks | A native-feeling app that uses the accounts, data, and APIs your product already has. |
| App as the main product | $45,000–90,000 | 12–20 weeks | The app, a new backend, an admin, and both store releases. |
Real examples: a local news app with backend and editorial admin cost $25,000 over 12 weeks. A catalog app prototype cost $8,000 over 3 weeks.
Approach
How I build a mobile app
Most apps don't need two separate native teams or a second backend. One React Native codebase for both platforms, connected to the same product as your website, is faster to build and cheaper to maintain.
Decide if you need an app
If your website works well on phones, you may not need an app yet. I'll say so. Apps earn their place with push notifications, offline use, or daily use.
One codebase, two stores
React Native builds iPhone and Android apps from the same code, so both stay in step and cost less to maintain.
Same product as the web
The app uses the same accounts, data, and backend as your website, instead of a separate system to keep in sync.
Ship to both stores
Builds, signing, TestFlight, store listings, and a release pipeline, so updates go out without manual work.
Capabilities
What I can handle
The app
- iPhone and Android from one codebase
- Design from scratch or Figma
- Offline-friendly screens
- Location and maps
Behind the app
- Backend and APIs
- Admin and content tools
- Accounts and logins
- Payments
Engagement
- Push notifications
- Deep links
- Realtime updates
- Analytics
The stores
- App Store and Google Play
- TestFlight and beta testing
- Signing and builds
- Automated releases
Typical stack
- React Native
- Expo
- TypeScript
- NestJS
- Firebase
Difference
What goes into the build
An app people actually use
A local news app I took over from an agency now has 50K downloads and 20K monthly readers, with breaking-news alerts sent from the editorial admin.
The backend comes with it
The news app shipped with its NestJS backend, editorial admin, advertising, and push notifications, not just the screens.
Prototypes in weeks
A distributor catalog app went from start to working prototype in 3 weeks, built so the real API could plug in later.
One person across web and mobile
The same developer builds the app, the backend, and the website, so nothing gets lost between separate teams.
Process
How a project works
- 01
A call and a written scope
What the app must do, whether you need one yet, and what backend it uses. You get a price and timeline in writing.
- 02
Design
Key screens designed for iPhone and Android. You approve them before the full build.
- 03
Build and test
The app and anything behind it, with test builds on your own phone through TestFlight and Android testing.
- 04
Launch in both stores
Store listings, review, and release. Then updates ship through the same pipeline.
Clients
What clients say
“The agency left our app half-done. Milan finished it, built our editorial tools, and got it into both app stores. Now readers get local news the moment we publish.”
Publisher Local news app: 50K downloads and 20K monthly readers“Our catalog API wasn't ready, but Milan still gave us a working app our distributors could try. Plugging in the real data later was easy.”
Product manager Mobile catalog prototype for distributors, ready for the real API
FAQs
How much does it cost to build a mobile app?
With me, an app on a backend you already have costs $25,000–55,000 for iOS and Android together. An app that needs its own backend and admin is $45,000–90,000. Wrapping an existing website as an app is $4,000–12,000.
How long does it take to build an app?
Eight to fourteen weeks for an app on an existing backend, and 12–20 weeks for an app that is the whole product. A working prototype can take as little as 3 weeks.
React Native or native iOS and Android?
For most business apps, React Native. One codebase means one build, one team, and both apps released together. Native only wins when you need heavy device-specific features or top-end graphics.
Do I need an app, or is a website enough?
A website is enough if people use it occasionally. An app earns its place when people use it often, need push notifications, or use phone features like location or the camera.
Do you handle App Store and Google Play publishing?
Yes. Developer accounts, builds, store listings, review, and release. You own the store accounts, and I set up a pipeline so future updates ship easily.