Pricing guide
How much does it cost to build an app or MVP in 2026?
Updated
In Canada, a mobile app costs from $30,000 to over $300,000 CAD according to one Canadian agency, with most projects between $60,000 and $150,000. A well-scoped MVP can cost much less. Here are the published ranges, what explains them, and how to keep your budget under control.
Prices by complexity
| Type of project | Cost (CAD) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Simple app | $30,000 to $55,000 | 6 to 10 weeks |
| MVP | $55,000 to $95,000 | 3 to 4 months |
| Mid-complexity business app | $95,000 to $180,000 | 4 to 8 months |
| Complex or regulated app | $180,000 to $300,000+ | 8 to 14 months |
Source: TekRevol, August 2026. Other Canadian guides put a basic MVP at $15,000 to $50,000 (Databending).
Hourly rates in Canada
| Type of provider | Hourly rate (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Enterprise agency | $160 to $300 |
| Boutique Canadian agency | $120 to $200 |
| Mid-level Canadian developer | $80 to $130 |
| Canadian freelancer | $40 to $100 |
| Hybrid (Canadian lead, offshore build) | $60 to $110 |
| Offshore team | $30 to $70 |
Source: TekRevol. By city, the same source lists $110 to $170 in Toronto and $90 to $140 in Montreal.
What drives the price
- The number of screens and roles (customer, vendor, admin…)
- Payments, messaging, geolocation, AI
- One app per platform, or one codebase for iOS and Android
- Integrations with other tools (CRM, accounting, mobile money)
- Compliance requirements (health, finance)
How to cut cost without cutting quality
- 01Start with an MVP focused on one key feature
- 02Use one codebase for iOS and Android, or start with the web
- 03Push anything that does not help test the idea to V2
- 04Work with a hybrid team: contract and project lead in Canada, development in Africa
- 05Require the source code at delivery, so you never depend on a single provider
Our price
At TechNexusHub, an MVP starts at $4,899 CAD. It is not a cut-rate MVP: it is a scope focused on what matters, a team in Africa, and a Canadian-registered business that signs a specification with a fixed price. The source code is yours.
Do not forget maintenance
An app lives on after launch: OS updates, fixes, servers. TekRevol estimates maintenance at 15 to 20% of the build cost per year. Plan for it from day one.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an app like Uber or a marketplace cost?
A full marketplace with several roles, payments and geolocation sits at the top of the ranges. The right approach is to build an MVP limited to one user journey first.
How long does it take to build an MVP?
Canadian agencies quote 3 to 4 months. With a tight scope, we usually deliver an MVP in 3 to 6 weeks.
Is it risky to outsource app development?
The risk mostly comes from a vague contract and code you do not own. Insist on a signed specification, milestone payments and the source code on your own account.
Sources
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