It's the first question almost every client asks me. And my real answer, the one I actually want to give, is: it depends. Not to dodge the question, but because it's the only honest answer.
It depends on whether it's a website, a web app, or a mobile app. It depends on the number of pages, the features, and especially the decisions you make at the start of the project. What I always propose is a live estimate on the first call, followed by a formal quote with the real price.
This article is a summary of what I explain to every client. With real numbers, a client case that cost me money, and my opinion on the pitfalls to avoid.
Price ranges by project type
Here are the ranges we use as a starting point at Oriana Solutions. These aren't ceiling prices. This is where it starts.
| Project type | Typical range | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Custom website | $2,000 to $10,000 | Showcase site, landing page, professional portfolio |
| Web application | $10,000 to $25,000 | Platform, internal tool, simple SaaS |
| Mobile application | $15,000 to $35,000 | iOS/Android, app with backend and authentication |
These ranges cover development, integration, initial hosting, and revisions. They vary depending on the complexity of the chosen features.
What really drives the price up
The real variable isn't the number of pages. It's the level of perfection you're aiming for from the start, and the number of complex features you build in before you've even validated your idea.
Here's what I regularly see double a budget:
- ✕Wanting everything from day one instead of launching an MVP and iterating based on real feedback.
- ✕Building full authentication before launch when manual access can be enough for early users.
- ✕Setting up Stripe on day one when early customers can pay by e-transfer.
- ✕Demanding a perfect design before even knowing if the product will work in the market.
The MVP approach: start small to go further
My most frequent advice: start with an MVP. A minimum viable product is the simplest version of your idea that lets you test it with real users.
It costs less, ships faster, and gives you real data before you invest further. Several of our best projects started at $8,000, got tested, validated, and grew into $30,000+ platforms over the following months.
💡 The MVP rule
If you can make your first 5 sales without a feature, it's not part of the MVP. Add it later, once you know the market is responding.
A real case: the $10,000 grocery app
One of our early clients wanted a platform to compare grocery prices in real time and deliver the cheapest products, bundled into a single order. An ambitious project.
We delivered everything: secure authentication, full backend, hosting, complete visual redesign, Stripe payment integration. The price billed: $10,000. The real value of the project: between $25,000 and $30,000.
We didn't make much money on that contract. But it was one of our first projects, and we wanted to deliver something we'd be proud of. What let us hit the budget despite the complexity was AI, which let us move much faster than expected.
📦 What we learned
This project taught us to better assess the real value of a deliverable, not just the time spent. A platform with Stripe, auth, backend, and custom design isn't a $10,000 project. It's a $25,000 project. Today, our quotes reflect that reality.
AI changed everything, and it works in your favor
Two years ago, a 3-month project took 3 months. Today, the same project takes us about a month. AI lets us move three times faster without sacrificing quality.
And we pass that time savings directly on to the client. You pay less. We can take on more projects. Everyone wins.
It's one of the reasons the ranges I'm giving you today are more accessible than they were 24 months ago.
"I found someone in India for $3,000"
I hear it often. And here's my honest answer: offshore developers will do exactly what you tell them. What might seem like an advantage is often a trap.
They'll take on projects without knowing if they can actually pull them off. They'll deliver what's asked, not what's needed. Communication is hard: time zones, cultural barriers, feedback that gets lost. And as soon as they're paid, the project is over for them.
We don't just write code. We understand your business model. We act as a tech partner, not a subcontractor. If we think your idea has a problem, we tell you before writing the first line of code.
- ✕You can't verify whether the code is good quality or maintainable long-term.
- ✕Changes after delivery are often impossible or expensive to get.
- ✕Real-time communication is nearly nonexistent across time zones.
- ✕You won't have a partner who understands your business goals.
The story of the client who tried Lovable first
A client came to us after spending $1,000 in tokens on Lovable, a no-code/AI tool for generating apps. He'd managed to build about 80% of his app: the interface, the main pages, the basic structure.
But the last 20%, the complex features specific to his business, he could never get them working. Those features weren't supported by the tool. He ended up with a shell that looked good but was unusable for his needs.
We took over the project. And we delivered it.
⚠️ No-code tools have limits
Lovable, Bubble, and similar tools are great for quickly validating an idea. But as soon as you have specific needs (custom integrations, complex business logic, performance at scale), you hit the wall fast. And migrating off a no-code tool often costs more than building it right from the start.
How to know if you've found the right partner
I often say choosing a development firm is like choosing a life partner. You'll share frustrations, hard decisions, bad news as much as good news.
Make sure you have a shared vision, similar values, and above all honest communication. Work with people who genuinely care whether your project works, not people who just want to close the contract.
- ✓They ask about your users and your goals before talking about technology.
- ✓They suggest an MVP instead of building everything at once.
- ✓They tell you no when a decision isn't in your interest.
- ✓They can explain their technical choices in simple terms.
- ✓They have client references you can contact directly.
If you want to know what your specific project would cost, we offer a live estimate during a free 30-minute first call. No quote invented in five minutes. A real conversation to understand what you want to build, and give you an honest number.
