How Much Does it Cost to Build an MVP in 2025

That being said, development of a high-quality MVP does not necessarily have to require large amounts of financial investment. Here are some practical tips to help you save on your MVP development price:

Prioritize Core Features

It is recommended to focus more on the features that are relevant to the primary problem of the target user. For example, if you are creating a food delivery app, features connected with placing an order, tracking the order’s status, or paying for the order are more relevant than the choice of the color of the meal.

Start with a Simple Tech Stack

Selecting a simple technology stack can go hand in hand with cost savings while ensuring almost all the basic features of the solution remain provided. For instance, the use of standard frameworks or developing applications cross-platform applications such as Flutter or React Native will cut down on the time and money. It is also easier to scale or upgrade your technology once your MVP is successful in the market.

Outsource Testing

Freelancers or testing agencies can offer very comprehensive quality assurance compared to the average cost. Crowdtesting platforms provide an opportunity to test your app at affordable prices across multiple devices and conditions. Outsourcing is advantageous in the sense that the quality of the work done is very high, and at the same time, the costs are relatively low.

Some of the most famous startups started with the creation of MVPs, showing that you don’t need to spend much to build a product that will take over the world. Here are a few inspiring examples:

Dropbox

Instead of having the functioning product, Dropbox had a simple explainer video at first. This way, interest was generated in how the platform would function and the idea was proved before development started. By choosing this simple MVP approach, Dropbox was able to acquire the initial customers and attract investors that eventually turned it into the common household name for cloud storage.

Airbnb

Before launching it as a hospitality service, Airbnb began hosting using air mattresses in their apartment for people. The first minimum viable product they provided was an online platform where users could list and rent spaces. This cost-effective strategy proved their concept and laid the foundation for the currently advancing platform, which helps millions of people.

Twitter

At first, Twitter was known as “twttr” and started as an internal communication tool for a podcasting company. The MVP let people write short status updates, and this feature quickly became popular among the team members. Based on the same reaction, the platform was expanded and now it is one of the leaders in the sphere of social networks.

Instagram

Instagram MVP was developed to feature simple photo sharing and basic filters. When it was first released, the app barely had many features; however, it entered popularity very fast due to its basic use. It was this very particular strategy that let founders iterate the service based on people’s responses, which resulted in Instagram’s rapid expansion.

MVP calculation in 2025 involves a strategic approach. Here’s a short step-by-step checklist:

Define the Scope of Your MVP

• Core Features: Identify the most critical features needed to solve your target users’ problem.
• Target Audience: Focus on a specific user segment to limit scope and refine usability.
• Clear Objectives: Align features with measurable goals, such as user acquisition or feedback collection.

Assess Costs by Category

• Development Team:

Options: Freelancers, in-house teams, or outsourcing agencies.

Roles Needed: Developers, designers, and potentially a project manager.

Costs: Rates vary by region:

North America/Western Europe: $50–$150/hour.

Eastern Europe/Asia: $20–$50/hour.

Consider using low-code/no-code platforms to reduce costs.

• Technology Stack:

Hosting, domain registration, and third-party services (e.g., APIs, integrations).

Cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure typically offer free tiers for MVPs.

• Design and User Experience:

UI/UX design software like Figma or Sketch.

Focus on intuitive designs with minimal complexity.

• Testing and Quality Assurance:

Budget for both manual and automated testing.

Consider beta testing tools like TestFlight or TestFairy for feedback.

• Marketing and Launch:

Basic branding (logo, website, and pitch deck).

Small campaigns using social media, email, or paid ads for visibility.

• Legal and Compliance:

Incorporate intellectual property protections, GDPR compliance, or other regulatory needs.

Use templates or affordable legal services like Rocket Lawyer.

Set a Budget Estimate

Typical MVP development cost ranges from $10,000 to $50,000, depending on complexity, team composition, and location.

Break costs into phases:

• Planning: Research, wireframes (~10-15% of the budget).
• Development: Coding, testing (~50-60% of the budget).
• Launch: Marketing, feedback iteration (~25-30% of the budget).

Explore Cost-Saving Strategies

• Use open-source technologies (e.g., React, Python frameworks).
• Leverage free or affordable project management tools (e.g., Trello, Notion).
• Outsource selectively for cost-intensive tasks (e.g., UI/UX design).

Monitor and Adjust

• Use tools like Asana or Jira for progress tracking.
• Allocate a contingency fund (10–15% of the total budget) for unexpected expenses.
• Collect and prioritize user feedback to guide future iterations efficiently.

Secure Funding

• Options include bootstrapping, angel investors, venture capital, or crowdfunding.
• Prepare a compelling pitch with your budget breakdown and growth projections.

Choosing the Right Development Partner

Choosing the right development partner is one of the most crucial decisions you make when budgeting for an MVP. Choosing your partner will affect the quality, time, and how much does MVP cost for you. When making this decision:

• Evaluate Expertise: MVP builders are what you should seek out, this means finding developers or agencies that have worked on similar projects before. For example, if you are developing a fitness application, make sure that your partner has a specialization in health applications.
• Compare Costs: Other cost factors include place and previous knowledge. For instance, hiring developers from zones such as Eastern Europe, South Asia or Latin America can be even cheaper, and the outsourcing partners are usually professionals.
• Check Portfolios and Reviews: Consult previous cases and see the rating of the partner to know he is able to deliver quality work within the agreed time.
• Consider Communication: The use of a good development partner entails working with a partner who is always abreast of the proceedings and keen on observing the budget.

Through proper partnering, an individual or a company can develop a high-quality MVP with the right partner that meets such goals and financial constraints.

Coming up with an MVP is one of the most important steps in bringing your avant-garde app concept to the market. Nonetheless, without budgeting, the process can be difficult to manage because of the following challenges. This is why it is important to understand what it costs to build an MVP.

The MVP cost can therefore vary depending on some key aspects such as the project specifications. For a more detailed evaluation of your needs, one has to consult professionals who will provide the estimate.

At EVNE Developers, we are experts in creating high-quality Minimum Viable Products that can easily be scaled up for the growth of startups. During our detailed discovery phase we will assist you in setting not only the correct MVP price tag but also the proper timeline for your project.

Are you finally ready to realize your idea? Contact us today to discuss your vision with our team of experts.