How Much Does an MVP Cost in 2026? Complete Pricing Guide

The Real Range

Let's start with honest numbers. Most MVPs cost between €15,000 and €60,000. You'll find cheaper options and much more expensive ones, but that range covers the majority of legitimate projects.

Below €15K, you're usually looking at offshore teams with communication challenges, agencies that will cut corners, or freelancers who aren't accounting for all the work involved.

Above €60K for an MVP, you're probably building more than an MVP, or paying premium agency rates that may or may not be worth it.

Here's what we typically see:

These are fixed-price ranges for teams that know what they're doing. Hourly billing can vary wildly based on efficiency.

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What Drives Cost

It's not always what you'd expect.

Things that increase cost significantly:

Things that DON'T increase cost as much as expected:

Things that absolutely kill budgets:

Scope changes mid-project. A "small tweak" to a core feature can cascade into days of rework. The best way to stay on budget is to finalize requirements before development starts—and resist the urge to add "just one more thing."

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Typical Budgets by Type

Let me break down what you actually get at different price points.

€15-25K: Simple Web Application

Think: a landing page with a waitlist, a basic directory, a single-purpose tool.

You get:

• Responsive web app
• User accounts
• Core functionality (one main thing)
• Basic admin panel
• Cloud hosting setup

You don't get:

• Native mobile apps
• Complex integrations
• Custom design from scratch
• Multiple user roles

€25-40K: SaaS MVP

Think: a subscription product with real business logic.

You get:

• Everything above, plus
• Subscription billing (Stripe)
• Multiple user roles
• More complex workflows
• Better design
• Basic email automation

€40-60K: Complex MVP

Think: marketplaces, platforms with multiple user types, apps with real-time features.

You get:

• Two-sided systems
• More sophisticated UX
• Multiple integrations
• Mobile app OR advanced web features
• Proper documentation and handoff

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Hidden Costs

Budget for these, because they will happen:

The first three months after launch often cost 15-20% of the original build. Plan for it.

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Getting the Most for Your Money

Start with web only. Mobile can wait until you've validated the concept. A responsive web app works on phones anyway.

Use existing UI libraries. Custom design is expensive. Tailwind + a component library gets you 80% of the way there for a fraction of the cost.

Be ruthless about scope. Every feature has hidden complexity. If you can launch without it, don't build it.

Choose the right partner. The cheapest quote is almost never the best value. Look for teams with relevant experience and good communication.

Fixed-price contracts. Hourly billing creates weird incentives. A fixed price forces clarity upfront and protects both sides.

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What we charge

At The Ordinary Company, most MVPs land between €15K and €40K. We do fixed-price quotes after an initial scoping call (free, 20-30 minutes).

We're not the cheapest option. We're also not the most expensive. Our clients tend to be founders who've already tried cheaper options and learned that "cheap" ends up expensive.

Book a call if you want honest feedback on your project budget—even if you end up working with someone else.