Guides

Do you need an app or a website?

Most businesses need a website first. Here is how to tell when an app is worth it, and what each one costs.

Do you need an app or a website?

Many founders start by asking for an app. Often a website, or a web app, does the job faster and for less. This guide helps you decide.

What each one costs

  • Business website: from $5,000 (₹1.2L), about 3 to 4 weeks.

  • Web app or SaaS MVP: from $12,000 (₹4L), about 6 to 10 weeks.

  • Mobile app MVP: from $15,000 (₹5L), about 8 to 12 weeks.

Start with a website if

  • People need to find you, learn about you and contact you.

  • You sell services, bookings or a small number of products.

  • Your customers visit once or occasionally.

A website works on every device, is found on Google, and needs no download. For most businesses it is the right first step.

Build a web app if

  • Users need to log in and do something, such as manage bookings, track orders or use a tool.

  • You want to test a product idea with real users quickly.

  • Your users mostly work on laptops, or you want one product for every device.

A web app runs in the browser, so there are no app store reviews and you can update it any time.

Build a mobile app if

  • People will use it often, ideally every day or every week.

  • It needs phone features, such as the camera, location or notifications.

  • Being on the home screen is part of the value.

Mobile apps cost more, take longer, and depend on Apple and Google approving them. They also have developer account fees for each store, paid by you.

A common path

  1. Launch a website or landing page to explain the idea and collect signups.

  2. Build a web app MVP to test it with real users.

  3. Build a mobile app once people use it often enough to want one.

Each step uses what you learned in the last, so you spend money on proven demand.

Questions people ask

Can one app work on iPhone and Android?

Yes. Our mobile MVP is one cross-platform app, submitted to both stores.

Do I own the code?

Yes, all of it, once the project is paid in full.

Not sure which you need? See the startup setup, or send a brief and we will tell you honestly in the quote.

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