How Much Does It Cost to Build an MVP?
The honest answer is “it depends” — but it depends on a short list of things you can control. This guide explains what drives MVP cost, how we price projects at Cofiato, and how to get the most product for your budget.
What drives the cost
- Number of platforms — web only, mobile only, or web + iOS + Android + admin
- Number of user roles — a two-sided marketplace is roughly two products
- Integrations — payments, maps, EHRs, CRMs, and third-party APIs
- AI features — model choice, data preparation, and evaluation
- Compliance and security requirements
- How settled the scope is before the build starts
Typical ranges
These are the ranges we see for Cofiato projects. Your fixed quote comes after a short discovery phase.
| Product type | Typical timeline | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Focused web MVP (one user type, core flow) | 6–8 weeks | From $25K |
| Web + mobile MVP with admin panel | 8–12 weeks | $50K–$100K |
| Marketplace or multi-role platform | 3–4 months | $75K–$150K |
| Complex platform (AI, integrations, compliance) | 3–6 months | $100K+ |
How to spend less and learn more
- Pick one user and one job for the first release
- Use off-the-shelf services for auth, payments, and email
- Build the admin panel as simple as your team can tolerate
- Ship to a small group first, then scale what works
- Tie payments to milestones so you can pause or pivot
How Cofiato prices projects
Projects start at $25K. After discovery we give a fixed quote split into milestones. You see working software every week and approve each milestone before the next begins — no hourly surprises and no lock-in.
Examples from our work
A home-services booking platform that moved 100–200 daily cleaning bookings off Google Sheets, with automated staff assignment, scheduling and payouts.
Case study ↗SlingshotAn AI recruiting platform built for marketing roles that helps companies close positions in about a week — versus the typical 2–4.
Questions
How much does an MVP cost?
At Cofiato, focused MVPs start at $25K. A web and mobile MVP with an admin panel usually lands between $50K and $100K. You get a fixed quote after discovery.
How long does it take to build an MVP?
Most MVPs take 8–12 weeks. Complex platforms take 3–6 months.
Is a fixed price or hourly better for an MVP?
A fixed, milestone-based price protects your budget and forces clear scope decisions. Hourly works for open-ended, ongoing work after launch.
How we can help
Plan, design, build, and launch your web, mobile, or AI product with one team. MVPs in 8–12 weeks, fixed quote after discovery.
Service ↗Product strategyTurn a product idea into a clear, buildable plan. Cofiato defines users, priorities, and MVP scope before development begins.
Let's build.
Tell us what you are building. We reply within one business day with next steps — or book a 15-minute call.