How Long Does It Take to Build an App?
By CodexierPublished 4 min read
'How long will it take?' is the second question everyone asks about an app, right after the price. The honest answer is that a focused first version of a business app usually takes a few months from agreed scope to live in the stores, and that the timeline is decided more by preparation and decisions than by coding speed. This guide breaks the timeline into phases, gives typical ranges for each, and lists the things that add weeks without anyone noticing until it is too late.
Design and prototype
Design starts with the flows: which screens exist, how users move between them, and what happens when something goes wrong. A clickable prototype lets you test the flows with real users before anything is built. It is the cheapest phase in which to change your mind, which is why it pays to spend time here. Our guide on going from app idea to clickable prototype covers the steps.
Build in iterations
The build phase is usually split into short iterations of one or two weeks, each ending with something you can install and try on your own phone. That rhythm matters for the timeline: problems show up early, and you can reprioritise before the budget is spent.
| Phase | Typical length | What you do as the client |
|---|---|---|
| Scope and design | 2–4 weeks | Decide features, review flows, test the prototype |
| Backend and integrations | 3–6 weeks, parallel with app build | Provide access to systems and test accounts |
| App build | 6–12 weeks | Test each iteration, give feedback within days |
| Testing on devices | 1–3 weeks, overlapping | Test on your own phones, report bugs |
| Store review and release | 1–2 weeks | Approve texts, screenshots and privacy labels |
Typical ranges for a focused first version built cross-platform. Larger apps, more integrations or native builds for each platform take longer.
Testing on real devices
Simulators are good for development but miss what real phones do: slow networks, older Android models with less memory, permission dialogs, push notifications, and screen sizes nobody designed for. Plan for a test round on real devices with real users before release, through TestFlight for iPhone and a test track in Google Play.
- At least one older, cheaper Android phone and one recent iPhone.
- Testing on mobile data, not just office Wi-Fi.
- The full flow for a new user, from install to first real use.
- Login, payment and BankID flows with real test accounts, not mocks.
Store review and release
Apple's review usually takes a day or a few days, but the first submission of a new app often gets questions, especially about login, payments, privacy labels and account deletion. Google Play has its own requirements: new personal developer accounts must run a closed test with a group of testers for a couple of weeks before they can publish to production. Company accounts avoid that step but need verification. Our app store review guide lists the common rejection reasons.
What adds weeks
Store accounts
Apple's organisation enrolment requires a D-U-N-S number for your company. If you do not have one, it can take a week or two to get. Start on day one.
BankID and payments
BankID needs an agreement through your bank or a broker, and Swish or card payments need merchant agreements. Contracts often take longer than the code.
Integrations
Connecting to your booking, CRM or ERP system depends on API access, documentation and the supplier's response time.
Late content and decisions
Texts, images, terms and open questions about features stall the team. A decision-maker with time is worth weeks.
The fastest way to shorten a timeline is to build less in the first version. Launch with the core flow, learn from real users, then add. Our cross-platform MVP app is built around that principle, and the price is on our pricing page. When you do not need an app at all: if your users only need information or a booking form, a mobile-friendly website is faster and cheaper to launch. Book a call and we will tell you which fits your case.
Frequently asked questions
Can an app be built in a few weeks?
A very small app with one core flow and no integrations can be. Most business apps with login, backend and store release need a few months.
Is cross-platform faster than building native apps?
Usually, since one codebase serves both iPhone and Android. The time saving is largest for business apps without heavy use of device-specific features.
What can I prepare before development starts?
Create the Apple and Google developer accounts, apply for a D-U-N-S number, start BankID and payment agreements, and collect texts and images.
Does the timeline include updates after launch?
No. Plan for a period of fixes and small improvements after release, and for ongoing maintenance as iOS and Android change.
Want a realistic timeline for your app?
Book 15 minutes. Describe the app, and we will outline the phases, what you can prepare now and a rough timeline for the first version.
Book a free 15-minute call