What's the real cost to build an app with AI?
Quick Answer
A basic MVP can cost $0-500 using AI tools. Production apps with users typically run $50-500/month for hosting, plus tool subscriptions of $20-100/month.
Full Explanation
The cost breakdown for AI-built apps typically looks like this:
Tools and subscriptions: Lovable, Bolt, and similar tools range from free tiers (limited usage) to $20-100/month for serious building. You'll likely use multiple tools-a code generation tool, a database like Supabase ($25/month for pro), and possibly design tools.
Hosting and infrastructure: Vercel and Netlify offer free tiers that handle most MVPs. Once you have real users, expect $20-100/month. Databases, authentication services, and file storage add more-budget $50-200/month for a small production app.
Domain and extras: Domains cost $10-50/year. Email services, analytics, and monitoring tools add up-maybe $30-50/month total.
Professional help: When you hit walls, hiring someone on Upwork for a few hours ($50-200) can save days of frustration. Budget for this.
Realistic total: Building an MVP might cost nothing but your time. Running a production app with a few hundred users costs $100-300/month. These costs are dramatically lower than traditional development, where a basic MVP might cost $20,000-50,000.
Related Questions
How much does hosting cost?
Free to $100/month for most apps. Vercel and Netlify offer free tiers that handle MVPs. Costs scale with traffic-budget $20-50/month for apps with real users.
Should I build or buy?
Buy (use existing solutions) when speed matters and your needs are standard. Build when you need differentiation or existing tools don't fit. Most projects are a hybrid.
What's an MVP and why does it matter?
MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is the simplest version of your app that lets you test your core idea with real users. It matters because building the wrong thing is the biggest startup risk.
Get Hands-On Answers at Buildday Melbourne
Stop reading about building apps and start actually building. Join our one-day workshop and get your questions answered while creating something real.
Related Questions
How much does hosting cost?
Free to $100/month for most apps. Vercel and Netlify offer free tiers that handle MVPs. Costs scale with traffic-budget...
Should I build or buy?
Buy (use existing solutions) when speed matters and your needs are standard. Build when you need differentiation or...
What's an MVP and why does it matter?
MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is the simplest version of your app that lets you test your core idea with real users. It...
Do VCs fund non-technical founders?
Yes, but it's harder. VCs care most about traction, market insight, and your ability to execute. Having a technical...
How do I validate my app idea before building?
Talk to potential users, build a landing page to gauge interest, and create the simplest possible version to test the...
Do I need a technical co-founder?
Not necessarily, especially early on. AI tools let you build and validate without one. But as you scale, having...