Let’s start with an honest question. You’ve launched a mobile app. It works. Users are downloading it. Now what?
This is where most businesses get uncomfortable. Because the real cost of an app doesn’t end at launch — it begins there.
In 2026, mobile app maintenance is no longer a “nice-to-have” expense. It’s a recurring business decision. Since mobile app maintenance costs affect your app ratings, user retention, and how long it stays relevant in the market.
But how much does it cost to maintain an app, where will the budget go in the name of maintenance, is it same for every year all such questions often hinder you to take the decision.
Stay with us and by the end of this blog, you’ll know what you should budget, why those numbers exist, and how to plan maintenance without burning money.
What Gets Cover in “Cost of App Maintenance”
Maintenance isn’t just about fixing bugs when something breaks.
In 2026, maintenance covers everything that keeps your app usable, compliant, and trusted — even when users don’t see it happening.
That includes:
- Smooth working of new updates
- Fixing the performance issues
- Updating third-party APIs and SDKs
- Handling security patches
- Monitoring uptime and errors
- Making small but continuous improvements
If you want predictable performance, fewer emergency fixes, and stable user experience, you plan maintenance upfront — not after things go wrong.
This is exactly why you should request maintenance quotes before approving development budgets.
Quick Clarity on Standard Mobile App Maintenance Cost
Most mobile app development company teams follow a simple rule:
Annual maintenance costs usually fall between 15% and 20% of the original app development cost.
And these are not just some random guess numbers but come from real data of post launch research of various industries on how much does it cost to maintain an app.
While the percentage gives some clarity but is not responsible for the final amount alone. The final number depends on what kind of app you’re maintaining and how fast you are expecting it to grow.
Let us break it down properly to how much does it cost to update an app by its type.
| App Type | Typical Development Cost | Annual Maintenance % | Expected Yearly Budget |
| Simple app (single platform, basic features) | $10,000 | ~15% | $1,500 |
| Small business app (payments, login, CMS) | $40,000–$60,000 | 15–20% | $6,000–$12,000 |
| Medium app (iOS + Android, backend, APIs) | $120,000–$180,000 | 18–25% | $22,000–$45,000 |
| Complex app (marketplace, real-time, AI-driven) | $300,000+ | 20–30% | $60,000–$90,000+ |
Where Your Maintenance Budget Actually Goes
Many decision-makers ask, “Why does mobile app maintenance cost this much every year?” Here’s the real allocation.
| Cost Area | What You’re Paying For | Cost Impact |
| Platform updates | OS upgrades, device compatibility | Recurring |
| Bug fixing & support | Crash fixes, issue resolution | Ongoing |
| Server & hosting | Cloud services, databases, backups | Monthly |
| Security updates | Security and compliance fixes | Mandatory |
| Third-party services | Payment gateways, analytics tools | Variable |
| Monitoring & reporting | Error logs, performance tracking | Preventive |
| Minor enhancements | UX tweaks, small feature updates | Planned |
Before you outsource your mobile app maintenance and support services it is important you get such detailed plan for better visibility of the budget allocation.
Monthly Infrastructure Costs You Should Expect
Maintenance cost for mobile infrastructure is often considered a provision item, which rather should be seen as a monthly expense. Even the small apps must be allocated a budget at the planning stage for the maintenance part of it. But how much? Here is an estimated figure of how much does it cost to keep an app running on a monthly basis.
| Infrastructure Item | Typical Monthly Cost |
| Cloud hosting & backend | $80 – $300 |
| Push notifications | $10 – $50 |
| Monitoring & error tracking | $20 – $80 |
| Backups & recovery | $10 – $40 |
If you’re reviewing budgets, this is where silent overspending often hides.
First year vs Long-Term Maintenance Costs
This part is critical and often missed in planning discussions.
| Timeline | What Happens | Budget Reality |
| First 6–12 months | Stabilization, bug fixes, early improvements | Higher spend |
| Year 2 onward | Predictable updates, controlled improvements | More stable |
It’s common for the first year’s cost to maintain an app to be noticeably higher because:
- Real users expose real issues
- Analytics start driving changes
- App store feedback needs action
If you’re approving budgets now, plan extra room for the first year instead of reacting later.
Common Pricing Models of App Maintenance Cost in India
When you ask for a maintenance pricing model on how much does it cost to keep an app running, make sure you get different models, as not a single cost model can be suitable for different types of apps. For an idea here are some models you can look out for:
Fixed annual percentage
Simple, predictable, and easy to approve.
Monthly retainer + extra hours
Best if you want flexibility without surprises.
On-demand hourly support
Works for very small apps, risky for growing ones.
Managed maintenance package
Fixed scope, fixed cost, clear SLAs.
If uptime, response time, and accountability matter, a retainer or managed plan is usually the safer choice.
Smart Ways to Control App Maintenance Costs
Post knowing how much does app maintenance cost, a lot of business owners, especially the ones in their prior stage, want to know some tips to save on the maintenance cost. On that note, we recommend that you don’t reduce maintenance costs by skipping it but reduce it by planning better.
- Prioritize fixes based on user impact
- Schedule quarterly updates instead of random changes
- Automate testing where possible
- Keep third-party tools limited and documented
- Review maintenance reports monthly
These steps help you stay in control instead of reacting under pressure.
Final Recommendation
Mobile app maintenance in 2026 isn’t about keeping the lights on. It’s about protecting your investment.
When you budget correctly on how much does it cost to maintain an app, you stay ahead of the competition in the market, users stay happy and satisfied, and your app keeps growing.
So while you are making the blueprint for your mobile app cost allocation, it’s advisable to get a team on budget for mobile app maintenance as well, as it may save you from other huge costs which occur due to overseeing the mobile app maintenance cost.