App Development Cost in Manila (2026)
Quick Answer
Partially verifiedIn Manila, app development is usually priced either by the hour or as a fixed project fee. A realistic market estimate is about PHP 800 to PHP 2,500 per hour for freelance or small-agency work, while a basic business app often lands around PHP 150,000 to PHP 800,000 and more complex custom apps can run into the millions. Exact public pricing from Manila providers is uncommon, so most figures below are clearly labelled estimates, with official sources used for industry context and tax/regulatory references.
Overview
App development costs in Manila vary widely because most providers quote only after scoping the app’s features, platforms and back-end requirements. In practice, buyers are usually choosing between freelancers, small local studios and larger software agencies. Freelancers and lean agencies can be more affordable for MVPs, internal tools or simple booking, catalogue and form-based apps, while larger teams are typically used for e-commerce, fintech, logistics, healthcare or apps needing UI/UX design, QA, DevOps and ongoing maintenance. For a Manila-based project, the main cost drivers are whether you need iOS, Android or both, whether the app is built natively or with a cross-platform stack, how much custom design is involved, and whether there is server-side development such as APIs, admin dashboards, payments or user authentication. Ongoing costs also matter: hosting, app store fees, bug fixes, maintenance retainers and feature updates are usually billed separately from the initial build. Because many Philippine software firms do not publish standard card rates, the most useful way to budget is by range. A simple app prototype or MVP may be in the low six figures in PHP, whereas a polished commercial app with integrations and support can move into high six or seven figures. VAT may apply if the supplier is VAT-registered, and imported third-party tools may add foreign-currency costs.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Freelance / small-team app development rate(per hour) Estimated range based on typical Manila and wider Philippine software contracting rates for mobile app work, adjusted for local market positioning between freelancers and smaller agencies. Estimated range | ~PHP 800 – PHP 2,500 | Estimated range |
| Small business app or MVP(per project) Estimated range for a basic to moderate custom mobile app in Manila, such as booking, catalogue, loyalty, forms or internal workflow apps with limited integrations. Estimated range | ~PHP 150,000 – PHP 800,000 | Estimated range |
| Mid-complexity custom app(per project) Estimated range for apps needing custom UI/UX, back-end APIs, admin panel, user accounts, payments, maps, chat or multiple integrations. Estimated range | ~PHP 800,000 – PHP 2,500,000 | Estimated range |
| Ongoing maintenance and support(per month) Estimated Manila market range for post-launch support, bug fixing, small updates, monitoring and compatibility maintenance; larger apps can exceed this. Estimated range | ~PHP 10,000 – PHP 80,000 | Estimated range |
| Philippine VAT on software services if charged by a VAT-registered supplier(percent) VAT may be added on top of quoted development fees where applicable. Estimated range | ~PHP 12 – PHP 12 | Estimated range |
| Google Play developer registration fee(one-time fee in USD equivalent) Official fee is charged by Google in USD, not PHP; peso cost depends on exchange rate and card charges. Verified from source | PHP 25 – PHP 25 | Verified from source |
What’s Typically Included
- Project scoping and wireframes
- UI/UX design
- Mobile app development
- Basic testing and bug fixing before launch
- Deployment assistance to app stores
Common Jobs & Typical Prices
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Regulator / licensing: Department of Information and Communications Technology (industry context) / Securities and Exchange Commission for company registration
Variants & Configurations
Duration
A simple MVP may take around 6 to 12 weeks; more complex custom apps often take 3 to 6 months or longer.
How Fees Work
Usually quoted either as an hourly rate, a fixed-price project based on scope, or a phased contract covering discovery, design, development, testing and post-launch support. Maintenance is often a separate monthly retainer.
Factors Affecting Price
- Number of platforms: Android only is usually cheaper than separate iOS and Android builds
- Build approach: cross-platform frameworks can reduce cost versus fully native apps
- Feature complexity: logins, payments, maps, chat, offline mode and admin dashboards raise cost
- Back-end and integrations: APIs, CRMs, ERPs, payment gateways and analytics add development time
- Design and QA depth: custom UI/UX, testing across devices and security hardening increase budget
Local Context
In Manila, software work is commonly quoted as a bespoke professional service rather than a published menu price. Quotes may be exclusive of 12% VAT, so businesses should confirm whether tax is included. Imported cloud tools, SMS services, maps, analytics and app-store-related charges may be billed in USD and converted to PHP, creating exchange-rate exposure. Tipping is not a normal part of B2B software procurement; instead, contracts usually focus on milestones, change requests and support terms.
Some figures here are still being verified.
Where a verified figure isn’t available yet, we say so rather than guess. For the most current pricing, check the official source below.
Figures are shown in PHP unless otherwise noted. Some related platform fees, such as Google Play, are officially charged in USD and should be converted at the current exchange rate.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- Google Play Console Help - Developer account fees · official
Official one-time Google Play developer registration fee of USD 25.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a simple app cost in Manila?+
A simple business app or MVP in Manila often starts around PHP 150,000 and can reach PHP 800,000 depending on screens, design quality and whether a back-end is needed.
Do Manila app developers charge hourly or fixed fees?+
Both are common. Freelancers and some agencies may charge hourly, while many custom software firms prefer fixed project pricing after a discovery phase.
Is Android development cheaper than building for both iPhone and Android?+
Yes, usually. Building for one platform reduces design, testing and deployment work, although a cross-platform framework can narrow the cost gap.
Are app store fees included in development quotes?+
Not always. Google Play and Apple developer account fees, hosting, SMS, maps, payment gateway charges and third-party subscriptions are often billed separately.
Will VAT be added to the quote?+
It can be. If the provider is VAT-registered in the Philippines, 12% VAT may be added to the professional fee.
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