How much does an MVP cost in 2026? Budgeting a first version

An MVP is a usable first version for testing your idea. Here is how to limit what you build and prepare a budget, with a fictional workshop-booking example.

The price of an MVP depends on what you want to learn from this first version. It should let a few people complete a useful action and give you feedback. Here is a fictional example with a planned budget of €5,390 over three months, including a breakdown of what it covers.

Choose one thing to test

Imagine a workshop organiser who wants to find out whether participants can book easily online. The first version shows available dates, accepts bookings and sends confirmation. The organiser can find the participants and handle a cancellation.

Customer accounts, online payments and discount codes can wait. Payments continue to be handled as before. This limit should allow the booking process to be tested; if online payment were the idea being tested, it would need to be included instead.

A fictional budget, item by item

All the following figures are assumptions, in euros excluding tax. Suppose a quote allows 8 days at €500: 2 days for design, 4 for construction and 2 for testing. That gives €4,000 for the version described, not a duration applicable to every MVP.

Add €300 for launch and €30 a month for hosting and services over three months, totalling €90. Also allow a fictional reserve of 2 days at €500 to correct what the first trials reveal: €1,000.

The budget reaches €5,390: €4,000 + €300 + €90 + €1,000. The reserve is only spent if that work is needed and approved. The organiser’s time, new features and expenses after three months are not included.

Keep the essential checks

A limited first version must still protect participants’ contact details and prevent inconsistent bookings. Try a full session, a cancellation and an incorrect email address. Also check who can access the participant list.

A page showing the steps without saving bookings serves a different stage. Our guide to prototypes and usable apps helps clarify what you expect the quote to cover.

If you build with AI

You can set a budget for an initial trial, then decide whether to continue after checking it. Include the tool, AI expenses and any outside help. Your preparation and approval time still need to be allowed for.

Maestro is free during its invitation-only Mac beta, with the AI assistant paid separately. Our agent invoices document specific trials; they do not replace the budget for your first version.

Spend to get an answer

Before starting, write down the use to test, the included features and what will wait. Decide how you will collect feedback and when you will choose what comes next. The overall app budget then covers expenses beyond this first trial.