Short answer:Maintenance of an app usually costs 15–25 percent of the construction cost per year. If you built the app for SEK 400,000, the maintenance is therefore around SEK 60,000–100,000 a year. It covers updates, security, bug fixes, servers and support.
Why does an app need maintenance at all?
Many people think that an app is like a piece of furniture: you buy it once and then it sits there. In reality, an app is more like a car. It needs service, otherwise things start to go wrong. The reason is simple: the app does not live alone. It is dependent onthe phonesit runs on,the operating systems(iOS and Android) and often aserverin the background. All those parts change all the time.
Apple and Google release new versions of their operating systems every year. If you do nothing, your app may stop working, start looking weird, or even be removed from the store. Maintenance is therefore not about luxury – it is about the app continuing to function.
What does the money go to?
The maintenance cost is not a single thing but several items. Here are the most common:
Operating System Updates:As iOS and Android come in new versions, the app must be tested and often tweaked so that it continues to work.
Bug fixes:Errors that appear in real use need to be corrected. No app is completely flawless at launch.
Security:Security holes are continuously discovered in the building blocks (so-called libraries) from which the app is built. They need to be plugged.
Servers and Operation:If the app saves data or has a login, there is a server that costs money every month.
Store Fees:Apple charges $99 per year for developer account, Google $25 one time.
Support:Users get in touch with questions and problems. Someone needs to answer.
How much does it cost in kroner?
It all depends on how big and advanced the app is. Here are realistic ranges for a Swedish app in 2026:
Simple app(e.g. an information or booking app): construction cost SEK 150,000–300,000, maintenance around SEK 25,000–60,000 per year.
Medium sized app(login, data, integrations): construction cost SEK 400,000–800,000, maintenance around SEK 70,000–160,000 per year.
Advanced app(real time, payments, many functions): construction cost SEK 1 million+, maintenance often SEK 200,000 and up per year.
The 15-25 percent rule of thumb is correct for most apps. The more the app does and the more people it uses, the higher the percentage.
Ongoing operation versus major updates
It is good to distinguish between two things. One isongoing maintenance- what is required just to keep the app alive: security, bug fixes, OS customizations. The other isfurther development- new features you want to add to make the app better. The first is a cost you cannot opt out of. The second is an investment you manage yourself.
Many people confuse the two and are surprised by the bill. Our advice: budget them separately. Then you clearly see what is "keeping going" and what is "growing".
What happens if maintenance is neglected?
In the short term: nothing noticeable. In the long term, it will be expensive. The app lags, security holes pile up and one day it no longer works on the latest phones. Then you face a significantly more expensive rescue job than if you had maintained continuously. In the worst case, the app has to be rebuilt from scratch.
Think of it like your teeth: regular dental care is cheaper than a root canal.
This is how you plan the budget
Set aside an annual potright from the start - count on at least 20 percent of the construction cost.
Ask for a clear maintenance agreementwhich describes what is included: number of hours, response times, what happens in case of emergency errors.
Distinguish between operation and new developmentin the budget.
Track usage.An app that gets used a lot needs more love than one that sits still.
We help you keep the app alive
At ZORC, we build apps for iOS and Android - but we don't leave them to the wind after launch. We set up clear maintenance agreements where you know exactly what you are paying for, without hidden costs. Then you can focus on your business while we make sure the app is secure, up-to-date and works on the latest phones.
Are you thinking about what it would cost to maintain your particular app?Get in touch with ZORC and we'll go through it together - concretely and without fluff.
