What You’re Actually Paying For
The app itself is usually just the front end. The real work, the “thinking,” happens in the backend, and that is what hosting covers:
A secure, high-performing, and scalable database
APIs connecting your app to the backend
Admin panels for your team to manage content and users
AI or large language model inference, where your app uses it
Reporting, analytics, and content storage
Third-party integrations - payments, notifications, and more
The good news: cost-effective cloud hosting now delivers world-class security, backup, performance, and scalability - the days of running everything off a server in the corner of the office are over. We typically build on Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud (including Firebase for early MVPs), or Microsoft Azure, and increasingly favour Supabase as a flexible, Postgres-backed alternative. If you already have hosting infrastructure, we’ll work with it rather than force a migration.
Hosting Bands (Monthly, Incl. 10% Services Uplift)
Hosting cost is driven by monthly active users, not a flat fee. As your user base grows, so does data volume, traffic, and the infrastructure needed to serve it reliably - think of hosting cost as a “good cost” that rises with your app’s success. Figures include a 10% uplift for ancillary platforms that are typically required for monitoring, email, SMS and push notifications. It excludes some costs that might be applicable such as AI token costs.
| MAU band | Monthly hosting |
|---|---|
| Up to 1k MAU | |
| 1k–10k MAU | $220/mo |
| 10k–50k MAU | $495/mo |
| 50k–200k MAU | $1,210/mo |
| 200k–1M MAU | $3,025/mo |
| Over 1M MAU | Contact us for enterprise hosting |
When it comes to publishing on the app stores, clients typically host on our developer account at no extra cost - you’re welcome to set up your own account instead if you’d prefer. Want a number tailored to your own projected users? Use the free app cost calculator.
The Maintenance & Enhancements Retainer
Once your app is live, a monthly retainer keeps it running smoothly: maintenance, bug fixes, security patches, dependency updates, and minor enhancements. It does not cover new features or major redesigns - those are scoped and quoted separately as a project or hourly engagement.
Monthly Retainer
Annual Total
~20 hours a month, at our standard managed developer rate - enough to keep a typical app healthy without a full-time hire. Need a bigger block of ongoing capacity? Get a tailored quote with ChatStack.
More on App Pricing
Prices for Popular Apps
Real, itemised MVP cost estimates for apps like Uber, Airbnb, and Spotify.
Free Online App Cost Calculator
Year 0–5 total cost: MVP build, hosting by MAU, and maintenance retainer. No sign-up.
Pricing Options
How we structure engagements, from fixed-price MVPs to ongoing retainers.
Hosting & Maintenance FAQs
What's actually included in hosting?
Nearly every app needs a database, APIs, an admin panel, reporting, content storage, and often AI or LLM inference and third-party integrations. The app itself is usually just the front end - the real work happens in the backend, and that's what hosting pays for.
Which cloud providers do you use?
Typically Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud (including Firebase for early MVPs), or Microsoft Azure, plus Supabase where a flexible Postgres backend fits well. Every app is different, and we're comfortable integrating with an existing hosting setup if you already have one.
Do I need to set up my own hosting account?
No - our clients typically host on our account at no extra cost, and we manage the infrastructure for you. You're welcome to set up your own account instead if you'd prefer to hold that relationship directly.
What does the maintenance retainer cover?
The retainer is $1,500/month (~20 hours) for maintenance, bug fixes, security patches, dependency updates, and minor enhancements - $18,000 per year. Complex apps requiring major changes or pivots to ensure ongoing product-market fit will require a larger retainer, or changes can be estimated on an individual basis.
How do I estimate my own hosting and maintenance costs?
Use the app cost calculator - pick an app type, enter your projected users for Years 1–5, and see the full Year 0–5 breakdown of build, hosting, and retainer costs based on the bands below.