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MVP Development Pricing

What an MVP costs with Digital Royalty -- scoping approach, pricing factors, and how to keep your first version focused and affordable.

How Pricing Works

MVP development is priced on a project basis, scoped to deliver the smallest product that validates your core hypothesis. We do not aim to build the cheapest possible thing. We build the right first version, the one that proves the concept and gives you data to decide what comes next.

Every MVP gets a scoping phase before development begins. This phase defines what is in the first version, what is deferred to later, and why. The output is a detailed estimate with line-item costs, and it sits alongside the rest of our work on the pricing overview.

What Is Included

A typical MVP engagement includes:

  • Scoping and prioritisation: defining what must be in version one and what can wait
  • Core feature development: the essential functionality that validates the concept
  • User authentication: login, registration, and basic account management
  • Data model design: database architecture that supports future expansion
  • API architecture: structured backend that can grow without rewriting
  • Basic UI/UX: functional and clean, not polished to perfection
  • Deployment setup: hosting, CI/CD, and monitoring for production
  • Client Dashboard access: project tracking and communication through the Client Dashboard

What Affects the Price

  • Feature scope: the more features in version one, the higher the cost. Rigorous scoping keeps this focused
  • Technical complexity: payment processing, AI features, or multi-platform delivery (web plus mobile) increase the build
  • Integration requirements: connecting to external APIs or existing systems adds development time
  • Data complexity: complex data relationships and reporting increase the backend work
  • Authentication model: basic login is simple; multi-tenant access control is not
  • Design maturity: if you have a brand guide and wireframes, design costs are lower

What Is Not Included

  • Post-MVP development: the next phase of features after launch is scoped separately, including SaaS product work
  • Market research: validating whether the idea has a market is your responsibility before development begins
  • Content creation: onboarding copy, help documentation, and marketing content
  • Ongoing hosting: hosting costs are arranged but billed separately
  • Support and maintenance: post-launch support is available through a support retainer

Next Steps

The best MVPs start with a clear problem statement and a defined user. If you have that, we can scope the build quickly. If you are still exploring, we can help you narrow the focus before committing to development. Get in touch to start the conversation.

Scope Your MVP

Get in touch to discuss your product concept and get a scoping estimate.

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