App Development Timeline: Corporate Setup to Launch

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Created with Fast July 4, 2026 at 11:25 AMPublished July 16, 2026 at 06:13 AM

How long to create a basic free app for both Apple and google once we have the corporation set up?

Once your corporation is officially formed, the timeline to get a basic, free app live on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store splits into two parallel tracks: Administrative Setup and App Development & Approval.

If you build efficiently using cross-platform tools, you can realistically target a timeline of 2 to 3 months from corporate setup to launch.

Here is the realistic breakdown of how that time is spent.

1. Administrative & Developer Account Setup (2 to 4 Weeks)

Before you can submit an app under a corporate entity, Apple and Google require strict business verification. You should start this immediately after incorporating, as it runs parallel to development.

• Step 1: Obtain a D-U-N-S Number (1 to 2 weeks): Both Apple and Google require a Dun & Bradstreet (D-U-N-S) number to verify that your corporation is a legal, valid entity. Registering for one is free, but it takes roughly 5 to 14 business days to clear and sync with Apple/Google databases.

• Step 2: Create Organization Developer Accounts (1 to 2 weeks): * Apple Developer Program: ($99/year). You must enroll as an Organization. Apple will verify your D-U-N-S number and corporate signing authority. This process usually takes a few business days but can involve a verification phone call.

  • Google Play Console: ($25 one-time fee). You will set up an Organization/Business account.

  • Note: Registering as an Organization is highly beneficial for Google Play; it allows you to bypass their strict rule requiring personal accounts to run a mandatory 14-day test with 20 external testers before launching.

2. App Development Timeline (4 to 8 Weeks)

For a "basic" app targeting both platforms, using a cross-platform framework like React Native or Flutter allows a developer to write a single codebase that deploys to both iOS and Android simultaneously.

Phase 1: Blueprint & Design (1 to 2 Weeks)

• Mapping out user flows and creating basic wireframes (the layout of the screens).

  Base44

• Finalizing the visual design and asset creation (app icons, splash screens).

Phase 2: Core Development & Internal Testing (3 to 5 Weeks)

• Building out the core architecture, frontend layouts, and basic data storage or API integrations.

• Testing internally on simulated environments and physical devices using tools like TestFlight (Apple) and Google Play Internal Sharing.

3. App Store Submission & Review (1 to 2 Weeks)

Once the app is built and your corporate accounts are approved, you enter the final launch phase.

• Preparation (2-3 Days): Drafting your App Store privacy policy (required for all apps), creating promotional screenshots, and writing app store descriptions.

• Google Play Review (3 to 7 Days): First-time app submissions for new developer accounts are reviewed thoroughly. Expect roughly a week for approval.

• Apple App Store Review (2 to 5 Days): Apple's review process is notoriously strict regarding guidelines, but it is often faster than Google's initial review, typically clocking in at under a week if no guidelines are violated.

Summary Estimated Timeline

PhaseFocusEstimated TimeTrack AD-U-N-S & Corporate Dev Accounts2–4 Weeks (Parallel)Track BDesign & Coding (Cross-platform MVP)4–8 WeeksTrack CApp Store Review & Deployment1–2 WeeksTotalFrom Concept to App Stores6 to 10 Weeks

Tips to Keep the Timeline Short:

• Keep Features Minimal: Build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Stick strictly to the core utility of the app and avoid "feature creep."

• Use Native-Like UI Kits: Avoid spending weeks designing custom UI components from scratch; use pre-built widget libraries to accelerate layout development.

Are you planning to handle the development yourself using cross-platform tools, or will you be managing an outside developer/team to build the codebase?

Does Apple and Google charges to sell the apps when we are selling them for free during the initial evaluation stages?

No, neither Apple nor Google will charge you any percentage, commission, or transaction fees to distribute your app while it is listed as free.

You can run your evaluation or pilot stage for as long as you want without paying a dime based on user downloads. Roughly 97% of the apps on the Google Play Store operate completely free of platform commissions for this exact reason.

Google Help

The only financial obligations you have during this stage are the fixed, annual entry fees to keep your corporate developer accounts active:

• Apple: $99 per year (Corporate Developer Membership).

  Apple Developer

• Google: $25 one-time fee (Play Console Account).

  Medium

What Happens When You Move Past the Free Evaluation?

When you eventually decide to monetize the app, Apple and Google only take a cut if money passes directly through their App Store billing systems.

Because your corporation will be starting out new, you will qualify for both platforms' Small Business Programs, which drastically cut the standard 30% fee in half.

Adapty

If You Monetize Via...Platform Fee (Small Business Tier)How It WorksPaid App Download15%Charging a flat price to download the app from the store.In-App Digital Purchases15%Selling digital features, premium access, or data inside the app.In-App Subscriptions10% to 15%Monthly/annual recurring revenue processed through the App Store.Physical Goods or B2B Invoicing0%No fee. If users are paying for physical services, or if you invoice companies externally (B2B check, credit card swiper, Stripe invoice), Apple and Google take nothing.

The $1M Threshold: The 15% small business rate automatically applies to your corporation until your app crosses $1 million USD in annual revenue on that specific platform. If you cross that threshold, the fee scales up to the standard 30% for earnings over the million-dollar mark.

Appbot

A Quick Tip for Your Evaluation Stage:

While your app is free, make sure you do not include any locked "premium" sections or broken payment buttons in the build you submit for review. Apple's review team will test every screen, and if they see a feature that looks like it should cost money but doesn't work, they may reject the build for a broken user experience. Keep the evaluation app 100% unlocked and functional as a free tool to ensure a smooth, rapid approval.