Shippable Studio

How to build mobile apps cheap and fast: A practical guide

In 2026, building mobile apps is more accessible than ever before. With a modest budget and the right toolset, you can publish to the App Store (or Google Play), experiment with paywalls, and iterate rapidly.

Here is my recommended setup, explaining why each component matters and where you can cut costs.

  1. Apple Developer license
  2. Keyword research with Astro
  3. Expo for cross-platform apps
  4. Cursor for speed
  5. Monetization: Superwall vs RevenueCat
  6. One domain for all apps
  7. Pro tip: App Store Small Business Program
  8. Wrap up

Apple Developer license ($99/year)

If you intend to ship on iOS, this is non-negotiable. Although the Android license is significantly cheaper, iOS users are generally more inclined to pay for apps.

Note: The $99/year fee is for the US market and may vary by region. Enroll here: Apple Developer Program.

Apple Developer Program

Keyword research with Astro ($108/year)

While many ASO tools are pricey ($49-$150+/month), Astro offers a budget-friendly alternative that gets the job done. It tracks difficulty, search volume, and competitors effectively.

Best used for:

  • Validating ideas pre-build
  • Monitoring post-release rankings
  • Tracking competitors

Astro keyword research

Expo (Free tier)

For React Native development, Expo is the way to go. It simplifies the process significantly. I prefer React Native with Expo because it minimizes the learning curve for web developers, eliminating the immediate need for Swift or Kotlin/Java.

The free tier is sufficient. If you exceed the EAS build limits, you can always build and submit iOS apps locally using Xcode.

Expo website

Cursor for speed ($20/mo)

Leverage Cursor to speed up implementation. Toggle between gpt-5 (cheaper, slower) and sonnet 4.5 based on the complexity of the task. Keep your prompts specific, attach relevant context, and iterate.

Workflow tip: Use "Plan Mode" to generate a comprehensive MVP plan, then have Cursor build it out. You can also copy documentation (e.g., Superwall docs) and ask Cursor to implement features based on it.

Alternatives include:

  • Claude Code
  • Codex (ChatGPT)
  • GitHub Copilot

Cursor plan mode

Monetization: Superwall or RevenueCat (Free)

Both platforms are excellent. Superwall excels at paywall testing and iteration speed, while RevenueCat is superior for managing subscriptions and cross-platform receipts.

Tips:

  • Start with a library template.
  • Offer a weekly subscription with a 3-day trial + a yearly or lifetime option.
  • Crucial: Include privacy policy and terms links on the paywall to avoid App Store rejection.

Don't overcomplicate this initially. The priority is to go live.

Superwall paywall templates

One domain for all apps

Purchase a single domain and host each app on a subdomain (e.g., appname.yourdomain.com). If you don't have a domain, free options like Google Docs work in a pinch.

Apple requirements:

  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of use
  • Main landing page (with support contact/form)

Use AI or a website builder to create these quickly. Design is secondary here. To generate legal pages:

  1. Open your AI of choice.
  2. Provide context: data storage, pricing, user accounts, etc.
  3. (Optional) Provide a template.
  4. Copy and paste the result.

Pro tip: App Store Small Business Program

Apply for this immediately—it takes minutes but approval can take weeks. Qualifying reduces Apple's commission from 30% to 15%.
Learn more: Apple Small Business Program.

App Store Small Business Program

Wrap up

Here is the lean stack for fast shipping:

  • Validation: Astro for keywords
  • Build: Cursor (Plan Mode + Iteration)
  • Monetization: Superwall or RevenueCat
  • Legal: Subdomains for privacy/terms

Now, go build your app. Good luck!