3 min read
What an MVP is and why defining it well matters
An MVP (minimum viable product) is the smallest version of your product that already solves the main problem and that you can put in front of real users. Its goal is to learn fast, not to have everything. The better it’s defined, the less it costs.
What drives the cost most
- Scope: how many screens, user roles and features the first version has.
- Integrations: payments, invoicing, messaging or systems you already use.
- Platforms: a web app is simpler than also having mobile apps for iOS and Android.
- Design: building on a proven design foundation costs less than a visual identity from scratch.
- Data and security: roles, permissions and personal data protection add work, and you shouldn’t skip them.
- Mid-way changes: every change of mind during the build has a cost.
The three most common pricing models
| Model | How it works | Upside | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | You pay for the time the team works | Flexible if the scope changes | The final cost is hard to predict |
| Fixed price | A closed price for a closed scope | You know what you’ll pay | Every change is renegotiated and billed separately |
| Team subscription | You pay monthly for a team with a work capacity | Predictable monthly cost; change priorities without renegotiating | You need to prioritize well to use the month’s capacity |
What it costs with Korbex
Korbex works as a monthly subscription with no contracts. The base includes Korbex, the orchestrator, and the Delivery Manager. The full team works with all eleven agents. For companies with their own needs, the Enterprise plan adds a dedicated Korbex engineer. We’ll publish pricing very soon.
- Every plan includes a monthly volume of work (tasks, reviews, designs or deployments).
- If you need more, you can add a pack of 10 tasks.
- Every plan includes a kickoff call with our team; the full team adds a monthly check-in.
- What the agents don’t cover, like a different stack or a complex migration, is handled by a Korbex engineer and quoted separately.
The costs people tend to forget
- Hosting and database: services like Firebase have a free plan to start and charge by usage as you grow.
- Your company’s domain and email.
- App stores, if you build mobile apps: the Apple Developer Program costs $99 a year and Google Play charges a one-time $25.
- Maintenance: updates, fixes and new features after launch.
How to pay less without losing quality
- 01
Start with the web
A web app works on phones and computers, and lets you validate before investing in mobile apps.
- 02
Trim the scope
Launch with the must-have features and leave the rest until users tell you what they need.
- 03
Use proven services
Sign-in, payments and notifications already exist as services: no need to build them from scratch.
- 04
Own the code
If the code lives in your account, you don’t pay twice for the same app if you switch providers.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an MVP cost with Korbex?
Korbex is paid with a monthly plan: the base, the full team or the Enterprise plan. We’ll publish pricing very soon; how many months you need depends on your MVP’s scope.
Is there a contract or minimum term?
Not on the base or the full team: prices are monthly and you can change plans whenever you want.
Which is better, fixed price or subscription?
A fixed price gives certainty if the scope won’t change. A subscription fits when you want to adjust priorities as you learn from your users, which is normal for an MVP.