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MOBILE
Mobile App Development Calgary

Mobile
Apps
That Ship.

Cross-platform and native mobile apps for iOS and Android — built for Calgary businesses and Canadian startups. Fixed-scope MVPs, honest timelines, and full code ownership.

Most app projects stall because the scope is wrong, the budget is unclear, or the team has no skin in the game. 151 Digital builds mobile apps with a locked-down MVP scope, a committed timeline, and a development process designed around shipping — not billing hours. We tell you what it costs before we start.

Mobile App Fast Facts
of mobile internet time is spent inside apps, not mobile browsers
90%eMarketer
higher conversion rate for app users vs. mobile web visitors
Criteo
typical MVP timeline from discovery to App Store launch
3–4 moFocused scope
starting price for a simple, fixed-scope mobile MVP
$20K+Fixed price
Mobile App Development iOS & Android React Native Swift & Kotlin Fixed-Scope MVP App Store Launch Calgary, Canada Mobile App Development iOS & Android React Native Swift & Kotlin Fixed-Scope MVP App Store Launch Calgary, Canada

Most App Projects
Run Over Budget
and Never Ship.

The pattern is predictable: vague scope, hourly billing, a team that disappears mid-build, and a client who has spent $80,000 and has nothing in the App Store. The problem is almost never the idea — it's the structure of the engagement.

We fix the structure. Every mobile app project at 151 Digital starts with a discovery session that produces a defined feature list, a fixed-scope quote, and a realistic timeline. If the scope changes, we talk about it before we build it — not after we bill for it.

Typical Agency
  • Hourly billing with no ceiling
  • Vague timelines — "6 to 12 months"
  • Offshore handoffs you never agreed to
  • You don't own the accounts or code
151 Digital
  • Fixed-scope quote after discovery
  • Committed launch date, not a range
  • Local Calgary team, no surprise handoffs
  • 100% code and account ownership
90%
Of mobile time spent in apps — not mobile browsers
Higher conversion rate for app users vs. mobile web
88%
Of users abandon apps after one poor experience
30%
Average revenue increase after launching a business mobile app

End-to-End
App Delivery

From discovery to App Store launch — design, development, QA, submission, and post-launch support. No coordinating between five vendors.

🗺️
Discovery & MVP Scoping

We define your users, core features, and business goals before writing a line of code. You leave with a prioritized feature list, fixed-scope quote, and a launch date — not a vague estimate.

Feature ListFixed QuoteTimeline
🎨
UX & UI Design

Wireframes, clickable prototypes, and high-fidelity screen designs. You approve every screen before development starts. We follow Apple HIG and Google Material so your app feels truly native.

WireframesPrototypeNative UI
📱
iOS & Android Development

Native Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android, or React Native when a shared codebase is the smarter call. We pick the right technology based on your users and budget — not on what's easiest for us.

SwiftKotlinReact Native
🔌
Backend & API Integration

Custom backends on Node.js or Firebase, Stripe payments, push notifications, analytics, and third-party integrations. Built to scale from day one without expensive rewrites down the road.

Node.jsFirebaseStripe
🚀
App Store & Play Store Launch

ASO-optimized listings, screenshots, keywords, and metadata. We manage the full submission process and handle review pushback — you never need to touch App Store Connect or Play Console.

ASOMetadataSubmission
🔄
Post-Launch Support

Monthly retainer covering OS compatibility, bug fixes, crash monitoring, small feature additions, and monthly analytics reporting. Your app keeps working after launch — not just on day one.

OS UpdatesBug FixesReports

Native or
Cross-Platform?

The answer depends on your users, your timeline, and your budget — not on what's currently trendy. We give you an honest recommendation after hearing what you're building and why.

Native iOS
Swift · SwiftUI

Best performance, animations, and device access. Ideal for consumer-facing apps where polish is a competitive differentiator or where you need deep hardware integration.

Best Performance

Best for: consumer apps, health & fitness, finance, apps with heavy animations or device features.

Native Android
Kotlin · Jetpack

Widest device range and full Google Play integration. Built for the diversity of Android hardware Canadian users carry — from budget phones to flagship tablets.

Widest Reach

Best for: apps needing widest Canadian reach, Google ecosystem integrations, or enterprise Android deployments.

React Native
React Native · Expo

iOS and Android from one JavaScript codebase. Faster and more budget-friendly to ship when native performance isn't the top constraint. Most business and internal apps land here.

Faster to Ship

Best for: business tools, internal apps, startups on a budget, or when you need to ship both platforms quickly.

From Idea
to App Store

Six clear phases with working software delivered every two weeks — not just status updates and slide decks.

01
Discovery & MVP Definition

We map your users, the one job your app must do, and the minimum viable feature set. You leave with a prioritized feature list, a fixed-scope quote, and a committed launch date — not a six-to-twelve-month range.

02
UX Design & Prototype

Wireframes then high-fidelity screens and a clickable prototype you can tap through. You approve every screen before development starts — no surprise layouts after the build is done.

03
Architecture & Sprint Planning

We choose native or cross-platform, select backend services, and break the build into two-week sprints with clear, testable deliverables at the end of each one.

04
Development & QA

Development sprints with QA testing on real devices throughout. You get TestFlight and Play Console access so you see working features weekly — not just at the end of a long build cycle.

05
Beta & App Store Submission

Closed beta with structured feedback, priority bug fixes, and polish. Then ASO-optimized listings and full submission management for both App Store and Google Play.

06
Launch & Iteration

After launch we monitor crashes, user behaviour, and reviews, then ship updates on an agreed cadence. Monthly reports and a clear roadmap for version two based on real data.

Why Calgary Businesses
Trust Us to Build Their App

🎯
Fixed-Scope Quotes

After discovery, you get a fixed price for your MVP — not an hourly estimate that balloons mid-build. If we underestimate, that's our problem, not yours.

🔑
You Own Everything

Source code, designs, App Store accounts, and all assets are yours from day one. No lock-in, no proprietary frameworks, no hostage situations.

🏙️
Local Calgary Team

You meet the people building your app. When something needs a real conversation, it happens in your timezone — not at 3 a.m. through a ticketing system.

💬
Honest Platform Advice

We tell you when React Native saves you money and when native is worth the premium. The recommendation is based on your goals and users, not on what pads the invoice.

📊
Marketing-Ready Builds

We build apps with analytics, attribution, and ASO in mind from day one. Because we also run paid advertising and SEO, we build for measurable user acquisition — not just launch day.

🛠️
Post-Launch Support

Monthly retainer support covers OS updates, bug fixes, crash monitoring, and small feature additions so your app never goes dark after launch day.

Mobile App
Questions

What does a mobile app cost in Calgary? +
Simple MVPs typically start around $20,000. Mid-tier apps with custom backends and multiple integrations run $60,000–$150,000+. 151 Digital provides a fixed-scope quote after a discovery session so you know the full investment before signing anything.
Should I build native or cross-platform? +
Native iOS and Android deliver the best performance and device integration — ideal for consumer apps where polish matters. React Native ships faster and cheaper from one codebase, making it the right call for most business and internal tools. We give you an honest recommendation after the discovery session.
How long does it take to build a mobile app? +
A focused MVP typically takes 3 to 4 months from discovery to App Store launch. Mid-sized apps with custom backends run 4 to 7 months. We commit to a specific date after discovery — not a "6 to 12 months" range that means nothing.
Do I own the app and code after launch? +
Yes — 100%. Source code, designs, App Store accounts, backend infrastructure, and all assets transfer to you at project completion. No lock-in, no proprietary layers, no ongoing fees just to keep the app alive.
Can you submit the app to the App Store for me? +
Yes. We prepare ASO-optimized listings, screenshots, privacy disclosures, and metadata, then manage the full submission for both Apple's App Store and Google Play. If reviewers push back, we handle it — you never need to navigate either portal yourself.
Do you offer support after launch? +
Yes. Monthly retainers cover OS compatibility updates, bug fixes, small feature additions, crash monitoring, and analytics reporting. iOS and Android both ship major OS updates that can break apps — our retainer keeps your app working across every update.

Scope
Your MVP

Book a free 45-minute discovery call. Leave with a clear feature list, honest platform recommendation, realistic timeline, and a fixed-scope quote.

  • Feature prioritization for your MVP
  • Native vs. cross-platform recommendation
  • Backend & integrations scoped
  • Timeline from discovery to App Store
  • Fixed-scope investment range
Scope My App

45-minute discovery call. No obligation. Response within 24 hours.

Have a Mobile
App Idea? Let's
Scope It.

Book a free 45-minute discovery call. Leave with a clear feature list, honest platform recommendation, and a fixed-scope quote — whether or not you hire us.

Feature list & MVP scope defined
Native vs. cross-platform recommendation
Fixed-scope quote — no hourly surprises
Response within 24 hours
Contact Us Directly
📞 (587) 209-8772
📍 3510 27 St NE #10, Calgary, AB T1Y 5E2
🕐 Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Tell Us About Your App

No spam. Fixed-scope quotes. Response within 24 hours.