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iOS MVP development

iOS MVP development, from architecture to App Store launch

I design, build and launch native iPhone apps in Swift and SwiftUI for founders and companies that need a polished first version — typically in 4–8 weeks, depending on complexity.

Discuss your MVP See shipped work

Scope

What an iOS MVP project covers

A first version that's small enough to ship and solid enough to put in front of real users.

Build

Product architecture — data model, app structure and the technical decisions that are expensive to change later.
Swift / SwiftUI development — native, fast, and consistent with Apple's Human Interface Guidelines.
API integration — connecting to your backend or third-party services.
Authentication — sign-in flows, including Sign in with Apple where App Review requires it.
Payments and subscriptions with StoreKit 2, if your model needs them.
Analytics and push notifications so you can measure and re-engage.

Launch

Testing on real devices, plus TestFlight builds you and your testers can install throughout.
App Store preparation — metadata, screenshots, privacy details and review notes.
Submission and release — including handling review feedback if Apple asks for changes.
Handover — a clean, documented project you can keep building on, with me or without.

Typical timeline: 4–8 weeks. A focused app that stores data on the device lands at the short end. Accounts, a backend and payments push toward the long end.

Fit

Who this is for

Founders with a validated idea who need a real native app, not a prototype.
Companies with a web product or SaaS that need an iPhone (and Apple Watch) companion.
Agencies and product teams that need a senior native iOS engineer for a client or a feature.

Why native

A native Swift app feels right on iPhone, gets new iOS capabilities on day one, and avoids a cross-platform layer you'd have to debug later. I explain when that trade is worth it — and when it isn't — in why I build native iOS.

Approach

Keeping an MVP small on purpose

The most common way an MVP goes wrong is scope. My job is to help you protect the one thing that makes the product worth building.

How I scope

Start from the single core job the app must do well.
Decide what can wait until version two — and write it down.
Prefer on-device data for a first version when it works: it ships faster and there's no server to run.
Agree a delivery plan with regular builds so there are no surprises.

What I need from you

A clear goal: who the users are and what success looks like.
Any designs, brand guidelines, API docs or references you already have.
One decision-maker who can answer questions quickly.
Access to your Apple Developer account when it's time to submit.

Proof

Built and shipped, not just prototyped

25+ apps live on the App Store, including products with hardware integration, Apple Health, map-based workflows, subscriptions and multi-country editions. Two that are close to a typical MVP:

Foaie Parcurs

Fleet trip logs · iPhone

Challenge: Companies that run vehicles still fill in trip logs on paper or in spreadsheets — slow, error-prone and hard to report on.
Solution: A native app for vehicles, drivers and trip logs: stops picked on a map, fuel consumption calculated automatically, monthly statistics, reminders, and PDF and CSV export.
Outcome: Live on the App Store with a PRO tier. Runs entirely on the device — no backend to host or secure.

App Store ↗Website ↗

My Mustang

Owner tools · iPhone, Mac & Apple Vision

Challenge: Mustang owners kept maintenance history in glove-box receipts and half-remembered schedules — a real problem at resale or warranty-claim time.
Solution: A multi-vehicle garage with custom maintenance reminders, a service history with photos and documents, and OBD-II scanner integration for real diagnostic codes.
Outcome: Live on the App Store since February 2026 — free, with a lifetime Pro upgrade. Early reviewers rate it 5.0★.

Read the case study →App Store ↗Website ↗

See all selected work →

FAQ

Questions founders usually ask

How long does an iOS MVP take?

Typically 4–8 weeks, depending on complexity. Timeline is driven mostly by scope: number of screens, whether there's a backend, authentication, payments and how much design work is needed.

How much does it cost?

Cost depends mostly on scope and on whether the app needs a backend. Full MVPs typically fall in the €4,000–€10,000+ range. The quickest way to get a real number is to describe the one core job the app must do and whether it needs to talk to a server — see how iOS apps are priced.

Do you also design the app?

Yes. I design to Apple's Human Interface Guidelines so the app feels native. If you already have designs from a designer, I'll build them faithfully.

Do I need a backend?

Not always. Many first versions work fully on-device, which is faster and cheaper to validate. If you do need accounts, sync or an API, I can build against your existing backend or help scope one.

Will you handle App Store submission?

Yes — metadata, screenshots, privacy details, TestFlight and submission. Apple makes the final call on review, so I can't guarantee approval, but I prepare carefully against the guidelines and handle any feedback.

Why not Flutter or React Native?

For an iPhone-first product, native Swift usually means better performance, better platform fit and fewer surprises. If you truly need Android from day one, I'll tell you honestly that a cross-platform team may serve you better.

Can we work across time zones?

Yes. I work remotely and I'm based in Romania (UTC+2/+3): full overlap with Europe and partial overlap with the US East Coast.

Have an MVP in mind?

Tell me what you're building, where you are today, and what you need help with.

Discuss your MVP madalin@istack.ro