MVP Cost Estimator

How the MVP Cost Estimator Works

This tool uses a scope-first approach to estimate MVP complexity. Instead of guessing at dollar amounts, we focus on the factors that actually drive development time and cost: product type, platforms, authentication complexity, payment systems, user roles, and third-party integrations.

Each choice you make adds to your overall complexity score. A higher score means more development work, more edge cases to handle, and more testing required. The tool groups your score into three bands: Simple (score 0-6), Medium (7-12), and Complex (13+).

What This Estimator Does (and Does Not) Do

This is a scope estimator, not a quote generator. It helps you understand the relative complexity of your MVP idea and identify which features are driving that complexity. This is useful for:

• Understanding what makes an MVP "expensive"
• Identifying features you could defer to reduce scope
• Having an informed conversation with developers
• Comparing different MVP approaches

It does not replace a proper scoping conversation. Real estimates require understanding your specific requirements, existing systems, design needs, and timeline constraints.

Example Scenarios

Example 1: Simple Internal Dashboard

Inputs: Internal tool, Web only, Basic auth, No payments, 1 role, No integrations
Result: Simple scope (score: 4), Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Fits $5k: Yes. This is a lean, focused tool that we can build quickly.

Example 2: SaaS with Subscriptions

Inputs: SaaS, Web only, OAuth, Subscriptions, 2-3 roles, 1-2 integrations
Result: Medium scope (score: 12), Timeline: 2-4 weeks
Fits $5k: With cuts. Consider starting with email/password auth and one-time payments.

Example 3: Two-Sided Marketplace

Inputs: Marketplace, Web + Mobile, Teams, Marketplace payments, 4+ roles, 3+ integrations
Result: Complex scope (score: 25), Timeline: 4-8+ weeks
Fits $5k: Major cuts needed. Start web-only with manual payouts and 2 roles.

The $5,000 Fixed-Price MVP

At Tessellate Labs, we offer a fixed-price MVP package for $5,000. This works best for products in the "Simple" scope band, or "Medium" projects where founders are willing to make strategic cuts.

The package includes: product scoping, UI/UX design, full-stack development, deployment, and two weeks of post-launch support. We focus on shipping your core loop, the single most important user action that proves your product works.

If your estimate shows "Complex" scope, that does not mean we cannot help. It means we should have a conversation about what to build first. Most successful products started with a much smaller scope than their founders originally imagined.