You can build and test an app for free using a free no-code plan or Apple's and Google's free developer tools. Publishing is where costs start: Google Play charges a US$25 one-time registration fee and Apple's Developer Program is US$99 a year, as of October 2026, and some free no-code plans, such as Glide's, don't let you publish at all.
So the realistic goal is this: build and test free, then decide whether the app is worth the publishing step. Here's how each route works, what's free in it, and the testing rule on Google Play that adds two weeks most first-time builders don't plan for.
Three ways to build an app for free
| Route | What's free | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| No-code app builder | Building on a free plan | Some free plans can't publish an app |
| Apple's free developer account | Xcode and testing on your own devices | Distributing on the App Store needs the paid program |
| Android and Google Play | Building and internal testing | A one-time registration fee to publish |
Route 1: a no-code builder
No-code builders let you make an app from a spreadsheet or a prompt without writing code. Glide is a good example of how the free tiers work. Its Free plan includes 2 team members, 10 projects, integrations and AI features, with limited credits. But publishing starts on its Basic plan, which Glide lists at $25 a month with 2 published apps, as of October 2026. Public apps start on the Plus plan.
That pattern is common: free to build and try, paid to put it in front of real users. It's still the fastest way to test an idea, because you can show a working app to a few people before spending anything. My roundup of free AI app builders compares the free tiers side by side, and the best AI app builders covers the paid options.
Route 2: an iPhone app with Apple's free tools
Apple offers a free developer account. Its programme page says you sign in with your Apple Account and accept the Apple Developer Agreement to register free, and that gives you access to tools including beta versions of Xcode and operating systems, plus the ability to test apps directly on your own devices using Xcode and submit bugs with Feedback Assistant.
To distribute on the App Store, you need the Apple Developer Program, which Apple lists as a US$99 annual membership, as of October 2026. Membership adds TestFlight, which lets you invite up to 10,000 external testers by email or public link, and distribution to customers in 175 regions.
Route 3: an Android app on Google Play
- Build your app, in a no-code builder or in your own development tools.
- Register a Play Console developer account. You must be at least 18, and Google may ask for a valid government ID and a card in your legal name.
- Pay the US$25 one-time registration fee, as of October 2026. Google warns that if your details are found invalid, the fee isn't refunded.
- If you registered a personal account, run a closed test with at least 12 testers who stay opted in for 14 days in a row.
- Apply for production access on the Play Console dashboard by answering questions about your test.
The 14-day testing rule
This is the step that surprises people. Google says personal developer accounts created after 13 November 2023 must run a closed test with a minimum of 12 testers opted in continuously for at least 14 days before the app can go public. Line up your testers before you finish building, not after, or your launch slips by two weeks.
What it costs to publish, side by side
| Step | Cost (as of October 2026) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Build on a free no-code plan | Free | Builder's pricing page |
| Publish from Glide | From $25 a month on Basic | Glide pricing |
| Apple free account and on-device testing | Free | Apple Developer |
| Apple Developer Program | US$99 a year | Apple Developer |
| Google Play registration | US$25 one time | Play Console Help |
Apple also lists an Enterprise Program at US$299 a year for organisations distributing privately to their own staff, which most small businesses won't need.
A simple free plan for your first app
- Write down the one job your app does. Keep it to one screen if you can.
- Build it on a free no-code plan, or in Xcode or Android Studio if you code.
- Test it on your own phone and with a few friends.
- Only then pay to publish, on the store your customers use most.
Testing before you pay anything
Both stores let you test early. On Google Play, internal testing is optional but quick: Google says builds are normally available to your trusted testers within seconds of being added in Play Console. On Apple, the free account lets you run your app on your own devices through Xcode, and TestFlight opens up wider beta testing once you join the paid programme.
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My advice
Don't pay anything until a handful of real people have used your app on their phones. Build it free, test it free, and treat the store fee as the price of launching something you already know works. If you're going to Google Play with a personal account, recruit your 12 testers early. And if a no-code builder's free plan can't publish, that's fine for testing; just budget for the monthly plan before you promise anyone a launch date.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make an app for free?
Yes, you can build and test an app for free with a no-code builder's free plan or with Apple's and Google's free developer tools. Publishing to the app stores costs extra.
How much does it cost to put an app on Google Play?
Google Play charges a US$25 one-time registration fee, as of October 2026.
How much does it cost to put an app on the App Store?
Apple's Developer Program is a US$99 annual membership, as of October 2026. A free Apple account lets you test on your own devices but not distribute on the App Store.
Why can't I publish my app on Google Play straight away?
Google says personal developer accounts created after 13 November 2023 must run a closed test with at least 12 testers opted in for 14 days in a row before applying for production access.
Can I publish an app on Glide's free plan?
No. Glide's Free plan is for building and trying; publishing starts on its Basic plan, which lists 2 published apps.
