The entry point to owning a mobile app with paying users. iOS and Android apps priced under $25k with verified revenue, calculated ROI, and payback — ready for indie acquirers and app-portfolio operators.
Yes — most indie mobile apps with $200–$1,500 monthly revenue sell for $5,000–$25,000, at 1.5–3x annual revenue. Utility apps, calculators, habit trackers, and niche B2C apps dominate this band. The buyer profile is usually another indie developer or a small app-portfolio operator.
Two big differences. First, Apple and Google take 15–30% of every transaction (vs. Stripe's 2.9%). Second, revenue often comes in three streams: subscriptions, one-time IAP, and ad revenue. Ad-supported apps are more sensitive to platform algorithm changes than subscription apps.
Lower than SaaS. Indie mobile apps trade at 1.5–3x annual net profit (SDE), or 1–2x annual revenue. The discount reflects: platform risk (Apple/Google can change rules), ASO volatility (rankings shift), higher churn on subscriptions (App Store subscriptions churn faster than direct-billed SaaS), and less operator lock-in.
Platform dependency is #1. Apple or Google can change rules, deprecate APIs, or delist an app with limited recourse. Second: App Store Optimization is more volatile than SEO — a keyword ranking change can drop revenue 30% in a week. Third: paid acquisition dependency (many apps rely on Meta ads to sustain revenue).
Ask for a screen-share of App Store Connect (Apple) and Play Console (Google) showing the last 12 months of revenue. Cross-reference against RevenueCat if the seller uses it. Ad revenue: check AdMob, Applovin, or Unity dashboards. Do NOT accept PDF exports — take screenshots during the live call.
Apple: use the App Transfer feature in App Store Connect (must meet Apple's requirements — 90-day history, no in-app purchases pending). Google: use Play Console's ownership transfer flow. Domain, marketing site, ad accounts, and social handles transfer separately. Full transfer takes 5–15 days depending on Apple review.
Usually yes. Most sub-$25k apps need 3–8 hours per week: user support (2–3 hours), OS/framework updates (variable), ASO monitoring (1 hour), and ad-account management if applicable. iOS apps need Swift updates roughly quarterly; Android apps need Kotlin/Google Play policy updates more often.
30–60% annual ROI is common — higher than SaaS in this band because multiples are lower. Payback in 18–36 months is realistic. Ad-supported apps skew higher ROI but with more volatility; subscription apps skew lower ROI but with more predictable cashflow.
iOS revenue is 2–4x higher per user in most categories, but Apple's transfer process is stricter. Android has more downloads but lower monetization. Cross-platform apps (Flutter, React Native) are the safest — one codebase, both stores, easier to maintain. Native iOS-only apps command a premium.
Three paths: organic (ASO — App Store Optimization), paid (Meta/TikTok ads), and content (SEO landing pages linking to app). Most sub-$25k apps rely mostly on organic. If the app runs paid campaigns, ask for the ad accounts and CAC/LTV numbers before offering — those campaigns are the revenue engine.
Same as SaaS: single-member LLC buying assets. Amortize acquisition over 15 years as goodwill (Section 197 in the US). Apple/Google fees are deductible expenses. If you're a non-US buyer, be aware Apple withholds US tax on developer payments unless you file a W-8BEN with a valid ITIN.
Flippa lists mobile apps mixed with websites, drop-ship stores, and Amazon FBA — bad discovery. Startup Index is SaaS-and-app focused, verifies subscription revenue live where possible, and shows calculated ROI on every listing so you can compare a $10k iOS app against a $12k SaaS on the same terms.