What It Really Costs to Build a Manga App Like MangaBAT

The digital manga scene is booming. Apps like MangaBAT and Manga Rock Pro have millions of downloads—and they didn’t get there by chance. They deliver a reading experience tailored for manga fans, with smooth navigation, offline access, and a massive library of titles.

Now, if you're thinking about building something similar, you're probably wondering: how much is this going to cost me? Let's break it down.

Why Manga Apps Are Thriving

People want to read on the go. They want access to the latest chapters without digging through cluttered websites or dealing with ads that hijack the screen. Manga apps offer a clean, convenient alternative—and that’s why users love them.

Apps like MangaBAT succeed because they’re user-first. They combine strong tech with a deep understanding of what manga fans want: speed, variety, and personalisation.

What Your App Needs to Compete

Before we talk numbers, let’s talk features. If you’re aiming for an app like MangaBAT, your feature list should include:

• Wide Manga Selection – A solid library of titles is non-negotiable. Whether you go for licensed content or user-uploaded material, this is your backbone.
• Offline Reading – Let readers download and enjoy manga without needing Wi-Fi.
• Smart Search & Filters – Make it easy to find new favourites by genre, popularity, or latest update.
• Reading Customisation – Think dark mode, scroll or swipe navigation, font adjustments.
• Favourites, Bookmarks & Reading History – So users can pick up right where they left off.
• Push Notifications – Keep them coming back by alerting them when new chapters drop.
• Social Sharing – Let readers share titles with friends and spark conversation.

The Real Cost to Build a Manga App

Now, onto the big question: how much does it cost?

Here’s a realistic breakdown:

1. Design & UI/UX – £5,000 to £10,000

A clean, intuitive design makes or breaks the reading experience.

2. Manga Library Integration – £10,000 to £40,000

Whether you're licensing titles or building your own content system, this is a major chunk.

3. Core App Features – £20,000 to £40,000

This covers reading features, search functions, bookmarks, and more.

4. Backend Development – £10,000 to £20,000

Includes user accounts, content management, cloud storage, and analytics.

5. Cross-Platform Development – £25,000 to £50,000

If you’re building for both Android and iOS, you’ll need to double down on testing and optimisation.

6. Post-Launch Maintenance – £800 to £4,000/month

Fixes, feature updates, and server upkeep don’t stop once you launch.

Total estimated cost: somewhere between £60,000 and £120,000, depending on the size and scope of your app.

Want to Spend Less? Start Small.

You don’t need every feature on day one. Launching a minimum viable product (MVP) with just the core essentials can bring your initial cost down significantly. Once your app gains traction, you can expand based on real user feedback.

Final Word

Building a manga app is a big investment—but with the right approach, it can also be a smart one. Focus on delivering value to your users, and keep your tech clean and scalable. If you do it right, you won’t just be launching an app—you’ll be creating a community.