How Much Does It Cost to Develop an App? It's More Affordable Than You Think

January 31, 2025 23 min read
app development cost more cost effective than you think

Picture your business successfully engaging the customers, managing operations and generating good revenue. How did it happen? Simple- you built a custom mobile application aligned with your goals.

Whether you are a retail business or someone in healthcare, a dedicated mobile application can be a complete game changer for you. The global mobile app market size valued at $407.31 billion in 2022 showcases the growing reliance on app-based services and solutions.

Businesses are hesitant to invest in mobile applications despite their growing success. They believe mobile applications are extremely expensive for large enterprises alone. These misconceptions have cost businesses lost opportunities.

Mobile app development need not be expensive and can be done in your budget. If you don’t want to lose opportunities, you must read this guide and understand the truth about mobile app development costs.

Explore how much does app development cost and the right approach to make it cost-effective with us. We will also show how budgeting can help set the pace for long-term success with your application.

Understanding App Development Costs

The average cost to develop an app with basic to moderate complexity is between $50,000 to $250,000. Advanced and highly complex apps can cost you $500,000 or more.

But, how much does it cost to develop an app? There are several factors impacting the app development cost, and we will look at them in detail.

✓ Factors Affecting Development Costs

Here are all the factors that can help you make an informed cost estimate for mobile app development.

#1. App Complexity and Features

The true cost of your application lies in the design complexities and features chosen. It is critical to understand how complex app development can influence the cost.

A simple application comprises features like user registration that are less expensive to build. You will need to increase the budget as you add more complex features to the application.

You must choose features aligned with your app’s purpose to ensure you stay within the budget and maximize the app’s potential.

App Complexity

Description

Examples

Cost Estimate

Basic Application

Includes basic functionality like user registration or profile creation.

Notes taking app, weather app.

$5,000 to $15,000

Intermediate 

Includes the features like push notification and APIs for third-party integrations

eCommerce apps with product listing

$15,000 to $40,000

Advanced

Real-time chat and in-app purchases are allowed

Social media, fitness solutions

$40,000 to $80,000

#2. Platform Choice

The platform you select will influence the reach, performance and cost of developing the application. When you select the right platform, you can reach the relevant audience and match the app requirements. It is important to note that you will influence the development time, and process.

Platform Choice

Pros

Cost Estimate

iOS Development

  • Potential to generate more revenue
  • Streamlined ecosystem
  • Fewer devices to test

$20,000 to $150,000+

Android Development

  • Dominates the global market
  • Wider reach

$20,000 to $200,000

Cross-platform Development

  • Better reach
  • Lowered development cost
  • Single codebase

$25,000 to $150,000

#3. Design and UI/UX

Your application design is more than just the aesthetics of the application. It is the bridge that closes the gap between functionality and user satisfaction.

A well-defined UI/UX can help you build a successful application. When you invest in a well designed application, you can ensure the users stay engaged and retained. The UI/UX cost depends on the app complexity and customizations.

If you want to know how much does app development cost, you should consider the cost of UI/UX design, including design complexity and total number of screens. 

Factors Influencing the UI/UX Cost

Cost Estimate

Design Complexity

$5,000 to $100,000+

Number of Screens

$500 to $2,500 per screen

Customization/Branding

$5,000 to $20,000

Prototyping/Testing

$2,000 to $10,000

Platform-specific Design

$10,000 to $50,000+

#4. Development Team Location

Your choice of development team impacts the cost, quality and timeline of app development significantly. The rate of the development team depends on the region. You must also consider the labor costs, technical expertise and market demand.

Location also impacts the communication, cultural alignment and time zone overlaps that influence the collaboration.

Region

Pros

Hourly Rate

North America

Expert teams, seamless communication

$100 to $250

Western Europe

Strong regulations + skilled teams

$75 to $200

Eastern Europe

Affordable and quality work

$30 to $75

Asia

Budget friendly teams plus large talent pool

$20 to $50

Latin America

Time zone alignment

$30 to $70

Africa

Competitive pricing

$35 to $50

#5. Third-Party Integration

Third-party integrations are a great way to improve the functionality and efficiency of your app without reinventing the wheel. You can use the existing applications, services, tools and APIS to elevate the features in your application.

You can easily save time and resources with this method. However, you may influence the overall cost estimates for mobile app development with this method.

The factors like complexity of integration, licensing or subscription fees and scalability requirements can help you answer the question how much does app development cost. 

Integration Type

Cost Estimate

Social Media

$1,000 to $5,000

Payment Gateway

$3,000 to $10,000

Maps/Geolocation

$2,000 to $8,000

Analytics

$2,000 to $6,000

Push Notifications

$1,000 to $3,000

Cloud Storage

$5,000 to $20,000

#6. Maintenance and Updates

You must also consider the expenses you will incur once you have built the application. It is equally important to maintain and update the app regularly to ensure it stays relevant and secure.

The app maintenance or update includes bug fixes, performance enhancements and feature updates. Each of these aspect costs you a certain amount. You can estimate about 15-20% of the total cost for app maintenance.

App Maintenance Type

Description

Estimate

Bug Fixes

Resolves the glitches, crashes and unexpected app behaviour

$1,000 to $10,000

Performance Optimization

Boosts the loading speed and reduces battery usage

$2,000 to $15,000

Feature Updates

Add/modify the features

$5,000 to $50,000

Compatibility Updates

Check for compatibility with new OS versions, devices or screens

$5,000 to $20,000

Security Updates

Protects the app against new vulnerabilities or rising cyber threats

$3,000 to $15,000

User Support and Continuous Monitoring

Addresses the user issues and monitors the app’s performance

$2,000 to $10,000

✓ Phase-wise Cost Breakdown

When you enter the financial planning phase, you must know which phase requires most budget allocation. You may need understand the expertise, tools and time needed to move through each phase.

Here is a detailed phase-wise breakdown for the perfect cost estimate.

Phase

Key Activities

Cost Estimate

Discovery and Research 

Market research, competitor analysis, user persona creation

$5,000 to $20,000

Wireframing and Prototyping

Wireframe design, prototype development, feedback sessions

$5,000 to $25,000

UI/UX Design

Design mockup, style guide, animation, user testing

$10,000 to $100,000

Development

Frontend and backend development, database setup, API integration

$20,000 to $500,000

Testing and QA

Manual and automated testing, usability testing, performance and security testing

$5,000 to $30,000

Deployment

App store submission, compliance checks, server setup

$1,000 to $10,000

Maintenance and Updates

Bug fixes, compatibility updates, and performance monitoring

15-20% of the total cost

✓ Platform-Specific App Development Costs

Here is a detailed breakdown of platform-specific app development costs. We have considered Android, iOS, Flutter, React Native, AI and AR platforms to arrive at this estimate.

#1. Android App Development Cost

You must build the Android application for multiple screens and resolutions. As it is a fragmented operating systems, you may notice a certain increase in complexity and development cost.

The factors influencing the Android app development cost include fragmentation of devices, need for thorough testing across versions and integration with Google Play services.

The cost estimate for a simple application is about $20,000 to $50,000. As the app complexity rises, the cost of development will also increase. The cost of developing an Android application goes as high as $300,000+.

#2. iOS App Development Cost

iOS applications are designed using the Human Interface Guidelines devised by Apple. It helps ensure that the interface design meets the stringent standards.

You need to develop the application for specific devices, which reduces the efforts involved. You need to comply with the app store submission guidelines.

The simple app will cost around $20,000 to $50,000. The highly complex application can go up to $300,000+.

#3. Flutter App Development Cost

Flutter is a cross-platform framework that enables the developer to build solutions for both iOS and Android platforms with a single codebase. It reduces the time to develop and overall cost.

You must create a single codebase for multiple platforms. It is possible to improve the app with customizations and animations with platform-specific tweaks.

The overall cost of Flutter app development is between $25,000 to $300,000.

#4. Web App Development Cost

Web apps are flexible as they can be accessed across devices and browsers without downloading them. While they are easy to access, they lack the native app’s functionality.

The cost of development is heavily influenced by the complexity of frontend and backend. Moreover, the frameworks you use to build the applications is also an important factor. Lastly, the hosting and domain costs are also responsible for web app development estimates.

The total cost of developing web apps is anywhere between $10,000 to $500,000.

#5. AI App Development Cost

AI can help make your application intelligent using technologies like Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing and Computer Vision.

The factors influencing the cost of development include training and deploying the ML models. It also includes the integration of third-party services, data collection and cleaning.

The overall cost of developing AI application is between $50,000 to $1,000,000+.

#6. AR App Development Cost

You can build immersive applications by overlaying the virtual elements on real world with AR technology. Your user will need to use devices like their smartphones or AR glasses to enable this technology.

The AR platforms you will use, the 3D rendering processes and compatibility with hardware can influence the cost of development.

AR app development cost can range from $50,000 to $1,000,000+.

So, how much does it cost to develop an app? Here is a detailed platform-wise breakup for your reference. 

Platform 

Cost

Android

$20,000 to $300,000+

iOS

$20,000 to $300,000+

Flutter

$25,000 to $300,000+

Web

$10,000 to $500,000+

AI

$50,000 to $1,000,000+

AR

$50,000 to $1,000,000+

✓ Industry-Specific App Development Costs

By building industry-specific applications you can ensure that the solutions cater to the unique needs of the business. The development costs depend on the overall features, complexity and regulations that are aligned with the domain.

#1. Food Delivery App Development Cost

There are applications like Uber Eats and DoorDash that have transformed the food delivery industry. Instead of visiting the restaurant, your users can order the food from their mobile phones.

With features like payment gateways, real-time tracking and integrations, these apps ensure complete engagement. The food delivery app delivery cost depends on the features like user registration and real-time tracking plus push notifications.

It also depends on the complexity of the application. The overall Food Delivery App Development Costs is approximately $30,000 to $300,000+.

#2. Grocery App Development Cost

The grocery applications like Instacart and BigBasket can improve the delivery of groceries. From same-day to 10-minute deliveries, these applications have increased the comfort and convenience of the users.

The key features included in the app are product catalog, search filters, inventory management, integration with multiple payment gateways and delivery scheduling. The overall Grocery App Development Cost is $15000 to $400,000..

#3. Healthcare App Development Cost

The healthcare applications like MyChart and Zocdoc enable better appointment scheduling and patient-doctor connectivity. It is crucial to ensure HIPAA compliance to maintain complete security. This will also add to the overall cost of development.

The key features like telemedicine, video consultations, appointment scheduling and EHR integration help dictate the overall cost. The healthcare app development cost is between $40,000 and $500,000.

#4. Fitness App Development Cost

Fitness apps, such as MyFitnessPal or Fitbit, can improve activity tracking and workout plans. At the same time, you can also ensure social sharing to improve user engagement. there are applications like activity and fitness tracking with wearable integration. Subscription models can help users get premium content.

Depending on the features and the complexity, the total cost estimate of the Fitness App Development Cost is between $30000 to $100,000.

#5. Real Estate App Development Cost

Popular apps like Zillow and Realtor.com have changed the way people search for and buy property.. It includes features like property listing, map integration and robust filtering. Each feature can add to the cost estimate of the application.

The Real Estate App Development Cost is approximately between $30,000 to $250,000+.

#6. eCommerce Mobile App Development Cost

Amazon and Shopify transformed the way people shopped for things. Gone are the days when people had to step out to buy things. With the integration of AR and AI, the apps have become smarter and more capable. Features like smooth navigation and personalized recommendations have improved the experience and engagement of users.

The total eCommerce Mobile App Development Cost is between $50,000 to $300,000+.

#7. Fintech App Development Cost

Fintech applications like PayPal and others have made way for secure transactions. The analytics can also improve the insights and ensure intelligent solutions. The Fintech applications require complete compliance with financial regulations, which can increase the cost of development.

Each feature is important in ensuring complete security. For instance, two-factor authentication will take resources and time, thus adding to the cost estimates. The total Fintech App Development Cost is about $50,000 to $500,000+.

#8. Banking App Development Cost

Banks have created customer-facing applications that offer excellent experiences while prioritizing security. The features like balance checks, immediate transfers and payments have enabled the banking apps to cost a bit more than usual.

The banking apps cost about $70,000 to $600,000+ depending on the complexity and features included.

Industry

Cost Estimate

Food Delivery Application

$40,000 to $300,000+

Grocery Delivery Application

$30,000 to $250,000+

Healthcare App Development

$50,000 to $400,000+

Fitness App Development

$20,000 to $200,000+

Real Estate App Development

$30,000 to $250,000+

eCommerce App Development

$40,000 to $300,000+

Banking App Development

$70,000 to $500,000+

Average Cost to Develop an App

The average cost to develop an application depends on several factors like the development team location, the engagement model, platform selection, integrations, complexity and features. Let’s take a look at the location-wise cost of developing an application.

✓ Location-wise App Development Costs

When you build an application, you need a developer/team to execute your vision properly. Location is pivotal in making the choice. If you choose from a nearby location, you may get the same timezone. However, the hourly costs may be higher or lower.

Region

Hourly Rate

Cost of App Development

North America

$100 to $200

$50,000 to $500,000

Western Europe

$80 to $150

$40,000 to $400,000

Eastern Europe

$30 to $80

$100,000 to $300,000

India/Southeast Asia

$20 to $50

$80,000 to $250,000

South America

$30 to $70

$100,000 to $300,000

When you hire developers from India or Eastern Europe, you can get cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality. However, when you outsource to countries like North America and Western Europe, you must pay premium rates for the expertise.

✓ Real Life Examples of App Development Costs

We have identified a few real-world mobile app solutions along with the features and a rough cost estimate.

→ eCommerce applications like Amazon

The success story of the Amazon application has led several startups to invest in a similar application. The solution includes features like Payment Gateway, Order Tracking and User Reviews along with a product catalog and videos.

If you have outsourced to Eastern European markets, you will get the app on Flutter framework for $60,000 to $150,000. In case you are planning to outsource to North America region, you need to pay anywhere between $150,000 to $300,000.

→ Uber-like App for Ride Sharing

This real-time ride booking application can help avail cabs on-demand. With features like real-time GPS tracking and payment integration, these apps can make it easier for you to book, track and pay for the cabs from within the application. The total cost of developing the app in Eastern Europe region is about $60,000 to $150,000. It costs about $150,000 to $300,000 in North America.

Custom App Development Cost

There are times when the ready-to-use software doesn’t prove to be useful to you. You need features that aren’t available in the current software. That’s when you can develop a custom app solution that are tailored to your specifications.

Custom solutions are built from the scratch to provide unique features and scalable services. By integrating with the existing systems, you can personalize the user experience.

✓ Factors Impacting Custom App Development Cost

Several factors can impact the overall cost of developing a mobile application for your business. We will look at the top factors to get an understanding of what you need to pay for custom mobile application.

#1. App Complexity

The complexity of your mobile application can influence the total cost estimate. A simple mobile app comprising basic features and fewer screens don’t take a lot of your time or investment. However, your app cost increases as you add more complex features.

For example, integrating AI into the app requires a specialist, the right infrastructure and time, thus adding to the cost of development.

#2. Platform Choice

You impact the overall cost estimates when you choose between native and cross-platform development. You need separate codebases and specialists in the case of native app development. This will add to the overall budget set aside for mobile applications.

You need either a Flutter or React Native team and can use a single codebase when you build a cross-platform application. This will reduce your overall budget and timeline.

#3. UI/UX Design

You need to invest in expert UI/UX designers and detailed user testing to ensure the interface is intuitive and aesthetic. As you add custom animations, branding and other design-specific solutions, you will increase the cost of development. Custom designs are often more polished and unique as compared to template-based designs, thus increasing the cost of development. 

#4. Team Expertise

Your app development cost also depends on the experience and location of the development team. Highly skilled teams from low-cost regions can become affordable for development. They would lower the budget without compromising the quality of development.

On the other hand, freshers from high-cost regions can increase the cost of development without offering quality. You need to do a cost-benefit-experience analysis before proceeding with the hiring.

#5. Third-party Integration

Third-party integrations can elevate the functionality of your application. However, it can also increase the cost in some ways. The cost of app development will depend on the type of integration you are planning.

Licensing fees and API usage expenses can also increase the overall cost of development.

#6. Testing and QA

Testing is important to release a bug-free and usable application on the app store. It requires a lot of time and resources. Automated testing requires specific tools as well that cost. From manual testing to multiple iterations, you need to plan for everything when testing the solution.

You may need to add these factors while planning the custom mobile application development budget.

#7. Post-launch Support

The app requires continuous maintenance and regular updates even after the launch. You may even need to enhance the features to stay relevant.

You might need to factor in regular support as well when planning the budget. Maintenance and support accounts for 15-20% of the total mobile app cost.

#8. Development Timeline

Your team needs to work overtime and with larger teams when you have a tight deadline. This can increase the cost estimate for your mobile app project. A flexible timeline will allow you to be cost-effective with development, and lower the team size as well.

#9. Scalability Requirements

Apps must be able to handle large user bases or be ready for the future expansions. If you invest in scalable designs at an early stage, you can save a lot of your money. However, if you are not planning for scalability, you might increase the cost of development.

#10. Regulatory Compliance

You must ensure your mobile app adheres to the regulations like GDPR, HIPAA and PCI DSS. You should know the industry-specific regulations so that you follow the regulations and practices mentioned by the industry.

Adhering to compliance also requires more testing, security measures and documentation, which can increase the cost of developing the application.

✓ Estimated Costs for Custom App Development

Here is a complexity-wise cost breakdown for custom mobile app development.

#1. Simple Apps

The simple apps come with basic functionality, such as contact forms and static content. It is ideal for small businesses. These apps cost you about $5,000 to $20,000.

#2. Moderately Complex Apps

The moderately complex apps include features like user authentication, database integration and custom UI/UX. These apps are best suited for startups and businesses that need additional functionality in the apps. These apps cost about $20,000 to $80,000.

#3. Highly Complex Apps

The advanced applications come with features like real-time updates, AI integration and cross-platform support. They are essentially designed to offer high performance and scalability. These apps can cost you about $80,000 to $300,000.

App Type

Cost Estimate

Simple Application

$5,000 to $20,000

Moderately Complex App

$20,000 to $80,000

Highly Complex App

$80,000 to $300,000+

Hire App Developer Cost

When you hire a hire a dedicated app developer, you get a skilled professional fully committed to your project. Hiring the application developer can ensure consistent quality and timely app delivery.

The developers can work on diverse tasks, from coding and testing to integrating APIs and bug fixes.

Having a dedicated app developer offers several benefits to you as a business.

  • You can access the specialized skills that you need to build the custom application.
  • The flexible engagement models allow you to hire the developers on a part-time, full-time or contractual basis, depending on your needs.
  • It can reduce the overheads that come with the full-time hiring. Choosing to hire remote developers or freelancers can reduce your cost estimate.
  • As they work on your application dedicatedly, it increases productivity and ensures complete alignment with your project.

✓ Factors Affecting Hire App Developer Cost

Here are all the factors that impact the cost of hiring a developer for your mobile app project.

#1. Experience Level

The developer’s expertise can impact the cost estimate. Your junior developers have basic skills; so they charge less. However, you need to supervise them during the process.

Senior developers have mastered the technologies and possess problem-solving abilities. They don’t need supervision but, can charge higher rates.

The mid-level developers are super affordable and offer relevant experience. they are best suited for complex projects that need independent execution and immediate delivery.

#2. Location

The location can impact the cost of development owing to the cost of living in the region. The developers in Western Europe or North America charge about $50 to $150 per hour. The developers in Asia and Eastern Europe charge about $20 to $50 per hour.

You may need to consider the quality, seamlessness of communication and the developer’s expertise while hiring the developer.

#3. Project Scope

The size and complexity of the application can also impact your hiring choices. Eventually, it will influence the cost of hiring the developer.

In case of complex development, you need specialists who may cost more. This will also increase the development timeline, thus adding to the budget.

The project scope should be determined before you proceed with hiring so that you have a well-defined budget.

✓ Estimated Costs for Hiring an App Developer

The average salary for a mobile app developer in the US is around $100,000 per year.

Role

Description

Average Hourly Rate

Average Annual Salary

UI/UX Designer

They create intuitive and aesthetic user interfaces

$30-$80

$60,000 to $120,000

Graphic Designer

Responsible for logo creation, app graphics and branding elements

$25 to $70

$50,000 to $100,000

Mobile Developer

Coding the native and cross-platform applications

$40 to $150

$80,000 to $150,000

Web Developer

Specializes in backend API development, admin panel creation and responsive web apps

$25 to $100

$70,000 to $130,000

Business Analyst

Requirement gathering, market trend analysis and project alignment

$30 to $90

$60,000 to $120,000

QA Engineer

Tests the application for quality, reliability and bugs

$25 to $70

$50,000 to $100,000

Project Manager

Manages the project, monitors progress and allocates resources

$40 to $120

$80,000 to $150,000

Marketing Specialist

Plans and executes the marketing strategies for acquisition and retention. 

$30 to $90

$60,000 to $120,000

Note: The hourly rates and salaries may vary according to the location, experience and project scope.

App Development Cost Calculator

An app development cost calculator is an online tool that you can use to get an estimate for the project you are planning. You can use factors like app complexity, platform choice, features and design as inputs to the calculator.

Based on on the details you provide the calculator will give you a rough cost range for your application. You can always alter the details to get something that fits your budget.

✓ How to Use a Cost Calculator?

You must choose a reliable calculator to estimate the cost of app development. Once on the calculator, input the details like app type, target platforms and desired features. You should also mention the complexity you are planning for the application. The tool will then analyse these details to give you an estimated range.

Once you have gained a cost range for the basic factors, begin adding the details like maintenance and scalability needs along with 3rd party integrations. You can compare the results available from different calculators to get a realistic budget for the application.

✓ Top Cost Calculators to Consider

Here are the top three cost calculators you can use to estimate the budget of your mobile application project.

#1. Clutch

This is a trusted platform where you can find app development companies and estimate the cost of development. There are tools that help evaluate the budget using factors like complexity, platforms and features. It also allows you to conduct detailed project cost comparisons and gives you an in-depth view of your tech partner.

#2. GoodFirms

This site offers a comprehensive cost calculator along with a database of all the top mobile app development companies. You can estimate the cost of development by adding factors like complexity and features. The tool gives you custom budget insights and offers a detailed cost comparison across companies.

#3. App Cost Calculator by Cleveroad

This tool is best fit if you want to estimate the overall development budget. It considers the features, platform you have selected and the design for the app to give you a cost range. You can use the tool to determine scenario-based estimation or platform-specific cost of development.

Conclusion

App development goes beyond creating software and staying relevant. It is about an investment that aligns with your business vision and helps you grow organically.

Understanding the development costs can help you allocate the resources efficiently and offer you a competitive edge. You need to understand the factors that impact your development budget to get the right estimate.

Cost calculators like Clutch and GoodFirms can give you valuable insights, along with a detailed comparison of costs for different companies. You can use this to reduce hidden app developement costs and make an informed budget decision.

It will also help you choose the right and skilled partner company to hire the resources and accelerate the launch. Expert App Devs is a leading mobile app development company that takes pride in offering highly skilled professionals with competent infrastructure at cost-efficient rates.

Connect with our team and we will help you with rough cost estimation, idea validation and end-to-end development.

Frequently Asked Questions

#1. What is the importance of a cost-benefit analysis in app development?

✅ A cost-benefit analysis helps understand if the benefits outweigh the cost of the application. In this case, you would be able to ensure proper resource allocation, define the milestones properly and maximize the ROI.

#2. How do emerging technologies impact app development costs?

✅ Integrating emerging technologies like AI, AR and VR into your application requires specialized skills. It also calls for advanced infrastructure that can increase the cost of development.

#3. Why choose expert app devs for app development cost estimates?

✅ Expert App Devs can give you precise cost estimates, offer the right professionals/team for the development and streamline the processes for accelerated launches.

#4. Should I choose a native, hybrid, or web app for my project? When?

✅ Your platform selection depends on the target market, your budget and performance needs. if you want better performance, go with native apps. However, if you want to reach a wider audience, you should go with cross-platform apps.

#5. Is it better to hire in-house developers or outsource app development?

✅ Outsourcing is a cost-effective way of developing your mobile application without compromising the quality or expertise. However, in-house development guarantees better control and seamless communication for faster development.

Jignen Pandya-img

Jignen Pandya

Vice President at Expert App Devs

Responsible for creating a sales funnel, attracting top-of-the-funnel customers, and converting the target market.

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