With more than half of the world's population now owning smartphones, it's clear that mobile apps play a significant role in our daily lives. Businesses of all sizes and domains try to extend their presence and reach a wider audience by going mobile. If you're an established business or enterprise venturing into the tech space, chances are you're considering building your own mobile app. Along with this thought, you’ll start asking questions like “How much does it cost to make a mobile app?” or “How long will it take to build an app?” Since the latter has our special attention in a separate article, we’ll focus on the first question here.
Determining the exact cost of creating a mobile app is not a one-size-fits-all scenario. Each app is unique and tailored to meet specific objectives.
For instance, developing a food-delivery app for the UAE market is an entirely different endeavor than creating a real estate app for the US market. As such, the processes involved and the associated development costs vary accordingly, with potential gaps of up to $200,000.
But fret not. We understand the importance of planning your budget. In addition to naming factors that influence mobile app development costs, we’ll provide approximate price ranges.
In this article, we'll
- guide you through the app development process,
- provide insights on how to calculate the cost of creating a mobile app for your business,
- explain what's included in the mobile app development cost,
- explore optimization strategies to ensure your investment delivers the best possible return.
So, whether you're seeking to enhance customer experiences, streamline operations, or tap into new markets, after reading this article, you will be more aware of the costs of building a mobile app.
Let's get started!
5 Main Factors That Affect App Development Cost
Typically, the development of a simple mobile app might start around $45,000, while more complex applications with advanced features, multiple integrations, and sophisticated infrastructure can range from $120,000 to $150,000 and beyond. Why so? Think of mobile app development as building a house. There are some default things like the foundation, walls, windows, etc. And optional such as a fireplace, garden near the house. The more you want, the more you pay. The material's quality and complexity also matter.
The same goes for app development costs. There are a few key factors that go into estimating the mobile app development cost:
- Platform choice: iOS, Android, or cross-platform
- Technical complexity
- The number and types of features
- Design requirements: Basic vs. custom UI/UX
- Location and structure of the development teamLet's focus on each aspect.
Platform choice: Android, iOS, cross-platform, web
Based on your specific needs, budget, and target audience, you will need to choose a platform for your mobile app, whether Android, iOS, or cross-platform. The decision, in turn, influences the development process and costs of your mobile app.
Android vs. iOS
First, choosing between the iOS or Android platform for your app does not generally lead to a significant cost difference if you are developing for just one platform. Platforms require different programming languages — Android uses Java or Kotlin, and iOS uses Swift or Objective-C. Each also has its own set of development tools and software development kits (SDKs).
The main consideration is the target audience and market share in your target regions; for example, iOS is more prevalent in the US and parts of Europe, while Android dominates in other regions.
The cost of developing an iOS or Android app typically ranges from $70,000 to $250,000, depending on the app’s scope and the developers' hourly rates.
Cost when building an app for both platforms
What is critical here? If you need your application available on both Android and iOS, then the app development cost will rise. This is because you essentially need to develop two separate apps unless you opt for a cross-platform solution. Developing natively for both platforms means hiring a separate team for each platform, and the average cost of app development is doubled.
Cross-platform development
Frameworks like React Native, Flutter, or Xamarin allow you to develop apps for both Android and iOS using one codebase. This approach can significantly reduce costs and development time because you do not need two separate teams, and much of the code is shared across both platforms. However, cross-platform solutions might not always deliver the same performance or fully native look and feel as apps developed specifically for one platform.
For example, the cost of developing an app using React Native for iOS and Android usually ranges from $50,000 to $200,000, which is a lower pricing tag than native apps.
Learn more about native vs cross-platform app development in our dedicated article.
Web app development
A web version of the app is designed to work across multiple devices and web browsers, typically costing less to build initially compared to native services.
Web application development services start at $5,000 for a basic solution and can exceed $200,000 for a feature-rich platform, including ongoing hosting and maintenance fees.
Here’s a detailed guide explaining how much it costs to develop a web application.
Technical complexity
At first glance, the app is a simple and beautiful tool that solves people's problems. But behind the scenes, it's tons of raw data turned into a logical flow, intuitive design, and useful features. And this is what I mean by technical complexity.
Simple mobile app cost
When it comes to software development, we don’t aim to build a rocket right away. On the contrary, we first create a minimum viable product (MVP) or prototype with basic functionality that helps you check key hypotheses and solves the most crucial pains. Such a simple app is built quickly, no longer than 3 months.
The cost of building a simple mobile app with basic functionality will be nearly $45,000.
Medium complexity mobile app
Medium-complexity apps have more intricate features like interactive elements and substantial content. Examples of such apps include e-commerce applications, fitness trackers, and online learning tools, to name a few. The development timeframe here is 3-6 months.
The costs of developing medium-complexity apps generally fall between $120,000 and $200,000.
Complex mobile app cost
Complex applications have more features, complex infrastructure, app logic, and multiple integrations with third-party services. Given this, they take longer to develop (7-12+ months) and demand more investments.
The costs of developing complex mobile applications typically start at $200,000 and $300,000 or more.
What exactly determines an app's complexity? It primarily boils down to the set of features it includes. The number of features can help you calculate the approximate app development price.
The number and types of features
Along with technical complexity, the implemented features are app development's most significant cost drivers. By features, I mean all user roles, screens, buttons, and pages.
The thing here is that the implementation of some features can be significantly lengthy, while others are relatively short. This means that each feature affects the timeline and the final cost of creating an app. Here's a list of the most common app features, the implementation time needed, and the approximate cost.
Design requirements: Basic vs. custom UI/UX
So we're moving forward, and the next deed that can add dollars to your check is design. From our experience, astonishing design is what most clients want to stand out with. The times when poorly designed but working apps can be accepted by people have gone. Today, investors won't consider your product idea if they don't like how it's designed.
App design consists of UI and UX components. Being the two sides of the same coin, UX and UI refer to different aspects of design development.
- UX design stands for “user experience.” It’s all about researching, testing how an individual interacts with an app, and making the product useful and enjoyable. A UX designer is a separate role in app development, so take it into account while estimating the cost of making an app.
- UI design is everything you see on the app interface, including icons, spacing, typography, color schemes, etc. All the illustrations and animations also count as the UI design. It is usually pricey to create a custom UI design.
Approximate costs of creating mobile app design:
The more advanced and time-consuming the design is, the higher the app development cost will be. The cheaper variant suggests using standard and template elements. The number of screens is also a determining factor.
You shouldn't overstate the importance of user experience UX/UI design when calculating app development costs. Neglecting these aspects can lead to poor user retention and ultimately harm the product’s success, making their consideration crucial when estimating the budget.
Location and structure of the development team
So, let's recall a rough estimate of how much it costs to create an app: a basic app will generally cost around $45,000, while more complex apps can range between $120,000 and $200,000 or even more. At the same time, these figures can vary greatly depending on the country you outsource to. Why? Mobile app development rates differ based on the location and the company’s IT consulting hourly rates.
Let’s explore how the cost of app development varies across different regions.
In the table below, you can see that Eastern Europe, and in Uptech's case – Ukraine – is the best go-to when it comes to the value vs price ratio.
A good middle ground is to hire app developers from Eastern Europe, where many reputable software companies offer custom mobile development solutions at more reasonable rates — usually between $45 to $70 per hour. For example, hiring a senior developer from Canada will cost you nearly $160, while in Ukraine, it would be $70. Besides, Ukraine is a well-known IT outsourcing destination for its highly skilled workforce and focus on digital innovation.
So, choosing an outsourcing partner is like drafting a sports team. You need the best player for the best price. For more information, read our guide about the best countries to outsource software development.
How Each Development Stage Impacts the Cost of Creating an App
The cost of outsourcing mobile app development can be different depending on the implementation stage. You can have a ready solution but want to improve app design. Or you have product expertise in-house but lack tech people and need to outsource only programmers.
As many apps, as many cases.
That’s why you must understand the breakdown of the various development phases to estimate mobile app development costs more effectively.
Let's explore the cost of each development phase, the specialists involved, along with their hourly rates, and provide an overview of the average price of mobile app development.
Product discovery phase cost
The product discovery stage is focused on understanding your business goals, target audience, and app requirements. Here’s a team of people who collaborate to gather insights and define the app's scope involved in product discovery:
- Product Designer
- Product Manager
- Software Architect
The average timeline is 3-6 weeks. The average hourly rate for specialists in this phase at Uptech is $30-60.
The cost of the discovery phase of a project, on average, ranges from $12,000 to $20,000. It covers the costs for initial research, feasibility assessments, and early-stage planning to define the project’s scope and objectives.
UX/UI design phase
As mentioned, user experience and user interface design are vital for creating an intuitive and visually appealing app. UX designers focus on wireframes and prototypes, while UI designers handle the aesthetics and branding.
A separate specialist is responsible for each phase. The average cost of a UX/UI specialist is $50/hour. Let’s try to calculate the cost of a medium complexity app design that takes 2 - 2,5 months to complete.
So the cost of UX/UI design services will cost you approximately $13,000 for a medium-complexity app and up to $25,000 for a more complex project. The stage includes expenses for creating the graphic design, user interface (UI), and optimizing the user experience (UX), as well as developing wireframes and prototypes.
Keep in mind that some professionals may work part-time at the end of the project, or if you have a Business Analyst/Product Manager on your side, the price may be lower.
Software development phase
As you know, the complexity of the app and the platforms it targets (iOS, Android, or both) influence the cost. The development team comprises front-end and back-end developers. The hourly rates for IT specialists at Uptech are around:
- Front-End Developer: $30 - $60 per hour
- Back-End Developer: $30 - $60 per hour
Average cost for the Development Phase: $30,000 - $80,000. It covers things like coding, programming, server configuration, data integration, and API (application programming interface) setup, taking into account the technical requirements and complexity of the app.
Please note that the cost may differ depending on your specific requirements. These are just the approximate and general numbers based on our experience.
Testing and deployment phase
This stage includes thorough quality assurance testing, bug fixes, final tweaks before launch, and the actual deployment of the app. QA testers are responsible for ensuring the app is bug-free and performs optimally. They rigorously test the app on various devices and scenarios. The hourly rates for QA testers are approximately:
- QA Tester: $30 - $50 per hour
Then comes the deployment part, when specialists prepare the app for release on platforms like the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. They
- configure the app to meet platform-specific guidelines,
- create and optimize the app store listings with descriptions and images,
- set up pricing models,
- ensure compliance with store policies.
Additionally, there are final checks to confirm smooth integration with backend servers, setting up hosting infrastructure for live use, and preparing monitoring systems to track performance after the app goes live.
So, the average cost for the testing and deployment phase is $20,000 - $35,000.
Ongoing support and maintenance
After the app is launched, continuous efforts are required to ensure it remains up-to-date with the latest software improvements, security patches, and compatibility adjustments as new operating systems or devices are released.
Within this phase, the hired specialists address any bugs that may arise post-launch, enhance features based on user feedback, and ensure the app’s performance remains optimal over time. Additionally, you may need customer support services to help users resolve issues and provide a seamless user experience.
Regular maintenance is crucial for the long-term success and stability of the app.
The costs associated with this stage are $1,000 – $10,000 annually.
4 Key Formulas to Estimate Mobile App Development Costs
As said earlier, the price differences are due to many factors that influence mobile app development, including technical specifications, design requirements, and functionality depth. All of those things are important, but there are a few common formulas that can be used to estimate mobile app development costs.
Standard mobile app cost estimate formula
The answer to "How much it costs to create a mobile app" is often wrapped up in the following common formula: The hours spent on various development stages such as design, platform-specific development, backend, quality assurance, project management, and post-launch support, multiplying these by the hourly rate of the developers.
Formula: Total Cost=(Design Hours +Platform Hours + Backend Hours + QA Hours + PM Hours + Support Hours) × Hourly rate
Feature-based formula
Mobile apps can be simple, like a note-taking app with some basic text entry features and options to organize notes by date or category, and complex feature-rich apps like social media platforms with messaging and video chat functions. So, using the feature-based method, you can calculate the mobile app cost by estimating the time and resources required for each feature individually.
Formula: Sum of (Cost per feature × Time to develop each feature)
Agile development costing formula
The agile development lifecycle is a series of stages and methodologies designed to create a product that fulfills user needs and adds value to their lives.
A key component of this lifecycle involves the use of sprints – short, focused development periods that last from 1 to 4 weeks. During a sprint, the development team aims to complete a set of predetermined tasks or features that contribute to the product's progression.
Given this, costs can be determined by the number of development sprints, with each sprint priced according to the planned workload.
Formula: Number of Sprints × Cost per Sprint
Time and materials model formula
In the Time&Material model, you pay for the actual time and effort that the team spends while developing a specific feature. Often employed in projects where requirements may change, this formula allows for flexibility as the development progresses.
Formula: (Number of Developers × Hourly Rate × Hours Worked) + Cost of Materials
There is also a fixed price model, which is a more straightforward way of handling payment for a project. Basically, the total cost is agreed upon before the work begins. This means that no matter how much time or resources are used, the price remains the same.
While these formulas show a picture of mobile app development costs in general, it’s still worth examining more details, especially potential cost overruns.
Are There Any Hidden Costs of Mobile App Development?
When calculating the mobile app development cost, it's essential to consider the hidden expenses that often go overlooked. These costs can significantly impact your overall budget and arise at various stages of development and post-launch. Here are some of the most common hidden costs associated with app development:
Third-party integrations
Many apps require third-party services such as payment gateways, push notification services, and analytics platforms. These services often come with their own subscription fees or usage charges, which can add up over time.
Backend infrastructure and servers
If your app requires real-time data syncing, user authentication, or heavy data storage, you will need robust backend infrastructure. This can result in ongoing costs for cloud hosting services such as AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure. Scaling the app to accommodate more users also adds to these expenses.
App store fees
Both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store charge developer fees. Additionally, they take a percentage (usually around 15% to 30%) of in-app purchases or subscriptions, which can cut into your profits.
Marketing and user acquisition
Developing an app is only the first step. To attract and retain users, you’ll need a marketing strategy, which might include social media ads, influencer partnerships, or SEO efforts. The cost of marketing can vary significantly depending on your target audience and app category.
Security and compliance
Last but now least, it’s important to make sure your app meets data protection standards (such as GDPR) and safeguard it against security breaches. For this, you invest in encryption, security audits, and compliance testing, which can add to the development cost.
By factoring in these hidden costs from the start, you can create a more accurate budget and avoid unpleasant financial surprises down the road.
Useful Online Tools to Calculate the Cost of Mobile App Creation
From all the abovementioned, you can see that the pricing tags for building mobile apps can differ a lot, and there are a lot of factors impacting the final number. To make it easier for you to understand the approximate budget required for app development, we suggest that you look at the following tools.
App development cost calculator by Uptech
At Uptech, we've developed our own internal app development cost calculator to help you get an accurate cost estimate based on your unique app requirements.
Our calculator is designed to be easy to use and takes less than 10 minutes to complete. You simply answer a few questions, such as the industry your app is targeting, the platform you wish to develop the app for (iOS, Android, or web), and the features you want to include.
Once you fill out the questionnaire and share your contact details, you will receive an accurate estimate tailored to your needs.
If you prefer more personal interaction or have additional questions, feel free to contact us directly and schedule a consultation call. We’re happy to guide you through the process and ensure all your app needs are addressed.
To get a better grasp of what your app might cost, here are a couple of app development cost calculators that provide quick estimates based on your requirements.
Basic App Development Cost Tool: Estimate My App
The Estimate My App is a user-friendly tool that helps you estimate the cost of building an app by selecting different functionalities, the complexity of the app, integrations, etc. It also factors in platform-specific costs and gives you a ballpark estimate for development.
Mobile App Development Cost Examples
We mentioned it before and will repeat it one more time: each app is unique, and the cost varies depending on each ingredient you put in your app.
Average mobile app development cost by app type
The more user roles, screens, and logic your app demands, the higher the average price will be. Below, we gathered the most realistic but still average app development cost by app type and industry in which they are created.
Average mobile app development cost by features
Let's say you have an idea for building a social app. I broke it down into the app features you need and calculated the approximate cost. Check it out.
- Log in – $5000
- In-app onboarding – $4000
- Home page with content – $6000
- User profile – $6000
- Chat – $5000
- Reviews & Likes - $5000
- Search – $4000
- Content filters – $4000
- App settings – $4000
- Content creation (uploading photos, videos) – $5500
- Video player and photo viewer – $4800
- Notifications, alerts – $4000
- Design – $15000
The final sum will be: $72,300
Average mobile app development cost by technologies used
Advanced technologies like AI/ML, IoT, and Big Data analytics can significantly increase app development costs. For instance, IoT-based apps require hardware integration, which adds complexity and expenses. Let’s take a closer look at how these modern technologies affect development costs.
Artificial Intelligence
AI-powered applications utilize artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to enable smart features such as recommendation systems and predictive analytics. Developing AI-driven apps and integrating AI into apps requires the specialized expertise of ML engineers and data scientists, which contributes to higher costs. Typically, the cost for AI-enabled apps ranges from $50,000 to $300,000.
At Uptech, we provide a wide range of AI/ML services to help you power your apps with cutting-edge technologies.
Internet of Things
IoT-based apps rely on the development of embedded software to function with IoT devices. These solutions often require integration with various hardware components, increasing the complexity and cost of development. On average, the cost of IoT embedded systems is around $30,000 to $250,000+, depending on the complexity of the solution.
Till now, we’ve been talking about factors that add up to mobile app development costs. But there are certain things you can do to reduce the price.
How to Reduce Mobile App Development Budget?
Of course, such pricing tags as $100,000+ for a mobile app can be scary. The good news is that it's not a verdict. There are always options to cut the final cost of developing an app. Here are several tips from us.
Cut the features set
In the case of the e-commerce app, you can skip user profiles in the first stages. Implement only the necessary features and test the key hypotheses. It's okay to add the rest in the next app version.
Use template solutions
Instead of custom illustrations and buttons, use UI kits. They cut the designer's resources and the final app development cost as a result.
Invest in a Quality Assurance (QA) team
It's a common misconception that a QA team is unnecessary and that testing can be managed independently. However, the complexity of thorough testing often surpasses initial expectations. A skilled QA team is a must if you want your final product to be bug-free and save potential future costs related to fixing errors.
Outsource app development
When looking to develop a mobile app on a budget, consider outsourcing the project to freelancers or specialized companies located in regions with lower labor costs. This approach also offers a wider pool of global talent: You can select from various skilled professionals who can deliver high-quality work at a fraction of the cost.
Implement early user acceptance testing (UAT)
With UAT at the beginning stages of development, you are one step closer to cost-effective and successful software. Consider the scenario where you release your app on digital platforms only to discover it doesn’t meet user expectations – dealing with such issues post-launch can be prohibitively expensive. To avoid this, introduce UAT during the prototype phase and repeat the process before the final launch.
It's easy to get inspired by the idea, but what helps you turn it into reality is – a clear mind and good preparations. Calculating the approximate mobile app development cost is a part of that preparation. If you're afraid to do something wrong, drop us a line. We'll be happy to hear about your project, help you with estimations, and collaborate.
"It's easy to get inspired by the idea, but what helps you turn it into reality is – clear mind and good preparations."
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Custom Mobile App With Uptech?
Before signing the contract with a client, we, of course, make a cost estimation. This is how it looks:
- First, we talk a lot with a client about the product and ask the following:
- What should the product look like?
- Do you have the design references for the product?
- Are there any features that should be in the app?
- Then, we make our own market research, and our team came up with a list of product features;
- Our Solution Architect proposes the best technical solution for the app;
- Our Product Designer prepares mockups of the app;
- Our Business Development Manager thinks of the team size and approximate time estimation of the project based on the information above.
We all know that there are always details affecting the final price of a mobile app, and unexpected things may happen. That’s why we make 3 scenarios: negative, positive, and neutral. Having all these at hand, you feel more confident about the decision, and we’re fully transparent and open with you.
It seems like a lot of work to do. And it's so, but it helps us ensure that the resulting app matches your requirements and, more importantly, is completed within your budget.
To bring you closer to real life, here’s how it works in practice. Usually, the team involved in the app development consists of Product Managers, Developers, Designers, and QA Engineers. The average cost of each specialist is $50/hour.
So, if you want to build a medium complexity app that takes 4 - 5 months to complete, the approximate cost would be $70,000 - 120,000.
If you still have doubts about how much your app idea will cost, drop us a line. We’ll make a rough estimate according to your requirements and the idea description. It could be the beginning of an exciting collaboration!
FAQs
What are the costs involved in creating an app for a small business?
For a small business, app development costs typically range between $25,000 and $100,000, covering design, development, testing, and maintenance.
Can you build a mobile app for free?
Yes, you can use platforms that offer free services to build an app using templates and no-code tools. However, these might lack customization options and optimal performance.
How much does it cost to publish a mobile app?
To publish a mobile app, you will typically be charged a one-time fee of $25 on Google Play and an annual fee of $99 on Apple's App Store.
How much does it cost to maintain an app?
Ongoing app maintenance can cost 15%-20% of the original development cost annually. The price includes tasks like updates, bug fixes, and compliance with operating systems.
Is it cheaper to build a mobile app in-house or outsource?
Generally, it’s cheaper to outsource mobile app development, especially when leveraging talent from regions with lower labor costs.
What are the cost implications of hiring a freelance developer vs. a development agency?
Freelancers typically charge lower hourly rates, but costs can escalate depending on project specifics. Agencies charge higher rates but usually deliver more comprehensive services and faster execution.
What are the potential cost implications of developing apps for wearable devices or smart homes?
Mobile app development for wearables or smart homes can involve higher costs due to the need for specialized skills and integration with hardware.