How Much Does It Cost To Make An App In 2025?

How much does it cost to develop an app?- As you have landed on this blog, surely, you already plan to create an app and sort your idea. But the major concern is the finances!

The average cost to make an app starts from $12,000* with simple features like user login, user profile, search bar, payment method, dashboard, and admin panel access. 

On the other hand, developing a complex mobile app with advanced features like profile editing, push notifications, in-app chat/call, real-time tracking, and payment method integration may cost between $25,000* to $35,000+*.

If you are a startup then surely choosing to build a basic app will seem to be a tempting option to you. But before that keep in mind, that there are thousands of apps are launched every day globally to become a part of the thriving app development industry. 

Looking to turn your app idea into reality? Look no further than the top mobile app development company. Hire us today and let’s bring your vision to life!

With each passing year, the mobile app market is growing and is close to making $583 billion by 2030. Moreover, 139 billion mobile apps are expected to launch by 2024. 

Let’s watch the quick video to know “How Much Does It Cost To Make An App In 2025?”

How Much Does It Cost To Make An App In 2025?

But now the next question that hits your mind is “How much does it exactly cost to create an app?”, “Why there is a huge gap between these prices?”, “On what factors does the app development cost actually depend?”. 

Don’t worry here we have expert answers to all your queries related to mobile app development costs.

 A Tentative Overview: How Much Does It Cost To Make An App?

Estimating the app development cost is always challenging without knowing what exactly you have been looking to integrate into the app. Still to put it down simply, here we have a breakdown of app development cost per complexity.

The cost to develop a simple app can fall anywhere between $20,000* to $25,000* and if you’re aiming for a highly customized, complex app version, then the cost to develop an app will go beyond $50,000*.

These are the tentative cost estimations. So while you hire mobile app developer, keep in mind that the final cost hinges on factors like how intricate your app is, what features it has, the functionalities you’re after, and the development approach you choose.

Don’t get confused!

We’re here to guide you through a detailed analysis of the nitty-gritty that influences the cost of developing a mobile app. 

Once you deeply understand how each factor impacts the app development cost, you can accurately estimate how much it’ll cost to Build your chat app.

To easily get the final price, you just need to calculate the hours needed for each development step, and then multiply that by the hourly rate. It’s a bit technical, but it’s the key to unraveling the mystery of app development costs.

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Now let’s evaluate each factor that influences the app development cost…

What Factors Affect the Cost To Make An App?

Since every business is different, therefore there is no standard application that fits all. So there is no standard app development cost exists. So instead of going directly to hire a full-stack app developer to kick-start your project, let’s understand the major factors that deeply influence the app development cost.

1. Understanding The Complexity of the App

The cost of developing an app is majorly dependent on the complexity of the app. The complexity refers to the features and complexity of the app that you prefer to integrate with the app. So considering the complexity of the app, here we have categorized the app versions and estimated the app development cost.

Simple Complexity:

• These are the basic apps with minimal features, typically comprising three to four screens and simple functionalities like login, signup, profile creation, search, notifications, and messaging.
• They do not involve data storage complexities.
• The prime examples of simple apps include calculator apps, time-tracking apps, notes apps, and basic social networks.
• Cost estimation is relatively straightforward as it primarily depends on the number of features and screens required. Still, the average cost to make a simple app will start anywhere from $15,000*+ to $20,000*+.   

Basic Complexity: Database and API-based Applications:

• These apps include additional features beyond the simple ones, such as social media integration, in-app purchases, payment portals, geolocation, and enhanced security.
• They require data storage, retrieval from multiple databases, and synchronization capabilities.
• Major examples of this type of app encompass photo-sharing apps, taxi, or food delivery apps.
• Estimating the average cost to create an app with mid-level complexities is still challenging as it integrates databases and APIs, along with considerations for enhanced security, infrastructure, and more. Still, the average cost to develop an app will range between $30,000*+ to $50,000*+.

High Complexity: Feature-Rich and Large-Scale Applications:

• These apps cater to large businesses and organizations, offering advanced functionalities and custom integrations with existing systems.
• They entail features like data synchronization across multiple devices, native feature integration, online streaming, in-app calls, messaging, and video chats.
• Examples include enterprise applications, CRM systems, gaming apps, and trading platforms.
• Cost estimation for such apps is complex due to the extensive development efforts required for customizations, intricate features, robust infrastructure, and data security measures. Still, you can set a budget from anywhere ranging between $50,000*+ to $100,000*+.

In summary, the cost estimation of app development varies according to the complexity of the app. Simple apps entail lower costs, while those with basic and high complexity levels involve progressively higher expenses due to additional features, integrations, and development efforts.

2. Choice of Operating Platforms

iOS and Android are two of the most popular platforms in the world, which are capturing 80% share in the mobile app market and boasting 5 million apps.

So where you will launch your app first?

Well, the ultimate decision of choosing the operating platform often comes down to your app’s specific needs and your target audience. Both iOS and Android offer different platforms meant for different markets and user’s needs. 

But today, if you are planning to build an app, then make sure you target both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store to get wide user engagement. But how much does it cost to develop an app? 

The average cost to build an Android app and an iOS app ranges from $45,000*. Also, it requires hiring different app development teams with platform-specific expertise.

However, developing a mobile app for different platforms can be an expensive task. So here to save on app development costs, you can hire an app developer to invest in cross-platform app development.

Using such leading cross-platform app development platforms like React Native, Flutter, Xamarin, and more, you can save up to 70-80% on development time and cost. These platforms use a single codebase and provide advanced SDK to make the development process faster and easier.

3. Features and Functionalities of the App

Features and functionalities are one of the biggest budget-deciding factors of your app development. The more features you integrate into your app the higher the chances of getting successful. But on the other side, it will lead to higher app development costs.

That’s why it’s worth hiring a software developer who can help you prioritize your app features as per budget and needs.

Here’s the cost breakdown of critical features:

4. App Category 

The ultimate cost of the app development is also majorly influencing the fact that what type of app you are planning to develop. Each business has its strategy and plans to lead the market, therefore there is no standard app that fits all. That’s where each app type is customized with a different set of features and functionalities that bring a cost variation.

So now let’s delve into the estimated costs of developing different types of applications.

On-Demand E-commerce Apps

When we are talking about e-commerce applications- Amazon, Walmart, and eBay are the dominating leaders of today’s market. Laden with features to ensure seamless transactions, offer vast product categories, handle massive user traffic, and fortify with robust security measures, these apps are a cornerstone of online retail. 

Hidden Brains excelled in e-commerce app development, launching iOS, Android, and Chrome applications that gained instant popularity in African countries. With plans for global expansion and strategic partnerships, such as with MFA and DHL Express, Hidden Brains demonstrates a commitment to revolutionizing the e-commerce landscape.

Quick Highlights of our Ecommerce App Developed For Africa Mall

• Handling $1M transactions monthly
• Seamlessly working across 50+ different countries
• Interconnected with 4+ warehouses for order processing
• 200+ ecommerce store integrated 
• 20+ payment gateways interconnected 
• Daily processing of 4000+ orders during festive time

Social Networking Apps

Social media platforms majorly thrive on third-party integrations and intricate hardware functionalities. With the capability to accommodate millions of users concurrently, social networking apps demand substantial investment. The development cost of apps like Instagram, Facebook, or Snapchat with AR-based filters, is higher owing to their complexity and scalability requirements.

On-Demand Apps

On-demand services encompass a broad spectrum of the user, service provider, and business interfaces. Take “Uber” for example, a feature-rich app streamlining driver experiences by offering bookings from their preferred locations. 

Developing an on-demand app seems simple, but it is packed with a complex backend and each panel is defined with different features. To avoid taking a risk, it is always worth looking for leading software development companies with a high level of expertise in customizing on-demand apps. Overall, the complex functionalities integrated into the app straight directly reflected in their estimated costs.

Fitness and Wellness Apps

As people are becoming aware of fitness and well-being, in every 4 out of 5 people are using any sort of fitness and wellness app. These apps often integrate features like workout trackers, calorie counters, and personalized coaching. Crafting such apps involves meticulous attention to user experience and data security, which contributes to their development costs.

Travel and Tourism Apps

Now no more hassles of chasing the travel agents. Travel and tourism apps have made traveling far more fun-filled and easy. From booking flights and accommodations to discovering local attractions to local navigations, these apps serve everything that every modern traveler may require. The development cost of such apps varies depending on the complexity of features like geolocation services, real-time updates, and integration with third-party services.

Finance and Banking Apps

With various emerging technologies entering into the finance industry, the usage of Finance and banking apps keeps increasing. It offers users convenient access to their financial accounts, payment services, and investment portfolios. 

Moreover, these apps are fully encrypted follow security measures rigorously, and compliance with industry regulations. It ensures that all your financial transactions will remain secure and private. To extend the functionality and security features of the financial apps, organizations can consider Blockchain, big data-like technologies but it will lead to expensive app development costs. 

Now, let’s break down the estimated costs based on each app category:

• E-commerce App: $50,000*+ – $150,000*+, approximately 1,200 hours.
• Social Media App: $50,000*+ – $300,000*+, approximately 1,200 hours.
• Learning App: $60,000*+ – $225,000*+, approximately 900 hours.
• Dating App: $50,000*+ – $350,000*+, approximately 1,400 hours.
• Gaming App: $60,000*+ – $250,000*+, over 1,800 hours.
• Fitness and Wellness App: $40,000*+ – $200,000*+, around 1,000 hours.
• Travel and Tourism App: $60,000*+ – $300,000*+, approximately 1,500 hours.
• Finance and Banking App: $80,000*+ – $400,000*+, approximately 2,000 hours.

Hopefully, this app development cost classification can give you a fair idea about setting a real-life budget. These are the rough estimations so the final cost of app development can go up or low depending upon the requirements. 

5. UI/UX Design

As we transition to the next phase of determining the estimated cost of your mobile app, the design stage takes center stage. Yet, gauging the cost of UI/UX design isn’t as simple as it seems. Let’s delve into the nuances of UI/UX design and grasp how each aspect impacts the overall app development cost.

A. Creating a User Experience (UX)

Picture the backbone of your app, that’s what UX design essentially crafts. Ap design is not just about how your app looks, it means how seamlessly end-users can operate it. But how will you make a wireframe for this?

Well, delving into UX involves:

• In-depth planning, 
• Considering market dynamics, 
• User preferences, 
• App’s objectives. 

Apart, make sure every button placement, color choice, and user flow contributes to the overall cost estimation. After all, a well-crafted UX is synonymous with enhanced user engagement and satisfaction, elements that can’t be compromised.

B. Creating User Interfaces (UI)

The visual appeal of your app, its interface, sets the stage for user interaction. From the layout to the choice of colors, typography, and even the shapes used, each element is meticulously crafted to enhance user experience. 

The type of app you’re developing also influences UI design complexities and subsequently, cost. Whether it’s a basic app, a social networking platform, or an e-commerce hub, each requires tailored design solutions, contributing to the overall cost projection.

C. Integrating Branding Elements

All the iconic brands you recall, whether it is Amazon, eBay, Gucci, Apple, or Nike- these are not just the logos, that’s their experience that they are trying to apply to their logo. 

Similarly, when developing your app, investing in branding elements is paramount. While it might seem an additional expense, branding resonates with your audience, setting you apart in a sea of competitors. Integrating branding elements, be it through app icons or marketing efforts, adds a layer of identity to your app, inevitably impacting the cost estimate.

To get started well, AI prompts for logo design can create great visuals that will serve as the cornerstone of your app’s identity, enhancing recognition and reinforcing your brand’s visual appeal.

D. Elevating with UX Writing

Beyond visuals, the words within your app carry weight. UX writing is about crafting compelling copy that nudges users towards interaction and engagement. It’s the synergy between impactful design and persuasive language that drives user action. 

However, quality copy comes at a cost, and it’s a facet that can’t be overlooked when estimating app expenses. From landing page content to email newsletters, every word adds to the overall development price tag. Well, it’s an optional service that you can consider adding to your app development process, but it will add a huge value to your project. 

In a nutshell, the cost estimation of app development intertwines deeply with the complexities of UI/UX design. Each element – from crafting seamless user experiences to visually appealing interfaces and integrating branding – contributes to the final estimation. Generally, the average cost to hire a UI/UX designer ranges from $20*+ to $50*+ and can go above $100*+, depending upon the project requirements.

6. Hiring an App Development Team

The next factor that majorly impacts the cost of developing an app is the cost of hiring software developers. To build a full-fledged app, you need to hire a team of developers that may consist of business analysts, project managers, app developers, UI/UX designers, and app testers.

Usually, you have three options to hire developers – Freelancers, Outsourcing the app development, or hiring an in-house developer. 

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Freelancers can be hired with an average hourly cost of $10* to $30* per hour, whereas the salary of hiring in-house developers may range between $50,000* to $80,000* annually. Lastly, outsourcing the app development services to a trusted software development company can help you hire an entire team under one roof with on-time project delivery, cost-effectiveness, and quality assurance. 

If you are looking to hire the best outsourcing company

, Hidden Brains has a track record of delivering thousands of apps boasting millions of downloads. In addition, they are backed by a team of seasoned professionals who can easily build a solution aligned with your specific requirements.

The cost to build an app is majorly influenced by the location where you choose to hire app developers. Depending on skills, market competition, and the living cost of each location, the hourly of app developers may greatly vary.

The average cost to hire an Android app developer is around $20* to $25* per hour whereas in the USA, Europe, and Australia it may range between $50* to $80* per hour.

The cost of hiring app developers is comparatively competitive due to the highly competitive market and low living costs. But doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on quality. App developers are serving global clients so no language barrier, complete time zone flexibility, and availability of developers.

7. Reusability of Code

While calculating the app development cost, code reusability will be counted as a crucial factor that can drastically add up to your budget or trim it.  

Well, it’s a strategic move that significantly slashes the expenses involved. When businesses opt to repurpose the code from an existing app by hiring a mobile app developer to adjust functionalities and branding elements, the overall expenditure on mobile application development sees a notable reduction.

Hidden Brains, a leading app development company, our team of experts selectively and smartly reuse only the fundamental components such as contact forms, login screens, etc., while crafting the remainder of the app a new. This approach ensures that the app maintains its distinct brand identity and doesn’t become an identical clone of its predecessor.

The cost breakdown for app development, leveraging existing code, typically ranges from 20 – 30% less than the expense incurred in building an app entirely from scratch. This makes code reusability an enticing option for businesses aiming to minimize their budget for app development. 

So these are the major 7 factors that help you calculate the average cost of app development. Here we will help you uncover various hidden factors that may surprise you at the final billing.

Hidden Factors That Can Quickly Add Up The Cost To Your

When it comes to app development, several hidden factors can quickly escalate costs. These include:

• Unforeseen Complexity: As the development progresses, unforeseen complexities may arise, such as challenges in integration, unexpected technical hurdles, or changes in project scope.
• Inadequate Planning: Poorly defined project scopes, inadequate planning, and frequent changes in requirements can lead to increased development time and subsequently higher costs.
• Security Measures: Implementing robust security measures to safeguard user data and protect against cyber threats may require additional resources and contribute to elevated costs.
• Optimization for Various Devices: Ensuring that the app functions seamlessly across various devices and screen sizes can involve extra efforts in optimization, impacting both time and costs.
• Legal Compliance: Adhering to legal requirements, such as data protection regulations, may necessitate additional features or modifications, contributing to unanticipated costs.
• Post-Launch Support: Ongoing maintenance, bug fixes, and updates post-launch are essential for a successful app but can incur costs that are sometimes underestimated in the initial budget.
• Integration of Third-Party Services: Integrating third-party services or APIs might come with unexpected challenges, requiring additional development time and resources.
• Scalability Considerations: If the app needs to handle a growing user base, scalability considerations may require additional infrastructure and optimizations, impacting costs.
• UI/UX Refinements: Iterative refinements to improve the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) may be necessary, contributing to extended development timelines and costs.
• Geographical Differences: Development teams located in different regions may have varying hourly rates, influencing overall project costs.

To mitigate these hidden factors, thorough planning, clear communication, and regular project assessments are crucial. To make it work correctly, you can hire dedicated app developers who work closely with clients and are able to discuss the project timelines and development cost phase-wise.

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Practical Tips To Save On Mobile App Development Cost

Here are a few practical tips to save on your app development cost:

• Clear Project Requirements: Clearly define and document project requirements before starting development to avoid frequent changes that can lead to additional costs.
• MVP Development Approach: Adopt a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) approach to release a basic version with essential features, gather user feedback, and iterate. This minimizes initial costs.
• Cross-Platform Development: Opt for cross-platform development frameworks like React Native or Flutter to build apps that work on both iOS and Android, reducing development time and costs.
• Prioritize Features: Prioritize essential features over nice-to-have functionalities to streamline development and avoid unnecessary complexities.
• Open-Source Technologies: Leverage open-source technologies and libraries to reduce development time and costs. Many pre-built solutions are available for common functionalities.
• Agile Development: Embrace Agile development methodologies for flexibility and responsiveness to changes, preventing costly rework due to evolving project requirements.
• Appropriate Outsourcing: Consider outsourcing non-technical tasks to regions with lower labor costs, but ensure effective communication and collaboration for seamless development.
• Optimized Design: Prioritize a clean and intuitive design but avoid excessive complexities that may increase development time and costs. Optimize graphics and multimedia elements.
• In-House Testing: Conduct in-house testing to identify and fix issues before involving external testing services, reducing the need for extensive revisions.
• Use Analytics for Decision-Making: Utilize analytics tools to gather insights on user behavior and app performance, allowing data-driven decision-making for future iterations without unnecessary costs.
• Post-Launch Support Plan: Develop a well-defined post-launch support plan to address maintenance and updates efficiently, avoiding unexpected costs for ongoing app management.
• Continuous Communication: Maintain open and continuous communication with the development team to address concerns, clarify requirements, and prevent misunderstandings that can lead to additional work.

By implementing these tips, businesses can optimize their mobile app development processes, mitigate unnecessary costs, and ensure a more efficient and cost-effective project outcome.

How To Hire the Best Mobile App Development Team?

The final term that deeply affects the app development cost is your decision to hire an app development company. So what type of app development company should you choose?

Well, if you have finally decided to outsource the mobile app development project, then evaluating the IT outsourcing companies are important. With a highly competitive global talent pool offering skilled developers at cost-effective rates, it’s essential to have the right strategies in place to onboard top IT outsourcing partners.

Don’t worry, here we will help you gather some criteria to evaluate the reputation of app development companies that are capable of delivering high-quality products.

Let’s get started with the tips and tricks that help you choose the best IT company to fulfill your needs. 

1. Align Your Requirements With Their Development Skills

To get started, you need to understand the requirements of your app and the number of features it will require. Allocate the funds accordingly for the development and set the tentative timeline for each development phase. 

Also, if you know what type of application you need to develop, it will be worth specifying all the popular technologies that you may prefer for mobile app development. 

This outline of your app requirements will greatly help you find the best mobile app development company that perfectly aligns with your requirements. 

2. Verify Complete Development LifeCycle

Make sure the company you are planning to collaborate with offers end-to-end development services and has a good soundtrack record of project deliveries across the globe. Also, don’t miss out on asking about their development approach and how confident they are about their coding engineers.

The reputed company will explain its mobile app development strategy in detail and take the lead right from designing to final app deployment. 

3. Ask for Portfolio

Before you sign a contract with the software development company, don’t hesitate to ask for their portfolio. The company will excitedly present you with the best app development case studies and portfolios that they have delivered so far to their clients. 

Take a deep look at their delivered products and understand whether their development and design approach will fit your product requirements. Also, don’t miss out on the UPA that they added to the app as it counts as a success factor.

4. Assess Security & Compliance

Security and privacy are paramount in mobile app development. Ensure that the company is committed to protecting your sensitive information and discuss intellectual property rights upfront. A signed confidentiality agreement can provide added assurance.

5. Consider Hidden Fees and Support

Verify openly what services they are going to offer you at the quoted price. Is there any hidden fees or additional costs that may arise during the development process? Also, consider the level of support the company offers during and after the app is launched, including maintenance and update charges.

6. Get Recommendations and Reviews

Seek recommendations from trusted sources and read reviews from past clients to get insights into the company’s reputation and customer satisfaction.

Frequently Asked Questions