How Much Does It Cost To Develop An App For Businesses in 2025

Ever heard the saying, “there’s an app for everything”? Well, it’s true! According to BusinessofApps, there are 3.3 million Android apps on the Google Play Store and 2.2 million on the Apple App Store.

On top of that, Grand View Research predicts that mobile app market revenue will reach about $567.19 billion by 2030.

With such growth, it’s no wonder that every digital business is investing in mobile app development. But one common question people ask is: how much does mobile app development cost?

This guide will answer that question and provide detailed insights into the factors that affect app development costs, different app monetization models, the mobile app development process, and ways to save money when developing your app.

Average Mobile App Development Cost Estimate: An Overview

The cost of building a mobile app can range from $15,000 to $100,000, and for more complex, customized apps, it can go over $200,000. The actual cost depends on factors like the app’s complexity, features, development method, and more.

Don’t worry, though! We’ve got a detailed guide covering all the key factors that affect the cost of mobile app development.

Once you understand these factors, you can estimate the cost by using a simple formula: calculate the number of hours for each development process and multiply it by the hourly rate of the developers.

The Most Popular Apps and Their Development Costs

Here are some popular apps that have changed the way customers experience services and are currently leading the app market. This breakdown will also help you understand how much app development costs based on the app’s features, complexity, and design.

1. Uber

Uber is a well-known ride-sharing app that connects drivers and passengers worldwide. With Uber, users can request a ride immediately or schedule one for later. Nearby drivers receive the requests. Developing an app like Uber can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000.

2. Snapchat

Snapchat, with over 300 million daily active users, has transformed social media. It was one of the first apps to introduce augmented reality through filters and interactive lenses. It also lets users share self-destructing multimedia messages. Building an app like Snapchat could cost between $30,000 and $100,000 for one platform, or up to $150,000 for both platforms.

3. WhatsApp

WhatsApp is a messaging app that allows users to send messages, make instant video and audio calls, and share photos and videos. The cost of developing an app like WhatsApp ranges from $25,000 to $80,000.

4. TikTok

TikTok has become a huge part of the entertainment world, allowing users to lip-sync to dialogues and recreate scenes from movies and music videos. It also provides various filters and effects to improve your videos and photos. The cost to develop an app like TikTok ranges from $45,000 to $100,000 for one platform and up to $200,000 for a hybrid version.

5. Coursera

Coursera is a popular e-learning app that offers distance learning programs, including skill-building courses and university degrees worldwide. Developing an app like Coursera can cost between $40,000 and $100,000.

6. Netflix

Netflix is the top media streaming platform, letting users watch shows and movies whenever they want. The cost to develop an app like Netflix ranges from $20,000 to $150,000.

7. Holafly

Holafly is an innovative eSIM app that helps travelers stay connected globally. The cost to develop an eSIM app like Holafly can vary from $20,000 to over $250,000, depending on the app’s features, complexity, and the development team’s expertise.

While these are the estimated costs of some of the top mobile apps in the market, it’s also important to consider key development factors that influence the overall cost of mobile app development.

Top 8 Factors Impacting Mobile App Development Cost

The cost of mobile app development depends on several important factors. By understanding these factors, you can make smart choices to keep costs low while getting the best value for your investment. This knowledge will also help you stick to your budget.

Now, let’s explore the key factors that impact the overall cost of developing a mobile app.

1. Mobile App Complexity

The cost of building an app can vary based on its complexity. A simple app typically costs between $5,000 and $25,000. It includes basic features like a login system, user profiles, a dashboard, and limited admin functionality.

A medium complexity app can cost between $25,000 and $100,000. These apps offer more features for user engagement and monetization, such as social media integration, payment gateways, audio/video streaming, and user privacy features.

A complex app can cost anywhere from $100,000 to $250,000 or more. These apps incorporate advanced technologies like AR/VR, AI, and machine learning. They may also offer multi-language support and complex data logic.

2. App Features and Functionalities

The cost of creating an app depends on the features and functionalities you include. Adding more features increases the base cost of mobile app development for your app.

To keep costs low, focus on the essential features for the first version of your app. This approach ensures a good customer experience without overspending. Developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is a smart choice. An MVP is the initial version of an app with only the basic features. It saves time and money while gathering useful feedback from users.

3. App category

The cost of making an app depends on its category. Each category has different factors like the number of users, features, and security requirements, which affect the overall cost.

Here’s a quick look at the top app categories:

E-commerce/M-Commerce Apps

E-commerce app development, such as Amazon and Wayfair, are very popular because they have advanced features to handle many users, work in real-time, and provide strong security. E-commerce app development costs range from $25,000 to $100,000.

Social Networking Apps

Social media apps integrate third-party tools and use hardware features like cameras and microphones. These apps need to handle millions of users, making them more complex and expensive to develop compared to simpler apps. Social media app development costs range from $50000 to $250000

On-Demand Apps

On-demand apps usually have three versions: one for users, one for service providers, and one for businesses. On-demand app development costs range from $25000 to $250000

Hardware-Dependent Apps

IoT-based apps rely heavily on hardware devices to collect data or send commands. Hardware dependent app costs range from $50000 to $300000

4. App Design

Another important factor that affects the cost of creating an app is its design. To make sure users spend time on your app, you need to pay special attention to its design.

When choosing the app’s design, you typically have two options: Custom UI or Standard UI. Custom UI is harder to design and implement than Standard UI, which makes it more expensive.

5. App Platform

To begin the mobile app development process, start by selecting a platform. Based on your target audience, you can create an app for iOS, Android, the web, or choose a cross-platform option. If you’re a startup with a small budget, it’s wise to focus on one platform at first and expand to others later.

6. App Maintenance

The cost of developing a mobile app doesn’t stop once the app is built. Businesses need to keep updating their apps to match changing market trends and new device or OS versions, which adds to the expenses.

Knowing the cost of app development is essential for proper planning and budgeting. After the app is ready, you also need to consider ongoing expenses. For example, app maintenance typically costs around 20% of the total development cost each year.

7. Code Reuse

Reusing existing app code can significantly reduce mobile app development costs. By incorporating code from a pre-built app and updating only the branding elements, businesses can lower their expenses.

However, at Zealous we advise reusing only standard features like “Contact Us” or “Login” and creating the unique parts of the app from scratch. This approach helps maintain a distinct brand identity.

Using existing code can cut app development costs by 20–30% compared to building an app entirely from scratch.

8. Size and Location of Development Team

The cost of developing a mobile app largely depends on who you hire for the job. You can choose from several options, such as a skilled custom mobile app development company or other regions, a local team, an in-house team, a freelance developer, or hire a dedicated developer.

Among these, an experienced mobile app development company or a dedicated developer can be an excellent choice for creating high-quality apps with advanced features and functionality

Read also: How Much Does It Cost to Build a Mobile App in Dubai?

Hidden Factors Affecting Mobile App Development Cost

In this section, we will explore the common hidden costs of mobile app development. Knowing these factors can help you avoid risks and save both time and money. Let’s dive straight into the details!

1. Quality Assurance

The size of your app may require you to hire a quality assurance specialist or a project manager. You might also need business analysts to help manage the development process and keep costs within your budget.

2. Infrastructure Costs

Infrastructure costs refer to the expenses for storing data, delivering data, and hosting your app. These costs can increase the overall expense and complexity of a project. Examples include servers, data storage, and tools or libraries used in development.

3. IT Support Costs

To build a quality app, you need IT support and ongoing technical help. These costs can grow over time. IT support services can include updating iOS and Android versions, fixing bugs, and maintaining APIs.

4. App Publishing Costs

When developers create apps, they need to follow the app store requirements. The fees for publishing are usually not very high. For an Android app on the Play Store, there’s a one-time fee of $25. For Apple, the cost is $99 annually.

5. App Security

App security is very important. Users need to feel safe sharing their information with your app. That’s why it’s crucial to have a solid security plan in place. If you plan for security from the beginning and allow time for testing and security checks, everything will go smoothly. If you delay this, it could lead to higher costs and possible financial and reputational damage.

Now that we understand the factors affecting mobile app development costs, let’s look at the standard process to help you get started.

Mobile App Development Process: Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps to create a successful app for your business:

1. Understand Your Target Market

Start by researching your audience and understanding their needs. Analyze how consumers interact with similar apps, identify key players, and study user reviews of popular apps. This will help you create a better product that stands out in the market.

2. Select the Right Platform

Decide whether your app will run on Android, iOS, or both. If your budget is limited, you can start with one platform and expand to the other later.

3. Partner with an App Development Company

Hire a trusted app development company to ensure your app includes modern features and meets deadlines. Such companies provide a team of developers, designers, and project managers who work together to turn your vision into reality while using the latest technologies.

4. Create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

An MVP is a simplified version of your app with essential features. It lets you test your idea and save costs. Work with your development team to identify key features and unique selling points (USPs) for the MVP.

5. Test Your App

Thorough testing is essential before launching your app. Check its performance, user experience, and content to fix bugs and improve quality. Testing helps save money and time while building trust with your audience.

6. Publish Your App

Once testing is complete, submit your app to the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Ensure it follows the guidelines set by Google and Apple, including monetization rules, for a smooth approval process.

7. Launch and Monitor Performance

After launching your app, track its performance using in-app analytics. Regularly update the app to improve user experience, fix issues, and address user feedback.

How Do Apps Make Money?

There are many ways to make money from an app. Below, we’ll explore some popular methods you can use alone or together to increase earnings and provide more value to users.

1. Advertising

Advertising is a common way to earn money from an app. This method involves promoting third-party services or products on your app. In return, you get paid for displaying their ads.

2. Freemium

The freemium model lets users access basic features for free. However, they must pay to unlock premium features. This approach also allows you to add other income sources, like in-app ads.

3. Subscription

With a subscription model, users pay to use the app’s key features. Subscriptions can be offered in various forms, such as monthly, yearly, or even daily plans. Platforms like Google and Apple simplify subscription management for users.

4. Sponsorship

Sponsorship involves partnering with a brand in your app’s niche. The sponsor pays you, and in exchange, you can promote their brand, advertise their products, or direct users to their website.

Now that we’ve discussed app revenue methods, let’s look at standard practices to help you cut down on extra expenses during mobile app development.

How Can You Reduce Your Mobile App Development Costs?

Business owners and entrepreneurs can lower mobile app development costs by using smart strategies and following some proven practices.

1. Focus on Key Features First

When creating an app, start by focusing on the most important features. This approach helps you deliver value to users quickly. Save less critical features for later. A great way to do this is by building a minimum viable product (MVP) first. An MVP allows you to launch faster and save on initial costs.

2. Start Quality Checks Early

Apps often have bugs and errors that need fixing. By involving quality assurance (QA) experts from the beginning, you can catch and fix major issues early. This prevents expensive fixes later and keeps your project on track.

3. Plan for Future Growth

Apps often need updates and changes over time, especially if you start with an MVP. As customer feedback comes in or market trends change, you may need to modify your app. Planning for both short-term and long-term goals will save you money and effort in the future.

4. Choose Between In-House and Outsourcing

Deciding how to build your app is crucial. You can either hire an internal team or outsource the work to an experienced development company.

• Outsourcing lets you hire experts from outside your company, saving money on office and equipment costs.
• In-house development gives you more direct control but might require higher upfront investments.
• Pick the option that best fits your budget and project needs.

5. Use Cross-Platform Development

When launching an app, you might wonder whether to focus on Android, iOS, or both. Building separate native apps for each platform can be expensive. A better option is to use cross-platform development tools like Flutter, React Native, or Unity 3D. These tools let you create apps that work on both platforms, helping you save money and reach more users.

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How Can Zealous Help You With Mobile App Development Cost Estimation?

Now that all the details have come to an end, it has become quite evident that there is no specific amount to how much it costs to develop an app. Taking all the information into consideration, you might be able to arrive at an estimation.

Just in case, if you’re still at a stage of calculation, you can contact a top mobile application development company like Zealous to get a proper amount. We have experts who have specialized in creating the most scalable and innovative mobile apps.

Hence, if you are planning to get a mobile app developed, feel free to reach out to our experts by dropping details here.

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