How Much Does Mobile App Development Cost?

Last Updated on October 2, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Developing a custom mobile app provides invaluable opportunities to engage users, boost brand visibility, and grow any business or startup. But how much does it realistically cost to create a high-quality?

In this guide, we’ll break down the key factors that substantially impact mobile app development pricing across the full project lifecycle. You’ll learn realistic cost ranges for native iOS, Android, and cross-platform apps depending on features, complexity, design needs, and more.

We’ll also get into “hidden” costs around launch, maintenance fees, regional rate differences between developers, and tips for cost-optimizing your project budget.

How Much Does Mobile App Development Cost?

Professional app development costs anywhere between $20,000 and $500,000 or more depending on the type of app you’re building, its features, and other factors.

Basic informational apps – $20,000 to $50,000

Includes simple content-focused apps, calculators, and utilities with light functionality.

MVP app development – $30,000 to $100,000

“Minimum Viable Product” app versions with core validated features to test an app concept before full production.

Robust e-commerce apps – $50,000 to $250,000

Includes more complex requirements like product catalogs, user accounts, payment integration, interactive shopping carts, and order management systems.

Social media apps – $100,000 to $500,000+

Social platforms require advanced features like image/video sharing, real-time chat, activity feeds, push notifications, moderation, and more.

Enterprise apps – $100,000+ – Robust apps for internal business use like field workforce enablement, data analytics, and logistics require thorough planning and tight security controls.

On-demand service apps – $100,000 to $300,000+

Apps like Uber or delivery services with real-time coordination/tracking, communication channels, and location-based features.

According to iTrobes, the cost for developing a mobile app can range from $5,000 to over $500,000. Simple apps with basic features typically cost between $5,000 and $50,000, while more complex applications like social networking or gaming apps can exceed $500,000.

As detailed by SPDLoad, the average mobile app development cost falls between $30,000 and over $400,000. They categorize app development costs as follows: simple apps range from $10,000 to $60,000, average complexity apps from $60,000 to $150,000, and highly advanced apps starting at around $300,000.

According to a report on Upwork, a basic app typically costs between $40,000 and $60,000, while a medium complexity app ranges from $61,000 to $69,000. Feature-rich applications can cost between $70,000 and $100,000. The median total app development cost is reported to be around $171,450.

In an analysis by Business of Apps, they estimate that simple app development can cost between $5,000 and $50,000, while medium complexity apps range from $50,000 to $120,000. Complex app projects may require budgets of around $100,000 to $300,000.

Lastly, according to Cleveroad, the overall cost for developing an app generally ranges from about $40,000 to $300,000, with complex applications potentially exceeding this range. They emphasize that factors such as design complexity and feature set significantly influence the final price.

Factors Influencing Development Costs

Several core technical and design factors drive the overall project pricing and costs across all phases of development:

App complexity

• Basic apps – $20,000 to $50,000
• Moderate complexity apps – $50,000 to $100,000
• High complexity apps – Over $100,000+

More complex apps naturally require more development and testing time across both the visual frontend and integrated backend components. Complex logic, animations, data builds cost more.

Platform selection

• Native iOS – $20,000 to $200,000+
• Native Android – $20,000 to $200,000+
• Cross-platform – $30,000 to $300,000+

Native apps are built with separate iOS and Android codebases while cross-platform apps share a core codebase. Supporting multiple platforms increases costs.

You might also like our articles about the cost of website development, Salesforce, or a Cisco Phone System.

Design focus and user experience

• $5,000 to $25,000+

Investing in custom, high-quality UI and UX design raises upfront costs but pays off via improved user engagement and retention over time.

Integrations and backend database

• Basic: $10,000 to $25,000
• Complex: $25,000 to $75,000+

Robust apps require coordinating third-party APIs like payment processing or location-based services with your custom programmed backend, increasing development and debugging timelines.

Features and functionality

• Common features: $5,000 to $15,000
• Advanced capabilities: $15,000 to $50,000+

More intricate features like geolocation services, augmented reality, 3D imaging, or real-time data sync significantly increase costs for both implementation and testing.

“Hidden” Costs to Consider

App store distribution fees

• Apple App Store: $99 per year
• Google Play Store: One-time $25 fee

Ongoing app maintenance

• 15% to 20%+ of initial dev cost per year

Covers regularly releasing updates, scaling capabilities, fixing bugs, adding new features.

Marketing and launch

• $10,000 to $50,000+

Includes PR, social, advertising, and influencer campaigns to drive awareness at launch.

Cloud hosting and servers

• $70 to $400+ per month

Required for hosting app backend, databases, and API integrations. Based on traffic.

Native vs. Cross-Platform Apps

Native iOS and Android apps

$50,000 to $300,000+ for both platforms

Requires fully separate codebases but enables full optimization for each OS.

Cross-platform apps

$30,000 to $200,000

Uses shared React Native or Flutter codebase. Reduces costs but may sacrifice some performance.

“If expanding an app beyond your first platform, using a cross-platform framework strategically can significantly reduce overall development costs,” advises Vasilios Ioannou, app consultant.

Regional Differences in Rates

Location of your dev team influences costs:

United States and Canada

• Cost per hour: $100 to $250
• Highest rates but world-class talent and proximity.

Eastern Europe

• Cost per hour: $30 to $75
• Skilled developers at lower costs thanks to location-based savings.

India and Southeast Asia

• Cost per hour: $20 to $50
• Most affordable hourly rates globally but higher oversight needed.

Expert Insights

Top tips from app developers and consultants:

“Only build core must-have features first, then scale up the app over multiple versions to spread out costs,” suggests mobile dev expert Ana Crawford.

“Spend time on solid specifications and wireframes upfront – changing requirements in mid-development can increase total costs drastically,” advises Vasilios Ioannou.

“Carefully evaluate whether your app idea justifies native iOS and Android development costs versus taking a cross-platform approach,” says Ana Crawford.

Answers to Common Questions

Can I build an app totally for free?

While you can learn skills and attempt very basic apps yourself, quality mobile apps require experienced full-time developers and at least $20,000+ in investment.

What is the average cost per install for mobile app advertising?

Average cost per install varies widely from $1 to $15+ depending on the marketing channel, targeting, competition level, and optimization tactics used. Meticulous tracking of return on investment (ROI) is key.

Can free apps still be profitable?

Absolutely. Many top apps are free to users but generate significant revenues from in-app advertising or drive paid subscriptions/upgrades. The key is optimizing the core app experience itself to drive high engagement, retention, and conversion of a subset of users into paying customers.

Final Words

While mobile app development costs vary enormously based on project specifics like complexity, features, design needs, and target platforms, quality custom mobile apps typically start between $20,000 to $50,000 for basics up through over $100,000+ for complex platforms.

Carefully evaluating requirements and using cost-optimization best practices allows building apps matching project budgets and business goals.