How much time every day do you spend on your smartphone? Well, the maximum you spend is 10-12 hours scrolling specific products on social media, watching posts, ads, and short videos. But you think what happens when you don’t have a smartphone? The answer is that you have to do all the tasks manually, which may consume more time. As a result, the demand for mobile app development is high among businesses and customers.
Being a business owner, you should have an app. We all know that everybody has a smartphone in their hand in today’s time. Even teenagers also have mobile phones, which is why it is a boon for businesses. As a result, there are lots of mobile app development companies. As an owner of a company, if there is no online application, it is time to invest in on-demand app development. However, it is necessary to know the cost of mobile app development.
There are a variety of different applications like medical, e-commerce, finance, and many more. And the cost may differ according to features, complexity, and many other factors. You are in the right place if you are looking for low-cost mobile app development services. In this blog post, we will briefly discuss the app development cost.
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An Overview of Mobile Apps Development Cost
Generally, the cost to make a mobile app can range from $20,000 to 1,10,000 and more in case of more complexity. It is just a rough estimate as the overall mobile app development cost depends on several factors, such as features and functionality, complexity, development approach, and many more.
But you don’t have to worry about the cost as we have a detailed analysis in which we included the essential factors contributing to the mobile app development. Once you are familiar with these factors, it is easier to understand how much it cost to develop a mobile app based on different platforms, features, complexity, and many more things.
Apart from complexity and features, the developer’s experience, location, and knowledge play an important role in determining the mobile app development cost. In simple terms, these factors are game changers that can completely change the cost.
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Mobile Application?
As we mentioned above, the app development cost depends on several factors. In order to know the mobile app development cost, it is necessary to contact mobile app development companies in the USA. For an idea, we list out a table below:
| Simple Apps
Up to 3 Months |
Middle Apps
3-6 Months |
Complex Apps
6-9 Months |
| API Integration | Social Integration | Custom animation |
| Item List | Search By Map | Video and Audio Support |
| Basic UI/ UX | Tablets Support | Integration with third-party services |
| Simple Search | Integration with payment systems | Several types of database relationships. |
This table is ideal for those who want to know when they get their app. However, the app delivery app development project is based on complexity. If you know how much you have to pay to build a mobile app development cost, the list below may benefit you.
| Application Type | Estimate Cost |
| Android App | $18,000-$25,000 |
| iPhone App | $20,000-$25,000 |
| Web Application | $18,000-$25,000 |
| Taxi App | $14,000-$18,000 |
| Healthcare App | $20,000-$25,000 |
| Retail App | $12,000-$18,000 |
| eCommerce App | $20,000-$25,000 |
| E-Learning App | $15,000-$20,000+ |
| Food Delivery App | $14,000-$18,000 |
| Hybrid App | $15,000-$20,000 |
| Dating App | $20,000-$25,000 |
| Restaurant App | $18,000-$22,000 |
| Video Streaming App | $10,000-$18,000 |
| Social Media App | $18,000-$22,000 |
| Business App | $18,000-$25,000 |
| AR App | $20,000-$25,000+ |
The Cost of Building a Mobile App Example
In this section, we will look at the mobile app development cost through some examples. We will discuss some examples as well as the money needed to build mobile applications. You know that the listed applications are built with amazing mobile development frameworks. It will give you an idea of what a mobile project is going to cost you. Let’s take a look at the listed example.
1. Tinder
Tinder is a cross-platform mobile app that is popular for dating. The application was founded in 2012 in the market. You know that this amazing appraised more than $458,000 in seed. In simple terms, the application is getting more popular in today’s time. As a result, many enterprises are searching for a mobile app development company to build a dating app like Tinder.
The cost of this type of mobile application will start somewhere around $20,000 to $40,000. As far as time is concerned, this will take 2 to 3 months to build. If there are more complexity or advanced features, you have to wait for more.
2. MDLiveCare
This is the best and most popular telehealth mobile application that started back in 2009. This amazing app is known to provide one of the best healthcare services. It has proven to be beneficial for patients, employers, hospitals, and clinics. If you want to build an app like it, you must pay around $25,000, which takes 2-4 months.
If you want to build this app, you have to hire mobile app developers instead of knowing the cost. If you hire professionals, they pay a high price compared to novice developers. So you have to choose one as per your desire and budget.
3. Instagram
This is the most popular social media app for watching real advertisements. You know that a lot of people use this application. Nowadays, this image-sharing-based social media app has surpassed its parent company Facebook. If you want to build an app like Instagram, you must pay $20,000, which takes 3-4 months.
If you want to build an app like Instagram, you must hire dedicated developers who help you complete mobile app development projects on time. Moreover, they will provide all the information about mobile app development costs.
4. Shipt
This is an American delivery service provider that Target Corporation owns. This grocery delivery mobile app business is based in Birmingham, Alabama. The grocery app development costs around $15,000 and takes 2-3 months. You know that many applications on-demand app development solutions are available for the same. If you want to build such an app on an Android platform, it is good to hire Android app developers.
In case you want to build an app on the iPhone platform, hire iPhone app developers who are well-trained and experienced in building a functional and easy-to-use application.
5. Rinse
This is a laundry application that is known for offering all the on-demand laundry services with just a click in its mobile app. You know that it takes around 900 hours to build such an app, and the cost may be around $30,000. In order to build a functional and easy-to-use app, you can hire a dedicated developers team that is committed to providing ultimate solutions.
6. WhatsApp
WhatsApp is an instant messaging application that gives permission to exchange messages, including instant video/audio calls, photos, video uploads, etc. In order to build an app like WhatsApp, you have to pay $35,000- $80,000. To make the development process, you can contact a top mobile app development company that will help you implement your ideas into reality.
7. Uber
Uber is a popular ride-sharing application that connects drivers and riders worldwide. Through the help of this app, customers can request a car instantly or on schedule. Those who want to build a functional app like Uber have to know the mobile app development cost, which may be $25,000- $70,000.
8. Snapchat
Snapchat is a top messaging app that has amazing filters and interactive lenses. This application gives permission to share multimedia messages that will “self-destruct” in up to 10 seconds. Snapchat mobile app development cost can be around $40,000, $1,10,000, or more on the basis of different factors.
Factors That Impact Your Mobile App Development Cost
The creation of mobile applications has become crucial to contemporary company tactics. Having a mobile app can have a number of advantages for your company, whether it be a startup, small business, or huge corporation. These advantages include increased consumer interaction and brand visibility.
However, the price of developing mobile apps is a crucial factor that every firm must take into account. The price might vary greatly depending on a number of variables, and each of these influences the entire budget for your app project. In this section, we will discuss the top factors that may affect mobile app development costs:
1. Platform Selection
The choice of platform, such as iOS, Android, or both, greatly affects development costs. Each platform has its own development technology and requirements, which can cause differences in development effort, time, and cost.
| Type of Application | Average Cost |
| Native Application | $25,000 to $80,000 |
| Cross Platform App | $15,000-$40,000 |
| Web Application | $10,000 to $50,000 |
| Hybrid Application | $20,000-$1,10,000 |
2. Application Complexity
The complexity of an application’s features, functionality, and design directly impacts development costs. Simple apps with basic functionality cost less than complex apps with advanced features, integrations, and animations.
3. Design and User Interface
The complexity and quality of the application’s user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design affect the cost. A well-designed application that provides a smooth and intuitive user experience often requires more design work, which can increase development costs.
4. Development Method
The development method you choose can affect the cost. Native app development offers better performance and user experience but can be more expensive. Cross-platform development tools like React Native or Flutter can reduce costs but may not offer the same level of performance as native apps.
5. Features
When it comes to building an app, features can increase or decrease mobile app development costs. Yes! You heard right. If you want to include basic features such as sign-up/ login, payment integration, push notifications, and many more, you have to pay less than the advanced features. This is why features are known as game changers that can make a hole in your pocket or save lots of pennies.
| Feature | Average cost |
| Login | $500 – $1,000 |
| Profile Completion | $900-$1,000 |
| Messaging | $3,000-$5,000 |
| Push Notification | $1,000 – $1,200 |
| Payment Integration | $3,500-$4,000 |
Final Note
In this blog, we discuss the mobile app development cost and factors that may affect the cost. All of these points are related to the app development cost. But you also have to think about a leading mobile app development company to build an app. We all know that it is a one-time investment that gives a lifetime return on investment, so no one wants to compromise on quality.
This is why we recommend you consult a professional mobile app developer, as they can assist you in better understanding the mobile app development cost and always reduce it to an extent.
FAQs
1. How much does mobile app development cost?
Mobile app development costs can vary widely depending on factors such as complexity, features, platform, design, and development time. Simple apps can start from a few thousand dollars, while complex ones can cost several hundred thousand dollars or more.
2. What factors affect the cost of mobile app development?
Key factors include application complexity, platform (iOS, Android, or both), design complexity, functionality, ability to integrate with backends, service usage by third parties, the geographic location of the development team, and the developer’s hourly salary.
3. What is the difference between a simple application and a complex application?
Simple applications can have a basic user interface, limited functionality, and minimal integration with other systems. A complex application that includes intricate designs, advanced features such as real-time communication, payment gateways, third-party integration, and more comprehensive backend development.
4. What is the impact of app design on cost?
Design deals with both user interface (UI) and user experience (UX). A more detailed and custom design will likely increase costs as designers and developers require more time and effort.