How Much Does It Cost to Make a Mobile App?

The average cost to build an app starts from $20,000 to $200,000. It may vary on the app platform, application features, functionalities, user base, and complexities.

Parm Sidhu (Editor at The App Journey)
ILLUMINATION
7 min readJun 17, 2024

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Photo by Daniel Korpai on Unsplash

There are many organizations or businesses embarking on mobile app development, so it’s crucial to understand that app creation costs can vary dramatically.

The size and complexity of the app being developed are key factors influencing these costs. Some apps can be designed for as little as $5,000, while others may require a budget of over $1 million.

This article will help you to imagine approximately how much does it cost to make a mobile app. So, without any delay, let’s read the article.

Table of Contents

  • Factors Affecting The Cost to Make a Mobile App
  • Cost To Create an App as Per Company Location
  • Cost To Create an App as Per Complexity Level
  • Cost to develop an App as Per Company Size
  • How Much Does It Cost To Make a Mobile App in Development Stages?
  • Cost of Hiring App Developer
  • The Average Cost to Build an App
  • Business Benefits of Development a Mobile App
  • Conclusion

Whether you’re a startup looking to gain a competitive edge or an established company aiming to improve its web visibility, developing a mobile application can be beneficial. Embracing mobile applications can increase revenue and more efficient operations for your company.

Hiring an app developer might cost anything from $30 to $120 per hour; prices vary widely. However, you must understand your business needs so that it will help you select the best service provider for your business.

Factors Affecting The Cost to Make a Mobile App

There are several factors that affect the cost to build a mobile app such as company location, Complexity level, Developers and designers, Hourly rate of the company, and Company Size.

Let’s discuss briefly about all the applications that are affecting the cost to create an app.

Cost To Develop an App as Per Company Location

Company location is the major factor that affects the cost to develop an app. Different locations and lifestyles affect the cost. It may vary from country to country based on lifestyle and living standards or the cost of goods and services. Let’s see the different Locations and their average cost to build an app.

Location India

  • Hourly Rate $20 — $40

Location United States

  • Hourly Rate $100 — $150

Location Canada

  • Hourly Rate $100 — $150

Location United Kingdom

  • Hourly Rate $80 — $120

Location Germany

  • Hourly Rate $70 — $100

Location France

  • Hourly Rate $70 — $100

Location Australia

  • Hourly Rate $70 — $110

Cost To Develop an App as Per Complexity Level

The complexity level is the major factor that affects the cost to build a mobile app. The complexity of an app can significantly impact the cost of app development. So, let’s dive shortly into how much does it cost to make a mobile app as per complexity level.

Low-Level of Complexity

Complexity level plays a vital role in the cost to build a mobile app. It depends on your desire that what kind of application you want to develop. Generally, At a low level of complexity, you will get fewer Features, Integrations, User Interfaces, Security, Platforms, and so on. Similarly, in medium and high levels of complexity, you will get some advanced features on them. The details below will help you find out the average cost to build an app

Funcanilities:- Standard UI elements, low-tech screens, no storage, basic MVP, single platform

Examples:- SMS app, clock, calculator, audio/video player

Approx cost to create an app:- $10,000 — $50,000+

Mid-Level of Complexity

Funcanilities:- Customized UI, API integrations, data storage, push notifications, high-quality screen, GPS access

Examples:-Chatting app, budgeting app, photo and file sharing app, food delivery app, cab booking app

Approx cost to create an app:- $30,000 — $150,000+

High-Level of complexity

Funcanilities:- Two-factor authentication, chatbots, real-time synchronization, nonlinear workflows

Examples:- Gaming app, logistic app, enterprise app, healthcare app, trading and lending app, telehealth app

Approx cost to create an app:- $50,000 — $300,000+

Cost To Develop an App as Per Company Size

Company size plays a vital role when it comes to the cost to make a mobile app. The cost to develop an app depends on the company’s size and on its developers. So, let’s review briefly how much does it cost to make a mobile app as per company Size. You may get an idea of the average cost to build an app

Small-Size Company

  • Manpower: 50–200
  • Approx Cost: $20,000 to $ 45,000

Medium-Size Company

  • Manpower: 200–500
  • Approx Cost: $50,000 to $1,00,000

Large-Size Company

  • Manpower: 1000+
  • Approx Cost: $100,000 to $1,500,000

How Much Does It Cost To Make a Mobile App in Development Stages?

I can confidently say that you have already made a rough calculation of how much it costs to make a mobile app. But remember, no matter how accurate the number seems, it will probably just put you off. Sometimes, your rough calculation may be misleading.

However, the cost to make a mobile app depends on the app’s features, technologies used, design, development team location, and so on.

Breakdown of the Cost to Make a Mobile App

  • Cost of Testing and Deployment Stage — Estimated Cost — <$5,000 (with a timeline of 2–4 weeks)
  • Cost of Discovery/Strategy Stage — Estimated Cost — $1,200 — $11,000 (with a timeline of 2–4 weeks)
  • Cost of Development Stage — Estimated Cost — $3,000 — $60,000 (with a timeline of 2–6 months)
  • Cost of Design Stage — Estimated Cost — $2,500 — $10,000 (with a timeline of 3–4 weeks)

Cost of Hiring App Developer

The approximate cost of hiring an app developer may be from $25 to $60 per hour, depending on the developer’s expertise, experience, and region. However, it is also necessary to research and explore with multiple developers to understand the specific costs associated with your app development project.

The development team comprises multiple professionals in their respective fields.

Business Analysts: They understand requirements, analyze the business domain, assess the budget, document the process, and produce the software business model.

Project Manager: This person manages the team and puts them together, assigns tasks, ensures that deadlines are monitored and reached on time, and provides the necessary resources to finish the project effectively.

Architect: The architect helps choose the prototype, incorporate user input, and supervise the design, testing, and fine-tuning of each step until it’s perfect.

Developer: Developers code using multiple programming languages, technologies, and tools that ensure that your software runs smoothly. They also design the desired project according to clients’ and customers’ requirements.

UI/UX Designer: They create a unique and visually appealing application that grabs the user’s attention.

QA: After finishing of the app and before its publication, the QA team checks the application and ensures that whether it is working properly or not. The team ensures the application functions properly by finding and reporting bugs to the developers.

How to Reduce the App Development Cost?

After reading this all, I think you have an idea of the average cost to build an app. So let me tell you the secret; I mean, let me share with you that How to reduce the app development cost. Shocked? Look below !!

While a well-built app can transform your business vision into reality, you must ensure you have the finances to complete it. Optimizing your app-making price can help you stay within budget. Here are some tips that will help you to reduce the cost to build a mobile app.

  • Start with a well-defined scope.
  • Outsource development
  • Choose the right development team
  • Use open-source technologies
  • Prioritize features
  • Test early and often
  • Leverage app development tools
  • Focus on user experience
  • Utilize Agile development methodologies

The above-mentioned tips will help you reduce the cost of building a mobile app. If you use all the above tips, the development cost will be budget-friendly.

Average Cost to Build an App — $20,000 to $200,000

You may also have similar questions, such as how much does it cost to make a mobile app. So, let me help you know the average cost to build an app.

The average cost to build an app starts from $20,000 to $200,000, depending on the app platform, application features, functionalities, user base, and complexities. Besides this, it also depends on our project.

Business Benefits of Development a Mobile App

Behind any business work or project, there is a main reason: to generate high income and revenue, become a famous brand, and so on. Here are some business benefits you will get after developing the mobile application.

Build a stronger brand: Creating a mobile app can help your business build a stronger brand. Through design and the right communication strategy, a mobile app serves as an always-on brand ambassador.

Connect with customers better: Mobile apps allow you to connect with them while on the go. You can send push notifications to users about promotions, sales, and more to engage with them.

Provide value to customers: Businesses compete for shoppers’ attention, meaning you must deliver value to your customers at every turn. Developing a mobile app can help you deliver value to shoppers through unique mobile shopping experiences.

Improve customer engagement: Users spend seven times more time in mobile apps than browsers. Mobile apps are naturally more engaging than other experiences, which helps brands deepen customer engagement.

Personalize a marketing channel: Your customers expect more personalization from you, and a mobile app can help you personalize their experience. With mobile-optimized targeting tools, businesses can customize marketing offers for every app user at scale.

Improve customer interactions: A mobile app also offers more cross-channel marketing opportunities, which means shoppers can seamlessly move from a social media ad to your app to make a purchase.

Improve customer loyalty: While your mobile app can perform several functions, offering a loyalty or rewards program will reward repeat orders and encourage shopper loyalty. Offer tangible rewards in exchange for these repeat purchases.

Conclusion

To generate the best income and revenue, it will be very helpful to build a mobile application by reading this article. I hope you have a rough idea of the average cost to build an app. I have briefly mentioned here how much does it cost to make a mobile app. And its cost-affecting factors.

You can hire the best service provider according to your budget and explore the company’s services, reviews, features, and client-handling process. This process will help you find the best service provider for you.

Thank you for reading !!!

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Parm Sidhu (Editor at The App Journey)
ILLUMINATION

As a rising star in tech-driven finance. With a focus on simplicity and functionality, my creations are making waves in the The App Journey community.