Find out the convincing arguments that make outsourcing software development to India a wise decision for companies across the globe. Discover the advantages of utilizing India’s software development talent by reading the main takeaways from our blog.
When discussing a new app idea, a common question arises: how much does app development cost? The breakdown can vary greatly based on factors such as the type of app being built and the developer you choose to work with.
To help you better understand the cost of developing a mobile app, we’ve gathered research estimating the average development costs by app category.
To help you better understand how much it costs to develop a mobile app, we’ve put together various research estimating the average mobile app development costs by app category.
Table of Contents
Mobile App Development Cost
Well, if I put this straight, there is no fixed cost of app development. It depends on several factors, including app features, functionalities, UI/UX design, the development team’s skills and geolocation, tech stack, and more. Mobile app development costs can vary depending on the type of app you’re developing.
However, you don’t need to worry as this article will answer all your queries. We have spoken to several experts to provide a better picture of the average cost of developing an app by explaining significant factors in detail.
Key points of the content:
- Stats related to the importance of mobile apps for businesses
- How much does it cost to develop an app: Cost breakdown based on the app type
- Factors affecting the mobile app development cost
Also Read: Mobile App Monetization in 2025: What You Need to know?
Here are Some Stats Related to the Importance of Mobile Apps for Businesses
Mobile apps not only make our lives easier but provide an easy solution for users to manage everything with simple clicks on the screen. On the other hand, mobile apps give businesses an excellent opportunity to stay connected with users.
Here are some statistics to help you understand how essential mobile apps are.
- 85% of consumers prefer apps to mobile websites when purchasing online.
- Mobile apps accounted for 57% of digital media consumption.
- There are 1.96 million apps in the App Store and 2.87 million on Google Play.
- A dollar spent on user experience yields a $100 return on investment.
- Customized alerts cut down on app abandonment by 16%.
- The session duration for Android and iOS applications is 6.7 and 5.6 minutes, respectively.
- Compared to non-app-based startups, IPOs for app-based startups are 825% higher.
- Profit increases might range from 25% to 95% for every 5% improvement in client retention.
Hopefully, these figures did their job of helping you understand how important it is to have a mobile app for your business.
However, the question of how much it costs to create a mobile app still stands unanswered.
Many articles on the internet promise to deduce the exact cost of app development. But honestly, have you ever gotten a satisfactory answer to this question?
I guess not, and this is why you are here. This article won’t disappoint you.
Also Read: Advantages of an Enterprise App Store
Connect with us to estimate the cost of building your app with PixelCrayons.
Major Types of Applications Considered by Startups, SMEs, and Entrepreneurs
*Note: The cost and time are subject to the number of features involved and may vary based on the same.
1. Basic Mobile Utility App
Basic mobile apps smoothly function without the need for server components or the need to access the network.
Such applications are typically used in the healthcare, retail, and logistics industries. The most popular features in these types of apps are interactive maps and GPS tracking. Basic mobile utility apps are the most common type of app and are typically used for tasks such as timers, calculators, or flashlight apps. They’re generally created on a one-off basis and don’t require a lot of design work. The only good part of these stand-alone apps is they are low in cost and fully functional without a network.
- Average Development Cost: $4000-6000*
- Development Time: 3-4 weeks*
- Common examples: Camera, files, clock, calendar.
2. Data-driven Apps
The next type of app needs an internet connection to work. It’s everywhere, on almost every device. You don’t need to log in to use it; you just need a data connection.
You can can hire mobile app developers from top mobile app development companies in India for such kinds of applications. These kinds of apps include extensive functionalities like account syncing, user login, or other similar features.
If your budget is low and needs to market in real time, then investing in a data-driven app is the best idea.
Also, if you have a lot of data to process and need to rely on complex algorithms or machine learning, data-driven apps are your best bet.
- Average Development Cost: $5000-7500*
- Development Time: 4-6 weeks*
- Common examples: Weather forecasts, Maps, and Stocks.
Related: Mobile Wallet Development: What Does the Future Hold?
3. Apps with Complex Login Functionalities
These types of applications are complicated and costly as it uses user authentication inside the app. The app includes data syncing across the devices, push notifications, and collaborative features like inviting friends and more. Authentication is ideal for those who are planning to develop an app that has a signup procedure and stores data over the cloud.
Apps with complex login functionality (e.g., password, fingerprint recognition, facial recognition) will cost more because these features require additional programming.
- Average Development Cost: Starting from $10,000*
- Development Time: 8-12 weeks*
- Common examples: Google Drive
4. Social Networking Apps
Did you know, Social networking apps have been dominating the app market today? Most of the top applications today are integrated with social features that allow users to interact with each other and share photos, texts, or videos. Moreover, these apps help users expand their social lives on the internet and get in touch with people of the same interests.
The cost to develop a social networking app will depend on what you want the app to address.
Today, social media users are growing at an exponential rate, and they want advanced features to stay connected. If you want your app to stay trending in the app store, you need advanced and customized features.
The more features you add to the application, the more user engagement will increase. Here is a list of core features to boost customer engagement with your application.
Most social apps are free, but many also offer paid premium features for users who want more features or better security.
- Average Development Cost: Starting from $15,000*
- Development Time: 8-20 weeks*
- Common examples: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Whatsapp.
Also Ride: Outsourcing App Development: A Guide
5. A Custom App with Login and Social Features
Custom Apps can be created for a variety of purposes and are designed to meet the needs of the customer. From Uber, and Instacart, to Urban Company (formerly Urban Clap), on-demand custom mobile apps have become highly trending among businesses and users. With this app, you’ll have a login and social feature that will allow you to interact with your friends on social media.
Unlike eCommerce mobile apps, on-demand custom mobile apps have two completely different experiences on the same app for the users and the app owners. In addition to this, custom apps are built on both platforms, including Android and iOS.
You can also look for good companies with reasonable android app development costs to build an amazing application for your business.
- Average Development Cost: Starting from $15,000* and going up to any expensive amount.
- Development Time: 12-16 weeks*
- Common examples: Uber, Ola, Uber Eats, and Zomato.
Read Next: Rapid Mobile App Development (RMAD) – A Detailed Overview
6. eCommerce Mobile Apps
Who would deny that eCommerce apps are not trending amid the Coronavirus Pandemic?
eCommerce mobile apps are one of the most popular types of apps. They allow consumers to purchase goods and services from their smartphones and tablets.
eCommerce apps can be accessed by user login or social networking account and allow users to shop from the detailed list of catalogs they offer. These apps leverage APIs and web services to manage their services and for custom builds of the app. Some e-stores also use Shopify, Magento, and other CMS for their app.
- Average Development Cost: Starting from $15,000* and goes up to any expensive amount
- Development Time: 12-20 weeks*
- Typical examples: Amazon, Flipkart, eBay
7. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality-Based applications:
AR-VR has become the latest trend in mobile applications. Right after the launch of Pokemon GO, AR-based applications have become highly-demanded apps in various domains. These apps are some of the most expensive types to develop.
On the other hand, AR-based applications allow you to capture real pictures and merge them with computer-generated animated graphics. And talking about the VR apps, these apps will take you to a whole new virtual world with the help of a head-mounted display.
These applications are based on complex architectures, and therefore, you must consult a professional AR/VR development company for the flawless development of the application.
- Average Development Cost: Starting from $15,000* and goes up to any expensive amount.
- Development Time: 16* weeks
- Common examples: Pokemon Go, Harry Potter Wizard, and End Space.
Also Read: 40 Top App Ideas for 2025
These apps are the most common yet trending applications that, nowadays, every startup and enterprise is considering. The costing and app development times mentioned are mere estimations and may vary from company to company or the project’s needs.
Here is the tabular summary of the cost of the mobile app development based on the app type:
| App Type | Average App Development Cost | Development Time |
| Basic Mobile Utility App | $4000 – $6000 | 3-4 weeks |
| Data-driven Apps | $5000 – $7500 | 4-6 weeks |
| Complex Login Functionalities App | Starting from $10000 | 8-12 weeks |
| Social Networking Apps | Starting from $15000 | 8-20 weeks |
| Custom App with Login and Social Features | Starting from $15000 | 12-16 weeks |
| eCommerce Mobile Apps | Starting from $15000 | 12-20 weeks |
| AR/VR Apps | Starting from $15000 | 16+ weeks |
Also Read: Top Mobile App Development Trends
Consult with PixelCrayons to understand the cost of mobile app development.
Ways To Find Out Your App Development Cost Estimate
When calculating mobile app development, you must be aware that mobile app development businesses charge their clients using two methods:
- Fixed Fee
This method works well for smaller projects and can be applied with clear scope. This option’s greatest benefit is that before the development process starts, the client and the developer agree on a fixed price for the mobile app.
- Time and Effort based Fee
This method mostly depends on how much time and work are required for a given job. As a result, an hourly rate is used to determine the cost estimate. Its benefit is that it offers flexibility throughout the app development, making it better suited for more intricate and complex applications.
The method is based on time and effort. You may feel uneasy and nervous about it, but you will have more flexibility if you choose this approach. You can modify the project’s scope during the development process and receive an additional quote. This will enable you to maintain financial control and create an app that appeals to your target market.
Also, it is possible to estimate the cost of developing a mobile app using a simple formula. You need to know about hourly pricing and overall app development time. The formula for calculating the cost of developing an app:
Therefore, the cost of a mobile application and its timeframe are influenced by your app idea with functional and business requirements. It also relies on the market sector for which the app was created. For example, the cost of development for apps for home services or the banking or finance industry differs from that for sectors such as the automotive industry.
Now moving on is another question: What are the major factors that affect the development cost?
Related: 10 Effective Ways to Launch Mobile App
Connect with us to guide you through the app development cost budget
Major Factors Affecting the Mobile App Development Cost
Mobile app development costs can vary greatly from one app to another and from one developer to another, but there are some common factors that affect the mobile app development cost. Knowing these factors will help you understand how to choose an app developer so that you don’t get stuck with unexpectedly high pricing in the end.
Let’s take a closer look at several key factors that affect mobile app development costs.
1. Pre-Development Requirements:
Before you can start to think about how much your app will cost, there are a number of pre-development requirements that need to be discussed. Estimating cost, deciding on audience & goal, understanding targets, creating a backup plan for risk coverage, and prioritizing the tasks are a few essential things done in this phase.
The requirement engineers do the requirement analysis through brainstorming sessions or other questionnaires. This phase may take up to 1-5 months, and the cost may range from $4,000 to $6,000 based on the timeline. Many good software consulting companies in India offer free consulting, which is a phase just before the requirement analysis.
2. Development Phase of the App:
The development phase of an app can have a big impact on how much it costs to develop; let’s see how!
- The complexity of the app and the number of features you are willing to integrate into the app play a significant role in determining the development cost. A basic version may cost you around $5,000, and an advanced version may go up to $70,000.
- The choice of the platform also plays a vital role in the cost formation of the app. Choosing a cross-platform app may be a bit costly, but it will help you save two different apps for Android and iOS audiences.
- The development time can also affect what your final cost will be as some apps take longer than others depending on how many features they have.
- The app developers cost around $15-$49 per hour.
- The developers’ geolocation also plays an essential role, as researchers say that business owners prefer Indian developers for software outsourcing due to their skills and budget-friendly rates.
- The development team you hire is also essential for the development cost formulation, as every team member has their per-hour rate.
- If you hire app developers, it is essential to formulate the development cost, as every team member has their per-hour rate.
The rates are as follows:
- Project head: $18-$20 per hour
- App developers: $25-$49 per hour
- UI/UX developers: $18-$20 per hour
- Backend developers: $20 per hour
- QA engineers: $20 per hour
- App maintenance experts: $25 per hour
| Team Requirement | Average Hourly Rate |
| Project Head | $18-$20 |
| App Developers | $25-$49 |
| UI/UX Developers | $18-$20 |
| Backend Developers | $20 |
| QA Engineers | $20 |
| App Maintenance Experts | $25 |
Also Read: E-Wallet App Development: Process & Features
3. Post-Development Phase
Once you have a working prototype, it is time to determine the cost. The cost will vary depending on the type of app you want and how many screens it has.
In this phase, we are left with two things:
1- App support and Maintenance
2- Updation Cycle of the App
Also Read: How much does it cost to maintain an app
Conclusion
To conclude, it is important to understand that there are many factors that affect the cost of mobile apps. It is up to you, as a business owner, to decide what best suits your needs and budget. Also, the mobile app development cost will dramatically vary as per the requirement of the project and the company you hire.
If you still need help, you can get in touch with a Software Consulting Company Services and get expert assistance. Only an expert can help you come up with an expert solution.
If you have any other queries or suggestions, feel free to comment below. Cheers!
Related: Top Mobile App Development Technologies for 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1- How Much Does A Mobile App Cost?
A1- As mentioned above, there is no fixed cost of mobile app development. It entirely depends on what features you add to your mobile app.
Q2- How Much Does The Uber App Cost?
A2- App like Uber falls in the category of “custom apps with login and social features.” The cost of such apps can start from 15000 USD and can go up to any expensive limit as you increase the features.
Q3- What are the Top Mobile App Development Companies?
A3- India’s most trusted mobile app development company is PixelCrayons. Following that, there are Zco, Intellectsoft, and more. You can read more at “10 Top Software Development Companies.”
Q4- How to Hire App Developers?
A4- To hire app developers, you can get in touch with our expert teams. At PixelCrayons, we provide the best-in-class software projects. We have delivered 13800+ projects in the last 16 years and have gained 6800+ happy customers worldwide.
Q5- How Do I Create An eCommerce App?
A5- For creating an eCommerce app, here are a few steps that you can follow:
- Gather all your ideas. Do your research well.
- Choose a platform for your app. E.g., Magento.
- Hire eCommerce developers for a world-class mobile app.
- Next, you have to provide them with your requirements.
The hired company will handle all the other things. You have to sit back and relax.
Very detailed and insightful blog. Thanks for sharing.
Exactly the kind of article I was looking for. I have filled the contact us form. Get back to me ASAP.
You can fill the contact form here https://www.pixelcrayons.com/contact-us
How to get in touch for discussing an idea that I have in mind?
I wish to get an eCommerce app developed. Can you help me with that?
A very detailed and insightful blog…Keep up the good work.