Creating an iOS app can feel like a big step, especially for someone getting started with technology for the first time.

One of the first questions people usually ask is how much it will cost. There is no fixed number because every app is different. 

From a simple to-do list to a complex social platform, the range can be wide. What matters is understanding where the money goes during development and how your choices shape the total cost.

Once you understand that, planning your budget becomes much easier. This article explains how much it costs to develop an iOS app for business and what factors influence the price.

iOS App Development Cost as Per Size

The cost of developing an iOS app depends on several important factors. These elements will impact the overall budget, from the app’s complexity to the features you choose. 

Understanding these key considerations helps in estimating the true cost of your project. Here are the main cost considerations to keep in mind:

App Size

Description

Estimated Cost

Key Factors in the Cost Breakdown of iOS App Development

There is more to iOS app costs than just coding hours. The total budget depends on several moving parts, and each one adds its own weight. 

From design choices to platform compatibility, everything has a price attached. Custom features, animations, and user experience tweaks often stretch both the timeline and the budget. 

Even things like backend setup, admin dashboards, and integration with third-party tools play a role. 

What looks like a simple app for business outside might be handling complex logic behind the scenes. 

The clearer you are about your app’s scope, the easier it becomes to estimate the cost accurately.

Features Decide a Big Chunk of the Budget

One of the most important things that influences app pricing is the feature list. Adding things like payment systems, real-time chat, GPS tracking, or animations takes extra time and effort. 

A simple app with only a few screens and no login system is cheaper to build. But once you start adding advanced features, the development hours increase, and so does the bill. 

Custom features, in particular, require more planning, testing, and refinement, which leads to higher costs.

Design Matters More Than You Think

Many people don’t realize how much the app’s design affects the price. A clean layout with a few basic screens is easy to build. 

But when you want a rich user interface with smooth animations, custom graphics, and detailed navigation, the design time adds up. 

Good design is not just about looking nice, it’s also about creating an experience users enjoy. 

That experience takes planning, and sometimes multiple rounds of revisions. All of this adds to the development time and cost.

Location of the Developer Plays a Role

Where your developer is based also makes a big difference in pricing. Developers in North America or Western Europe often charge between $100 to $200 per hour. 

On the other hand, developers in South Asia or Eastern Europe might charge between $20 to $60 per hour. 

That does not mean one is always better than the other, but the region changes the budget. 

Hiring a freelancer is usually cheaper than going with an agency, though agencies may offer better project structure and support.

Timeframe Can Push the Price Higher

The speed at which you want the app completed can also affect the price. A project with a relaxed timeline allows app developers to plan and work steadily. 

But when you ask for faster delivery, it often means the team has to work overtime, bring in extra hands, or skip small business steps that may otherwise improve the app in the long run. 

All of this usually comes with a higher price tag. It’s similar to express delivery, faster results mean more cost.

Ongoing Costs After Launch

Building the app is just the beginning. Once your app is live, there are maintenance costs to keep it running smoothly. 

This includes server fees, bug fixes, updating your business for new iOS versions, and possibly adding new features. 

Maintenance typically costs around 15% to 20% of the original development cost per year. 

If your application costs $50,000 to build, expect to spend around $7,500 to $10,000 per year.

Complexity of iOS App

The complexity of an iOS app directly shapes how much time and money it takes to develop. 

A simple app with 3 to 5 screens and basic functionality, such as a calculator or notes app, is usually quick to build and does not require much backend work. 

As features grow, like login systems, real-time chat, push notifications, or payment gateways, the development becomes more involved. 

High-complexity apps, such as ride-sharing platforms, social media apps, or multi-vendor marketplaces, need more advanced coding, server integration, and security protocols. 

These projects often include admin dashboards, multiple user roles, data analytics, and regular updates. 

The more your app needs to “think,” adapt, and serve dynamic content, the more complex and expensive it becomes. 

Understanding your app’s complexity early helps avoid budget surprises later in the process.

How Brandout Can Help You Build a Budget-Friendly App?

Brandout helps you build a budget-friendly app by offering tailored solutions, clear cost breakdowns, and cross-platform development to reduce expenses.

Their team focuses on scalable, high-quality apps that match your needs without stretching your budget. With a free strategy call and expert guidance, Brandout makes cost-effective app development simple and practical.

The Bottom Line:

To understand the cost of an iOS app, you need a website to consider every part of the process. It’s not just about the number of screens or how fancy it looks. 

Your choices in features, design, developer location, and delivery timeline all shape the final cost. 

While you don’t need a massive budget to start, knowing where the money goes helps you plan better and avoid surprises later. 

A clear plan, realistic expectations, and the right team can take your app from idea to launch without wasting time or money.

Most asked questions:

How much does it cost to put an app on the iOS store?

Apple charges a $99 yearly fee for an individual developer account to publish an app on the iOS App Store.

This fee gives you access to Apple’s tools, testing platforms, and publishing rights. 

For organizations or businesses, the cost remains the same, but with extra steps for verification. 

Aside from this annual fee, there is no charge to submit the app itself. 

However, if your app involves in-app purchases, Apple will take a percentage of the revenue, typically around 15% to 30%, depending on the earnings.

Is iOS app development profitable?

iOS app development can be highly profitable if your app offers real value and reaches the right users. 

iOS users are known to spend more on apps compared to Android users, especially in categories like health, education, productivity, and entertainment. 

Revenue can come from in-app purchases, ads, subscriptions, or even premium downloads.

 Apps that solve real problems or deliver a smooth experience often perform better. 

Like any business, success depends on the product idea, user feedback, consistent updates, and app marketing strategy.

Is iOS app development free?

Developing an iOS app is not entirely free, even though Apple’s development tools like Xcode and Swift are free to download. 

If you are just experimenting or building personal projects, you can run and test apps on your own device without cost. 

But once you decide to launch the app on the App Store, the $99 annual developer fee is required. 

Also, if you hire a webn designers, developers, or purchase software tools, those costs will add up. 

So while getting started might be free, building a polished, publishable app often involves expenses.

Is iOS app development easy?

Learning to build iOS apps is more accessible now than ever, thanks to Apple’s tools like Swift and Xcode, along with detailed documentation and online tutorials. 

For simple apps, a motivated beginner can learn the basics with enough time and practice. 

However, building apps with advanced features, real-time data, or custom designs takes deeper knowledge and experience. 

The process involves not just writing code but also planning, designing, testing, and optimizing. 

While it’s not impossible, calling it “easy” depends on the complexity of the project and your background.