Creating a mobile app requires careful planning, especially when it comes to cost.
In case you’re building a basic utility or a full-featured platform, understanding how pricing works can help you avoid surprises.
The overall cost varies based on factors like the type of app, its features, design, and the development team you select.
This guide explains what affects the cost of app development and helps you plan wisely before you begin your project.
Knowing the cost elements early on can save time, money, and a lot of stress.
Benefits of Mobile App Development: Estimated Cost
The benefit of Mobile app development costs can start as low as $100 (AED 400) and go beyond $100,000 (AED 400,000) depending on various factors. This wide range depends on how simple or complex your app is.
A basic app may cost a few hundred dollars, while a custom app with advanced features can go up to thousands of dollars. To understand this better, let’s break down the cost into parts.
Complete Breakdown of Mobile App Development Cost
Mobile app development can be costly, but what makes it so? Let’s break down the costs and understand the factors that influence the price of the mobile app.
Type of App: Simple, Medium, or Complex
The kind of mobile app you plan to create has a major impact on how much the development will cost.
A simple app usually has very basic features, no login, and works offline, like a calculator or notes app and costs around $100 (AED 400) to $5,000 (AED 20,000).
A medium-level app includes login/signup, push notifications, user profiles, and sometimes GPS or payments like a fitness app or food delivery app and costs between $5,000 (AED 20,000) to $25,000 (AED 10,000).
A complex app includes advanced features like real-time chat, live tracking, payment systems, admin panel, and third-party integrations such as social media or ride-booking apps and its cost can go from $25,000 (AED 10,000) to $100,000 (AED 400,000) or more.
As you add more features and complexity, the cost and development time will increase accordingly.
| App Type | Examples | Key Features | Estimated Cost |
| Simple App | Calculator, Notes, Flashlight | Offline use, no login, 1-2 screens | $100 – $5,000 |
| Medium App | Food Delivery, Fitness Tracker | Login, notifications, GPS, user profile | $5,000 – $25,000 |
| Complex App | Uber, Instagram, Amazon | Real-time data, chat, payments, and admin dashboard | $25,000 – $100,000+ |
Platform Android, iOS, or Both
Choosing the right platform for your app, Android, iOS, or both also affects the total development cost.
If you build your app for only one platform, either Android or iOS, the cost is lower because the developer focuses on one system.
But if you want your app to work on both platforms, the cost almost doubles because it requires more development time and separate testing for each platform.
Native apps (built separately for Android and iOS) give better performance, while cross-platform development (using tools like Flutter or React Native) can reduce cost by using a single codebase for both.
However, the final decision depends on your target audience—if most users use Android, start with that, or if you want a wider reach, go for both platforms.
| Platform | Description | Estimated Cost Impact |
| Android Only | The app is developed only for Android devices | Base Cost |
| iOS Only | The app is developed only for Apple devices | Base Cost |
| Both (Native) | Separate apps for Android and iOS | 1.5x – 2x Base Cost |
| Both (Cross-platform) | One codebase for both platforms using tools like Flutter | Slightly more than one app |
You can also use cross-platform tools like Flutter or React Native to build one app for both systems and save money.
Design and User Experience (UI/UX)
Design and user experience (UI/UX) play a very important role in mobile app development cost.
A simple design with basic buttons, icons, and screens will cost less, but it may not attract users or keep them engaged.
On the other hand, a modern and professional design with custom layouts, smooth animations, and a user-friendly interface takes more time and effort, which increases the cost.
An effective UI/UX design makes the app user-friendly and engaging, which encourages users to keep coming back.
If your app targets a wide audience or belongs to a competitive category, investing in a better design is worth it.
Design costs can vary widely, ranging from $500 to over $10,000, depending on the complexity of the project.
Features and Functionality
Features and functionality are the core parts of any mobile app, and they have a direct impact on the total development cost.
Adding more features increases the app’s complexity, which also raises the overall development cost.
Basic features like login/signup or push notifications are simple to build and cost less.
But when you start adding advanced features like real-time chat, payment gateways, GPS tracking, file uploads, or in-app purchases, the development time increases, and so does the budget.
Every feature requires separate coding, testing, and sometimes even integration with third-party services.
For example, integrating secure payment systems or live location tracking involves technical complexity and higher security measures, which can be costly.
That’s why it’s important to list down the must-have features for your app’s first version (MVP) and add extra ones in future updates.
On average, feature-related development can cost anywhere between $1,000 to $20,000+, depending on the number and complexity of features included.
Backend Development
Backend development works behind the scenes of a mobile app. Users don’t see it, but it handles the core functions and ensures the app runs smoothly.
It handles all the data storage, user management, security, server-side logic, and communication between the app and the database.
If your app needs user login, real-time updates, file uploads, payment processing, or admin control, then a strong backend is required.
The more features you require in the backend, the greater the time and expertise needed for development.
It can be developed using tools like Node.js,
Laravel, Django, Firebase, or AWS, depending on your app’s size and needs. A simple backend may cost around $2,000 to $5,000, while a complex one with APIs, cloud integration, analytics, and admin panels can cost $10,000 or more.
Backend is the backbone of your app if it’s weak, your app won’t perform well, no matter how good the design is.
Developer’s Location
The developer’s location has a big impact on mobile app development cost.
Developers in countries like the USA, UK, or Canada charge higher hourly rates ($100–$200/hour), while developers in India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh charge much less ($20–$50/hour).
In Eastern Europe, development rates typically range between $40 and $80 per hour, offering a good balance of cost and quality. The same app can cost double or triple, depending on where the developer is based.
While lower-cost regions are budget-friendly, it’s important to check the developer’s skills, past work, and communication quality to avoid issues later.
Key Points:
- USA/UK: Expensive but high quality
- Eastern Europe: Balanced cost and quality
- South Asia: Affordable, check expertise
- Location affects the total project budget significantly
App Maintenance
App maintenance is a regular cost that comes after launching the app. This involves tasks like bug fixes, feature updates, performance enhancements, and making sure the app works well with new devices or operating system changes.
Maintenance usually costs 15–20% of the original development cost per year, and it’s necessary to keep your app running smoothly and securely.
Key Points:
- Covers bug fixes, updates, and support
- Cost: 15–20% of total app cost/year
- Ensures app stays secure and up-to-date
- Important for long-term user satisfaction
Hidden Costs You Should Know About
When planning your mobile app budget, it’s easy to focus only on development. However, many hidden costs often surprise first-time app owners, especially when it comes to mobile app development mistakes.
One major hidden cost is app store fees. Both Apple and Google charge developer fees and take a share of in-app purchases. This is a common oversight in the budgeting phase of mobile app development, which can lead to unexpected expenses later.
Another hidden expense is app maintenance—fixing bugs and updates, and keeping up with new OS versions. This is a crucial part of maintaining a successful app and often gets overlooked by those new to mobile app development.
Additionally, UI/UX updates are frequently needed based on user feedback. Failing to plan for this can result in missed opportunities to improve the app’s overall experience and increase user retention.
By anticipating these potential mobile app development mistakes and budgeting accordingly, you can set yourself up for a more successful launch and long-term app growth.
Third-party services like payment gateways, chat systems, or analytics tools can have monthly fees.
Testing is another important step that may require additional tools or manual testers. Lastly, don’t forget marketing and promotion.
Even the best app needs a solid push to reach users, which can include paid ads, influencer promotions, or app store optimization (ASO).
How to Reduce Mobile App Development Costs?
Reducing app development cost is possible with smart planning. Start with an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) that includes only core features.
This lets you test your idea without spending too much.
Cross-platform mobile app development frameworks like Flutter or React Native let you create apps for both Android and iOS using a single codebase.
Hiring experienced developers from affordable regions like South Asia or Eastern Europe can save a lot.
Reuse existing templates, use open-source libraries, and avoid unnecessary custom features in the beginning.
Also, define a clear scope of work before starting to avoid costly changes later. Regular communication with developers helps avoid confusion and delays, keeping your project on track and within budget.
How Brandout Determines Mobile App Development Costs?
Brandout provides complete low-cost mobile app development services, including design, frontend, backend, and testing.
Brandout calculates app development costs based on project type, required features, platform (Android, iOS, or both), design complexity, and backend needs.
They also take into account the project timeline, team size, and any third-party services that need to be integrated. After understanding your goals, they give a clear, customized quote with no hidden charges, ensuring cost transparency.
Final Thoughts: How Much Does Mobile App Development Cost?
Mobile app development cost depends on many factors like the type of app, number of features, platforms, and who you hire to build it.
A small app may cost only a few hundred dollars, while a large complex app could go above $100,000.
Before starting, it’s important to plan your idea, set a budget, and talk with a good developer or agency.
If you have a mobile app idea and want a cost estimate, feel free to share your details. We’ll help you understand the budget and suggest the best way to build your app.
Most Asked Questions:
How much does it cost to develop an app in UAE?
The cost to develop an app in the UAE typically ranges from AED 15,000 to AED 300,000, depending on complexity, features, platform (iOS, Android, or both), and the development team’s expertise.
Basic apps cost less, while advanced, custom-featured apps cost more.
Can I create an app for free?
Yes, it is possible to create a basic app for free using no-code platforms like Glide, AppGyver, or MIT App Inventor.
These tools offer pre-built templates and drag-and-drop features, perfect for learning or testing ideas.
However, free apps have limited customization, and professional apps with custom features usually require hiring developers and investing money.
Is mobile app development profitable?
Yes, the timeline of mobile app development can be highly profitable if your app solves a real problem, attracts users, and includes a good monetization plan.
Many apps earn through ads, subscriptions, or in-app purchases. Success depends on market demand, app performance, and user engagement. With the right strategy, mobile apps can generate long-term income and business growth.
Is it expensive to start your app?
Starting your app can be expensive depending on the features, design, and platform you choose.
If you hire a professional developer or agency, the cost increases. However, starting with a simple version, called an MVP (Minimum Viable Product), can reduce costs.
Expenses may include development, design, backend, testing, and marketing after launch.
How much will it cost to run an app?
Running an app involves ongoing costs like hosting, app store fees, updates, maintenance, and bug fixes.
On average, maintenance costs are about 15–20% of the total development cost per year.
