How Much Does It Cost To Develop An App In 2026? Complete Pricing Guide

November 28, 2025

Mansi Singhania — a seasoned blog author dedicated to creating high-quality, research-driven content that informs, engages, and adds lasting value across a range of topics.

In the fast-evolving world of mobile technology, one of the most common questions we hear at Srishta Technology is: "How much does it cost to build a mobile app?" The answer isn't straightforward—it depends on a multitude of factors, from the app's complexity and features to the platforms you choose and the team behind it. As a leading mobile app development company, we've helped over 500 startups and enterprises bring their ideas to life, delivering innovative solutions that drive real business growth.

At Srishta Technology, we believe app development is more than just coding; it's about crafting seamless user experiences, robust security, and scalable infrastructure that aligns with your budget. On average, in 2025, costs range from $30,000 for simple apps to $350,000+ for complex ones, and enterprise solutions can exceed $450,000. Whether you're launching an MVP or a full-scale platform, understanding these costs empowers you to make informed decisions.

Key takeaways:

Cost Spectrum: $30,000–$350,000+ based on project scope.
Core Influences: App complexity, features, design, and team location.
Ongoing Expenses: Maintenance, marketing, and security can add 20–50% annually.
Smart Savings: Outsourcing to regions like India can cut costs by 40–70% without compromising quality.

We've partnered with global brands and delivering 1000+ apps that have generated millions in revenue. Ready to estimate your project? Let's dive in.

How Much Does It Cost to Develop a Mobile App: Breakdown and Timeline

Mobile app development costs in 2025 typically fall between $30,000 and $350,000+, influenced by features, platforms, and customization. Think of it like constructing a building: a basic shed is quick and affordable, while a skyscraper demands more resources.

Here's a high-level breakdown by complexity:

Complexity Level	Estimated Cost	Development Time
Basic App	$30,000 – $80,000	2 – 5 months
Moderate App	$80,000 – $150,000	5 – 8 months
Advanced App	$150,000 – $350,000	8 – 11 months
Enterprise App	$350,000+	11+ months

Estimating Your App's Cost

The formula is simple: Total Cost = Development Hours × Hourly Rate. For instance, a moderate app requiring 2,000 hours at $40/hour totals $80,000 (excluding post-launch needs). At Srishta Technology, our free consultation includes a detailed quote based on your requirements.

Key Factors Influencing Mobile App Development Costs

Costs aren't one-size-fits-all; they stem from strategic choices. Let's break down the major drivers.

1. App Complexity

The heart of your budget. Simpler apps focus on core functions; complex ones integrate cutting-edge tech.

Simple Apps: Basic UI, login, and static content (e.g., fitness trackers or info apps). Cost: $30,000–$80,000.
Moderate Apps: User interactions, payments, and notifications (e.g., our e-commerce app for GreenLeaf, boosting sales by 28%).
Advanced Apps: AI, real-time data, and multi-platform support (e.g., Srishta's AI-driven EduSpark app, serving 500,000+ users).

App Complexity	Description	Timeline	Cost Range
Simple	MVP with basic UI	2–5 months	$30K–$80K
Moderate	Custom features, integrations	5–8 months	$80K–$150K
Advanced	AI/ML, AR, scalability	8–11+ months	$150K–$350K+

2. Features and Functionalities

Prioritize an MVP to launch faster and iterate. Each feature adds time and expertise.

Feature Level	Examples	Cost Add-On	Timeline Add
Basic	Profiles, login, dashboard, search	$8K–$15K	2–5 weeks
Moderate	Payments, notifications, social login	$15K–$25K	5–8 weeks
Advanced	AI personalization, AR, chatbots	$25K–$40K+	8–12 weeks

3. App Category and Industry

Industry regulations and user demands vary costs. High-compliance sectors like fintech demand more.

Category	Examples	Hours Est.	Timeline	Cost Range
eCommerce	Online stores	1,000	3–5 months	$40K–$120K
Social Media	Community platforms	1,100	4–7 months	$45K–$250K
EdTech	Learning apps (like ours for EduSpark)	800	3–5 months	$50K–$200K
Dating	Matchmaking tools	1,200	4–8 months	$45K–$300K
Gaming	AR/2D experiences	1,500+	5–10 months	$55K–$220K+
On-Demand	Delivery services	900	3–5 months	$40K–$180K
Healthcare	Telemedicine	1,100+	5–10 months	$55K–$280K+
FinTech	Banking apps (like FinSecure)	1,300+	5–10 months	$65K–$320K+

Our healthcare app for MediConnect integrated HIPAA compliance, ensuring secure data for 100,000+ users.

4. Emerging Trends and Technologies

2025 trends like AI and blockchain elevate costs but deliver ROI.

Technology	Use Cases	Hours Est.	Timeline	Cost Range
AI/ML	Recommendations, chatbots	1,000	5–10 months	$70K–$300K+
IoT	Smart device integration	1,600+	7–11 months	$75K–$450K+
Blockchain	Secure transactions	1,800+	10+ months	$90K–$450K+
AR/VR	Immersive experiences	1,400	5–10 months	$90K–$350K+
Cloud	Scalable backends	900	7–10 months	$65K–$180K+

We Recently Have Developed AI Based Web and Mobile Application,

For Example Beautyfai BeautyFAI photo enhancer and upscaler tool- makes it easy and fast to enhance photo quality. Upload your image to try it out and see how it can help you save time and increase photo quality, clarity, and resolution.

Srishta's IoT app for SmartHome reduced energy use by 35% for clients.

5. UI/UX Design and Animations

Great design retains users—invest wisely. Custom beats templates for branding.

Design Phase	Tasks	Hours Est.	Cost Range
Research	Market/competitor analysis	Varies	$80–$300
UX Design	Wireframes, prototypes	10–150+	$1.5K–$7K
UI Design	Mockups, visuals	15–120+	$8K–$35K
Branding	Logos, icons	-	$4K–$18K
Animations	Interactions, illustrations	Varies	$800–$18K

Our UI for TechNova's app improved engagement by 40%.

6. Platform Choice

Target your audience: iOS for premium users, Android for mass reach.

Native: Best performance, higher cost ($50K+ per platform).
Cross-Platform (e.g., Flutter): 30–50% savings for both.
Hybrid/Web: Quick and budget-friendly.

Pro Tip: Start cross-platform for MVPs.

7. Technology Stack

Frontend (React Native), backend (Node.js), databases (MongoDB) affect efficiency.

Backend Level	Description	Cost Add-On
Basic	Simple auth, storage	$4K–$12K
Moderate	APIs, caching	$18K–$35K
Advanced	AI, real-time, scalability	$35K–$70K+

8. Third-Party Integrations

Streamline with tools like Stripe or Google Analytics—adds $4K–$25K.

Integration	Examples	Cost Add-On
Basic	Payments, social login	$4K–$8K
Advanced	Analytics, multiple APIs	$8K–$25K

9. Code Reuse

Leverage libraries for 15–25% savings on standard elements like navigation.

10. Team Size and Structure

Larger teams speed things up but cost more. We recommend dedicated squads.

Role	Simple App	Moderate App	Advanced App
Developers	$25K–$50K	$50K–$130K	$130K–$350K+
UI/UX Designer	$3K–$7K	$6K–$18K	$13K–$45K+
Project Manager	$4K–$8K	$8K–$22K	$18K–$55K+
QA	$7K–$13K	$13K–$27K	$22K–$65K+
Others (BA, DevOps)	$2K–$4K	$4K–$13K	$9K–$27K+
Total	$40K–$80K	$80K–$220K	$220K–$650K+

11. Development Team Location

Rates vary globally—India offers top talent at fraction of Western costs.

Region	iOS (/hr)	Android (/hr)	Cross-Platform (/hr)
India	$20–$80	$15–$25	$18–$28
Southeast Asia	$20–$50	$25–$40	$25–$40
Europe	$30–$50	$30–$50	$25–$45
USA/UK	$50–$110	$50–$110	$50–$120
Canada/Australia	$80–$110	$70–$110	$80–$110

At Srishta Technology in India, we deliver Silicon Valley quality at 50–70% lower rates.

Hidden Costs in Mobile App Development

Don't overlook these—they can double your budget if ignored.

Quality Assurance (QA)

10–20% of total: Testing for bugs, performance, and security. Our rigorous QA caught 95% of issues pre-launch.

Backend and Infrastructure

$150–$4,000/month: Servers, cloud (AWS), databases. Scales with users.

Maintenance and Updates

15–25% yearly: OS compatibility, bug fixes. Srishta offers 20% off annual support.

App Store Fees

$25 one-time (Google), $99/year (Apple).

Marketing and Acquisition

40–90% of dev cost: ASO, ads, influencers. Our campaigns for FinSecure acquired 50K users in Month 1.

Security and Compliance

$4K–$90K: Audits, encryption. Essential for fintech/health.

Legal Fees

$800–$45K: IP, contracts, GDPR.

Popular App Examples and Their Estimated Costs

Messaging (WhatsApp-like): $45K–$200K (real-time chat).
eCommerce (Amazon mini): $50K–$150K.
Fitness Tracker: $30K–$80K.
Food Delivery (Uber Eats): $80K–$250K.
Video Streaming: $150K–$400K+.

Srishta's delivery app for QuickBite scaled to 1M orders/month.

Cost Optimization Strategies from Srishta Technology

Build an MVP First: Focus on essentials—save 40% and validate ideas.
Choose Cross-Platform: Reuse code for iOS/Android.
Outsource Smartly: Partner with experts like us for cost-efficiency.
Prioritize Features: Use data-driven roadmaps.
Leverage Open-Source: Cut custom dev by 20%.
Agile Methodology: Iterative builds reduce risks.

Why Choose Srishta Technology for Your App?

With 10+ years in mobile innovation, we've transformed ideas into apps that captivate and convert. Our team of 200+ certified developers ensures on-time, on-budget delivery with 98% client satisfaction. From ideation to launch, we handle it all.