According to a report by Statista, consumers are predicted to download 143 billion mobile apps from the Google Play Store and 38 billion downloads from the Apple App Store in 2026.
The Statista Digital Market Outlook estimates that the mobile app market revenue across various domains will reach around US $613 billion by 2025.
If you are planning to invest in mobile apps for your business, the cost of building a mobile app in 2024 should be your primary concern. In this article, you will get all the answers to your questions regarding mobile app development costs.
App Development Cost per Phase
"What is the cost to build a mobile app in 2024?" is answered based on different factors, but one of the main things you need to consider software development stages.
Mobile app development is usually separated into five major phases:
- Discovery Stage
- UI/UX Design
- Mobile App Development
- App Testing
Let's have a look at how each stage impacts the final cost of developing a mobile app:
Discover Stage
According to the research by Clutch, 70% of companies start with analysis and project planning. The cost of the discovery stage may be from US $5,000 to US $25,000 and even go beyond.
UI/UX Design
The cost to design an app starts at US $5,000 and can go beyond US $50,000. UI/UX design prices rely on the number of screens and app’s complexity.
Mobile App Development
The minimum app development cost is US $5,000- US$10,000. A more complex mobile application will cost you around US $50,000-US $75,000 and reach US $300,000+.
App Testing
The cost of building an app also includes the stage of QA and software testing.
In most cases, you will have to pay US $5,000-US $10,000 for app testing and QA services.
Factors Impacting The Cost to Build An App in 2024
Factor#1 - App Complexity Levels
Simple apps with basic functionality, such as a calculator or flashlight app, can cost from US $10,000 to US $40,000 and more to develop.
More complex apps, such as social media or e-commerce apps, can cost between US $30,000 to US $500,000 and more.
High-end apps with complex functionalities and enterprise-level features, such as a banking or healthcare app, can cost upwards of U $500,000 and even reach the millions for the most advanced apps.
Complexities | Functionalities | Examples | Costs |
Simple apps | Standard UI elements, low-tech screens, no storage, basic MVP, single platform | SMS app, clock, calculator, audio/video player | $20,000-$60,000 |
Mid-level apps | Customized UI, API integrations, data storage, push notifications, high-quality screen, GPS access | Chatting app, photo and file sharing app, food delivery app, cab booking app | $50,000-$200,000
|
Complex apps | Two-factor authentication, chatbots, real-time synchronization, nonlinear workflows | Gaming app, logistic app, enterprise app, healthcare app, trading and lending app, telehealth app | $80,000-$350,000
|
Factor #2 - App Development Platforms
How much does app development cost? Its answers also depend on what app development platforms.
- Native applications can cost between US $40,000 to US $300,000, depending on the app's complexity and UX.
- The minimum web app development cost is between US $15,000 to US $100,000.
- A more complex web application development cost is from US $110,000 to US $500,000.
- Cross-platform app development can cost from US $90,000 to US $700,000.
- A hybrid app may vary between US $20,000 and US $150,000, taking into account the average price worldwide.
Factor #3 - App Types
App types also have a significant impact on mobile app development costs. Here is a cost breakdown of app development costs based on app types:
Types of App | Estimated Cost (In US $) |
Basic App | $20,000-$60,000 |
Data-Driven App | $25,000-$80,000 |
Social Network App | $30,000-$100,000 |
On-Demand Services App | $60,000-$120,000 |
eCommerce App | $80,000-$150,000 |
Gaming App | $30,000-$200,000 |
Enterprise App | $50,000-$300,000 |
Healthcare Apps | $45,000-$250,000 |
eLearning apps | $60,000-$300,000 |
Video streaming apps | $50,000-$350,000 |
Factor #4 - Features & Functionalities
The answer to how much it costs to create an app dramatically depends on the features and functionalities you integrate into your application. The base mobile app development price for the type of app you intend to build keeps on increasing with the addition of new features.
Features | Function | Average Cost (In US $) |
User Login |
| $500-$1,000 |
Profile Completion |
| $900-$1,000 |
Messaging |
| $3000-$5000 |
Push Notifications |
| $1000-$2000 |
Basic Admin Panel |
| $3500-$4000 |
Here is the mobile app development cost breakdown as per the advanced feature integration:
Features | Functions | Average Costs (In US $) |
Payments |
| $2500-$3000 |
Map |
| $3000-$4000 |
Calls |
| $14000-$15000 |
Factor #5 - Hire App Developers
Here is a rough estimate of your mobile app developer cost for app development should range to along with an outsourced app development team and IT staff augmentation services.
Professionals | Asia Specific Rate (US $ Per Hour) |
Architect | $40-$80 |
Project Manager | $30-$55 |
Business Analyst | $30-$50 |
Lead Developer | $50-$80 |
Intermediate Developer | $35-$55 |
Junior Developers | $25-$60 |
DevOps | $30-$60 |
Senior Tester | $30-$50 |
Mid-level Tester | $25-$45 |
Juinor Tester | $20-$40 |
Factor #6 - Region
Company’s location plays a vital role in deciding the final mobile app development cost. How much does it cost to build a mobile app in specific regions? Below are the average costs based on the specific locations and platforms (Android & iOS):
Location | Android (US $/hour) | iOS (US $/hour) |
North America | 168 | 150 |
Australia | 110 | 110 |
UK | 70 | 70 |
South America | 34 | 43 |
Eastern Europe | 35 | 35 |
India | 26 | 30 |
Indonesia | 12 | 11 |
Real-Life App Development Budget
Here are examples of a few popular mobile apps that have transformed the concept of customer experience.
A mobile app development cost in US $ by US-based agency:
- Offline standalone app cost: $12,000 to $25,000
- App with moderate online connectivity: $5,000 to $45,000
- Chatbot app development cost: $20,000 to $50,000
- IoT or wearable application cost: $20,000 to $60,000
- Messaging application development cost: $30,000 to $70,000
- Augmented Reality / Virtual Reality app cost: $40,000 to $70,000
- On-demand app development cost: $50,000 to $100,000
- M-commerce app cost: $30,000 to $80,000.00
- Mobile social networking app cost: $30,000 to $90,000
- Enterprise mobile app cost: $50,000 to $120,000
Cost of building a mobile app In US $ with an offshore team:
- Offline standalone app cost: $5,000
- App with moderate online connectivity cost: $12,000
- Chatbot app development cost: $19,000
- IoT and wearable application cost: $28,000
- Messaging application development cost: $35,000
- Augmented Reality / Virtual Reality app cost: $45,000
- On-demand app development cost: $50,000
- M-commerce app cost: $40,000
- Mobile social networking app cost: $50,000
- Enterprise mobile app cost: $60,000
Hidden App Development Costs
- Backend Infrastructure
- Security Measures
- Cross-Platform Compatibility
- User Experience (UX) Design
- Legal Compliance
Consider VLink for Mobile App Development Costs!
Considering all above-mentioned influencing factors should help you arrive at a nearly accurate cost for turning your innovative app idea into a reality.
In case you still feel that calculating the final cost of mobile app development in the United State is challenging, you can consult VLink, a reliable app development company.
Our dedicated development team specialize in creating and releasing the most innovative and scalable app with next-gen features and functionalities.
So, If you want to create efficient mobile apps or want to get a rough estimate for mobile app development solution, contact our experts to get started.
Conclusion!
As we can see that the cost of mobile app development in 2024 & beyond is pretty much very efficient compared to the kind of product you are getting. If you require any such services, you can either hire app developers or get in touch with companies like VLink, which is one of the best Android/iOS app development companies you can hire within a quick turnaround time for your project. All the best for your app development journey!
Frequently Asked Questions
To build a mobile app, follow these steps:
- Define your app's purpose and target audience.
- Sketch out a wireframe and create a prototype.
- Choose the right development tools and programming language.
- Code your app, test it rigorously, and iterate as needed.
- Deploy it to an app store for distribution.
The cost to maintain an app in 2024 varies depending on factors like complexity, updates, and infrastructure. On average, maintenance can range from $5,000 to $20,000 annually for small to medium apps, while larger, more complex apps may require budgets exceeding $50,000 per year for ongoing support and updates.
Must-have features for mobile app development in 2024 include:
- Personalization: Tailoring content and experiences to individual users.
- AI Integration: Leveraging artificial intelligence for smarter recommendations and personalized interactions.
- Voice Assistance: Integrating voice commands and recognition for hands-free interaction.
- Enhanced Security: Implementing robust security measures to protect user data and privacy.
- Offline Functionality: Allowing users to access essential features even without an internet connection.
